I realize it doesn't have the amount of ruins that Peru has, but it does have ruins such as Ingapirca and some others that have barely been disturbed. And the locals in the various areas of the country have retained their culture. It's got beaches for surfing, snow-covered mountains and volcanoes for trekking , cloud forest and lowland Amazon jungle for nature lovers. And the country is small so it is easy and inexpensive to travel between these areas - you can be in a cloud forest within about an hours drive from Quito or be hiking up a volcano after about a 2 hour drive from Quito |
One thing it has that Peru does not have is a number of haciendas all over the country that are waiting to welcome you, such as in some of our sample itineraries. What an experience to stay in these as you travel around the country! The owners are friendly and can relate to you how these haciendas have affected and supported the communities around them. Many are still working as ranches or have farming operations. Zuleta makes cheese which is exported |