Highlights of Northern Trail

Below are some of the major travel highlights for Northern Trail. For more in-depth attractions of each country on this route, click on the country names below or select a route to see the highlights on this section of the journey. Click on the icons below to focus on specific types of features (click again to return to all).

In-depth highlights: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela


Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Historical attractions of Northern Trail

Quito
Quito Quito, located at 2,850 metres in the western cordillera of the Andes, is the second highest capital city in the world and is situated in a dramatic setting in a long narrow valley beneath the imposing Pichincha Volcano and surrounded by snow capped mountains and extinct volcanoes. The city was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Incan city and has one of the best preserved historic centres in Latin America. The old part of the city is a beautiful mix of narrow, cobbled streets and colonial architecture, including the Church and Jesuit college of La Compañía with its gilded altars, walls and ceilings, and the San Francisco and Santo Domingo monasteries. The lively Plaza Grande, Plaza San Francisco and Plaza de la Independencia are well worth exploring. Elsewhere the hilltop El Panecillo (The Little Bread Loaf) has superb views over the city and surrounding mountains while in the nearby village of San Antonio lies ‘La Mitad del Mundo’ (the middle of the world), the Equatorial Line Monument where you can have a foot in each hemisphere. UNESCO World Heritage Site: City of Quito

Quito

Quito

Quito, located at 2,850 metres in the western cordillera of the Andes, is the second highest capital city in the world and is situated in a dramatic setting in a long narrow valley beneath the imposing Pichincha Volcano and surrounded by snow capped mountains and extinct volcanoes. The city was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Incan city and has one of the best preserved historic centres in Latin America. The old part of the city is a beautiful mix of narrow, cobbled streets and colonial architecture, including the Church and Jesuit college of La Compañía with its gilded altars, walls and ceilings, and the San Francisco and Santo Domingo monasteries. The lively Plaza Grande, Plaza San Francisco and Plaza de la Independencia are well worth exploring. Elsewhere the hilltop El Panecillo (The Little Bread Loaf) has superb views over the city and surrounding mountains while in the nearby village of San Antonio lies ‘La Mitad del Mundo’ (the middle of the world), the Equatorial Line Monument where you can have a foot in each hemisphere.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: City of Quito

Bogota
Colombia's capital is set at an altitude of 2,600 metres and is a city of impressive colonial architecture, interesting museums and a vibrant cultural scene. The colonial part of the city is known as 'La Candelaria' and is characterised by colourful old buildings, some fine museums, restaurants and ‘chocolaterias’. Some of the most impressive historical structures are located around the vast Plaza de Bolivar including the Catedral Primada de Colombia, San Bartolome College, the Chapel of El Sagrario, the Cardinal's Palace, the Congress Building and the Presidential Palace. The Gold Museum has a fine collection of pre-Hispanic handcrafted gold items. A cable car up to Mount Monserrate provides fantastic views of the city and is the site of a 17th century church and place of pilgrimage.

Bogota

Colombia's capital is set at an altitude of 2,600 metres and is a city of impressive colonial architecture, interesting museums and a vibrant cultural scene. The colonial part of the city is known as 'La Candelaria' and is characterised by colourful old buildings, some fine museums, restaurants and ‘chocolaterias’. Some of the most impressive historical structures are located around the vast Plaza de Bolivar including the Catedral Primada de Colombia, San Bartolome College, the Chapel of El Sagrario, the Cardinal's Palace, the Congress Building and the Presidential Palace. The Gold Museum has a fine collection of pre-Hispanic handcrafted gold items. A cable car up to Mount Monserrate provides fantastic views of the city and is the site of a 17th century church and place of pilgrimage.

Cartagena
Cartagena was founded in 1533 by Spaniard Don Pedro de Heredia and soon became one of the three most important Spanish ports in the West Indies along with La Habana and San Juan de Puerto Rico. It was used to export gold and silver from the mines in New Granada and Peru back to Europe and import goods and slaves - the only city along with Veracruz in Mexico authorised to trade in slaves. To protect the city from attack by pirates, a vast system of fortifications was developed in the 17th century which today surround the old city and constitute the most complete example of this type of military architecture in the New World. The historic attractions in the San Pedro quarter include the Church of Santo Domingo and the Convent of San Pedro Claver, in addition to the imposing Castle of San Felipe de Barajas Fortress and the Convent of La Popa, built on a hilltop overlooking the city. Elsewhere in town, the narrow streets have colonial buildings characterised by heavy wooden doors and balconies while Los Bovedas, previously a row of old dungeon cells, today house charming boutiques and tourist shops. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena

