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Ecuador

7

Reasons To
Visit Ecuador

  • Amazon rainforest

    Easily accessible from Quito, the Ecuadorian Amazon offers some of the best run eco-lodges in the whole of Latin America. Whether it is Sacha, Napo or Haourani Lodge, you are best placed for some excellent wildlife vieiwing as well as learning about the indigenous population that manage and run the lodges.

    Amazon rainforest
  • Colonial Architecture

    In addition to the traditional farmhouse haciendas, the cities of Quito and Cuenca offer fine examples of Spanish Colonial architecture. Both are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the fabulous historical centres are complimented with lovely cafes and great restaurant options.

    Colonial Architecture
  • Colourful Markets

    Markets form an integral part of Ecuadorian life. Ranging from vast colourful textile markets geared towards tourists around Otavalo to local markets in the central highlands selling everything from corn and bananas to refrigerators and satellite dishes - there is a market that will engross visitors, no matter what their age or interest.

    Colourful Markets
  • Haciendas

    Traditional farmhouse haciendas are dotted across the high Andean countryside but are concentrated around the town of Otavalo and the Cotopaxi National Park. Dating back as far as the 16th Century, they are full of character and offer guests an opportunity to step back in time. They make for a great base for walking, mountain biking and horseback riding.

    Haciendas
  • Panama Hats

    Even thought it isn't widely appreciated, the fact remains that the Panama hat wasn't in fact invented in Panama, but instead originated in Montecristi, northwest Ecuador! The name was derived when the hats were shipped to Panama to protect the canal construction workers from the sun in the early 1900s. Today a number of factories continue to produce hats around the southern city of Cuenca.

    Panama Hats
  • Rainforest

    The Rainforest in Ecuador offers a wealth of options to the visitor. Yasuni National Park is home to some of the best run eco-lodges in South America, each boasting comfortable accommodation and great wildlife viewing opportunities. In the southeast of the country, some eco-lodges provide the added cultural experience of living with the indigenous Amazonian population.

    Rainforest
  • Volcanoes

    Due to its location on the Pacific 'Ring of fire', Ecuador boasts no less than 28 volcanoes, many of which are active. 10 of Ecuador's volcanic mountains are over 5000m in altitude and best viewed along the 'Avenue of Volcanoes' between Quito and Cuenca. Here there is a wonderful mix of local farming communities and National Parks all overlooked by snow-capped peaks - great for the outdoor enthusiast.

    Volcanoes
 
 

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Highlights of Ecuador

    • Browse the stalls at Otavalo Market
    • Otavalo, just two hours' drive north of the capital Quito, is a lovely place to visit. Friendly local people selling crafts, textiles and colourful paintings in a relaxed atmosphere make this a great place to experience traditional Ecuadorian culture.
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    • Discover adventure in the Mindo Cloudforest
    • A short drive to the northwest of Quito, the Mindo Cloudforest region is a haven for birdwatchers as well as those looking for adventure. Adrenalin junkies can enjoy zip-ling through the forest canopy and whitewater rafting.
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    • Explore Cotopaxi National Park
    • Home to Mount Cotopaxi, one of the world's highest active volcanoes, Cotopaxi National Park is an ideal place to spend a night or two in a local hacienda. The almost perfect conical shape of Mount Cotopaxi attracts walkers, mountain bikers, horse riders and climbers looking to enjoy the Andean outdoors.
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    • Explore the ancient heart of Quito
    • Quito has a lot to offer the visitor. Whether it is the historic UNESCO World Heritage listed centre, or the vibrant cafe and restaurant culture in the new town, Ecuador's capital city deserves at least a couple of days of your trip.
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    • Visit beautiful Cuenca
    • Arguably the prettiest city in Ecuador, Cuenca has a fine colonial centre, is home to the famous Panama hat factories and is a springboard to the stunning rural communities in the south of the country.
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Our country specialists have travelled the length and breadth of Ecuador - here are a few of their favourite things to do

A diminutive country that boasts a wonderfully diverse array of sights, Ecuador is a pocket-sized version of all that is synonymous with Latin America.

