Limitless Ecuador

Ecuador, the smallest among the Andean countries, stretches from the Galapagos Islands to the Pacific Coast, up towards the Andes Mountains and down to the world's largest tropical forest, the Amazon Basin. Ecuador lies near the equator, squeezed between two bigger Andean states, Peru and Colombia. Ecuador's unsurpassed natural beauty, varied population, and interesting history, make it an incredible tourist destination. It is exceptionally gifted with a spectacular topography and a variety of climatic zones, plant life, birds and wildlife.

The possibilities you can explore during your vacation to Ecuador are limitless.

You can discover the depths of the Amazon rainforest in a dugout canoe, experience various colorful cultural festivals, including lively, indigenous and vibrant Afro-Ecuadorian events or take a dive with sea lions and exotic fish around the Galapagos Islands. These islands are home to some of the rarest and most beautiful animal species in the world and offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to all visitors to witness these incredible creatures. You can also have the rare opportunity to trek atop the world's highest active volcano. Apart from the unparalleled natural beauty, the country also offers some unique shopping and recreational opportunities.

Quito, Ecuador's charming colonial capital is home to some of the best and most majestic architecture in the Americas. Towards the west of the Andes are the costal lowlands and Guayaquil, which is Ecuador's largest city and a booming metropolitan. This area is making terrific changes to its old image of an uninteresting destination and it has been immensely successful. The new Malecón 2000 is a stunning stretch of riverfront walkway, complete with magnificent galleries, new museums, and hip restaurants.

Cuenca is a place for history and culinary buffs. Before the Spanish arrived, Cuenca was the second-most significant city in the Inca Empire. A lot of the city's magnificent churches were constructed over the foundations of Inca palaces. Immediately outside the city, you can visit Ingapirca, an important archaeological site that was sacred for both the Cañaris and the Incas, its earlier inhabitants. Cuenca has a large number of restaurants that serve excellent Ecuadorian specialties not found elsewhere in the country.

All these aspects put together make Ecuador one of the most popular tourist destinations in South America. Hence, it is no surprise that the locals affectionately refer to it as ‘South America in miniature'.