Mindo: A Road That Will Take You through a Spectacle of Colors and Sounds

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If you have seen the bird’s natural paradise of Tandayapa, a place that seems to have been chosen by birds to gather together and celebrate, then you may wonder if there is in the world another place like that. Amazingly there is, and it is found very close to Tandayapa. Its name is Mindo Cloud Forest.

Home of an impressive variety of unique flora and fauna, Mindo is a place where clouds come together with the trees and the birds, creating a cocktail with the most fantastic landscapes. Only 68km (42mi) to the west of Quito, this wildlife reserve offers the most wonderful ecological adventures. Here, activities such as trekking and sight-seeing will make you feel in contact with nature. You will also be able to observe more than 420 different bird species. Looking at the amazing humming birds flying nonstop and the butterflies cheering up the environment with their colors, you will understand the importance of all species, even if they seem small and simple.

The forest’s road will lead you through a spectacle of colors and sounds with trees, waterfalls, butterflies and flowers. The numerous orchids found in the way will make you take a closer look and observe each little amazing detail. In this forest are found 500 orchid species out of a total of 4000 species registered in Ecuador, and you may see them in the area’s viewpoints or in places harder to reach, like the top of a hill.

Mindo is the home of fantastic creatures living inside an unknown world. It offers visitors a trip that will show them the beautiful simplicity of nature inside a pristine forest with multicolored plants and animals that will be your hosts during your visit.

Photo: caminosisenderos

Find Out Why People from All around the World Come to Walk Along This Line

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The City of Quito is known as one of the Latin American countries that has better preserved in a tangible way its Colonial past, but it is also famous for other interesting things, like being the so-called “World’s belly button”:

Dividing the globe into a northern and a southern half by an imaginary line called “Equinoctial line” or “Equator”, the French geodesic expedition that took place in 1736 found out that the center of the planet was located right at the city of Quito, where a Center of the World monument was erected. Nowadays, many people from all around the world enjoy having pictures taken at that monument, with one foot stepping in the northern hemisphere and the other foot stepping on the southern hemisphere of the planet.

The French geodesic mission’s objective was to confirm the shape of the Earth. For this effect, they created the universal metric system that is currently used. With that system, they discovered –to the world’s astonishment– that the planet was round and flattened on the poles. After intense measuring work, the mission also managed to determine that the center of the world was located inside the province of Pichincha, in the Ecuadorian northern mountain range, 13.5km (8.3mi) away from downtown Quito.

That area is now known as the “Center of the World City”, whose main construction is the Center of the World Monument, a 30m (98ft)-tall pyramidal structure that is a tribute to the union of two worlds and to those who contributed so much to what we know about our planet. On its interior is found the Center of the World Ethnographic Museum, built between 1979 and 1982, where the different cultures of the Ecuadorian ethnic groups are shown. The beautiful local handcrafts decorate the surroundings and the whole place is framed by wonderful Andean landscapes.

Nowadays, if you check on the coordinates given by a GPS system, you will realize the French geodesic mission failed to locate the center by a very small difference, marking it on the 0° 00' 08,10" point, only 239.5m (785.7ft) to the south from the 0°00’0,0’’ point. This showed the impressive accuracy of the geodesics of those times, given the fact that they couldn’t use any of the devices that the modern technology has, which actually have the universal metric system they created as their own base.

The Center of the World City is definitely a place worth visiting. It is a place that keeps the secrets of the story of one of the world’s most transcendental events where visitors can experience the nice feeling of walking right at the line that marks the middle of the world.

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

Cultural Tourism in Quito: The 4 Immortals

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They were great artists, they have become immortal, and they are Ecuadorian. They are people that managed to capture the images in their minds with great clarity, transforming their thoughts into unforgettable artworks, known all around the world. Here is a short chronological review of four of the greatest Ecuadorian artists:

1.    Caspicara, sculptor. Quito 1723-1796

His birth name was Manuel Chili, but he later changed it to Caspicara, which means “wooden face” in Quechua, his native language. His finely detailed works had a contrast between serenity and dramatic themes, reflected in astonishing religious images. He was one of the creators of the Escuela Quiteña de Arte (Quito school of art), which remains active.

His works can be visited at:
•    The San Francisco Church, at the Convent’s Museum
•    The Nuestra Señora de los Dolores Chapel, also known as the Cantuña Chapel
•    The Quito Cathedral, also known as the “Iglesia la Catedral”
•    The Quito School of Art


2.    Bernardo de Legarda, sculptor. Quito, late 17th Century -1773

His most famous work is known as the “Inmaculada”, which is one of the most representative artistic images of Ecuadorian art. It is not only beloved by Ecuadorians: its beauty made it object to several imitations throughout all South America. Legarda’s work inspired the Spanish artist Agustín de la Herrán Matorras to create the majestic, large-scale replica of the famous “Virgen del Panecillo”, that can be seen by anyone visiting Quito’s historical downtown.

Legarda’s works can be found at the following places:
•    The San Francisco Church, where the “Inmaculada” is found at the High Altar
•    The Santa Clara Monastery
•    The Concepción Convent

3.    Miguel de Santiago, painter. Quito, 1630-1706

He has been the subject for many legends that try to explain why he stayed inside the San Agustin Convent for such a long period of time. What is true is the majesty of the works he created in there, such as the series of paintings devoted to the life of San Agustin or the greatly portrayed chapters of the “Christian Doctrine”. All of these make an immortal legacy of this painter from Quito to whom the origins of the baroque art in Quito are attributed.

His works can be seen at:
•    The Miguel de Santiago Museum, located inside the San Agustin Convent.
•    The Guápulo Church

4.    Oswaldo Guayasamín, sculptor and painter. Quito, 1919-1999

Guayasamín is undoubtedly the most widely known Ecuadorian artist. His works are a legacy not only for his country, but to the whole world. His paintings go deep into the soul; in his own words, his art “is made for hurting, scratching and beating into the heart of the people”. Observing his work, his completely unique style can’t be denied.

There are several places where his works can be seen, but his most representative collections are found in:
•    The Hombre Chapel: his biggest artistic project and a sanctuary for most of his works
•    The Guayasamín Museum


The love and dedication of these four artists was reflected in works of art that became patrimonial treasures for humanity. Treasures whose excellent conservation has made it possible nowadays for us to be amazed and rejoiced in each detail and structure brought to the world by these wonderful creators.

Photo: Enciclopedia del Ecuador