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Features Ecuador
It is difficult to understand the incredible diversity and contrasts of Ecuador. Jammed between Peru and Colombia, Ecuador contains within its borders an improbable variety of landscape and culture. It is bisected by an epic stretch of the northern Andes, and to the East is the biological mother lode of the Amazonian forest. There are kilometres of Pacific coastline, including the living wonders of the Galapagos Islands. Not only are these regions highly defined, but they are also wonderfully connected. The entire country is about the size of Victoria, and is home to some of the world's most extraordinary national parks.
Cool Cities
Quito lies between two mountain ranges and its altitude is 2,800 metres 10,000 feet. It's Old City is famous for its colonial- and independence-era architecture and heritage. It's a great quarter to wander, with several museums and plenty of restaurants and terrace cafes. Modern, northern Quito is a fun place to explore, with plenty of museums and urban parks as well as restaurants and nightlife.
Guayaquil is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador, with around 2.6 million residents in the city. Guayaquil is a sea port, and its personality derives much from that fact. Also, the climate is very hot. These two factors give the city a 'Caribbean' soul, where foreigners are usually well received, tropical music rules and seafood is a must do. Head to the Estero Salado where you can enjoy the wonderful sunsets.
Cuenca It is located in the highlands of Ecuador. The city centre is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Trust site because of its many historical buildings. Cuenca is arguably the most charming of all Ecuadorian cities with cobblestone streets, old-world cathedrals, colonial parks and urban rivers. Those seeking culture in Cuenca by day can choose from a variety of bars and restaurants by night.
Situated in the Pacific Ocean some 1,000 km from the South American continent, the 19 islands and surrounding marine reserve are a unique 'living museum and showcase of evolution'. The extreme isolation of the islands, led to the development of unusual animal life – such as the land iguana, and the giant tortoise– that inspired Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection following his visit.
At Mitad del Mundo (the middle of the world) in Ecuador, dancers celebrate the equator every weekend. In1982 a 30-meter monument tower with a globe at the top emerged 25 km. north of Quito to mark the location of the equator according to technology of the day. Quitenos celebrate it as symbolic. Today's technology, the GPS, agrees with the correct location some 200 meters away.
Ingapirca
Ingapirca is the name of the town in Cañar Province, and an Incan site outside the town, the largest known Inca ruins in Ecuador. The significant building is the temple of the sun. It is positioned so on the solstices, at the right time of day; sunlight falls through the centre of the doorway of a small chamber at the top of the temple. The altars are naturally illuminated during the Inca new year, Inti Raymi.
The Oriente is a region of eastern Ecuador, comprising the eastern slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes and the lowland areas of rainforest in the Amazon basin. It consists of little-explored and virtually unexploited tropical forest inhabited by a tiny fraction of the country's population, living in small villages along the river courses. Its heart is the rivers tying it to the Amazon basin.
Sangay National Park
Sangay National Park has spectacular scenic beauty, which is dominated by three snow-capped volcanoes. The Park harbours a very diverse fauna, and is one of the last large refuges for many threatened species of mammals, birds, and plants. Some 500 species of birds are found, such as the Andean condor and giant hummingbird (the world's largest, with a wing-span of 30 cm).
The Galapagos Islands and its surrounding waters are a national park, and a biological marine reserve second in size only to Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The islands are geologically young and famed for their vast number of endemic species, which were studied by Charles Darwin during the voyage of the Beagle. In 1990, the archipelago became a whale sanctuary.
Carnival Celebrations in Cuenca and other nearby towns feature costume parades, native dances and plenty of food. The highlight is the good-natured water and foam fights, fact visitors often learn about the hard way when they get smacked by a water balloon launched from a balcony or passing car. Carnival in Ecuador includes aspects of folklore and tradition dating back thousands of years.
Otavalo Market
The Otavalo Market, in this famous market town, is undoubtedly one of the most important and spectacular markets in all of Latin America. The market is attractive to visitors for both its outstanding shopping and its cultural significance. Otavalenos have been talented textile makers since ancient times, prior even to the Inca invasion. Otavaleno cashmere is well known for its low price and high quality.
Walk the Quilotoa Loop
The Quilotoa Loop in the central highlands is a great way to experience the beautiful countryside of the Andes. You will pass indigenous villages, highland markets, and enjoy spectacular sceneries with deep canyons, paramo highlands and snow-capped peaks. This trek finishes at Quilotoa, one of the most impressive craters lakes of South America. Laguna Quilotoa emerald water spans two kilometers.
Treasures of the Past
Monastery San Francisco
The Franciscan Order was the first to establish itself in Quito and immediately started built a monastery which became the centre of education and art with its own schools of painting and sculpture. The monasteries of San Francisco with its rich interiors are pure examples of the so-called 'Baroque school of Quito', a fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous art.
Cathedral Cuenca
The New Cathedral of Cuenca is the cathedral church in Cuenca. The cathedral took over the function of the nearby Old Cathedral that had become too small. Construction works started in 1885 and lasted for almost a century. This building combines many architecture styles, nevertheless Romanesque is predominant. The cathedral is surmounted by three giant domes covered by sky-blue glazed tile.
In the Ecuadorian highlands, weaving by hand remains a living art, providing a livelihood for those who weave and sustaining the Ecuadorian national identity. After spinning and dyeing the yarn, the weavers work on a loom to handmade pieces reflecting the history and artistry of an ancient culture. The beauty and high quality of these woven goods draws people, particularly to the town of Otavalo.
In Ecuador, Carnival celebrations have a history that begins before the arrival of Catholicism. Different festivities are held in various regions of the country. Locals wear disguises with colourful masks and dance to the rhythm of lively music. A common feature of Ecuadorian Carnival is the diablitos (little devils) who play with water. This practice of throwing on unsuspecting victims is especially revered by children.
Quito Historic centre
Quito one of the largest, least-altered and best-preserved cities in the Americas is considered to have one of the most important historic areas in Latin America. There are about 130 monumental buildings (which hosts a variety of pictorial art and sculpture, mostly religion inspired in a multi-faceted range of schools and styles) and around 5,000 properties in the inventory of heritage properties.