Quito City Tour and Botanical Gardens
Before we flew to the Galápagos Islands, we had a two-night stopover in Quito City. We spent two nights at the Mercure Hotel Alameda, where we met some of our fellow travellers.
Half-day Quito City Tour
Our tour package itinerary included a half-day morning tour of Quito, South America´s oldest capital: A walking tour of the ‘Old Town,’ a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visits to churches, including the impressive Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, started in 1605 and completed in 1765. A drive to El Panecillo Hill for panoramic views of the city and the Virgin of El Panecillo (Virgin of Quito).
El Panecillo Hill – Quito City
Quito City Panorama from El Panecillo
A panorama of north Quito’s historic centre, from the top of El Panecillo hill, translates to “small piece of bread”. It is a small volcanic peak at an elevation of three thousand metres in central Quito.
Virgin of El Panecillo at El Panecillo in Quito
The Virgin of El Panecillo, or the Virgin of Quito, is located at the top of the hill. The tallest aluminium statue in the world is a recent addition Quito inaugurated in 1975.
After the city tour, we had lunch at a local restaurant with some of our fellow travellers. The youngest amongst us, Alex decided on a local delicacy, Guinea Pig or ‘Cuy’, not to my taste; he said it tasted like chicken.
Botanical Gardens
After lunch, most of us walked to the Botanical Gardens. It has a large orchidarium housing over 1,200 species of orchid. Still, I was more interested in photographing several common bird species.
Birds in Quito and Botanical Gardens
[foogallery id=”16932″]
Quito in Quito and Botanical Gardens
The gallery features birds in Quito city and at the Botanical Gardens. These were all common American birds but new to me.
Bibliography – Online Resources
1. Enchanted Expeditions Quito City Tour No date. [Online] Available from Enchanted Expeditions [Accessed 21-Aug-21].
2. Atlas Obscura – Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús 2021. [Online] Available from Atlas Obscura [Accessed 21-Aug-21].