QUITO, a Unesco Heritage Site, holds one of the largest and best preserved -lived in- colonial areas in Latin America; home to the best Colonial Schools of Art in the American Continent, it offers even now one of the largest collections of baroque art in its colonial architecture, sculpture and paintings, all displayed in large and small churches, convents, museums and private collections.

At the same time the city, in its modern area, offers all the comforts of the 20 th century, with luxury hotels, gourmet restaurants, large shopping malls, theaters, art galleries, aerial tram, international airport, etc.

• ACTIVITIES IN QUITO
• ACTIVITIES NEARBY QUITO
• HOTELS

	Quito City Tour During the walking tour along Quito's cobblestone streets we will have the chance to view buildings from the 16th to the 20th centuries. We'll visit Independence Square where the Presidential Palace is located, and marvel at the ornate interior of the Baroque/Moorish Church of San Francisco as well as the golden interior of La Compañia church. The last part of our tour takes us far above the colonial section where the guardian of the city—the winged Virgin of Quito—keeps watch over her city. The view is spectacular, not only of the city far below but of the skyscraping Andes above and beyond.
	Equatorial Monument About 20 minutes away from the northern part of Quito stands the Middle of the Earth Monument, built to mark the meridian arch of the planet at 0º latitude—better known as the Equator—and to commemorate this surveying feat of the 18th century. It’s also the site of a small colonial replica town crowded with craft shops and restaurants. This excursion includes a visit to the marvelous Ethnographic Museum, which traces the history and archeology of Ecuador’s native peoples back to the Pleistocene.
	The Aerial Tram After a relaxed 10 minute ride up the mountain we reach an altitude of 4,050 meters, quite close to the summit of Pichincha volcano and the best location to see part of the Avenue of Volcanoes. We sit and enjoy the spectacular view of the city, its surrounding snow covered volcanoes: Cotopaxi, Antisana and Cayambe (over 5,750 meters); other volcanoes and mountains under 5,500 meters, as well as the fertile valleys with its agricultural fields between two Andean ranges. An impressive view complemented with restaurants, cafeterias, handcraft stores, and entertainment for everyone.
	Museum Visits Being home to some of the largest art collections in Latin America, Quito offers over 20 museums, some of them are part of convents and cloisters, holding almost exclusively religious art used even nowadays in processions; impressive public museums with exhibits going from archaeological to modern art, passing by pre-historical, ethnographic, colonial and gold artifacts collections, and private homes turned into museums, with exhibits of past elegant life- style or Modern Art exhibitions.

	Otavalo, Peguche & Cotacachi Villages Just two hours north of Quito lies the lush volcanic highlands with towering volcanoes and verdant slopes. This land is rich in friendly and colorfully attired indigenous people found on various villages. As we pass through the highlands, we’re treated to a sweeping views of Imbabura and Cotacachi Volcanoes rising above San Pablo and Cuicocha Lakes. Our first stop is the village of Peguche where native weavers demonstrate their craft, as they have for centuries. Then it is on to the Otavalo market, which dates back thousands of years and is famous throughout the Andes for its handicrafts, textiles and tapestries. We’ll also visit the food market with a colorful array of produce, spices and world-renown flowers. Lunch will be served at one of the local haciendas built between the 17th and 18th centuries with a typical Andean ambience. An alternative is a restaurant by San Pablo lakefront. We will also visit Cotacachi, home to Ecuador's finest leather craftsmen. This is a trip for those looking for colorful scenery, indigenous cultures and bargains. We return to your Quito hotel at the end of the trip or stay at one of the haciendas of the area.
	Cotopaxi National Park South of Quito, standing tall among the 'Avenue of Volcanoes is Cotopaxi. At 19,348 ft (5,897 m) above sea level it is the highest active volcano in the world, and home to Cotopaxi National Park. The park offers a tundra-like environment and is surrounded by other volcanoes both active and extinct. The area offers good hikes with the opportunity to study its geology and flora and chances to see local fauna, including wild horses and the Andean Condor, the world's largest flying bird. Lunch will be served at one of the area’s historic haciendas or country inns.   After a relaxed stroll in the region we’ll return to Quito or spend the night at a hacienda.
	Tandayapa Cloud Forest Just an hour and a half north of Quito stands a primeval cloud forest set in the mountains above the Tandayapa River. Here a North American who used to work in the Monte Verde Cloud Forest in Costa Rica has discovered what could be the birders’ paradise of the world. Containing over 1/3 of the world's total species of hummingbirds, this area rivals—and may well surpass— in number of species, any single location in the world. If you want your bird species list to expand exponentially, this is a must visit.
	Antisana Ecological Reserve Following the Cinnamon Trail that Francisco de Orellana took in 1542 in search of “ El Dorado” treasure, we detour to a private hacienda at the foothills of Antisana Volcano (5,753 m/19,000 ft). With 90,000 hectares as Ecological Reserve, it is one of the most important sanctuaries for a number of endangered species. The magnificent Andean condor, the spectacle bear, puma, paramo wolf, and others find protection here. Enjoy the magnificent landscape of a pristine páramo (a highland moor), visited only by special permit. Lunch will be served at a local hacienda or picnic-style, depending on the number of passengers.

