Visit Plaza Mayor in Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. Plaza Mayor is the heart and soul of Quito's colonial atmosphere and charm. With the wonderfully preserved cathedrals, government palaces, and municipal buildings, a walk through Plaza Mayor is like taking a time machine back to Ecuador's colonial days. There are also many outdoor indigenous markets selling arts and crafts here, especially on weekends.
Go shopping in Ambato. Ambato is a charming and modern town that is a great place to go shopping for Salasaca Native tapestries and arts and crafts. There are various outdoor markets throughout the week, with Monday perhaps being the most important and lively day. There are various historic buildings here, like the historic home Quinta de Mera and also a museum.
Check out Chimborazo. Chimborazo is a volcano in Cotopaxi National Park. This area is referred to as the "Avenue of the Volcanoes." Chimborazo is a massive, majestic volcano that literally means "Mountain of Snow" in the native language. This is an excellent place to go mountain climbing while enjoying soaring altitudes and lush landscapes.
Go to Ingapirca. Ingapirca is an important site for Inca ruins in Ecuador, being that it is the largest ruins site in the country. Be sure to check out the Temple of the Sun, which is surrounded by a large rock. It is the only intact, standing ruins building in Ecuador The stones of the ruins are chiseled and fit together perfectly and make for a visually interesting and fascinating historic look.
Relax in Banos. This highland town is located in a very mountainous area. This is a tranquil, calm, and relaxing place to visit while in the Andean highlands. Banos is well known for is abundance of hot springs. There are lots of activities to enjoy here, from horseback riding to hiking and even whitewater boating.
