Visiting Ecuador? Check Out This Top 10

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Ecuador is a little known country. Nonetheless, it is a country that treasures within its limits the most wonderful natural paradises. Undoubtedly, being little known is an advantage for the preservation of this land as well as a new opportunity for visitors to come and discover the country. With four completely different regions –the coast, the Andes, the Amazon and the Galapagos Islands– inside a very small territory, Ecuador is the world’s most diverse territory in proportion to its size of only 270 000sq km (167 770mi). Travelling around the country is very easy, and you can get from the beach to the mountains in only a few hours, or have breakfast in the jungle and spend the night at the Galapagos Islands all in one day. If you’re planning on visiting this country, the following list will help you find the best places in order to fully live the amazing Ecuador experience.

1.    Quito (The Andes/Pichincha) – Quito is the capital of Ecuador, and it is located in the heart of the country. It is a city of traditions mixed with modernity, a place that can be enjoyed in many ways. It has been a long time since Quito stopped being just a necessary stop for people going to the Galapagos Islands. Quito is home of the Latin America’s less modified historical downtown and it is located nearby the “Middle of the World” monument.

2.    The Galapagos Islands – 1005km (624mi) away from the coast of Ecuador is found this group of paradise-like islands. It is a place that was born out of fire, right where 5 water currents get together, becoming a meeting point for the world’s strangest species that have survived to the most adverse climate conditions. These species found now in the Galapagos are a living testimony of the evolution theory made by the scientific that put these islands in the world’s eyes: Charles Darwin. Declared a Human Patrimony by the UNESCO and one of the greatest places to visit by the New York Times, the Galapagos gets you directly in touch with its endemic species and with impressive landscapes made by nature.

3.    Otavalo (The Andes/Imbabura) – This multicultural little town is found to the north of Ecuador. It is one of the tourist’s favorite spots, since it is home of South America’s largest crafts market. Hundreds of handcraft stands are set along many blocks through the town where, besides finding all kinds of traditional Ecuadorian handcrafts at amazingly low prices, you will also find a colorful culture living in the artists and the craftsmen and their joyful character.

4.    The Yasuní National Park (The Amazon / Orellana and Pastaza) – Located in the heart of the jungle and extending to the eastern limits of Ecuador is found this national park. It is not only a national treasure, but a world marvel. A true oxygen generating lung that is the world’s most biologically diverse area in proportion to its size. Nowadays, the Yasuní Park is at the world’s eyes due to the original and exemplary conservational idea the Ecuadorians had, called “Yasuní ITT”.

5.    Montañita (The coast / Santa Elena) – A rustic town with an artistic, bohemian atmosphere has become a paradise for surfers and hippies from all around the world who travel to this place looking for moments of peace and fun. Montañita is framed by a large beach of perfect waves, white sand and beautiful landscapes where you can enjoy the incessant sound of the waves breaking at the shore and the marine breeze refreshing you.

6.    Cuenca (The Andes / Azuay) – This city, considered a Human Patrimony by the UNESCO, can be perceived as a large-scale museum built to the delight of its inhabitants. With buildings that keep an exquisite Colonial taste and four beautiful rivers running through it, Cuenca is a city with whom you fall in love at first sight that will definitely stay forever in the hearts of its visitors.

7.    Ingapirca (The Andes / Cañar) – Very close to the city of Cuenca is found the Incas’ legacy in Ecuador: The mysterious building complex of Ingapirca, or “Inca’s Wall”. With structures that have survived the passing of time, Ingapirca offers a tour through time in which you will almost feel part of the ancient lifestyle of the people that once were part of an empire as big as the Roman Empire. As you walk along the different parts of this archaeological complex, you will learn about the Inca’s way of life, their technology, their astrological knowledge, their architecture, their rituals and their mysteries.

