I have one week at the end of May. Looking for a place with a good combination of sites - museums, historic sites, nature sites, small towns - good food,nice people, reasonable costs, and without having to spend more than a few hours on a bus or train to get around.

Which would you choose?

Why not Peru?

I agree - Peru - go spend a week in the Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu. A week is nothing in Argentina as the distances are vast as is Chile.

Peru is not top on my list. I've read up on the Sacred Valley and it didn't terribly appeal to me. And aren't the distances between Lima, Arequipa, Cusco, Puno, etc... very large?

ECUADOR for me very ecodense close to Quito

nuhousehotels.com best boutique for me from $90

haciendpinsaqui.com Bolivar stayed there Otovalo markets

bellavistacoudforest.com Mindo 150 species of hummingbirds

CotoPaxi climb 2nd tallest mountain in the world measured

from the center of the earth very close lots of Inka

stuff at IngaPurka pretty amazing place like MP in Peru.

Banos for some Jungle hot springs Amazon

www.guanguiltagua.com [email protected]

got me GREAT discounts everywhere also like Peru things

are far more spread out... Argentina similar costs more

Chile similar story more expensive...

Ecoventura.com Galapagos amazing make more time for that.

But if you like nature/adventure at a good pricepoint

Ecuador is the place.

Happy Planning!

Ingapirca inca ruins are located about 17 km from Cañar. The ruins are called ... Ecuador History. Ecuador history; Ecuador Main Destinations. 100 must see destinations

ecuador.travel/.../southern-andes-destinations-and-attractions/ingapirca-inca-ruins.html

Very pretty place no MP though...

www.haciendapinsaqui.com

www.bellavistacloudforest.com

my 2 favs close to Quito suites both places under $89/nt

including food...

Lots cheaper lodging if Budget like the Magic Bean Quito

With only a week you would fly Lima Cusco stay a few nights in Ollantaytambo (suggest you read reports) see the amazing ruins and living Inca town. You can daytrip to weaving villages above the Sacred Valley. Of course everyone goes for MP and there is a reason.

I'm curious as to what doesn't "appeal to you" given your list as it basically ticks all of your boxes.

All three are amazing countries, but based on size, distance and diversity of things to see I would throw in a vote for Ecuador as well. (Granted I have spent much more time here in Ecuador than the other countries!) Ecuador has beaches, the amazon, the Galapagos , the jungle and the andes all in one geographically small country. (Getting to Galapagos is however a "lengthy" 1 1/2 hr. flight from Guayaquil). Prices might be higher than the other two a bit, and the US currency is used.
Good luck with your decision and have a wonderful time.

Lots of votes for Ecuador and that is the direction I am leaning. It is a quicker trip from New York, cheaper and there is a lot within a short distance.

I've read up on the Sacred Valley and it just didn't excite me. It would also mean I'd need to first fly to Lima and then pay for a flight to Cusco and deal with the altitude, which I don't really want to do.

You're in for a shock when you read up on the altitude in Quito in that case. But I'm sure it will be enjoyable nonetheless.

DH and I seem to be addicted to Argentina; we return yearly for increasingly longer visits.

However, I must say, Ecuador remains one of the most fascinating cultures and interesting places I have ever been to. Given your timing and interests, I would vote for Ecuador.

Indeed, Quito is 9000 feet. I've been as high at 10,000 feet, but I'm not sure what would happen at 12-13,000.

Cusco 11,000 Ollantaytambo 9000 (same as Quito) Machu Picchu 8000

You would find altitude of around 12000 above the Sacred Valley, ie Chinchero.

Thanx Trebex, because my daughter (20) and I are asking ourselves the exact same question! So we will visit Ecuador for 2 1/2 weeks between Christmas & 1st two weeks of Jan. [She even wants to check-out the language schools in Cuenca]. We were actually hoping to visit Panama for 3 or 4 days first (Just to see: P-City, The Canal, and maybe visit Bouquete). But out of Newark (EWR)or even Miami (MIA)it seems a bit hard to arrange an economical flight to Panama and then on down to GYE or Quito, w/ a return flight straight back to EWR or MIA.
We will not visit The Galapagos on this trip....But will hike thru many of the hill/market towns as has been suggested on Fodors. Any thoughts on Panama and/or Ecuador are much appreciated. (FYI: Santa Barbara Air has the cheapest flights out of MIA but the reviews on that airline are terrible, in terms of "on-time" reliability. People have been delayed for days!!) Thanx!!