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Andes

 

The Sierra is rich in natural and cultural beauty. Snow-capped, active volcanoes, lush green rolling hillsides covered in a patchwork of farms, untamed cloud forests, immense volcanic crater lakes, natural hot springs, crashing waterfalls and rushing rivers form a spectacular setting to cultural communities that have clung to languages, traditions and customs dating back thousands of years.

Many people start their journey in Quito, the capital. Too many people leave Ecuador without going any farther in the highlands. The sierra offers a wide range of accommodations, culinary options, shopping opportunities and cultural festivals, all easily accessible from the capital of Quito.

In addition to Quito, Otavalo and Baños have the most extensive infrastructure supporting tourism in the highlands. In these towns, you can expect a wide selection of restaurants, hotels and activities. Choose a luxurious suite in a 400-year old hacienda, or nestle down in a backpacker's $3 per night hostel. Dine on Pad Thai one day and barbecued guinea pig the next!

There are numerous climbing, mountain biking and trekking opportunities in the Sierra. Based around its 20 active volcanoes. One tourist favorite is the glacier-topped Cotopaxi, which can be scaled with the help of a good guide, an ice pick and plenty of warm clothes. There are also several longer hikes around the national parks in the Andes Mountain Range.

Podocarpus National Park, El Cajas National Park, Northern Andes, Around Cuenca, Southern Andes and Quilotoa Loop.







14 Jun 2007

New! - Ecological Adventures in Ecuador
The prized Ecotour Operator Tropic Eco, organizes expeditions in the Amazon region of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.
www.tropiceco.com
5 days Galapagos from $630
Tropic Eco is organizing a Multisport Adventure in the Galapagos Islands. Fixed departures.
www.tropiceco.com

Andean Villages Worth Visiting

Otavalo

101617Set in a valley in the northern Andes, Otavalo is right at the top of any Ecuador traveler's must-see list, famous throughout South America for its weekly Otavalo market, where one can find an ...
City
Otavalo, Ecuador

Cuenca

101266If you measure a city on size or population alone, Cuenca ranks third in Ecuador. If you consider charm, beauty and the opinion of all Ecuadorians, however, Cuenca leaps into first place. The city is ...
City
Cuenca, Ecuador

Cotacachi

This pleasant pastoral town rests at the foot of the dormant Cotacachi volcano, from which it gets its name, and is best known for producing cheap but high-quality handmade leather goods. The area is ...
City
Cotacachi, Ecuador

Baños

101280Baños is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Ecuadorian Sierra. The town\'s full name, Baños de Agua Santa (literally, \"baths of the holy waters\"), comes from the natural hot ...
City
Baños, Ecuador

Riobamba

103087Broad streets and aging, but still-charming colonial buildings characterize this buzzing town, situated in the heart of the central Andes. The capital of Chimborazo Province, Riobamba is a commercial ...
City
Riobamba, Ecuador

Heavenly Haciendas in the Ecuadorian Andes

Black Sheep Inn

The Black Sheep Inn is more than a place to stay; it is a truly unique experience. Located in the heart of the Ecuadorian Andean highlands and overlooking the Río Toachi Canyon, the Black Sheep ...
V!va List
Ecuador

Hacienda Cusin

Hacienda Cusin, one of the most elegant and prestigious haciendas in the northern highlands, consists of a complex of buildings, gardens and patios. Some of the buildings date back to the colonial ...
Hotel
Otavalo, Ecuador

Luna Runtun

101291A gorgeous luxury hotel and spa set in the mountains above Baños, Luna Runtun offers breathtaking views of Tungurahua Volcano, Llanganates National Park and Baños below. Swiss-owned and managed, ...
Hotel, Restaurant, Spa/Hot Springs
Baños, Ecuador

Hacienda San Agustín

103402The sun had been setting a little earlier every night. The inhabitants of the majestic Andes began to worry, as they did every year: what if this year, the sun simply continued to set earlier and ...
V!va List
Ecuador

Hacienda La Alegría

Situated an hour south of Quito on the slopes of Corazón (“Heart”) Volcano, Hacienda La Alegría is in the heart of the “Avenue of the Volcanoes.” On a clear day, you can see not only ...
Hotel
Near Quito, Quito, Ecuador

Casa Mojanda

Casa Mojanda, located in the hills on the road to Lagunas de Mojanda (just over 3 km past Otavalo), is an interesting mix of hacienda experience and modern responsible tourism. Casa Mojanda is not ...
Hotel
Otavalo, Ecuador

Hiking in the Andes: Top Treks to Traverse

Hiking from Quilotoa to Chugchilán

This 7.5 mile trek is one of the most astonishingly beautiful day hikes in Ecuador. The hike takes approximately 5 hours, andtakes youpast Quilotoa’s volcanic crater lake, down into the valley ...
Hiking
Chugchilán, Ecuador

Hiking around Cuicocha Lake

The hike around Cuicocha Lake can be completed anywhere between 3.5 and 5 hours, depending on your general level of fitness. Most people head off around the lake anticlockwise from the restaurant. Be ...
Hiking
Cuicocha Lake, Otavalo, Ecuador

Lagunas de Mojanda

101652The area around Lagunas de Mojanda is one of the most popular spots for hiking in the Northern Andes. The lakes are located 17 km from Otavalo and are set in high páramo grassland at an altitude of ...
City
Lagunas de Mojanda, Otavalo, Ecuador
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