Quito, the capital of Ecuador, named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, lies in a spectacular mountain setting at 2800 meters (9184 ft.) above the sea level and just 25 kms (16 miles) south of the equator. The city has a magnificent blend of colonial and modern architecture. The Antisana Ecological Reserve is privately owned and regulated, but its goal is the preservation of the native flora and fauna of the Andean paramo. Below approximately 3000 meters, the native flora is similar to what is seen at the Cotacachi reserve- shrubs, orchids and other specially adapted plants. You can also see this type of flora at a lava flow approaching the Antisana reserve. Above an altitude of 4800 meters very little vegetation exists, as this area is covered with snow year-round. Between 3600 & 4800 meters, however, you enter a habitat called the paramo, in which the plant and animal life are both highly adapted to the extreme conditions which are the norm here. Due to the high winds that regularly sweep this habitat, nothing taller than the grass and low-lying succulents are found in the open. Even hardy, high altitude shrubs are found only in crevices and stream beds hidden from the wind. Plants in this habitat are pollinated by beetles or by birds, as the winds are too strong for flying insects. Patate is characterized by its productive fruit and vegetable harvest. The Ingapirca area is a blooming parish of southern Ecuador located in Cañar province. It is 240 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 14,000 inhabitants- 2,000 live in the parish center (3,180 meters or 10,000 feet above sea level), and the other populace is spread all around the countryside. The town's name of Ingapirca was taken after the archeological complex which stands as important evidence of the Cañari and Incan presence. This area, like other areas of Ecuador (provinces of Cañar, Azuay, and Loja), is characterized by a variety of soils, dioritic and porfidic igneous rocks, and volcanic groups. Cuenca is Ecuador's third-largest city - the misnamed toppers were first made in the Cuenca area and are still produced there. The town has an Old World, Spanish colonial feel—flower boxes on windows, wrought-iron balconies, red-tile roofs, cobblestone streets and a lively market (open Thursday, with a smaller market on Saturday). It's also a center for arts and crafts—many of the things sold in Quito and Guayaquil come from this area.
Ecuador Highlights Travel Vacation Package (7N) includes:
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