The capital and the northern Andes
Most trips begin in Quito, a capital of baroque churches and steep plazas set beneath the Pichincha volcano. Give it two or three days, partly to adjust to the altitude. From Quito, the Saturday market town of Otavalo, the cloud forest of Mindo and the Middle of the World monument are all easy day trips.
The Avenue of the Volcanoes
South of Quito, the Pan American Highway runs between two lines of snow capped peaks. Cotopaxi National Park and the Quilotoa crater lake are the classic stops on the way to Baños, the adventure town of waterfalls, hot springs and canyon swings at the edge of the Amazon.
The southern highlands
Cuenca is Ecuador's most graceful city, a UNESCO listed centre of cobbled streets, blue domes and riverside walks. It is the base for El Cajas National Park and the Inca ruins of Ingapirca.
The rainforest
Ecuador's slice of the Amazon is closer than many people expect. Lodges along the Napo River, in the Yasuní area and in the Cuyabeno reserve offer canoe trips, jungle walks and visits with Kichwa communities, usually as three to five night packages.
The islands
The Galápagos Islands are a short flight from Guayaquil or Quito. Choose between a cruise, which reaches more remote islands, or island hopping from the towns of Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela.
How to fit it together
Two weeks lets you combine Quito and one highland area with either the Amazon or the Galápagos. Three weeks covers all three regions comfortably. Browse our places to visit for specific spots, then use the free trip planner to shape a route.