Quito is located on a small plateau at the foot of the Pichincha volcano. It is known for its treasures of colonial churches, monasteries, paintings, sculptures, and the magnificent blend of Spanish, Flemish, and Moorish architecture. In 1978, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overall, the city offers 86 churches and monasteries from the 16th and 17th centuries. Thanks to its beautiful churches and monasteries, Quito is known as the "Convent of America". This attractive city is only 22 km from the "Center of the World", the Equator Line.
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Day 3 — Quito → Cotopaxi Parque nacional
The Cotopaxi National Park is a huge protected area of the Andean plateau and páramo (the alpine neotropical tundra), located southeast of Quito. The imposing Cotopaxi volcano, at the center of the park, dominates the surrounding valleys, rivers, and lagoons. The Cotopaxi National Park is the ideal place to go hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, or simply to enjoy a breathtaking natural scenery.
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Day 5 — Riobamba → Cuenca
In Cuenca, founded in 1557 on an Inca settlement valley, you can still breathe the colonial air of Ecuadorian history. The city is located at about 2500 meters above sea level. For most Ecuadorian inhabitants, this center of art, ceramics, Panama hats, silver, and gold products is the most beautiful city in Ecuador. Due to its special atmosphere and early 19th-century architecture, Cuenca was declared a "World Cultural Heritage" in November 1999.
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Day 6 — Cuenca → Guayaquil
Characterized by a hot and humid climate, the port city of Guayaquil is enchanting. It is a true joy to stroll along its streets, where nature and architecture blend perfectly. Thanks to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, Guayaquil has been the gateway to the country for centuries, becoming the final destination for people from all over the world, making it the "Pearl of the Pacific", open and multicultural, as we know it today.