Cartagena

Cartagena was founded in 1533 by Spaniard Don Pedro de Heredia and soon became one of the three most important Spanish ports in the West Indies along with La Habana and San Juan de Puerto Rico. It was used to export gold and silver from the mines in New Granada and Peru back to Europe and import goods and slaves - the only city along with Veracruz in Mexico authorised to trade in slaves. To protect the city from attack by pirates, a vast system of fortifications was developed in the 17th century which today surround the old city and constitute the most complete example of this type of military architecture in the New World. The historic attractions in the San Pedro quarter include the Church of Santo Domingo and the Convent of San Pedro Claver, in addition to the imposing Castle of San Felipe de Barajas Fortress and the Convent of La Popa, built on a hilltop overlooking the city. Elsewhere in town, the narrow streets have colonial buildings characterised by heavy wooden doors and balconies while Los Bovedas, previously a row of old dungeon cells, today house charming boutiques and tourist shops.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena

Salvador de Bahia
Salvador is the capital of the state of Bahia and is one of Brazil's greatest historic cities and the centre of Afro-Brazilian culture. Its roots date back to 1501 when the navigator Amerigo Vespucci first sailed into its bay and the city, later founded by the Portuguese, was capital of Brazil between 1549 and 1763. The city prospered with the nearby sugar cane and tobacco plantations and Salvador saw a major influx of slaves from Africa to work on these. Most of the city's residents are descendants from these workers, giving Salvador a rich a distinctive culture fusing African and Brazilian influences, seen in its cuisine, music and the religion of Candomble which mixes African and Christian deities and rites. The Portuguese colonial architecture in Salvador has been well preserved, particularly in the Pelourinho area which overlooks the bay. Colourful churches and other buildings lie amongst spacious plazas and narrow cobbled streets. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Historic Centre of Salvador de Bahia

Salvador de Bahia

Salvador is the capital of the state of Bahia and is one of Brazil's greatest historic cities and the centre of Afro-Brazilian culture. Its roots date back to 1501 when the navigator Amerigo Vespucci first sailed into its bay and the city, later founded by the Portuguese, was capital of Brazil between 1549 and 1763. The city prospered with the nearby sugar cane and tobacco plantations and Salvador saw a major influx of slaves from Africa to work on these. Most of the city's residents are descendants from these workers, giving Salvador a rich a distinctive culture fusing African and Brazilian influences, seen in its cuisine, music and the religion of Candomble which mixes African and Christian deities and rites. The Portuguese colonial architecture in Salvador has been well preserved, particularly in the Pelourinho area which overlooks the bay. Colourful churches and other buildings lie amongst spacious plazas and narrow cobbled streets.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Historic Centre of Salvador de Bahia

Historic Town of Ouro Preto
The town of Ouro Preto (Black Gold) played a leading role in Brazil's Golden Age and its gold rush in the 18th century. Attracted by local gold deposits, the town was founded by prospectors who were followed by artists who created outstanding buildings fusing European Baroque and Rococo with Brazilian influences. The town contains many works of art by the famous sculptor Aleijadinho including the Church of Sao Francisco de Assis in addition to imposing buildings such as the Parliament House and Palace of Governors. The irregular urban landscape following the contours of its hilly location as well as the cobbled streets and beautiful churches, bridges and fountains make Ouro Preto a beautiful historic town. You can visit the gold mine of Minas de Passagem and the Museum of Mineralogy to learn more about the importance of the region's mining history. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Historic Town of Ouro Preto

Historic Town of Ouro Preto

The town of Ouro Preto (Black Gold) played a leading role in Brazil's Golden Age and its gold rush in the 18th century. Attracted by local gold deposits, the town was founded by prospectors who were followed by artists who created outstanding buildings fusing European Baroque and Rococo with Brazilian influences. The town contains many works of art by the famous sculptor Aleijadinho including the Church of Sao Francisco de Assis in addition to imposing buildings such as the Parliament House and Palace of Governors. The irregular urban landscape following the contours of its hilly location as well as the cobbled streets and beautiful churches, bridges and fountains make Ouro Preto a beautiful historic town. You can visit the gold mine of Minas de Passagem and the Museum of Mineralogy to learn more about the importance of the region's mining history.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Historic Town of Ouro Preto