Quito lies at the heart of the "Avenue of Volcanoes", the two parallel lines of volcanoes which run along the Andes spine. On clear days, take to the Teleferiqo cable-car and spot at least four snow-capped peaks from the heights above the city. Appetite whet, blazing trails through the Andes is a hugely rewarding experience, bringing you into contact with stunning countryside and charming rural worlds. For the more ambitious, challenging peaks to summit rise on every cardinal point.

Rafting tours range from one to eight days on wild rivers like the Quijos, which hosted the 2005 World Rafting Championships. With high rainfall, you can raft rivers here year-round there are no seasons to hold you back. Making the most of the same dramatic topography, mountain bikers can enjoy heart-thumping descents down from the volcanoes, or else take to the back-roads of the country's rolling, verdant landscapes. Quito is the perfect springboard for a natural high.