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Travel to the Galapagos Islands by ship, yacht or charter your own
vessel and add an Ecuador and/or Peru package extension.
Visit Amazon Jungle lodges: the Sacha Lodge, Casa del Suizo,
La Selva Jungle Lodge, the unique Mindo Cloud Forest, the
majestic Cotopaxi National Park or the famed Otavalo
Indian Market. |
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Visit these magnificent attractions of Ecuador! |
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Visit the capital city of Quito, Ecuador! |
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The Ecuadorian Andes provide travelers the opportunity to see the natural and manmade splendors of the highlands by climbing, horseback riding, and hiking in the Avenues of Volcanoes, around 20 active volcanoes, which run the length of the northern Sierra. The Sierra offers an abundance of natural and cultural beauty where travelers can hike, bike, and climb. Here you will see snow-capped, active volcanoes, flourishing green hillsides populated for farming and a scenic view of the untamed cloud forests, waterfalls, natural hot springs, rivers, and a lake which was formed in the crater of a volcano. In addition, there are many chances for bird watching in the cloud forests of Mindo. Travelers also have the opportunity to shop for handmade crafts in the market town of Otavalo and hike between magnificently preserved colonial-era haciendas or sight-see the colonial towns, such as Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
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Quito is the capital of Ecuador, which is where most people begin their expedition. However, a high percentage of travelers leave Ecuador never going any farther in the highlands. The Sierras are very accessible from Quito and offer many accommodations, such as shopping, cultural festivities, and culinary selections. |
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Cayambe, Ecuador is located in the highlands, about 10km north of Quito and about 25 km northeast of Guayllabamba. This quiet town is surrounded by flower plantations and farms, which makes it an important center for dairy, cattle, and roses. It is also famous for the cheese that is produced, as well as its cookies known as “bizcochos,” which are small biscuits with string cheese. Beginning in the 1980s, Colombian farmers realized that the weather combined with the fertile volcanic soil could produce great roses. The Ecuadorian Rose is a high quality flower, both large and long lasting. So don’t forget to buy your loved one a rose when you visit. |
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Cayambe is the largest town north of Quito and is home to the pyramids of the Sun and the Moon located at Puntiachil and the Museum of Marco Sandoval Ortiz. Travelers who visit in March enjoy the celebration of the equinox and in June they experience the Inti Raymi and the San Pedro celebrations. |
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If you are planning to visit the Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve, the town of Cayambe is one of the main entrance points. Here you can visit the Cayambe Volcano, Ecuador’s third highest peak (18,997 ft/5,790 meters) and the highest point on earth lying right on the Equator. In 1880, British climber Edward Whymper and his Italian guides, Juan Antonio and Luis Carrel, were the first successful climbers to reach the top. Even though the volcano is a favorite of mountaineers, it is more difficult and more dangerous than climbing Cotopaxi or Chimborazo, because of the high risk involved with an avalanche, due to the southeastern winds that blow across the summit. It is also covered by gigantic ice formations and has many gorges near the peak. If you are up to the challenge, there is a refuge located at 15,749 ft (4800 m) called the Ruales-Oleas-Berge. It can house up to 37 people with a kitchen, fireplace, eating area, running water, and an emergency radio. |
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Cotopaxi, Ecuador |
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Cotopaxi, meaning the “Smooth Neck of the Moon,” is the second highest mountain in Ecuador and is one of the world’s highest active volcanoes. It is located in the Eastern Cordillera at the Cotopaxi National Park (60 km south of Quito) and its summit elevation is 5,911 meters. Cotopaxi is considered to be a stratovolcano (a volcano that produces both lava flows and pyroclastic material). This volcano was first climbed in 1672 by German geologist Wilhelm Reiss and the Colombian Angel Escobar. However, his goal to climb the mountain was for geological reasons, not to be the first person to hike it. Because of the recent lava flow, they did not need any ice gear as they made their way up the trail. Cotopaxi has erupted 50 times since 1738 with the most recent eruption in 1904. In 1877 the eruption melted snow and ice which caused mudflows, some traveling 60 miles from the volcano. Today, Cotopaxi is considered to have a perfect ice-covered volcanic cone. If you are planning to climb Cotopaxi, you need proper ice climbing gear, good stamina and strength, as well as sufficient acclimatization to high altitude. Lake Quilotoa is an awe-inspiring lake in the middle of a volcanic crater. The lake is a turquoise color, due to the minerals in the water, which also do not allow certain species to live there. However, there are spectacular amounts of wildlife around the lake. Lake Quilotoa is also great for mountain biking. |
