Quito is the capital city of Ecuador and the country’s most populated city. Set high in the foothills of the Andes at an elevation of 2,850mtrs, it’s the second highest capital city in the world after La Paz in Bolivia.

The altitude does take some getting used to, everything is a little harder to do, but coca tea and coca candy helps and is freely available here.

Quito is only 16 miles south of the equator (Ecuador is Spanish for equator) and the city is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Quito was an old Inca city but the Spanish Conquistadors destroyed the old buildings leaving just the foundation stones on to which they built their churches and palaces.

Quito is the site of the original signatories of the first cry of independence from Spain in 1809. Whilst actual independence took many years to achieve this ‘first cry’ was the beginning of the end for the Spanish in South America, although their legacy is clear for all to see to this day.

The city remains a vibrant place and big tourist attraction.