Among streets of Colonial heritage, Quito stands out for the conservation of its buildings in the old town, beautiful houses with balconies adorned with flowers, squares and churches that have the legacy of several eras in which they were built, you can see their bases in volcanic stone with imposing walls made of adobe, some of them up to a meter wide, subtly plastered with portals and columns carved in stone, many of them with fine internal details sculpted by Ecuadorian artists who left their mark for posterity. The most representative examples of its religious constructions are the churches:

Basilica del Voto Nacional is an example of architecture, which from afar you can appreciate its Neo-Gothic style of the nineteenth century and as you approach you can distinguish the gargoyles interpreted by animals of the Ecuadorian fauna, inside you will find beautiful details that will dazzle you.

Church of the La Compañia de Jesus is a Catholic clerical complex, with the facade made entirely of volcanic stone, its construction was made in the Baroque style, but with strong Mudejar and Moorish influence, traces of the Moorish rule of its Spanish architects, seen mainly in its internal pillars, also has beautiful details in gold leaf, mainly on the altar, reflecting the sun in faint warm colors.

San Francisco Church is the perfect representation of various architectural styles, built over 150 years since the sixteenth century, speaks of the history of Quito since its inception as a city of Catholic soul and proof of this are in its impressive religious images that house the church and convent that function to this day.

Intiñan Solar Museum, considered the exact point where the line of the Equator passes, this place has the most fun and educational interactive activities in the region, since you will have the opportunity to be located in each of the hemispheres one foot on each side, balance an egg on the head of a nail or see how in each hemisphere the water in a container rotates to different directions and in the equatorial line makes a straight fall, all this surrounded by replicas of huts of ancient peoples and impressive sculptures.

Natural viewpoint Pululahua Volcano, this point offers one of the most impressive and relaxing views of Quito, from here you can observe the only inhabited volcano crater in the world, its green tones contrast perfectly with the brown mountains, while a light breeze invites us to reflect.

This park is characterized by a warm humid climate, its rainfall comes from April to July and its lowest rainfall starts from December to February. The populations of this area are the Huaorani, who live in the vicinity of the Napo and Curaray rivers. Today they are considered as ancient and isolated people.

The options to get to know this beautiful Amazonian region are staying in a lodge or taking a river cruise, we recommend a minimum of 4 days to discover most of its magical landscapes. We will visit the Yasuní National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on the planet and home of the legendary pink dolphin, with a lot of luck we will be able to observe them in their natural environment.

The activities that can be performed in this unique place surrounded by ancient forests and majestic rivers, are to enjoy a beautiful sunset on the beaches and natural islands on the banks of the Napo River, observe closely colorful birds such as tanagers, toucans, macaws, parrots, flycatchers and some species of monkeys, We will also visit an authentic family on the banks of the Napo River, where we will have the opportunity to learn directly from the members of the local community about their way of life and preparation of wayusa tea.

Other experiences that are not to be missed are the Observation Tower, only in lodge, a place where you will experience life in the jungle above the trees, visit a Lamedero where hundreds of wonderful colorful birds gather to lick the mineral contained in the soil that helps them digest the fruits and seeds with which they feed.  In its surroundings we can observe birds such as eagles, oropendolas, and the famous woodpeckers. In this area, we can also find the peculiar hoatzin, a unique bird, known locally as the stinking guan.

In this complex ecosystem of the Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador live other species such as vines, orchids, bromeliads, ancient reeds, and different animals such as insects, spiders, mammals, birds, monkeys, etc.

Before your return to civilization you will have great opportunities to take a night walk to observe the most exotic animals that only come out in the twilight.

Located north of the city of Quito, the region has several of the most interesting sites, both historical-cultural and archaeological, through its mountains passes the Equatorial Line which is the point where the earth is separated into its two hemispheres, in this interesting place you can have unique interactive experiences in its museums:

Cuidad Mitad del Mundo, a beautiful complex with several options to stay a couple of hours knowing a little of the Ecuadorian cultures in its ethnographic museum located in the Mitad del Mundo Monument, this place has 6 levels with samples of the most representative cultures of the three Ecuadorian regions, Peoples of the Pacific Coast, Indigenous of the Andes Mountains, Amazonian Tribes, at the end of the tour you will have the opportunity to shop on the last level, here is a gallery where you will find various handicrafts.

In this complex you will also find the Plaza del Cacao where you can experience the production of chocolate from its history, production and preparation in interactive explanations, and at the end enjoy a delicious drink prepared to your liking, you can also purchase the Ecuadorian chocolate bars so appreciated worldwide. Another area that is not to be missed are the Ancestral Dwellings in this place you can observe three different dwellings such as: Housing of the Shuar, Housing of the Sierra and the Coast, each with its particularities, inside you can experience the lifestyle of these peoples. Other places to enjoy a nice tour are the Cultural Plaza, the Chapel, the Central Plaza, the Train Station, among others. We could not say goodbye to this fantastic place without visiting the France Pavilion where we will find information about the main contributions of the First and Second French Geodesic Mission, which was the scientific expedition that measured the distance equivalent to one degree of latitude at the Earth’s Equator.