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Located on the eastern plain of Patate, is the province of Cotopaxi. The main attraction is Cotopaxi National Park. Nevertheless, travelers must experience the indigenous markets and traditional celebrations. Surrounding towns, such as Latacunga is a fantastic place to see Spanish colonial architecture and the Town Hall. It is also the capital of the Cotopaxi province and the indigenous meaning is “God of the Lakes.” Latacunga has been destroyed 3 times due to the lava flow from Cotopaxi Mountain. Other towns that are worth a visit are Pujilí, Saquisilí, Salcedo, and Tilipulo. These towns are known for their cattle and agricultural, as well as handcrafting. In addition, Pujilí is also famous for its painted and glazed ceramics. If you are visiting Saquisilí, take a stroll in the colorful village on Thursdays where you can shop at the local market that covers 8 blocks. When visiting Salcedo, stop by and enjoy their well known fruits and ice cream. Tilipulo’s attractions include St John Baptist Monastery, an architectural remnant of the colonial area which features stunning covered passages, a sundial, a patio, ponds, and a cemetery. |
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Cotopaxi is rich on culture, traditions, and food. One of the country’s major celebrations which take place in November is The Mama Negra, commemorating the earth’s fertility and productivity. Traditional dances in Salcedo, Pujilí, Saquisilí, and Latacunga are performed during the Carnival and Corpus Christi festivities. A typical dish that is served in Cotopaxi is Chugchucaras. This dish consists of pork rinds, fried pork, white corn, fried plantain, corn on the cob, mini empanadas, and popcorn. The Chicha and beer are great drinks that traditionally accompany the dish. Allulas are another specialty. This type of dish is a type of biscuit with fresh cheese wrapped in a leaf, and served with white-corn porridge, and corn flour porridge with cherries. |
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The Avenue of the Volcanoes |
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Ecuador is populated by some 250 volcanoes which are all in an area the size of the US state of Arizona. This is the most concentration of volcanoes of any nation on Earth. In 1802, German explorer, Alexander Von Humboldt, appropriately named this “The Avenue of the Volcanoes.” Cotopaxi (60 km south of Quito) is the largest volcano in Ecuador and is the highest active volcano on Earth. |
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The reason Ecuador has so many volcanoes, especially on one area, is because it sits atop the Pacific oceanic plate and the South American continental plate. On November 3, 2002, Reventador without warning erupted and within hours 25,000 square kilometers covered the whole area, including Quito, with tons of ash. Tunguragua volcano is located outside of Banos, a small city on the eastern slope of the Ecuadorian Andes. This volcano continually produces lava eruptions. Scientists are not too concerned about these types of eruptions, however, they are observing what Cotopaxi might do. Cotopaxi volcano causes lahars, a flow of volcanic debris that is mixed with water, ash, rock, and earth. In the last 500 years, Cotopaxi has erupted 30 times, 20 of those times it has triggered lahars. In 1877 it killed 1,000 people in Latacunga and another lahar reached the Pacific Ocean, more than 250 kilometers northeast of the volcano. |
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“The Avenue of the Volcanoes” is also populated with farmlands, and this was where the conquering Spanish settled. The snow capped mountain view, along with the dark, fertile soil, was probably the incentive for early cultures as well. Historians believe that Ecuador began to populate anywhere between 80,000 BC and 3,000 BC, As early cultures along the coast of Ecuador were developing pottery, the highlanders were developing agricultural adaptations of their own. The areas between Quito and Cuenca gained a reputation. |
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Cuenca |
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When traveling through Cuenca’s cobblestone streets, marble buildings, and immense cathedrals, you forget that you are living in the 21st century. The citizens of Cuenca, Ecuador are known for their traditional manner and cultural values that resemble their 18th century atmosphere. They continue their tradition by producing more notable writers, poets, philosophers, and artists than anywhere else in their country. Cuenca is the third largest city in the nation and the capital of the Azuay province. It is also the cultural Mecca of Ecuador and the economic hub of the southern Sierra. Cuenca was honored as the UNESCO World Heritage Trust site for the continuing success of trade and preserving the history of the city. |
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Cuenca was believed to have been founded around 500 AD. The city used to be a Canari settlement known as Guapondeleg which translates to “land as big as heaven.” However, the Incas conquered the Canari and controlled the Guapondeleg and the neighboring area. The Incas rebuilt the Canari architecture, however, they absorbed into the Canari culture by including the achievements in astronomy and agriculture that were developed. |
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Soon after the defeat over the Canari, Tupac Yupanqui, the Inca commander, ordered the building of a grand city. This city would be known as Pumapungo, “the door of Puma,” whose radiance was to challenge Cuzco, the Inca capital. Cuzco was so incredible that they Indians relayed stories to the Spanish chroniclers. About 500 years after the Incas conquered the Canari, the Spanish conquistadors landed and found the celebrated city looking at the ruins that remained and wondering what happened to the magnificent city that they heard such stories about. |
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Cuenca was sparsely populated after being abandoned by Canari and then the Inca, until it was founded in 1557. The population grew steadily, along with the importance of the city, during the colonial era. Cuenca became the capital of one of the three provinces of the developing republic; the other two capitals were Guayaquil and Quito. |
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| Prices for all tours and packages will be reconfirmed at the time of booking. |
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To book now, please call our U.S. toll-free number:
(877) 385-1433. |
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Ecuador 