Ecuador's capital sits at 2,850m. Visit the historic old town (UNESCO), the Basílica del Voto Nacional, and take the Teleférico cable car to 3,945m. Mitad del Mundo Equator monument and the Intiñan Solar Museum.
📅 Avenue of the Volcanoes
Drive the Panamericana through the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Cotopaxi (5,897m) is climbable with a guide. Quilotoa Crater Lake — turquoise water in a collapsed volcano. Hike the Quilotoa Loop through indigenous market towns.
📅 Galápagos Islands
Fly to Baltra. Snorkel with sea lions at Gardner Bay, marine iguanas at Fernandina, and whale sharks at Darwin. Giant tortoises at the Darwin Research Station. Blue-footed boobies on North Seymour. Every island is different.
📅 Amazon Rainforest
Fly to Coca, boat 2hrs down the Napo River to a jungle lodge. Night caiman spotting, piranha fishing, poison dart frog tracking, dawn canopy walk. Shaman ceremony with a local Kichwa guide.
🏨 Where to Stay
Casa Gangotena, Quito
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Mansion on the main plaza of the historic old town
💡 Key tips: Galápagos has a $200 entrance fee payable in cash on arrival. All visitors must be accompanied by a licensed naturalist guide. Book Galápagos 3–6 months ahead. Altitude in Quito can cause headaches — rest on day 1.