8.    Baños (The Andes / Tungurahua) – This is a town whose name, which means “Baths”, is due to a number of waterfalls found within its territory. Baños is located in the center of the Andean region, and its closeness to the Amazon makes it a paradise for adventure tourism lovers. Various fun activities such as trekking, biking, canopying, bungee jumping, rafting and kayaking can be enjoyed in this magical town and its surroundings. A trip you can’t miss while being at Baños is a visit to a place called the “Pailón del Diablo”.

9.    The Cotopaxi National Park (The Andes / Cotopaxi) – Home of the 5897m (19347ft) high volcano of the same name, the Cotopaxi National Park offers a tour through unforgettable and inhospitable landscapes that show us the power of nature. As you walk along this volcanic land, you will see the Andean lakes, clouds so low that their shadow can be seen projected in the yellow grass, and the Cotopaxi Volcano, perfect as an ice cone with its peak covered in sparkling white snow. The Cotopaxi Park is ideal for climbing, or simply to have a cup of hot chocolate at a height of 5000m (16404ft) and enjoy the astonishing landscape that surrounds you.

10.    The Cajas National Park (The Andes / Azuay) – Very close to the city of Cuenca is found the Andean mountain range’s narrowest spot, that curiously is the place with the largest number of lakes in Ecuador, framed by a beautiful park known as the “Cajas”. With a size of 28400 hectares and an altitude that varies from 3100 to 4400m    (10170 to 14435ft) above the sea level, this park is an impressive place, excellent for hiking and camping in a special connection with nature.

Ecuador is a diverse destination that amazes with its beautiful landscapes and high biodiversity, becoming one of the world’s most magical places. It is a sustainable, astonishing, wonderful and unique South American paradise definitely worth visiting!

A Walk to the Inside of the Crater of Ecuador’s Most Majestic Volcano

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Crafted by the forces of nature in the shape of a sacred Shrine “El Altar” is one of the most breathtaking volcanoes of Andes’ plains. Its various peaks resemble a crown in whose interior, like a jewel, lays a beautiful lake. This nature’s masterpiece is located 30km (19 miles) away from the city of Riobamba, inside the Sangay National Park. It has an altitude of 5400m (17716 feet) above the sea level, making it the fifth highest volcano in all Ecuador. So either walking to the crater to see the beautiful inner lake, or adventuring into one of its majestic peaks, the experience can only be described as vibrating and unforgettable.

The name “El Altar” was given by the Spanish Conquerors, who upon seeing it from afar associated its shape to an altar. Nevertheless the volcano’s original name was “Capac Urcu”, words from the Quechua language meaning “The Majestic Hill”.

To visit this volcano, you can take the route that starts in the village of Penipe, located at its hillsides. The route will take you through high plateaus and unique landscapes. After passing the Candelaria and Releche villages you will reach the Collanes refugee, found 3500m (11482 feet) above the sea level. This refugee is an excellent resting spot before continuing with a 2 hour walk to the interior of the crater, at a height of 4200m (13779 feet). Once inside the crater, you will find yourself face to face with the impressive Amarilla Lake, with its high peaks covered with snow forming a semicircle around it.

For climbers, the Altar is a pleasure and a privilege. Before getting the adventure started, you have to decide which of the 9 peaks you want to climb. The options are: the Obispo (5400m / 17716ft), the Fraile Central (5060m / 16601ft), the Fraile Oriental (5050m / 16568ft), the Fraile Grande (5160m / 16929ft), the Tabernáculo (5290m / 17355ft), the Canónigo (5350m / 17552ft), the Fraile Beato (5040m / 16535ft), the Monja Grande (5100m / 16732ft) and the Monja Chica (5070m / 16633ft). The peaks provide different difficulty levels and climbing times, but they all reward climbers with the amazing view of the freezing Andean landscapes or with various lakes originated by the volcano itself. On clear days, one can also admire the vast Ecuadorian Amazon which contrasts beautifully with the rest of the landscape.

Standing in the open crater fills you with greatness. Being at its peaks you feel part of it and become as powerful as the volcano itself. Undoubtedly this is a perfect mix between adventure and natural beauty that can only be offered by majestic places like the Altar.