Intiñan Solar Museum, considered the exact point where the line of the Equator passes, this place has the most fun and educational interactive activities in the region, since you will have the opportunity to be located in each of the hemispheres one foot on each side, balance an egg on the head of a nail or see how in each hemisphere the water in a container rotates to different directions and in the equatorial line makes a straight fall, all this surrounded by replicas of huts of ancient peoples and impressive sculptures.

Natural viewpoint Pululahua Volcano, this point offers one of the most impressive and relaxing views of Quito, from here you can observe the only inhabited volcano crater in the world, its green tones contrast perfectly with the brown mountains, while a light breeze invites us to reflect.

The Mindo Cloud Forest is the most visited region of the northwest, its popularity lies in its very characteristic flora and fauna, considered one of the paradises for bird lovers, with more than 500 species, some unique: as the Cock of the Rock, Swainson’s Toucan, Giant Gralaria, Scaled Fruiteatero, among others. Its forests are part of the Mindo-Nambillo Reserve, which due to its warm humid climate stays green all year round and shelters an exuberant amount of orchids, the most beautiful in Ecuador. This biome is also known for the great variety of butterflies that it shelters, one of the samples of this rich environment can be seen in its Orchidarium and Butterfly Farm, where you will find several specimens in all stages of growth, do not miss the hummingbirds very common in this place, these nice birds are the symbol of the city of Quito.

Mindo is also for a good dose of adrenaline, its activities are varied, from a family day practicing Tubbing, which are buoys tied firmly with ropes to follow the cause of a river of shallow waters and safe currents, or try to cross its dense forest in its various options of Canopy, also has a nice cable car type tarabita where fun is safe. For the more experienced there is the opportunity to rappel in one of its waterfalls and feel the water fall, pure and crystalline.

Another option is hiking, Mindo has trails of great beauty, crossing rivers, impressive waterfalls and small streams with bridges made of fallen trees, which preserve a natural environment, pay close attention is possible to find small mammals such as the agouti, red-tailed squirrels and on very rare occasions, ocelots locally called ocelots or the olinguito a new species of arboreal mammal, the secret is to make the trails as quiet as possible.

This adventure would not be complete without visiting the artisan chocolate factories, Mindo produces a wide variety of cocoa and is recognized worldwide for the fine quality of its chocolates, live this experience of delicate flavors, from the visit to a small cocoa plantation to the elaboration of chocolate bars.

Not less important, but a little far away, is the Tulipe Site Museum, this archaeological complex keeps the vestiges of the Yumbo´s culture that once connected the coastal towns with the indigenous people of the Andes, serving as intermediaries for the exchange of products from these two regions, here you will find stone structures made with subtle perfection, the ceremonial complex has purification pools, an agora, plus exhibition halls that show the representations of this people and petroglyphs.

The city of Otavalo to the north of Quito has the most important indigenous population of Ecuador, easily recognizable by their clothing and their long braided hair, the Otavaleños are born traders, proof of this is their market, one of the most important in Latin America, Although it operates every day, Saturday is the peak time, its cobblestone streets are filled with various handicrafts, here the most characteristic are the textiles, colorful looms, geometric shapes, representations of Andean animals, capture the everyday in their art. Objects in stone, wood, metal also adorn every corner of the Otavalo market, let yourself be enchanted by the friendly Otavaleños, here the trick is to negotiate and reach a fair price for both parties, the most important thing for them is to spend a pleasant moment.

Fruits and vegetables also have their place in this swing, here you can find tasty fruits of the Andean region, also only on Saturdays, the pet market is a sensation, here you can see how the locals exchange or sell their farm animals in a jovial atmosphere, you can see sheep, llamas, poultry, even horses, this hectic place is for many of the indigenous people a meeting place not to be missed.

North of the city of Otavalo is one of the most important places of the Otavalo culture, the Peguche Waterfall, where purification rituals are performed at night accompanied by massive processions through secondary forest trails and crossing through farms, where only members of the community participate, but do not worry, during the day you can visit this magical area and feel why this place is so special.

Going into the foothills of the Cotacachi-Cayapas Reserve very close to Otavalo is the picturesque town of Cotacachi, where the finest leather handicrafts are made. Crossing these important points, we will arrive at Cuicocha, a small lake of volcanic origin, called Laguna de los Dioses, on its shores you can see the reflection of the sky in its blue waters. There is the possibility of making a short but fantastic navigation in a small boat to visit one of the islands that are located throughout the center of its waters, you can observe the flora and fauna of the place.