Places to Stay in Quito As the capital of Ecuador, Quito has an international wide selection of hotels.  Hotels categories offered by Quasar Expeditions include Boutique, Deluxe and First Superior. We mention the most selected ones due to their category and particular ambiance.
	PATIO ANDALUZ Category: Boutique Located in colonial Quito the hotel is at walking distance from the most attractive plazas and churches of the city. A colonial construction renovated as a hotel, it offers all the comfort of a boutique hotel; with 34 rooms it holds its charming ambience in its corridors and interior patios. The restaurant offers Spanish and Ecuadorian specialties.
	PLAZA GRANDE Category: Boutique Located in the heart of the colonial city and approximately 45 minutes from the airport, the hotel is surrounded by the most prominent buildings around Independence Square; the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the City Hall, the Conception Church and Cloister, the Archbishop’s Palace and much more. It offers 15 luxurious suites, a gourmet restaurant wireless speed internet and a lot more.
	A LE NOYER Category: Boutique Located in a residential area just 20 minutes away from the airport, this 10 room hotel offers all of the style and comfort of a small luxurious home. The interiors are especially inviting; the use of color, fresh flowers in the small gardens recreates the atmosphere of a fine private residence with all the facilities of the modern times. Wireless high/speed internet, a small cafeteria, and at walking distance a fantastic spa and plenty of restaurants to choose from.
	SWISSOTEL Category: Deluxe Honoring the Swiss tradition of excellence, the hotel is located midway between the airport and the colonial city, this modern hotel has 14 floors housing 240 rooms and suites with excellent views of the city and its surroundings mountains. There is a wide range of quality dining within the hotel along with an outdoor/indoor pool, Amrita Spa, , gym, squash courts,  business center and many additional first class services.
	JW MARRIOTT Category: Deluxe Located along  Amazonas Avenue within walking distance of the Business District. It offers 257 guestrooms including 16 suites with wonderful views of the Andean mountain range, a Mediterranean food restaurant and a Bistro Latino offering buffet and an “a la carte” service. It has a swimming pool, health club, steam room, sauna, massage facilities, business center and all the services expected in a 5 star hotel.
	HILTON COLON Category: Deluxe Centrally located in the heart of modern Quito, 20 minutes away from the colonial city, it has 395 rooms and suites, on regular or executive floors; many with excellent city and park views. There is a wide range of restaurants and bars, business and conference facilities, casino, gym, sauna, steam room, heated outdoor pool and massage facilities.
	MERCURE ALAMEDA Category: First Superior Centrally located in the business district 15 minutes from the airport and colonial city, this hotel offers 143 rooms including suites and junior suites. Known for friendly service, there is a good selection of bars and restaurants as well as a casino, banquet and convention facilities.
	DANN CARLTON Category: First Superior With a traditional European decoration style, the hotel is located 10 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from the colonial city in a quiet neighborhood in the northern district of Quito. There are 195 spacious rooms, a restaurant, piano bar, gym, sauna and jacuzzi.
	LA RABIDA Category: First Superior A beautifully converted family house maintaining an intimate atmosphere. Features 11 individually decorated rooms with private bathrooms, garden, reading room with fireplace and a small cafeteria.