Top 10 things to do in Ecuador

Top 10 things to do in Ecuador

‘All you need is Ecuador’ is the slogan – here Andean Trails’ Maria and Tom give their top 10 reasons to explore the smallest but most varied Andean country.

Ecuador:  Top 10 things to see and do on your Ecuador holiday

Galapagos

Obvious but essential to visit Galapagos if you can – abundant wildlife, dramatic volcanic islands and at the very centre of human’s understanding of our environment.

Sunlit Kicker Rock, Galapagos

Ice creams

Best ice creams (according to Tom) in Ecuador are in Salcedo. People drive to Salcedo from miles around to be tempted by ‘impulsadoras’ into buying their wares.

Creamy vanilla with orange, blackberry and more flavours – if you see an ice-cream in Salcedo – buy it! Ibarra is also an ice-cream lovers mecca, where you can watch your treat being made, the crushed fruit is stirred on ice in front of your eyes.

Amazon

Monkeys, macaws, sloths. Incredible insects, tarantulas and caimans. Skyscraper trees and colourful flowers. Nowhere on earth can match the immensity and variety of flora and fauna like the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Red Howler Monkey, Sacha, Amazon

Pujili market

Pujili Market takes place every day but it really comes alive on Sundays, as people from surrounding villages and towns gather to sell a variety of goods.

Supporting such a market contributes to the local economy and helps countless families, and this feels more authentic than the laid-back but increasingly tourist-driven Otavalo market.

The Maquipucuna Reserve

The Maquipucuna Reserve is located in the heart of the Ecuadorian cloud forest, this Reserve holds an exceptional amount of endemic wildlife.

Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi, (5,897m) is of the highest active volcanoes in the world, a unique place for trekking, mountaineering, horse riding or mountain biking.

Why not stay nearby at Hacienda El Porvenir, from where you can zip line, horse ride, mountain bike or hike.

Horse rider, Cotopaxi, Ecuador

Ceviche

Ecuador, Peru and Chile all fight over who makes the best ceviche, a spicy raw fish dish marinated in citrus juices, onions and spicy pepper.

Quilotoa

Quilotoa is an extinct volcano with a beautiful blue/green lake in its crater. Walk around the rim or descend into the crater as part of our Ecuador Highlights holiday.

Hacienda Zuleta

Expensive but a one-off. Ecuadorian presidents have lived in sprawling old Hacienda Zuleta, which holds as much history as there are activities on offer.

Horse riding, treks, spotting spectacled bears and cheese making to name but a few.

Bomboli cloudforest

Cloudforest with a difference – this one has been saved and reforested during a lifetime’s work by husband and wife eco-team Osvaldo and Mariana.

For a Spanish only web for Bomboli, click here or contact us for more information.