It is easy to understand why this magical place is one of the postcards of Ecuador, from Quito you can observe the imposing Cotopaxi volcano with its snowy summit that invites us to be closer, through small towns and charming Andean villages is the access to the Cotopaxi National Park that from its beginning we can observe the change in its vegetation from small forests of eucalyptus to varieties of mosses and shrub species of paramo, We will also find several representatives of the local fauna, such as rabbits, cervicabras, paramo wolves, spectacled bears, Andean deer and birds like quilicos, Andean gulls, curiquingues and with a lot of luck we will observe condors, symbol of the Andes. Its bodies of water are one of the attractions worth visiting, the Cajas, Limpiopungo and Santo Domingo lagoons are located in the vicinity of the volcano, these receive native birds such as the dabbling duck and the half-moon duck among others. Climbing the Cotopaxi Volcano, you can feel the change in altitude while observing some of the most enchanting landscapes of the Andes, volcanic formations of the passage of lava is its ancient eruptions and demarcate the passage of pyroclastic flows in impressive canyons that show us the beauty and strength of nature at its best. Arriving at the refuge after a hike that demands some physical fitness, you will be rewarded with one of the most beautiful landscapes of the Ecuadorian Andes, in the distance you can see the volcanoes, Sincholagua, Cayambe, Chimborazo, the Ilinizas and Corazón, this is a large part of the Avenue of volcanoes, referred to by the German Geophysicist Alexander Von Humboldt, by the aligned arrangement of these majestic formations. For the most experienced in altitude, you have the opportunity to be close to the clouds and observe the mouth of the volcano, always accompanied by specialized guides.

South of Quito crossing the Avenue of the Volcanoes, on the road to Pujilí, we will enter Zumbahua, this beautiful indigenous town very famous for its Saturday fair which is a typical mountain market where llamas and horses are sold, Saturday is one of the most important days for the community of Zumbahua, here they gather not only to sell their agricultural products and animals, but also to socialize and catch up with the news, since many of them live in regions far away from the Andean páramo, Continuing through places full of small villages we will arrive at the Quilotoa Lagoon, one of the geological formations that have captivated everyone who knows it, this lagoon rests at the mouth of the volcano at a depth of 250 meters high, its calm waters are only agitated with the bubbling trails that release gases from deep inside, this makes its waters are painted hues that become mesmerizing in beautiful shades of green and blue, depending on the incidence of sunlight. In the crown of the volcano there is a viewpoint, where you can enjoy all the splendor of the landscape with the background of the Andes that match the blue sky reflected in its waters.

From the viewpoint, a winding path will lead us through several altitudes where we will find many of the plants of this biome, mostly shrubs and with a lot of luck one or another páramo wolf waiting motionless for a rabbit unnoticed, as we approach we can perceive the greatness of this lagoon as they change their colors to darker shades, to reach its waters will feel like nature is perfect, there is the possibility of a kayak ride to enter the water and get another perspective of this beautiful place. When returning to the summit the road is more distant than it seems, the altitude plays an important role in this exhausting journey, but do not worry, the friendly locals will invite you to rent one of their pack animals to feel the unique style of Sancho Panza.

Galapagos is known for being the most biodiverse archipelago in the Pacific for its numerous endemic species and also for the studies of the English scientist Charles Darwin that led him to establish the theory of evolution by natural selection. They are called the Enchanted Islands, a title given to the archipelago in the 16th century for its admirable biodiversity of plants and animals. The islands were home to Lonesome George, the last specimen of the giant Pinta tortoises, which disappeared completely in 2012, which is embalmed at the Charles Darwin Station in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. The islands are also habitat of species such as sea turtles, iguanas, lizards, cormorants, albatrosses, sea lions and penguins. All of them distributed in several islands, each one of them with flora and fauna different from the others, it is admirable how evolution has given this singular capacity to the islands.

It is estimated that the formation of the first island took place more than 5 million years ago, as a result of tectonic activity. The most recent islands, called Isabela and Fernandina, are still in the process of formation (the most recent volcanic eruption was recorded in 2009). Like the mainland of Ecuador, the archipelago is also crossed by the equator, mostly to the north of Isabela Island.

Galapagos is the second most active volcanically active archipelago on the planet, second only to Hawaii, and falls into the category of hotspots. The most active volcanoes are Cerro Azul, Sierra Negra, Marchena and La Cumbre volcano on Fernandina Island, which is the most active of the archipelago and one of the most active in the world.

These wonderful places can be done in circuits of 4 days, the most popular are the cruises that go into points of great interest both tourist and scientific, its waters invite you to practice activities such as kayaking, paddling through volcanic rocks, accompanied by sea lions, penguins, and birds like the blue-footed booby, also to snorkel and see the marine fauna that is so striking for its corals of various species, colorful fish in various shades, manta rays, hammerhead sharks and even sea turtles looking for food in its crystal clear waters, hiking has an important place in the cruises, visits to moonscapes, beaches of various colors, such as olivine beaches that paint their margins with faint green, also beaches of red and black, but the favorite for nesting sea turtles are the white beaches of coral, perfect for laying their eggs.

Another option is to stay 4 days in a beautiful hotel on the island of Santa Cruz, with daily excursions to uninhabited islands, an experience for those looking to be on the mainland to enjoy the hospitality of the locals and enjoy the nightlife of the island.