Scale and diversity

It has a landscape dotted with smoking volcanoes, well-preserved colonial towns, vibrant and colourful indigenous markets and vast tracts of sultry Amazon rainforest. Proving the old maxim that the best things really do come in small packages, Ecuador has more than enough to provide any visitor with an enthralling trip.

The Galapagos Islands

But Ecuador has one unique feature all of its own - the magnificent Galapagos Islands. Famous for their wide variety of fearless wildlife and as the inspiration for Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, a cruise around these fascinating islands is one of the world’s great travel experiences.

Popular Places to visit in Ecuador

{6259AFE7-5490-4C96-A98A-A228206930F8}Avenue of Volcanoes

The long and picturesque valley south of Quito towards Cuenca is the start of Ecuador’s indigenous heartland.

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{04425B2C-2AF5-4663-805F-EB8EEA5C6042}Cuenca

Undisputedly Ecuador’s prettiest city, Cuenca was founded by the Spanish in the mid-16th century.

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{EF6BCD38-8B32-4111-98B0-41A4AE9273FD}Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands were officially discovered by the Spanish Bishop of Panama in March 1535 when his ship was blown off course en route to Peru. His descriptions...

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{98D527A8-0F85-4B0C-9579-B8D632B3DC91}Guayaquil

Ideally-located for visiting the Andean highlands and the archipelago of the Galapagos out in the Pacific, Guayaquil is a great place to spend a day or two before continuing your journey to new destinations.

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{55FB61E0-235B-466C-BE19-F3F2869EA582}Loja

Loja, one of Ecuador's oldest settlements, is a wonderful colonial town, similar in style to Cuenca but with very little international tourism.

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{6EDA1BC3-FBE3-4C8F-B0D8-319FDC6EA0DF}Otavalo

A couple of hours north of Quito, the small town of Otavalo, nestling in amongst the surrounding hills and mountains, is famous for its bustling indigenous market, which dates back to pre-Inca times.

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{73ABD31E-75BA-4D0F-88CD-6EA6093203B0}Papallacta

The town of Papallacta, located about 60 kilometres from Quito and about two hours drive from the capital, is renowned for its thermal springs and their reputed curative powers.

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{38AA39F8-7788-4939-B257-8F5C43B452C1}Quito

Set in an Andean valley with the verdant Pichincha volcano rising to the west, Quito is the capital of Ecuador.

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{611A5341-0AB3-4D41-90D6-9A7CB5412871}The Amazon

The Ecuadorian wedge of the Amazon rainforest will enchant visitors with its cacophony of birdsong, the playful whoops of monkeys, the still black waters of the rivers, and the flutter of colourful butterflies and tropical birds.

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{D5D3AA1D-6900-44F2-8801-FBC81BAFD0CE}The Cloudforest

As the slopes of the High Andes head down east to the Amazon plains and west to the coastal regions, enormous expanses of cloudforest cover the hillsides.

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Practical Info

Flight time from UK

15 hours (Quito via Madrid, Amsterdam or the USA)

Recommended airlines

Iberia, KLM & LAN

Timezone

GMT-5 hours

When To Go

Jan
A good time to travel, but there may be some factors to be aware of
Feb
A good time to travel, but there may be some factors to be aware of
Mar
A good time to travel, but there may be some factors to be aware of
Apr
A good time to travel, but there may be some factors to be aware of
May
A good time to travel, but there may be some factors to be aware of
Jun
A good time to travel, but there may be some factors to be aware of
Jul
A good time to travel, but there may be some factors to be aware of
Aug
A good time to travel, but there may be some factors to be aware of
Sep
A good time to travel, but there may be some factors to be aware of
Oct
A good time to travel, but there may be some factors to be aware of
Nov
A good time to travel, but there may be some factors to be aware of
Dec
A good time to travel, but there may be some factors to be aware of
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