Photo: Alfredobi

Yasuní: A World Treasure Found in Ecuador

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Inside the large Ecuadorian Amazon, in the provinces of Orellana and Pastaza, is found a place that needs no introduction: the Yasuní National Park. With a size of only 625 000 hectares, this place is considered by scientists as the World’s most biologically diverse place. Home of enchanting Amazonian landscapes, this park has inspired the whole world to preserve Nature.

To talk about the Yasuní National Park is to talk about the heart of the Earth. It is a paradise that welcomes visitors, leading them through narrow paths in which everything that can be seen and touched is a piece of life. If you pay attention, you will observe the little insects living in giant trees and realize you’re sharing the same territory with wildlife such as jaguars, snakes, eagles, monkeys, alligators, birds and frogs.

The large amount of rivers that run through the Yasuní come down abruptly from the Andean mountain range, and they are known as the “white waters”. Other rivers of the park come directly from the Amazon, and their waters are warm. These are known as the “clear waters”, and when they mix with the white ones, they create life for the entire park’s wildlife.

The golden rule when visiting the Yasuní is respecting everything that exists there. You must respect everything that you see, touch, breathe or feel. To give you an idea, in only one hectare of the Yasuní you can find 655 tree species discovered so far, that is three times more than the US and Canada together. These hectares are also home of 1 3000 animal species (mammals, amphibious, birds, reptiles and fish), more than 100 000 insect species, and the world’s largest number of amphibious found. These statistics make of Yasuní a world treasure in Ecuador, and one of the greatest oxygen generators. Various scientific theories tell that this was an area that didn’t freeze during the Earth’s glaciations, becoming a refugee for the flora and fauna of those times.

Countries like France, Germany, Norway, Spain and Switzerland have now put the world’s eyes in Yasuní, because it is a place whose preservation is vital for the whole world. Famous people like Leonardo DiCaprio, Glenn Close and Edward Norton figure as ambassadors of this area, supporting the Yasuní ITT project to preserve the park and its biodiversity. Yasuní is the right place to meet with millions of years of history, a place that continues being a life generator and a hope for the world’s environmental situation.

Photo: wren el renegade

Zaruma: Mixing Antiquity with Nature in the South Coast of Ecuador

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Zaruma is a charming town located in the south coast of Ecuador, 1200 m (3937ft) above the sea level, in the province of El Oro. It is surrounded by various great mountains, waterfalls and forests that will make you have unforgettable experiences doing one of the various ecological adventure activities available in the area. Zaruma means “corncob” in Quechua. With its colorful wooden houses of the 19th century and its quiet streets where joyful and peaceful people live, this place is definitely worth visiting.
Here is a rough guide to the most amazing spots to visit while at Zaruma:

1.    El Calvario: It is a hill located 1500m (4921ft) above the sea level and approximately 1km (0.6mi) away from the city of Zaruma. Its peak is an excellent viewpoint from which you can appreciate the splendorous landscape of the surroundings.

2.    Zaruma Urcu: Located 14km (8.6mi) to the northeast of the city, this hill stands out because many orchids are cultivated on its hillsides. There, you can find 300 out of the about 4250 orchid species existing in Ecuador.

3.    Chivaturco: 90 minutes away from Zaruma is found this hill. On the way to its peak, you will find a great variety of avifauna next to the crystalline waters of the 100m (328ft) high Chorro Blanco Waterfall, which falls directly into a river surrounded by exuberant vegetation. Following the track to the peak, you will also see the archaeological remains of an ancient civilization that once was settled in the area. When you finally get to the peak, you will be able to enjoy the most amazing, hidden landscapes.

4.    Huayquichuma Forest: Located 8km away from the city, this 80 hectares wide forest is home of a great amount of flora and fauna with little brooks made by the condensation of the thick fog of the place. If you have seen and loved the majestic Chorro Blanco Waterfall, then you will also enjoy visiting the Pingllo Waterfall, with a height of 80 meters making an impressive and relaxing fall complemented by the beautiful surroundings.

