We started with flights from Boston to Cartagena that had a 7 hour stopover in Panama City so we took a Panama Canal tour which was very interesting.
We stayed in the historic section of the walled city of Cartegena - it was fun to walk around and look at the people and the buildings - we went to various museums. It was hot and humid.
Next was Bogotá. Also in the historic section - not nearly as charming but many good museums. And 8,661 feet of altitude was quite noticible.
Then to Quito. What a great city to walk around in - every time you reach another corner there is an interesting street and colorful houses on the mountainside to see.
Then we took Tren Crucero - a 4-day train cruise from Quito to Guayaquil, - gorgeous scenery of all types, visits to special places like a rose farm/factory. And over 11,000 feet, There were about 25 people on this train pulled sometimes by diesel engine and sometimes a steam engine. The guides were good - spanish and english.
And one day in Guayaquil. There are a couple of old - but resored villages with colorful buildings on a hill rignt near our waterfront hotel that we explored.