With its rich pre-Columbian history, the capital
of Ecuador was founded on the ruins of an Inca city, and nowadays offers
everything a modern traveler may need. Quito remains one of the best preserved
historic city centers in Latin America and UNESCO declared it a world heritage
site. This huge city stretches over a fabulous Andean valley surrounded
by volcanic peaks. Among its streets, you can find 40 churches and chapels, 16
convents and monasteries with their respective cloisters, 17 squares, 12
convent and refractory courtyards, 12 museums and innumerable beautiful patios.
Just 33 kilometers north of Quito is
the Middle of the World, the place with the line that divides the planet earth
in the northern and southern hemisphere.
Further north, an hour's drive from Quito, is Otavalo, the largest indigenous
market in the world. To the south, about a hundred kilometers away, you can
visit Latacunga and the Cotopaxi National Park, with the very high volcano of
the same name. Further south the cities of Ambato and Baños are worth a visit,
with the spectacular view of the Tungurahua volcano, which can be climbed to
the top. Especially Baños is real fun place to visit due to countless of
sports and adrenaline activities.
