Ecuador, Andes & Amazon

Although Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in South America, it has a wide variety of different landscapes. The country is 7 times as big as the Netherlands and on the coast you will find banana plantations and mangrove forests. Then follow the high Andes mountains with volcanoes and behind that the green Amazon region. Because of the relatively small distances you are able visit many different places. Ecuador has a colonial past especially found in Quito and Cuenca, because of their beautiful historic buildings declared UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The journey begins in capital of Quito, located at an altitude of 2850m and surrounded by volcanoes. The historic center is partly closed to traffic and here you will find beautiful colonial houses, churches and interesting museums.

To the north of the city there are still Indians whom you see at the market of Otovalo. In this area we recommend spending the night in an atmospheric hacienda such as Hacienda Piman and Hacienda Zuleta, a former gentlemen’s farms with many kinds of activities. For a special experience in the tropical rainforest you can go to the Mashpi Lodge, where everything revolves around nature.

A short flight from Quito will take you into the Amazon area, where the journey continues in small boats to the lodges along the river. There is much to do and see: walks with nature guides, canoeing, boat trips or a visit to an Indian village. The Sacha lodge and Napo Wildlife Center offer beautiful nature activities for young and old.

On the way south you pass the Cotopaxi and Chimborazo volcanoes and a train ride with the Tren Crucero along Devil’s Nose is one of the top attractions in this region. Cuenca is located about 450 kilometers south of Quito and is one of the nicest cities in the country. From there you travel further to Guayaquil and via the green Machalilla National Park to Isla de la Plata. On this island off the coast you will find many animals that you can also encounter on the Galapagos Islands. It is a lovely boat trip from Puerto Lopez with a great opportunity to spot whales along this coast in the summer months.

This journey can be made by rental car but can also be done by car with guide and driver.

 

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