Situated in the Carolina Park, Quito’s Botanical Garden features showcase of almost every possible plant species in Ecuador.
The biodiversity found in the highlands of the country is followed by dry forest species, grassland and mountain shrubs.
The area of1,600 metres is filled with scenic walkways, trails and resting areas for contemplation, with a small lake fed by water falling from small cascades.
The plants are divided into the zones corresponding with different layers of ecosystems located on different altitudes.
There are the plants and bushes from the highest zone, Páramo the neotropical ecosystem, which reaches the level of permanent snow at 5 000 m above sea level.The area of high mountain wetland is followed by the trees from humid mountain forest. The area of succulents and other dry habitat species
is supported by the palm garden.
Two large greenhouses host the collection of over 1,200 species of orchids,variety ranges from high altitude flowers to orchids found in the tropical forest. The noisy hummingbirds give the unique flavour to the visit.
The tour includes
Pick-up and drop-off from selected Quito hotels/closest points
English-speaking guide
Transportation in a private air-conditioned vehicle
6 hours
Tour commences
Daily
Start
09:00 am or 01:00 pm
Price
from US $54.00
[photo courtesy of basile12]