Ecuador
At the northernmost reach of the ancient Inca Empire, Ecuador is small, accessible, and epitomises the best of Latin America from magnificent scenery to elegant old Spanish towns and wonderful wildlife.
High in the Andean sierra, two great chains of volcanic mountains run from north to south. The fertile valley between them - Humboldt’s ‘avenue of the volcanoes’ - is dotted with beautiful haciendas. If you’re feeling intrepid, you can ride a rickety steam train that descends through the Andes in a series of zigzags and switchbacks known as ‘the devil’s nose’, crossing dramatic gorges on the way.
Both Quito and Cuenca’s cobbled streets have some of the best-preserved colonial architecture anywhere in the Americas. Ubiquitous hats, ponchos and woven rugs are sold in colourful craft markets. You can combine a trip to hot springs or rose gardens with a night at a historic hacienda, or saddle up with the chagras for some superb riding.
East of the Andes the terrain drops through cloud forest - teeming with exotic bird life - into the Amazon basin. Nearly half the country is covered in humid jungle, best explored by dugout canoe. Here indigenous people still live as they have for thousands of years, scarcely touched by the outside world.
Highlights
Here are some of our Ecuador highlights
The mighty Amazon
Much of the country is covered by Amazon rainforest, although the Ecuadorean Amazon is much-less visited than that of its Brazilian neighbour. Indigenous tribes live along the river banks and there are lodges offering wildlife or cultural stays.
Historic cities
Although Quito is Ecuador's capital, the colonial city of Cuenca is also well worth a visit. Both have historic centres with beautiful buildings, 17th century churches and monasteries and picture postcard cobblestone streets.
Bustling markets
Ecuador is a country awash with markets and Otavalo's Saturday animal market is arguably the most famous, but there are equally interesting (and cleaner!) markets in Cotacachi, Quito and further south in Cuenca.
Traditional haciendas
Ecuador has many haciendas at which visitors can enjoy a unique stay. Hacienda San Agustin near Cotopaxi National Park was partly built (by the Spanish) on an Inca palace, the original stones of which can still be seen.
We had an incredible time and I wanted to drop you a note to say thank you and fill you in on the highlights. Mashpi Lodge is remarkable, the Galapagos was extrodinary and the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu were utter highlights. All the support from the local guides was excellent. In Ecuador Marco was so thoughtful and postive and quietly eager for us to sample Ecuador both as food and as culture. Wilda, who guided us in the Sacred Valley, was incredible and hugely knowledgeable. We felt supported at all times and were consequently able to relax and enjoy all around us.
We have returned loaded with photographs and memories and are beginning to think about returning at some stage – the Eastern Galapagos route is calling and we do want to go down to Patagonia. We have other plans coming up, but may well be back in touch in a year or so. None of this could have happened without your hard work on our behalf and we thank you so much for all your help and advice.- JP