Going to Zaruma is mixing antiquity with nature. This is a city that makes you fall in love and teaches you to enjoy the simple, natural things of life. Zaruma is undoubtedly the ultimate paradise in the south, certainly a visit you can’t miss!

Photo: Rinaldo W.

Find Out Why these Ecuadorians have got the Attention of the Whole World

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Otavalo is a city beloved by its people and known by them as “llakta”, which means “town” in their mother language. The people from this city are a vivid example of coexistence and adaptation to the modern world. They are people eager to show how much they are worth through their values, their love for nature, their craftsmanship skills and simply their excellence and versatility in all senses: qualities that have spread their fame to the whole world.

The main aspect of these people’s lives follows very simple rules: to respect Mother Nature, to use the natural resources in a rational way, to encourage the community’s development and to be joyful and committed to their responsibilities. These simple guidelines had made the people from Otavalo be great farmers, painters, musicians, weavers, polyglots and merchants not only in Ecuador, but all around the world, getting the fame of being impressive, multifaceted and certainly successful people that have set an example of development and organization for societies.

This way, with no other help except for their own ability to organize, they have created the South America’s largest and most colorful textile and handcraft indigenous market, making the city if Otavalo get the attention of the whole world. At present, their textiles and handcrafts are exported to places such as Australia, Italy and Spain, as well as some Middle Eastern countries.

Otavalo’s fame is not only due to the products they export. The artists from this town thought their music would also be liked by people from other countries. With no hesitation, they have managed to travel to countries like the US, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore, where their excellent live Andean music is still enjoyed by many fans.

The culture of this town is a culture that has profited from its ancestral knowledge. The people from Otavalo has always believed in it and worked to make it richer and to move forward. Some of the locals are nowadays cosmopolitan people, but they keep on being themselves. They keep on expressing the art, the culture and the values that have given them their strong identity and that bond them to their hometown: their beloved and yearned for Llakta.

Photo: Rinaldo W.

Discover the Secret of the Río Pita Hidden Waterfall

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Only 30 minutes away southwest of Quito, you will find a hidden valley with a river called “Pita” that runs through the most splendorous landscapes. The river flows from the Cotopaxi volcano, tracing a route through an unforgettable ecological adventure 30km (18 mi) long in which 25 waterfalls can be seen. The river’s route has two outstanding touristic areas: the “Rumibosque” (stone forest) and the “Molinuco”, both places with unique attractions that make the Pita are a paradise right in the middle of Ecuador. Discover what makes the Pita River a natural wonder!

The Molinuco is located near the city of Sangolquí, south of Quito. Its name comes from the word “molino” (mill), which refers to a beer factory that used to be in that area. With an average temperature of 14°C (57°F) and an approximate altitude of 2900m (9514ft) above the sea level, the Molinuco is home of various natural attractions, such as the Pita River’s great 60m (196ft) high waterfall; the mini-Cotopaxi, a rocky natural formation with the shape of a volcano surrounded by waters in which you can swim and relax; the “Niñas” and the “Arcoíris” waterfalls that come from underground rivers; and the “Manantial del Samaritano”, which is a beautiful waterfall great for taking a break, drink something and enjoy its healing waters.

A rustic wooden suspension bridge above the Pita River marks the end of the route. A few minutes away from there, you will find a sign that reads “Molinuco, Pita’s waterfall”, and an open door next to it as a welcome sign. Finally, you get to the 60m (196ft) high waterfall. With its vigorous, tranquilizing and gratifying waters originated from the thawing of the magnificent Cotopaxi Volcano, this great waterfall is a life and balance generator. A highly recommended ritual to have at this place consists on passing behind the waterfall to cleanse your aura and be part of a spiritually balanced renovation.

After this excellent adventure, followed by a natural recharge of energies, you will feel ready for the rushed life of the city. Nonetheless, if you want to keep on enjoying nature’s charms, there is an area designated for camping in which you can rest in the company of the waterfall, with its constant, soothing sound.

