Worldwide 2024-25

LATIN AMERICA • ECUADOR & THE GALÁPAGOS
Discover Ecuador & the Galápagos
Ecuador offers wonderful variety for the
traveller, from Andean highlands with
beautiful colonial cities, snow-capped
volcanoes, historic haciendas and colourful,
authentic markets, to tropical Amazon
rainforest, cloud forests rich in flora and fauna,
and long stretches of Pacific coast frequented
by humpback whales. Less than 1,000km west
of the mainland lie the Galápagos Islands,
whose natural wonders inspired Charles
Darwin’s theory of evolution. These remote
volcanic outcrops consist of 13 major and
12 minor islands inhabited by unique animal,
plant and marine life.
Experiences
in Ecuador
Quito
Middle of the World monument, Quito
Colonial heritage • Middle of the World
The capital city of Quito lies in an Andean valley
overlooked by the towering Pichincha Volcano.
The historic old town provides an insight into
the colonial history of Ecuador, with plazas and
narrow streets filled with beautiful churches,
monasteries and restored buildings. Meet local
artisans and hat makers in their workshops
or learn about Ecuador’s finest chocolate.
North of the city, visit the Middle of the World
monument that marks the equatorial line.
Alternatively, to the east is an ecological reserve
with abundant birdlife, glacial topography and
the steaming Papallacta thermal springs.
Cotopaxi volcano, Cotopaxi National Park
Broad-billed motmot, Mindo Cloud Forest
Amazon & Cloud Forests
Amazonian communities • Exotic flora & fauna
The Ecuadorian Amazon can be explored on
a superior river cruise or from a number of
lodges, many only accessible by light aircraft or
river. A wide variety of wildlife may be spotted
in the rainforest, including monkeys, frogs,
caimans, river dolphins and many parrot and
parakeet species. Excursions include nature
walks, boat rides, visits to local communities,
clay licks and canopy walkways. The cloud
forests of Mashpi and Mindo-Nambillo, not
far from Quito, are other superb biodiversity
destinations, with one of the largest
concentrations of bird species in the world.
Avenue of the Volcanoes
Cotopaxi National Park • Local markets &
haciendas • Devil's Nose train
Fertile valleys, patchwork fields and snowcapped
peaks form a chain south of Quito
along the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Highlights
include Cotopaxi National Park, home to the
world’s highest active volcano, the emeraldgreen
Quilotoa crater lake and various small
villages with colourful weekly markets. Further
south is the lively trading town of Riobamba
and the switchbacks of the Devil’s Nose train.
Otavalo market
The small town of Otavalo is a three-hour
drive north of Quito and home to one of
the largest outdoor indigenous markets in
South America. Watch local Otavaleño
people wearing distinctive blue clothing
and browse through numerous stalls with
brightly coloured hand-woven textiles and
traditional handicrafts.
Cuenca’s colonial heritage
Considered the most beautiful city in
Ecuador, Cuenca is a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Stroll along its cobbled streets
and admire the red-roofed colonial houses,
graceful iron balconies, flower-filled plazas
and courtyards, the red-brick New Cathedral
with its distinctive blue domes and other
religious treasures.
Traditional hacienda stay
Historic haciendas dotted throughout the
countryside provide an authentic Ecuadorian
experience. We recommend the family-run
dairy farm Hacienda La Danesa, not far from
Guayaquil; the beautiful restored Hacienda
Zuleta; or the historic 17th-century La
Cienega. Walk through manicured gardens
and sample delicious traditional cuisine.
Mashpi sustainable luxury
Luxurious Mashpi is designed to blend in
with the cloud forest of its private reserve,
home to an exceptionally high variety of
flora and fauna, and provides an immersive
experience with its floor-to-ceiling windows.
Spot hummingbirds, beautiful orchids,
bromeliads and butterflies, or take an
exhilarating ride on the sky bike over the
forest canopy.
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View our full range of itineraries, hotels and experiences at CoxandKings.co.uk