Ecuador
— Amazonian rainforests, Andean peaks, foggy cloud forests, white-water rafting, the Galapagos Islands and a rich indigenous heritage; all this and more in Ecuador. Wedged between Colombia and Peru, little Ecuador is one of the most geographically and culturally diverse countries on the planet. Split by the Andes, a rocky spine of snow-capped volcanoes, the ancient Amazon is to the east. And to the west are misty bird-filled cloud forests, untouched coastline and, of course, the awe-inspiring Galapagos Islands. One day you will pick through hand-woven wool sweaters at a chilly indigenous market in Otavalo; the next day you will sweat all over your binoculars while spying on howler monkeys in the Amazon jungles of the Oriente. For the adrenaline junky, the choices are outrageous. Mountaineering and trekking are world-class (try the Quilatoa Loop); toss in some horseback riding and surfing and you will go home with a happily aching body. For the culture vulture, Ecuador’s indigenous heritage of traditional costumes and highland markets will enchant you. Ecuador’s exquisite capital Quito is the perfect base. Before jetting off to explore, meander the majesty that is the city’s UNESCO protected old town, the largest and best preserved in South America, drive north to stay at historic colonial haciendas and ride horseback in the countryside past Inca ruins.
56 Latin America