Quito & Surroundings

Quito: A declared UNESCO World Cultural Heritage since 1978; it has a population of about 2 million people. It is located at about 2,850 m (about 9,381 ft) above sea level.

Weather: Spring-like days all year long and cool nights. While travelling, you may dress casually in Quito.

Quito is located along the central valley in a roughly north-south direction approximately 40 km long and only 4 km wide. It can be divided into three segments:

1. The northern part where the modern part of the city has been built, with shopping centers, airline offices, embassies, banks, quality hotels, bars and restaurants. This is where the airport is located, as well as middle and upper-class residential areas. The main thoroughfare is Amazonas Avenue.

2. Old town Quito, the must-see historical colonial Spanish quarter, which is located in the center of the city.

3. The south, where most of the population lives and where large most of the industrial area is located.

The altitude might make you feel a little breathless when you first arrive from sea level. This symptom, however, will disappear in a day or two. It is better to take things easy upon arrival, eat lightly, and avoid smoking and alcoholic beverages. Do not overexert yourself and get plenty of rest and liquids.

What to bring: A warm jacket or sweater is highly recommended for the evenings. Dressing in layers is ideal. Afternoons might be rainy; therefore we suggest an umbrella.

Middle of the World Complex: 11 miles (18 km) to the north of Quito, there is the Middle of the World City complex, where you will have the chance to step one foot in the northern hemisphere and the other one in the southern hemisphere. The ethnographic museum located inside the monument is filled with clothing, artwork, and lots of information about Ecuador’s indigenous cultures. North of the complex is the Inti-ñan Museum that means “Museum of the Path of the Sun” in kichwa.

Geobotanical Reserve Pululahua: 3 miles (5km) north of the Middle of the World is the Geobotanical Reserve Pululahua which is the largest inhabited crater in South America (3,200 hectares). This reserve was created to protect the subtropical ecosystem. The scenery, which can be admired from the Reserve’s lookout point, is unbeatable.

Otavalo:54 miles (88 km) north of Quito (about 2 ½ hrs drive) there is Ecuador’s most famous indigenous market which is comprised of a mosaic of colors, ethnic groups and crafts and offers shoppers superb bargains for fine textiles, paintings, ceramic ware, Panama hats, and an incredibly fun market experience. The Saturday market could be considered as the biggest indigenous market in South America.

Mindo: 52 miles (84 km) northwest of Quito (1 ½ hrs drive), the lush cloud forest of Mindo is located; it has received world acclaim for its astounding flora and fauna, including a plethora of orchids and hummingbirds that come in all shapes and forms. In Maquipucuna Biological Reserve you’ll find primary forest, ranging from a low-altitude subtropical zone to cloud forest at the base of 2,800 mts.

Tulipe: 43 miles (70 km) northwest of Quito it’s an area of rainforest with rich flora consisting of species such as tagua, bamboo, fruit trees and a variety of orchids. In this know as the Sacred Valley of Tulipe lived the Yumbos people and now there’s an archaeological site that merges geography, flora and fauna and cultural heritage. Inside the museum we will find wax representations of what Yumbos, their environment and culture were like.

Papallacta Hot Springs complex: 37 miles (60km) from Quito in the high moorlands is the perfect spot to leave the stress behind and take advantage of a massage at the SPA while enjoying the view of the majestic snowcapped Antisana volcano (5753m/18872ft).

Cotopaxi National Park:31 miles (50km) south of Quito in the province of Cotopaxi, the Park is located at 5897 meters above sea level, and rising majestically above the Andean mountains, the Cotopaxi volcano is Ecuador's highest active volcano.The Park is surrounded by haciendas and trails that provide the opportunity for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and trekking. Inside the Park there is the Limpiopungo Lagoon where you might see Andean gulls, rabbits, llamas and horses.

Antisana Reserve:31 miles (50 km) southeast of Quito it’s the Antisana volcano 18,886 ft (5758m). Its total area is approximately of 120,000 hectares (296,600 acres).There are numerous species of animals in the reserve, mainly birds such as hummingbirds and the majestic Condor of the Andes.

Quilotoa Lagoon: At approximately 93 miles (150km) there is the Quilotoa Lagoon which is a water-filled caldera with turquoise and green waters surrounded by mountains full of ancient tales. This caldera was formed by the collapse of the volcano in an eruption that took place approximately 800 years ago.