Ecuador's outdoor geography is compressed to an extraordinary degree. The Avenue of the Volcanoes — coined by Humboldt in 1802 — lines both sides of the central valley with over a dozen peaks above 4,000 metres; Cotopaxi (5,897 metres) and Chimborazo (6,263 metres, the point on earth's surface furthest from its centre) are both accessible to acclimatised climbers. The cloud forest of Mindo west of Quito is one of the world's great birding destinations, with over 400 species within a two-hour drive of the capital. The Amazon basin in the Oriente carries primary rainforest lodges and canoe routes with wildlife density — tapir, giant otter, harpy eagle — that is difficult to match. The Galápagos Islands are an outdoor experience in their own category entirely: wildlife unafraid of humans, trail walking between species found nowhere else on earth. Tours by locals often reveal the rhythm of the place in a more natural way. The hidden gems usually do the rest.