Quito Colonial
Quito was named the firts World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO. Its old town have many beautiful churches likes as San Francisco, Santo Domingo, La Merced, La Basilica and La Compañia.
Quito is a city of narrow cobblestone stretts lined with whitewashed walls above wich the steeples and cupolas of historic churches can be seen. The many colonial buildings perpetuate the memory of the Spanish era.
Cotopaxi Volcano
A popular trip is to the cotopaxi volcano, tourists can visit the glacier, hike to the top of the volcano. cotopaxi is a young volcano which has formed its cone on top of the remaining vestiges of an old volcano.
At 5897 meters above sea level, and rising majestically above the Andean mountains, the Cotopaxi mountain is Ecuador’s highest active volcano - as well as being one of the most active volcanoes anywhere in Ecuador. With an almost perfectly symmetrical cone shape its identifiable sign, Cotopaxi mountain is also a picture book image of Ecuador. The Cotopaxi is highly symmetrical a conical volcano whose glaciers have not affected it much due to the recent origin of these.
Middle of the World
A group of French arrived in the country and after several studies determined the latitude 0º brand 0'0 '' and wrote letters "from the Equatore " meaning half and hence the name of Republic of Ecuador ( 1736 ) . But hundreds of years before the " Quitus " had already come to this conclusion through its intimate relationship with the sun and its movements and called Intiñan means path of the sun . There is now a monument that reminds us of the imaginary division of the Earth into two hemispheres . The Local Government of the Province of Pichincha organizes cultural events every weekend and holidays to the delight of tourists and foreign nationals
Quilotoa Lagoon
A lake of turquoise waters embedded in the crater of an active volcano called Quilotoa itself becomes an attractive . Nature calls for calm and the wind becomes a constant ally of the walk. In the area there Zumbahua inns that offer guided tours . The descent to the lake takes 30 min. and returning 1 h. It is possible to hike around the lake and between Quilotoa and Chugchilán (5 hours approx. ) ; Mules can be rented . There are roads to bike -cross.
Otavalo
Otavalo is a small town, surrounded by volcanoes, the market place is in a beautiful setting. People from all over the world come to see the famous martek, where an abundance of handicrafts can be found.
The largest fair takes place every Saturday , but continues every day. In fact, the current market is a place where cultures come together . Here you will find Tigua paintings , tapestries Salasacas , carved from San Antonio de Ibarra , Cotacachi leather goods , handicrafts Saraguros of the Kichwa from the east ; as well as countries such as Peru and Bolivia , to the point that today Otavalo is a front Cultural .
Termas Papallacta
Termas de Papallacta offers its visitors health, recreation, adventure and rest. Whether relaxing in the thermal baths, indulging in pampering spa treatments, or embarking on adventure walks.
Papallacta are located approximately 40 miles from Quito, capital of Ecuador in South America, in a beautiful high Andean valley, gateway and lookout, to the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle.
Mindo
The drive fro Quito to Mindo is spectacular as scenery, vegetation, and ecosystems gradually change from Andean highlands sparsity to the lush density of the cloud forest.
For thrill seekers will also have the opportunity to experience the sensation of flying or gliding on buoys on waters of Mindo river, practicing canopy or tubing.