Photo: Johan.dk

The Panecillo: A Silent Witness of Quito through History

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The Panecillo hill is Quito’s most representative natural formation. Located inside the historical downtown of the city at an altitude of 3000m (9842ft) above the sea level and a height of 200m (656ft), the Panecillo (meaning “Little bread”) is a historical hill that holds on its peak one of Quito’s largest work of art: the beloved Virgin of Quito, that can be seen from almost any corner of the city. This hill is a silent witness of the city’s history of development, destructions, conquests, wars, building and rebuilding.

This hill was already an important spot since the year 1400. Its sides were inhabited by the Quitus indigenes, who called it “Shungoloma”, that means “Hill of the heart” in their native tongue. It was the place of worship to their main god: the Sun, also known as “Yavirac” or “Inti”.

Later on, in the year 1500, the Panecillo hill witnessed the defeat and conquest of the Quitus by the Incas, who kept considering it important. On its peak, the Incas made a very important structure that can still be appreciated nowadays: the “Olla del Panecillo”. It is believed that this large rock container was initially a storage room for seeds –especially corn seeds– and that afterwards it became a water reservoir for irrigating the crop fields that used to be there in those times. Years later, a part of the structure was destroyed by Rumiñahui, the royal warrior of the Incan empire, when he found out about the advance of the Spanish conquistadors.

In 1534, the Panecillo saw the first white men when the conquistadores from Spain finally arrived to the city. They were less in numbers, but their weapons and their greed were superior to those of the Incas, so they defeated them and got established in the sides of the hill. When the Spaniards saw the hill from far away, they realized it had the shape of a little bread, and that is how the “Shungoloma” got its current name of “Panecillo”.

Due to its location, the hill was used by the Spaniards as a strategic military spot; and the “Olla del Panecillo” (which also got its name from them) served to collect rainwater that later got used for the irrigation of the gardens of new Colonial Era. Finally, after years of colonization, on May 24th 1822 the Panecillo proudly observed the liberation battle of Pichincha and the progressive defeat of the Spanish Colonial troops.
More recently, in the year 1976, the Spanish artist Agustín de la Herrán Matorras made at the top of the hill an impressive large structure called “The Virgin of Quito” or “The Virgin of Legarda”: a work made of 7000 pieces of aluminum, the largest of its kind ever made. The sculpture is a replica of the Immaculate Virgin made by the Ecuadorean artist Bernardo de Legarda, which can be observed in the high altar of the San Francisco Church.

Nowadays, the Panecillo can be visited up to its peak to admire the Virgin of Quito and see the Olla del Panecillo. When standing at the top, a look to the impressive landscape of the city will make you understand the love and veneration this natural formation has been subject of by the local people over the centuries.

Photo: ADN Montalvo

Live the Anzu Adventure to the Amazon

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In the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest Region, a 30Km (18 miles) river called Anzu goes through the predominantly green landscapes of the provinces of Napo and Pastaza. Anzu has different water currents great for practicing extreme sports such as rafting and kayaking but, if you are a like the kind of person who prefer to stay on land, you will find several touristic attractions that can’t be left unvisited.

The first adventure is right at the river’s source and is called "the Anzu Cave", a cave made of several smaller caves which have little holes leading to chambers. On the most inner chambers, stalactites and stalagmites of various sizes and shapes can be observed.

Going forward on the river’s course, you can also visit the nearby communities, which are essential to understanding the whole environment. Apart from discovering impressive cultures, you will be able to live these people’s harmonious way of life. Activities like hunting, identifying medicinal plants, participating in the local rituals and celebrations, and being hosted by a family or staying in a private house are part of the Anzu experience.

The trip continues with the Hola Vida Reserve, a place 220 hectares wide where you can see different bird and insect species and old giant trees. An activity that you can’t miss here is taking a bath in the Escondida waterfall whose cold waters are believed to have energetic powers.

Finally, you will approach the end of the Anzu River. Walking a nearby path, you will get to the mouth of another majestic river: the Napo River, located right at the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon, which marks the beginning of a new adventure.

Photo: larry&flo