Planète Insolite will take you to Ecuador,
a country of outstanding beauty and diversity, exceptional cultural
traditions and spectacular natural wonders.
At an altitude of 2850 m and surrounded by a ring of volcanoes, Quito
is the second highest capital city in South America after La Paz,
Bolivia.
On the first World Heritage List for its well-preserved colonial
architcture, the city was officially founded on 6 December 1534. It was
already an important site in the pre-Inca period for its situation at
the junction of several commercial roads, and had become an important
economic centre.
On canoe trips from Tena, one of the big towns in the Amazonian region,
you will discover the rainforests and local Indian tribes, and marvel
at the jungle's stupendous beauty and exuberant vegetation.
The Andean town of Baños, in a stunning setting of exceptional
beauty, is situated in the province of Tungurahua, at the foot of the
eponymous volcano and along the Pastaza River, at an altitude of 1840
m. Baños was founded by the Dominicans (the church is
consecrated to the Virgin of the Holy Water, la Virgen del Agua Santa).
The town's thermal springs and surrounding waterfall landscapes are
renowned, and sugar cane is grown for the production of alcohol
(canelazo). Melcocha, a paste made from cane syrup, is also a local
speciality.
The ride towards La Nariz Del Diablo on the antique train provides an unusual opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
The ruins of Ingapirca, Ecuador's main Inca archeological site, look
like a fortress or religious complex, but historians and archeologists
are still baffled. Though not to be compared to the famous site of
Machu Picchu in Peru, Ingapirca will nevertheless enchant whoever has
any interest in history and ancient ruins.
Cuenca is a city of indefinable charm. The historical centre, listed as
a World Heritage property, is a splendid example of the colonial
heritage. The cobbled streets and white houses with their red roof
tiles and balconies decorated with flowers, are perfect for a pleasant
stroll.
Cunca also hides some remarkable treasures of colonial art within its numerous XVIIth-XVIIIth centuries churches and convents.
Otavalo is famous for its indigenous market, precious traditional
culture and exceptional handicrafts industry; markets of Gualaceo and
Chordeleg.
Weaving is the main industry in the Otavalo region, and the grand market on Saturdays attracts colourful crowds.
This, together with the town's colonial charm and the beauty of the
scenic landscape, has brought the Otavaleños a level of economic
development superior to that of all other indigenous populations in
Ecuador.
The Galapagos are a group of 13 islands, 17 islets and 47 volcanic
rocks spread over an area of 8000 km² in the Pacific Ocean: a
truly unique and very special world, around 1000 km from the Ecuadorian
coast.
Protected from continental civilisation, this is a place unlike any
other place on earth, where nature offers her most wonderful surprises.
A cruise is the best way to discover the archipelago.
Cajas National Park is situated 520 km from Quito, in the province of
Azuay, and covers 70,000 acres at an average altitude of 3000 m, with
minimum infrastructure. Over the whole area, 230 glacial lakes can be
found in a lunar (est-ce que cela suffit à décrire?ou:
"cold and misty/cloudy/foggy", sauf qu'en anglais ça ne donne
pas du tout envie d'y aller!) landscape littered with caves and a
variety of rock formations.
;)
