Ecuador
Ecuador is a relatively unexplored country located in the northwest of South America between the Pacific Ocean and the Amazon jungle. Ecuador was named after its position on the Equator and is bordered by Colombia, Peru and the Pacific Ocean.
Visitors can see Ecuador’s highest active volcano, Cotopaxi; explore Otovalo the world famous indigenous market and activities could include horse riding in the Andes, white water rafting along mountain rapids as well as visiting the exquisitely beautiful Machalilla National Park.
The capital of Ecuador is Quito. The ancient capital of the northern realm of the Incan Empire, Quito lies at 2,800 metres above sea level in a high valley at the base of Mount Pichincha approximately 15 miles south of the equator. Also known as Luz de América: the light or beacon of America, Quito was the first Latin American region to declare its independence from Spain. Quito’s Spanish heritage was built on the ruins of the Incan capital’s northern domain and since colonial times has been renowned as an artistic, architectural and literary centre for many years.
Located in the inter-Andean valley, Quito is surrounded by mountains with three snow-capped volcanoes visible on clear days. Ecuador’s climate is infamously known as the land of eternal spring. Due to its high altitude and close proximity to the equator it has an average daily temperature of 70°F and this rarely changes.
Quito has plenty to offer culturally; cinemas, theatres, concerts, bookstores, discos, museums, art galleries, craft stores, tourist attractions, restaurants and even western-style bars.
Travel by land and air is easy from Quito. Its central location means you can easily access different areas of the country including beaches, mountains and the Amazon basin. Mountains, valleys, volcanoes, river and varied plant life provide spectacular scenery in the area of Quito.
Peru
This fascinating country borders Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile and the Pacific Ocean. Comprised of three distinct regions, the wide Andean mountains in the north, a narrow coastal belt running down the centre, along the Pacific Ocean, and the deep Amazon rainforest in the south. Although the coastal belt is a desert, that is where most of the population lives.
Peru is renowned as the land of the Incas, but many other great pre-Columbian civilizations flourished here.
Visitors can see the ancient ruins of the Inca capital of Cusco and explore the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu as well as visit ruins from a variety of other cultures including the Nazca and the Moche. The fascinating culture existing there today reflects this diversity.
Bolivia
Sandwiched between Peru, Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Chile, and straddling the Andes, Bolivia is known as the "Tibet of the Americas" due to its altitude and stunning scenery.
About twice the size of Spain, Bolivia encapsulates nearly every possible climate and terrain from the snow capped peaks of over 21,000 feet, to the to the semi-tropical lowlands, through to the steaming jungles of the Amazon Basin. The country became landlocked in 1880 during the “Pacific War” when it lost its seacoast to Chile. Offsetting this one missing element is Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, boasting crystal blue waters, reed boats and islands known for pre-Colombian ruins.
Besides great scenery, you have the opportunity to see various exotic birds, plants, insects, and animals due to Bolivia's relatively sparse population, lack of development and diverse geography.
