Chugchilán

Altitude: 3,200 meters (10,500 ft) Phone Code: 03

Sitting high to the west between Sigchos and Quilotoa, tiny Chugchilán is a real Andean gem with friendly locals, stunning scenery, hikes into plummeting canyons, primary cloud forests, cheese factories and some of the homiest accommodations in Ecuador. Chugchilán should not be missed.

Chugchilán landed on the map because of a few fantastic hostels, and its popularity as a base for exploring the area continues to rise. Built into the mountainsides and overlooking the impressive Río Toachi canyon, the village is one of those places where people pass through and end up staying for days. There are excellent lodges in and around the town, each with its own warm touches and all offering hearty home-cooked meals, horseback riding trips, local transportation and hiking information.

The town itself consists of a small square in front of a church, surrounded by a few simple houses, and little else. Hotel accommodation can be found by heading down the hill from the main square.

,

Other places nearby Chugchilán: Zumbahua, Isinliví, Quilotoa, Sigchos, Pujili, Tigua and Saquisilí.