MI Travelers: Extraordinary Ecuador

About the same size as Colorado, Ecuador has more bird species than North America and Europe combined. It is a country of tremendous contrasts: beach, mountains, jungle, highlands, cold, arid, hot, humid, barren, lush, and desolate. Although Ecuador straddles the equator, we saw snow on Cotopaxi volcano. Ecuador has 66 volcanoes, 11 of which are on the Galapagos Islands. Animals and plants thrive in this beautiful country. The Ecuadorians are kind and welcoming. We spent 16 days in Ecuador and only scratched the surface. Although the country is not large, due to its rugged terrain, getting around takes some time. We wish we had had more time to really see all there is to see in Ecuador. Once again, I will let the photos tell the story of our adventure.

From the jungle in Peru to the rain in Quito. Yes, we both caught colds.

North of Quito, we stopped for a break on the way to Octovalo. These young women come to sell their textiles. The woman on the left is unmarried (shawl off one shoulder) while the woman on the left is married.

Cotacachi, a quiet but handsome town North of Quito

Middle of the World

Left side is in the Northern hemisphere; right side is in the Southern hemisphere. We had lots of fun at an outdoor museum where we learned how this unique spot affects one's balance. You can't walk a straight line with your eyes closed here, even if you are sober!

Quito Church and Monastery of San Francisco begun in 1534 and completed in 1604

Old Quito street

From Quito we headed to Mindo in the Cloud Forest. We fell in love with Mindo.

Just a few of the many butterflies we saw

Unusual orchid

There are over 300 species of hummingbirds in Ecuador and Mindo boasts one of the largest collections

Not only hummingbirds live in Mindo

This toucan was posing outside the restaurant window!

Besides the amazing birds, our Mindo canopy ride was WONDERFUL!

From Mindo, we headed back toward Quito and then South down the spine of Ecuador. Our next stop was Hosteria La Cienega, just outside of Cotopaxi National Park.

Hosteria La Cienega

The following day we went to Cotopaxi National Park.

Wild horses in Cotopaxi National Park

Cotopaxi is the second highest summit (19,347 feet) in Ecuador and the second highest active volcano in the world.

On our way to Cotopaxi base camp

Made it to the base camp!!!! The air is thin up here.

Met this guy at the base camp

Another wild horse as we exited the park

From Cotopaxi we continued South to Cuenca. On the way we took a train ride to Devil's Nose.

On the way in the wee hours of the morning, we saw the first Spanish church built in 1534, with Inca rocks

On the way to Alausi

Alausi: A stunning village where you board the train to Devil's Nose

The train that takes you to Devil's Nose is one of the most costly and complex railroad projects of the time due to the switchbacks that were used to construct the track. Over 2500 people lost their lives building this railroad. The Devil's Nose train station is run by Nizag Indians. Here we enjoyed their museum and some dancing.

Nizag Indian mom and daughter

Nizag Indian dancers in traditional dress


Wildflowers by the tracks Continuing to Cuenca, Ecuador's second largest city.

Notice the railroad track and switchback

Cuenca, a beautiful Spanish inspired town

Cuenca Cathedral

Once again, while in Cuenca, we found a parade with people in traditional costumes from Cuenca

After two nights in Cuenca, we headed to Guayaquil to catch our flight to the Galapagos.

We crossed another high point on our way to Guayaquil at Cajas National Park

Guayaquil: Las Penas

And last, but not least, we spent 5 days in the Galapagos Islands. We stayed in Santa Cruz for two nights and two nights in Isabella Island. We also spent a day exploring Floreana Island. We walked, snorkeled and took water taxis. Below is just a fraction of what we saw. The Galapagos is truly magical.