Paul Bird
From quaint Andean villages and colourful markets to staggering volcanic landscapes and the Amazon Rainforest, Paul has explored the length and breadth of Ecuador.
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Two hours’ drive south from Quito is the Avenue of the Volcanoes, a road that winds its way between Andean foothills dotted with volcanoes.
The area offers fantastic views of the snow-capped volcanoes, lush green valleys and mountain lakes, the perfect place for many outdoor activities. Cotopaxi is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world, conical in shape and snow-capped all year round. Not only is it a beautiful mountain to look at, but also a fun challenge to climb.
This area has many traditional haciendas, often remaining in the same family for generations, and representing a wonderful place to stay to get a feel of the real Ecuador. The weekly markets here also offer a colourful insight into rural life for the Andean Indian communities.
Tell us what you love doing and we’ll curate a journey that’s perfect for you.
Travel by foot up the active Cotopaxi Volcano in the Andes, the second tallest volcano in Ecuador.
Saddle up for to ride over the undulating Andes, with a view of the active Cotopaxi Volcano.
Our Ecuador experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.
Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.
A family-run organic farm situated south of Quito in the heart of the nation’s Andean region, Hacienda La Alegria is one of Ecuador’s traditional working homesteads. With just ten comfortable rooms that cater to everyone from independent travellers to families and private groups, the property is decorated in an authentic style with cotton bedding, solid cypress floors and beamed ceilings. The accommodations boast spectacular views of the Avenue of Volcanoes in an area renowned for its spring climate and snow-capped mountains.
Situated on the site of an Inca fortress at the base of the active Cotopaxi volcano, Hacienda San Agustin de Callo is a working farm built in a unique architectural style that reflects its 15th-century origin. Its illustrious history sees the hacienda having served as a former Inca fortress, an Augustinian convent and the temporary lodging for the French Geodesic Mission.Today it offers six suites and five classic rooms that are spread between three unique houses, each attractively appointed with beamed ceilings, hardwood flooring and working fireplaces, and brightened with bold splashes of colour and hand-painted murals.
A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.
From quaint Andean villages and colourful markets to staggering volcanic landscapes and the Amazon Rainforest, Paul has explored the length and breadth of Ecuador.
John rode the railways of Ecuador on the carriage roof before it was outlawed, but still recommends a jaunt along the Devil’s Nose – an engineering marvel that can still be enjoyed from inside a carriage.
I love to squeeze as much out of my day as possible. An outdoors fanatic, I love to delve into harsh environments having summited numerous mountains and trail running into the unknown whenever I get the chance – whether at home or overseas. Funnily enough, it didn’t start like that. It took a few years for the burning fire of adventure to truly take light with my eyes opened by the adventures travel could afford.
As usual all aspects of this trip went like clockwork, even thought we were in South America where timings can be different to other parts of the world! This we put down to the work done by Paul and his knowledge of the country.
Destination: Ecuador
Travel Expert: Paul
It is a birders' paradise. Without counting the seemingly endless species of hummingbirds, the list of bird species seen here would rival…
Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador and considered by many to be the most attractive. Founded on the Inca site…
In stark contrast to the cool snowcapped Andes mountains are the humid lowlands known as El Oriente. This is an area of…
Welcome to Darwin’s playground, where a delicate collection of fearless wildlife and idyllic landscapes awaits.
The Machalilla National Park offers a fascinating variety of flora and fauna and covers an area of 55,000 hectares including Salango and…
South America’s second highest capital is sprawled along the slopes of the surrounding mountains at an elevation of 9,350 feet.
Guayaquil is Ecuador’s largest city and home to the country’s chief seaport with major industries focused on petroleum refining, shrimp fishing, and…
Loja's capital city of the same name and the area's natural wonders remain unsullied and largely undiscovered by travellers because they are…
Otavalo and the surrounding villages are famous for their dazzling textiles and intricate handicrafts, which are on proud display at the famous…
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