Quito, officially San Francisco de Quito, is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. With an estimated population of about 2.1 million people as of 2007, Quito is the second most populous city in Ecuador, after Guayaquil. It is also the seat of the Quito Metropolitan District, home to 2 million residents, and the capital of the Pichincha province. The city's elevation is, on average, 2,850 m (about 9,350 ft), making Quito the second highest capital city in the world. A monument and museum marking the general location of the equator is known locally as la mitad del mundo (the middle of the world). Due to its high altitude and position on the equator, Quito has a constant, mild to cool climate year 'round. The city experiences only two seasons: dry and wet. The dry season, June through September (4 months) is referred to as summer; the wet season, October through May (8 months), is referred to as winter. Because of its location at the equator, Quito does not experience variations in daylight hours during the course of a year. Except for a few minutes resulting from a slight wobble in the earth as it rotates, sunrise and sunset are always at 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., respectively.
A two-hour drive north of Quito through the Sierras is Otavalo the largest Handicraft Market in South America. The market serves as a gathering place for both trade and social activity. The 'official' market day is Saturday when people from all over the country come to sell produce, livestock, and handicrafts. Bargains on sweaters, ponchos, blankets, rugs, jewelry, pottery and hammocks are to be had every day. Ask for a "descuento" while dickering for anything from guinea pigs to woolen sweaters. On Saturday mornings the market begins early as local villagers arrive in town with fresh produce and animals to trade and sell. Early risers can see the trading of cattle, pigs, chickens, and guinea pigs along the Pan American highway west of town between 6am-8am.The handicraft market is the highlight for most tourists. Known for being the largest handicraft market in South America. Visitors are able to bargain for carpets, blouses, vests, jackets, hammocks, ceramics, paintings, jewelry, hats, musical instruments as well as a variety of other locally made goods. Haggling for prices is expected and part of the fun. Never accept the original price offered and expect to pay approximately 1/3 less. A smaller version of the market is offered everyday of the week primarily for tourists.
Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve in Mindo is a private protected area born in 2001, with the goal of saving and preserving the forest and diverse ecosystems that are immerse in it. It is managed by the Green Mindo Foundation, which is in charge of the conservation and the study of its 420 hectares of premountain and mountain cloud forest.
The Reserve has one of the largest bird counts of the north-western area of Pichincha, with 322 species of birds. Several species of mammals had been found such as puma, spectacled bear, black howler monkey, capuchin monkey Andean coati, armadillos, white tailed and brocket deer, two toed sloth to name some. Also an incredible amount of reptile and amphibian species had been found, plus an overwhelming number of plant species. The drastic altitude changes from 950 mts. to 1650 mts. above the sea level in addition to the isolation of the region that has created one of the most delicate, but rich and complex ecosystems known in the Mindo region.
To reach the Papallacta area you enjoy a beautiful landscape and then you can enjoy the natural thermal springs, just minutes from the capital of Ecuador. To the east of Quito stands the eastern ridge that resembles the backbone of a dinosaur asleep, which separates the capital of the valley of the Amazon down. It is astonishing to think that one can get lost in the Amazon jungle after a flight of forty minutes or a couple of hours journey by car from Quito. Among Quito and the Amazon jungle, on the main road is the town and the hot springs of Papallacta,. Here you will find hills perfect for hiking and horseback riding, and a first-class spa and a hot springs resort. Papallacta is the perfect place for those seeking nature, adventure and relaxation. And you can also enjoy a wide gap, which bears the same name. Papallacta is 67 kilometers from Quito.