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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.
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Andean Villages Worth Visiting
Otavalo
Set 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
...Cuenca
If 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
...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 ...Baños
Baños 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
...Riobamba
Broad 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
...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 ...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 ...Luna Runtun
A 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, ...Hacienda San Agustín
The 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
...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 ...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 tourism. Casa Mojanda is not an actual ...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 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 ...Lagunas de Mojanda
The 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
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