Ecuador’s breadth of natural wonder, from the Andes Mountains to the Amazonian rain forest to the splendor of the Galapagos Islands, is rivaled only by its rich culture and history. Six days is only time to get an introduction to a section of Ecuador, but no tour would be complete without stops at the Unesco historic cities of Quito and Cuenca, wildlife watching in the Galapagos Island and a trek to Incan ruins. The U.S. Department of State warns that crime is a severe issue in the country, particularly with organized crime along the Colombian border. Before you travel, register yourself and your travel mates with the U.S. Embassy in Quito.
Spend today taking a walking tour through the narrow streets of Quito’s Old Town. Here you’ll find restored colonial architecture and bustling plazas filled with street vendors, taxis and pedestrians. Don’t miss the Plaza and Monastery of San Francisco, the Plaza de la Independencia, La Compania de Jesus and the Museo de Arte Colonial. Get a good night’s rest for an early morning flight.
Start your day with a three-hour flight from Quito to this Unesco World Heritage site of 19 islands and surrounding marine reserve, together known as the Galapagos Islands. The ongoing seismic and volcanic activity that helped form the islands, coupled with their isolation, led to the development of many rare species, including the land iguana, giant tortoise and different species of finches that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection. You’ll find moderate hotels on the islands, and most tour operators include both accommodations and meals in tour prices. You can also camp on some of the beaches with permission. You’ll need at least a couple days to see the island's highlights, including a stop at the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you can learn about the native and endemic flora and fauna and visit the giant tortoise corals and colorful land iguanas. Afterward, spend some time snorkeling off a lava beach. On your second day, head to North Seymour Island, where you can spot the blue-footed boobies. Hike the nature trail through the colonies of birds and watch mothers with their chicks. You may also see some of the islands sea lions or a flamingo lagoon.
Back in Quito, you’ll likely need a day of leisure. Spend a day shopping for fine art and traditional crafts at Folkore Olga Fisch or head to Centro Artistico Don Bosco, which acts as a co-op for the highlands’ woodworkers. In the evening, catch a show at El Pobre Diablo, which has a well-curated collection of jazz, blues, world music and experimental sound performances, or head to the Casa de la Musica for more classical stylings.
Just a one-hour flight from Quito, Cuenca offers bustling plazas and colonial buildings and churches. Spend a day strolling the Rio Tomebamba river, lined with colonial buildings and open onto Calle Larga street. Visit the city’s hallmark plaza, the Parque Calderon. Here you can see the Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepcion cathedral.
Take a day tour from Cuenca to see the Inca empire’s only remaining sun temple, which stands on a hill at 10,500 feet. This temple is still well-preserved, unlike some structures of the ancient complex that are now little more than stone foundations. This two-story building was hand carved. You can climb the steps that lead up to a trapezoidal doorway. To the right of the temple is a V-shaped rock thought to have been used for animal and human sacrifices. A larger stone with 28 holes lies nearby, and was thought to have been used as a lunar calendar. The holes filled with rainwater, which then reflected the moon’s light slightly differently throughout each month. Don’t miss the small museum that houses a collection of Canari tribe and Inca ceramics, sculptures, tools, traditional dress and even a skeleton found at the site. You can book this tour in Cuenca, or if you speak Spanish, test your luck with one of the on-site guides included in the entrance fee.
