Ecuadorian Andes

Region

The Avenue of the Volcanoes, a highland corridor of snow peaks, markets and colonial cities. Quito's old town is one of the best preserved in the Americas, Otavalo has a famous market, Cotopaxi and the Quilotoa crater lake are classic hikes, Baños is the adventure base, and Cuenca is a favourite of travellers and retirees. June to September is driest.

Ecuadorian Andes CotopaxiCiudad Mitad del MundoChimborazoIngapircaHistoric Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de CuencaQuilotoaEl Cajas National ParkQuilotoa LoopTungurahuaSangay National ParkCayambe (volcano)Pichincha (volcano)IllinizaAtahualpa Olympic StadiumEl AltarCorazón (volcano)Imbabura VolcanoAtacazoCarihuairazoCotacachi VolcanoPululahuaCuicochaLlanganates National ParkPodocarpus National ParkRumiñahui (volcano)Quito Metropolitan CathedralMojandaYacurí National ParkCayambe Coca National ParkQuitoOtavaloLatacungaIbarra CantonCotacachiCuencaHistoric Center of QuitoCotopaxi National ParkRiobambaLojaAmbatoTulcánGuarandaAzoguesSangolquíAlausíMachachiCayambeCariamangaPelileoMacará

Ecuadorian Andes essentials

Country: Ecuador
Driest months: Jun-Aug
Pay in: Dollar ($)
Language: Spanish
Emergency: 101

Where to Go in Ecuadorian Andes

City Quito QuitoCapital city located near the equator City Otavalo OtavaloMarket town of the Andes City Loja LojaSouthern city near Vilcabamba City Tulcán TulcánCity in Carchi, Ecuador near Colombia History Ciudad Mitad del Mundo Ciudad Mitad del MundoMonument marking the equator with ethnographic exhibits History Ingapirca IngapircaPre-Columbian Inca stone ruins and temple complex History Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de CuencaAndean colonial city centre with stone churches and plazas Nature Cotopaxi CotopaxiActive stratovolcano within Andean páramo, major climbing destination Nature Chimborazo ChimborazoInactive stratovolcano and Ecuador's highest point Nature Quilotoa QuilotoaCrater lake within volcanic caldera with vivid colors Nature El Cajas National Park El Cajas National ParkHigh-altitude Andean park with lakes and páramo Nature Cuenca CuencaHistoric Andean city with colonial architecture and rivers
Regions & Cities
Quito Explore Quito High in the Andes, Quito’s compact colonial center offers cobbled plazas, baroque churches and the Mitad del Mundo marker at the equator. Otavalo Explore Otavalo Otavalo’s Saturday market remains an economic engine: Otavaleño weavers sell textiles, jewelry and hats amid bargaining and music. Latacunga Explore Latacunga Set beneath Cotopaxi’s ash-streaked slopes, Latacunga draws climbers and festival-goers for La Mama Negra; markets sell mote and cuy, and buses run to highland trails and volcanic parks. Ibarra Canton Explore Ibarra Canton Nestled below Imbabura volcano, Ibarra Canton draws visitors to colonial plazas, whitewashed churches, mountain-lake trout restaurants and nearby páramo hikes - a base for artisans’ markets and thermal baths in the Andean highlands. Cotacachi Explore Cotacachi Cotacachi draws leather buyers and hikers: artisan workshops sell handcrafted jackets and bags, while trails lead toward Imbabura volcano, indigenous markets and lakeside cabins favored by trekkers. Cuenca Explore Cuenca Cuenca’s colonial centre features stone bridges, whitewashed churches and cobbled streets; visitors explore museums, handicraft shops and nearby Cajas National Park for highland lakes and hiking. Historic Center of Quito Explore Historic Center of Quito Quito’s historic center preserves Spanish colonial streets, the Plaza Grande, La Compañía de Jesús and the Basilica; tourists tour churches and museums, sample Ecuadorian cuisine and walk viewpoints above the old town. Cotopaxi National Park Explore Cotopaxi National Park Cotopaxi National Park protects the cone of Cotopaxi and surrounding páramo near Latacunga.

Ecuadorian Andes at a Glance

Local Time
6:45 PM
GMT-5
Population
6,951,541

Best Things to Do in Ecuadorian Andes