D
E
E
P
D
I
V
E
WORLDS APART
Discover Three Sides of
Ecuador By Chris Robinson
With the greatest biodiversity per square kilometre of any nation on Earth, Ecuador offers three vibrantly different worlds to explore in a single extended trip, providing you with the opportunity to minimize the carbon footprint of your flights. Be prepared to travel – and pack – differently in Ecuador. Sure, you should take beachwear and clothing for tropical weather, but you need gear for cold climates, too, if you plan to explore diverse regions of the spectacular country.
Pailón del Diablo waterfall near Baños
URBAN STROLLS AND MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE At nearly 3,000 metres, you will notice reduced oxygen levels in Quito, an ideal place to start your journey. Take a few leisurely days to stroll around the superbly preserved historic heart of the capital city. The colonial architecture is so perfect that Quito was one of the first places in the world to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are so many fine buildings. The Palacio de Carondelet is the imposing home of government; 40 |
EXTRAORDI N A RY EXP ER IEN C ES
the grand Basilica del Voto Nacional is the epitome of neo-Gothic architecture; and the Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús glitters with gold and silver. The equator – the feature for which the country is named – lies on the outskirts of Quito. Ciudad Mitad del Mundo celebrates the invisible line dividing the Earth at its middle with a monument and ethnographic museum. Plus, you can stand astride the Northern and Southern hemispheres simultaneously.
