Deserves a whole site for itself!  The best option is a 7-night cruise to experience the wonder and uniqueness of the islands - aboard a Galapagos boat that is comfortable, safe & reliable and with a good naturalist guide aboard.  The onboard naturalist guide is one of the most important factors on a Galapagos Islands cruise.

Highlights include the Galapagos Giant Tortoise, Blue-footed boobies, Waved Albatross, Marine Iguanas, Flightless Cormorants etc.

The historic (Colonial) sector of Quito is a wonder of Colonial architecture, from its churches, plazas and palaces.  Highlights include Plaza de la  Independencia (Plaza Grande),  Plaza San Francisco, Iglesia de la Compania, Iglesia de Santo Domingo, Igelsia de la Merced, San Agustin Monastry, the Basilica, Panecillo hill

This is popularly combined with a visit to Mitad del Mundo (Equatorial Line village). 

Tours from $25 (additional cost not included). 

Barter and trade for ceramics, wood carvings, textiles, paintings, musical instruments, jewelry, to name a few.  This market operates every day of the week, with Saturday followed by Wednesday being the busiest (most tourist). 

Located 90 minutes north of Quito, this is a shoppers paradise.  A visit to Otavalo isn't complete without a visit to Peguchi & Cotacachi (reknowned for its leather works).

Tours from $45 (additional cost not included). 

This working Andean market is a feast for your sense (sights, sounds, aromas).  Opperating only on Thursdays, the town is filled with local campesinos selling their local products at the various markets scattered throughout the town - mainly fruits and vegetables.

Located about 90 minutes south of Quito, a visit to this market is usually combined with a visit to Cotopaxi National Park or a visit to the Quilotoa Volcanic Lagoon.

Tours from $45 (additional cost not included). 

Bio-diversity at its extreme!  Top recommendations go out to the Napo Wildlife Centre, Sacha Lodge, La Selva & Kapawi Lodge.  Other highly recommended options include the Manatee River Boat and Sani Lodge.

Most tours run from Monday to Friday (4-nights) or Friday to Monday (3-nights), with the vast majority requiring round trip flights from Quito to Coca or Lago Agrio.

The Cotopaxi National Park is located about 90 minutes due south of Quito.  Visitors have two basic tour options: (1) a naturalist day trip; or (2) a 2 or 3 day climbing package.  Mountain biking, horseback riding and a visit to a hacienda are alternative options in this Park.  There are a number of interesting haciendas (working farms) in the area.

Options: Private & shared-basis tours.

320 hummingbirds species are know to science & over 50% are found in Ecuador.  The best place to get up close to these beautiful creatures is at the Bellavista Cloudforest Reserve.  Other  highlights include a myriad of orchids and other tropical vegetation.

Options: Private & shared-basis tours.

Banos is perfectly situated as a jumping spot into the Ecuadorian Amazon rain forest (Tena / Misahualli region), or a travel spot to rest and relax while traveling north or south.

Banos is known for its thermal baths, mountain biking (Banos to Puyo), horseback riding and white water rafting.

Cuenca is considered the craft center of Ecuador, with excellent ceramics and bronzework being produced by its craftsmen.  Nearby, a visit to Cajas National Park and Ingapirca ruins are worth the visit.

(Rates vary greatly depending on dates, guides etc).

Approximately 14 km to the north of Zumbahua lies the village and infamous volcanic crater of Quilotoa with a serene mysterious looking green lake inside. Quilotoa lagoon is a perfect example of one of the various extinct volcanoes that are now volcanic lagoons.  The crystalline water in this lagoon is said to contain too many minerals to be purifiable.

Options: Private & shared-basis tours.

Ecuador is home to numerous haciendas [a Spanish word for an estate, usually, but not always, a vast ranch or farm. Some haciendas were plantations].  

Some better known haciendas throughout Ecuador include:  Abraspungo (Riobamba), Chorlavi (Imbabura), Cusin (Otavalo), Guachala (Cayambe), Hato Verde (Lasso), La Alegria (Aloag), La Andaluza (Riobamba), La Carriona (Sangolqui), La Cienega (Lasso), Leito (Patate), Manteles (Patate), Pinsaqui (Otavalo), San Agustin de Callo (Cotopaxi), San Jorge (via Nono), Yanahurco (Cotopaxi), Angamarca (Quilotoa) ... to name a few.

Located about an hour east of Quito and perched on a high Andean valley at the entrance route to the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle, the spa - resort offers its visitors health, recreation, adventure and rest.

The hydrothermal value of Termas de Papallacta's Hot Springs is thanks to Papallacta's location between two volcanoes, Volcano Cayambe and Volcano Antisana.  The source temperature of the thermal baths varies between 30°C and 70°C (86°F and 158°F). At the pools the temperature ranges from 36°C to 40°C (97°F to 104°F). Papallacta´s thermal waters contain sulfates, sodium, calcium, chloride and traces of magnesium which are odourless, colourless but have a slightly salty taste.

The permanent choreographic mounting of the National Folkloric Ballet Jacchigua, is a show with 86 dancers, musicians and ecuadorian technicians that put into scene a spectacular show of traditions and customs of Ecuador. 2.800 kilos of costumes and technique elements are utilized by the dancers in choreographies designed by the director.

This region is famous for the Humpback whales are present in the waters (epscially in the Machalilla National Park) between June and September.  The Humpback whales (megaptera novaeangliae) migrate from the Antartic South Pole to tropical waters to mate and give birth to thier calves. The humpback whales are easy to recognize because of their extremely long pectoral fins. These whales can measure up to 16 m of length and weigh up to 40 tons. Humpback whales are the most acrobatic of the bigger whales. They like to breach out the water or hit the surface repetitively with their flippers or flukes.

This is not to mention the pristine white-sand beaches, and spectacular beaches for surfing and parasailing that are present throughout the region.  Another attraction in this region is Los Frailles National Park, with its peaceful and soft sand beach cove.