Quito, the capital of Ecuador, is situated in a long valley surrounded by the peaks of the Andes, about 2850 metres above sea level. The impressive natural beauty of the surroundings is complemented by the amazing history of the city. Originally inhabited by Quitus and Shyris, the city was later conquered by the Incas. Rather than surrender to the invading Spanish in the XVI century, the Incas razed the city to the ground and took refuge in the surrounding mountains.

Quito’s Old Centre was constructed by the Spanish on the site of the ancient Inca city, and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Strolling through the winding streets lined with colonial architecture, it is easy to be transported back in time to when these plazas were the sites of some of the most famous battles in Ecuador’s history. The city today is divided into a number of different areas, known as sectores, including the Old Centre, Guapulo, La Foresta, and the charming tourist area of the Mariscal.

Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador and is located in the Sierra, the highlands of Ecuador, at about 8200 ft above sea level. Its full ...

Santiago de Guayaquil, or merely Guayaquil, is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador; it is also the nation’s main port. It is the capital of ...