Though Ecuador is small it is one of the most beautiful countries of South America. In just a couple of hours you may travel from the Pacific coast line with wonderful beaches up to the Andean volcanic mountain ranges which climb up to about 6000 meters headed by white snow caps and down into the tropical jungle of the Amazonas basin. There is an abundance of flora and fauna differing with each of the distinct climates at different altitudes complemented by the various ethnic groups. Each group has its own specific cultural heritage and idiom. A voyage through these environments may feel like dreaming from another world.

Quito is the second highest capital in Latin America after La Paz, Bolivia (2.800 meters). The city is located at the foot of the volcano Pichincha (4.794 m). The urbanized area stretches over twenty five kilometers along the Andean valley. Quito was founded at 1534 based on an Inka city. It has two distinct parts, the colonial center at the south and the modern city to the north. The colonial center contains many historically important buildings so that the UNESCO has declared this part modern malls, of the city as one of the World Cultural Heritages. The mixture of cultural sites, old buildings, bars and restaurants fascinate most of its visitors.