Explore the best preserved colonial center of South America. Visit the Basilica del Voto Nacional, the San Francisco de Quito and La Compañia Church, and the Plaza Grande to see the Presidential Palace, the Catholic Cathedral, and the Archbishop’s Palace. Visit other highlights such as the Panecillo, for an amazing 360 degree view of Quito.

The Middle of the World Monument is a must-see in Quito. Built to honor the French and Ecuadorian scientists who studied the curvature of the planet and determined the supposed location of the equator, this unique location allows you to take a picture with one foot in each hemisphere!

Sombrero Chino is a small island that gets its name from a resemblance to a Chinese Hat when seen from afar. The island is famous for sea lion colonies, marine iguanas, sally-lightfoot crabs, land iguanas, coral heads, and possibly Galapagos penguins.

Santa Fe Island was formed from an ocean floor uplift, and not a volcanic eruption, therefore giving it a mostly flat shape. There are several colonies of land iguanas on the island. Visitors can also kayak, snorkel and hike to scenic viewpoints.

Santa Cruz Island offers a wide ranging set of attractions, from the Los Gemelos sunken craters and Scalesia forest, to lava tunnels, organic coffee farms, the giant tortoise farm in Rancho Chato II, the spectacular Tortuga Bay and Garrapatero beach, the Charles Darwin Research Center, and Puerto Ayora and its Fish Market.

Set out on a trail through the Rainforest with a guide to an observation tower about 120 ft above the forest canopy, from where you can observe various birds, medicinal plants and other flora and fauna. Then go a canoe ride at night, to explore the nocturnal creatures of the Amazon.

Take an excursion on the Napo River to view the parrot clay licks, where you can see hundreds of parrots and parakeets gathering to eat the mineral rich soil. Then visit the Mandi Wasi community, to learn more about their culture and way of life, and taste their indigenous cuisine.

The highlight of any trip to Mashpi is the Dragonfly – an exciting, open-air cable car system that carries you over the forest canopy. The setup consists of two main stations, six towers, and four gondolas that move at a low speed of 50 meters/160 feet per minute. A roundtrip takes about 40-minutes to complete.

Ecuador is the third largest exporter of roses in the world. The roses are known for their size, longevity and color variations (over 500 colors). The Compania de Jesus hacienda belonged to the Jesuit order around 300 years ago. Today it has an exquisite, permanent exhibition of over 5,000 varieties of roses.

Visit the town of Otavalo, famous for its indigenous market that is held every day. Then, visit the peaceful town of Cotacachi, famous for its leather products such as shoes, purses, coats and belts. Browse the products and meet the local craftsmen who create these beautiful pieces.

Visit the beautiful, Cuicocha volcanic crater lagoon, located at nearly 3,246 meters in a part of the Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve. Walk around the lagoon to enjoy the biodiversity of the region, the deep blue hues of the lake, and on a clear day, views of the Imbabura and Cayambe volcanoes.

Enjoy an exclusive and exhilarating helicopter flight over the Cotopaxi National Park. Soar over the Avenue of the Volcanoes for either 30 or 90 minutes, and get a bird’s eye view of the snow capped Cotopaxi volcano, standing 5,897 meters above sea level, and the colorful lakes and dense forests in the region.

Hike with a local guide through El Cajas National Park, a bewitchingly beautiful protected area with cloud forests to rocky-lunar landscapes, over 200 lagoons, wild llamas, alpacas deer and fox, and hummingbirds. The park is 4,000 meters above sea level and temperatures can be as low as 12 degrees C (53 F).

The most prestigious five-star hotel in Quito, Casa Gangotena, a fully-restored mansion with a rich history, overlooks the important San Francisco square. Finely-furnished rooms blend contemporary elegance with antique ambience, while the interior courtyard’s native flowers provide a tranquil retreat from the bustle of nearby streets. The hotel’s restaurants offer exemplary gourmet cuisine.

Nestled in the green mountains of the Ecuadorian highlands, the La Palma Polo Club is an Andean dream, located in the small neighborhood of La Palma in Puembo, chosen as a place for rest and residence thanks to its privileged climate, environment and proximity to Quito International Airport.

The Pikaia Lodge is designed for the environmentally conscious, physically active eco-adventure traveler, who seeks close contact with the unique natural wonders of the Galapagos, along with the highest level of comfort and services. As a Pikaia Lodge guest, you will enjoy active, quality guided land and marine day programs in small groups.

Winner of the prestigious Ecotourism Award from the World Congress on Tourism and the Environment, La Selva’s Amazon Ecolodge has spacious, airy cabañas inspired by native bamboo designs. On foot and in canoes, guests can explore the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve, home to thousands of unique species of plants and animals.

The Mashpi Lodge is a modern haven of opulence deep within a dense cloud forest. Birds and monkeys observe guests enjoy exotic drinks on the breakfast terrace, bathe in the jacuzzi, or dine on gourmet cuisine. A variety of expert-led excursions include use of a “Sky Bike” canopy gondola, best enjoyed in the morning mist.

Dating from the late 16th century, Hacienda Zuleta lies in the Andean mountain range at 9,600 feet above sea level, with a spectacular view of the Cayambe volcano. The hacienda has 14 beautifully decorated bedrooms, delicious home flavored Ecuadorian cuisine and a great variety of activities including horseback riding, mountain biking, embroidery and cooking classes.

Hacienda San Agustin is a historical landmark turned into an exclusive hotel located near Cotopaxi National Park in Ecuador. Built on the site of an Inca palace, and one of the two most important archaeological Inca sites in Ecuador, the hacienda’s rooms are equipped with old furniture, paintings, and a wood-burning stove.

A historic 19th century property set in a tropical oasis within the affluent Samborondón neighborhood, Hotel del Parque is a boutique hotel with an unforgettable combination of history and elegance. The hotel offers 44 guest bedrooms and suites with Ecuadorian furnishings, both antique and modern, and impressive marble bathrooms.

A restored building with a unique facade of Italian Marble, the Hotel Cruz del Vado is a luxurious hotel in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Cuenca, El Vado. The hotel offers sweeping views of the modern part of Cuenca to the West, and the iconic domes of the new cathedral to the East.

The Santa Cruz II, one of the newest vessels in the Galapagos, offers the perfect mix of comfort, style, and safety. With five spacious decks, and 50 single, double, and family cabins with chic interiors, the Santa Cruz can offer up to 90 guests unique tours of the Galapagos.