Avenue of the Volcanoes
Two hours' drive south from Quito is the Avenue of the Volcanoes, a road that winds its way between Andean foothills dotted…
Ecuador is the second smallest country in South America and yet within its borders, you can find a microcosm of the entire continent – hence the joy of an Ecuador holiday.
Not surprising then that Ecuador’s tourist board coined the phrase ‘All you need is Ecuador’ given that they have mountains and beaches as well as the Amazon. Although the Galapagos Islands attract large numbers of visitors, not so many take the additional time to explore the Ecuadorian mainland. There you can find villages and markets which are truly local and not catering to tourists. It is just a delight.
One of the biggest benefits of a trip to Ecuador is that you don’t get the same concentrations of visitors that can be found in surrounding countries. Quito, the second highest capital in the world at 2,800m, was one of the world’s first UNESCO Heritage Sites, dates from 900AD and is well worth a visit. Outside the capital, you will find small villages with weekly markets where foreign faces are rare and traditional clothes prevail. Culture aside, the landscape is gorgeous and displays the lush green beauty of the tropics with brightly coloured birds flashing in the trees. From Quito, it is easy to reach the Amazon, the Andes, the Cloud Forest and the Galapagos.
Discover suggested activities to include on your Ecuador holiday
Every captivating tailor-made itinerary needs a perfect base. Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any adventure.
Set far off the beaten track on 500 sugarcane-filled acres, accessible by a time worn train and an antiquated station, Hacienda La Danesa is the hidden treasure. The quaint, six-bedroom farmhouse invites eco-conscious and sustainability-driven travellers…
Burrowed in the very core of the Ecuadorean Amazon, Napo Wildlife Centre is a lodge owned and run by the local Kichwa Anangu community. The accommodations are spread between 20 rustic cabins, most of which are…
Seamlessly blending lush jungle with an urban comfort, Mashpi Lodge is an exclusive Cloud Forest hideaway situated on a scenic plateau that overlooks distant forested mountains and up-close untamed foliage. A stunningly contemporary piece of architectural…
A spectacular three-story boutique hotel set within a newly-restored historic mansion overlooking Plaza San Francisco, Casa Gangotena boasts an exquisite interior that combines contemporary aesthetics with antiques and fine furnishings. A number of charming nooks and…
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.
We support projects right across the planet. For example, in Ecuador, the support from Steppes Travel enabled the Vicente Mamallacta Educational Unit in the Kichwa Anangu Community of Ecuador’s Yasuni National Park to receive whiteboard markers, pencils, filing cabinets, Spanish reading books, and a television for early childhood education. When planning your trip speak to our experts about how you can also support the destinations you are visiting.
Read our blog An Education in the Amazon.
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
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