Galapagos Islands News

Ever since Charles Darwin’s fateful 1835 Galapagos voyage, the world has known of the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos geology, Galapagos history, Galapagos wildlife and breathtaking Galapagos scenery have been luring visitors to Galapagos ever since. Many people don’t know much more about the Republic of Ecuador: some may not even know that the Galapagos Islands have been part of Ecuador since 1832! Wonderful as they are, there is much more to Ecuador than the Galapagos Islands. One place you may wish to consider extending your Galapagos tour is Ecuador’s historic capital city and World Heritage Site, Quito.

Unlike most of the cities in South America, Quito was not founded by the Spanish. In fact, Quito was already a thriving, bustling city when the Spanish arrived in the 1530’s. After Cuzco, Quito was the second-most important city in the mighty Inca Empire, which stretched from southern Colombia to northern Chile. The Spanish had a tough time conquering the fierce natives of the northern Inca Empire but eventually they did, and the city of San Francisco de Quito was officially founded in 1534.

Today, Quito is a friendly, sprawling city with much to offer visitors. It is located at the foot of Pichincha Volcano, which occasionally sends a plume of smoke to the heavens, most recently in 1999. The colonial center of Quito was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978, one of the first ever to be so honored. It’s easy to see why: Quito’s colonial center is charming, well-preserved and home to any number of fine hotels and restaurants. The newest visitor attraction is the Teleferiqo, a cable car that carries people from the old town to the top of Pichincha: the view is spectacular!

Just outside of Quito is a can’t-miss attraction: the Middle of the World! La Mitad del Mundo, as it’s called in Spanish, is a park built directly on the Equatorial line as determined by a team of dedicated 18th Century French geographers. Visit the colorful ethnographic museum, with its depictions of many of Ecuador’s diverse cultures, or simply take your photo with one foot in the northern hemisphere and one foot in the southern hemisphere! There are numerous shops and restaurants at the park as well as smaller museums that tell the story of Quito and the French expedition.

Columbus travel offers three different Quito tours: City Tour, City Tour with Middle of the World and City Tour with Middle of the World and lunch. The City tour visits all of the highlights of the historical district, including the legendary “Gold Cathedral:” the Jesuit church whose interior is covered in finely worked gold leaf: some historians estimate there may be two tons of gold in the church! The tour also goes to Independence Square, the historical and cultural heart of the city.

The Middle of the World option includes the Equatorial Park, with a visit to the Equator monument and the ethnographic museum. You won’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity!

All of the Quito city tours include an English speaking native guide. Columbus Travel employs only licensed, professional, experienced guides, thus assuring that your visit will go smoothly and be informative as well as entertaining.

Don’t let your visit to Ecuador begin and end with the Galapagos: be sure to check out the marvelous historical city of Quito while you’re here!