hidden gems
33
Ecuador
& te Gpa
MICHAEL KLEINBERG
With Air Europa now flying to Quito as well as Guayaquil, confidence in Ecuador is clear. Sarah Gilbert uncovers some top spots
Don’t miss out the mainland
Up in the clouds
Beside the seaside
This year, Ecuador experts Metropolitan Touring are shining a spotlight on the marvels of the mainland. A new tool will enable operators to tailor-make every aspect of an itinerary, with hundreds of options to choose from, destination specialists on hand to assist and guaranteed price matching. They’ve also introduced new airborne adventures, with five helicopter tours flying over some of Ecuador’s most majestic landscapes, including Cotopaxi Volcano’s perfect cone. Individual seats and charters are available, on trips ranging from 30 to 90 minutes. metropolitan-touring.com
Just 70km from Quito, the striking Mashpi Lodge – a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World – sits 950 metres above sea level at the heart of a 3,000-acre private reserve, a biodiversity hotspot with a range of ecosystems - from lower montane rainforest up to cloud forest. Ecuador is number five in the world ranking for bird species and what makes Mashpi special is the high concentration of species in a relatively small area. To celebrate National Geographic’s ‘Year of the Bird’, Mashpi is launching a new birding experience and a dedicated trip in conjunction with the brand. mashpilodge.com
Mainland Ecuador’s coastline is home to some of South America’s best beaches, with a mix of high-end resorts and quiet fishing villages. Highlights include Montañita, famous for surfing and nightlife and packed with ceviche wagons and empanada vendors; Machalilla National Park, including Isla de la Plata, which is home to some of the species the Galapagos is famous for, like blue-footed boobies; and Canoa, good for surfing and yoga retreats. Beautiful resorts include Palmazul Hotel & Spa in San Clemente (pictured), which has a private beach, spa and Ecuadorian fusion food restaurant. palmazulecuador.com
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4/24/18 06:13 PM