Mainland Ecuador, Ecuador & The Galapagos
With its rich cultural legacy and an architectural heritage that spans the centuries, Ecuador’s beautiful capital Quito is definitely more than just a stop on the way to the Galápagos. Surrounded by patchwork fields, fertile valleys and soaring mountains, it sits high up in the Andes and is in fact the second highest capital of Latin America, after La Paz. With clear skies and a little luck you will see the snow-capped peak of Cotapaxi volocano on a good day. Meander along cobbled streets in the atmospheric old quarter which oozes charm, visit one of the lovely old churches or museums or enjoy a freshly prepared ceviche at one of the many little resaurants.

Just a short drive away is the Middle of the World Equator line - you can stand with one foot in the Northern hemisphere and the other in the South - sure to impress younger visitors in particular!
If you have longer to linger, there are some great options for day trips from Quito. Don’t miss the colourful local markets; Otavalo is one of the best for handicrafts and textiles and at the weekend it fills with locals from the surrounding villages who come to buy and sell their wares. There are some popular excursions from here too, including to
For a more exhilarating day trip, visit Cotopaxi National Park with its fantastic trekking or consider a train ride along the Devil’s Nose pass.
In complete contrast, it's definitely worth considering a jungle lodge stay in the Ecuadorian Amazon if you are travelling with older children. There are some pioneering eco-tourism projects where you can stay in a community-owned lodge and whilst the facilities are more basic, for a real insight into how these rainforest communities exist and of course, to see the incredibly bio-diversity of these largely untouched forests, as an experience, it is hard to beat. Mashpi Lodge is a different proposition - offering sleek, modern luxury in a remote, jungle setting and with some impressive eco-credentials to boot.
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Casa Gangotena
Overlooking Plaza San Francisco, in Old Town Quito, Casa Gangotena,is a three-story mansion hotel...
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Hacienda Piman
Dating back to the late 17th century but lovingly restored over the last few years, this historic...
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Hacienda Zuleta
Considered by many to be the best hacienda-hotel in Ecuador, the charming 16th Century Hacienda...
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Mashpi Lodge
Mashpi Lodge is a luxurious 22-room oasis set in the heart of Ecuador's Chocó Bio-Region. Within...
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Sacha Lodge
Remote yet accessible, unspoiled yet comfortable, this welcoming ecolodge has protected the...
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