Beyond the Galapagos Islands and beaches that most travellers associate with Ecuador is a land of breathtaking mountain ranges and colourful communities that live in their foothills. Run your hands over the rugged edges of Ecuador in this tour, exploring the dense forests and eden-esque valleys that comprise some of the most beautiful vistas in all of the Americas. This trip offers the opportunity to explore the essential spots, from the charming montane town of Cuenca to the lush and laid-back Vilcabamba. Highlights
The ingenious design of medieval fortress town Cuenca sees beautiful buildings built into the jagged cliffs the city is built on
Walk through the dense and mist-laden elfin forest of Podocarpus National Park, where high-elevation results in miniature, moss covered trees
Barter over brightly coloured handwoven textiles at the Otavalo market, nestled in a valley under three mountain peaks
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Cantón Quito
San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito, is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains. With a population of 1,397,698 according to the last census (2001), and, as estimated by the municipality, approximately 1,504,991 in 2005, Quito is the second most populous city in Ecuador, after Guayaquil. It is also the capital of the Pichincha province and the seat of Metropolitan District of Quito. The canton recorded a population of 1,842,201 residents in the 2001 national census. In 2008 the city was designated as the headquarters of the Union of South American Nations.
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Guayaquil
Guayaquil is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador, with around 2.69 million people in the metropolitan area, as well as the nation's main port. It is one of the main South American ports in the Pacific. The climate is hot for the first semester of the year and breeze cool for the rest of it. A proud city of the tropics where foreigners are well received, music rules and seafood is a must. In the last decade, the city has undergone positive change. The beautiful riverfront promenade "Malecon 2000", green areas and modern shopping arcades all over the city attracts tourism from inside and outside the country.
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Cuenca
The city of Cuenca — in full, Santa Ana de los cuatro ríos de Cuenca — is the capital of the Azuay Province. It is located in the highlands of Ecuador at about 2,500 meters above sea level, with an urban population of approximately 400,000 rising to 700,000 inhabitants in the larger metro area. The centre of the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Trust site due to its many historical buildings. Of all the cities in Ecuador, Cuenca is arguably the most charming with its stunning architecture, tourist attractions, hotels and night activities. It has long been known for a rich intellectual, and is famous for its colorful festivals, distinct food and breathtaking scenery. In recent years, Cuenca has become a hot spot for expatriates and retirees settling down to live.