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Photo: Miguel Murillo, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Andean Highlands are a very scenic region in Ecuador. At an elevation of over 2,200 m (and often a lot more!), they offer a breathtaking natural experience. This part of Ecuador preserves much of its original pre-Columbian heritage, which is seen in the food, language, clothes and costumes of many people.
Quito (UIO) is the main air hub, and there are also international buses from Peru and Colombia.
Read in the guideDue to the very uneven terrain, even short distances can take some time to cover. Buses run almost everywhere, and is the main mode of transportation.g. Quito to Cuenca or Loja) you could consider flying.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Latacunga · Regional · LTX
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The third largest city in the country, a modern place with lot of attractions and beautiful colonial architecture.
The "City of the Seven Hills" was founded by the Spanish in 1571. The quiet colonial town is the capital of Bolivar Province called also "the Rome of Ecuador" because it was built on seven hills. It is the smallest provincial capital in Ecuador
Famous for its brand of cheeses called Salinerito (considered the country's premium range) as well as wool spinning and dye mills.
It is a very interesting small colonial town in the Andes. Great walks around the area through ancient paths used by natives before the conquistadores arrived. Community projects for developing sustainable tourist activities are being organized by a group of enthusiasts nowadays. The main square houses and surroundings gives this placid town a special atmosphere.
Tulcán is a city in Ecuador and is the main border crossing to Colombia.
Start of the famous Devil's nose train ride.
Guamote is a small mountain community of about 3,000 persons in the Andean highlands of Ecuador.
Guano is a mountain town of about 9,000 people in Chimborazo Province in Ecuador. The scenic town lies at the foot of the El Altar volcano.
A nice city in Central Ecuador. Starting point for tours of the 6,268-m (20,500-ft) Chimborazo volcano, which can also be seen from the city
Chugchilan is a small Andean village in the county of Sigchos, Provincia Cotopaxi. Because it is more or less in the center of the Quilotoa Loop, it is a great location for hiking and/or horseback riding in the high Andes - with elevations ranging from 8,500 feet to 12,800 feet (2600 to 3800 meters).
Isinliví is a small village high up in the Andean mountains of Ecuador. It is one of the towns on the multiple day Quilotoa Loop, a hiking trail popular for its splendid vistas and remote nature.
Latacunga is a city in the Central Andean Highlands region of Ecuador. It is a good starting point for trips to Cotopaxi and the Quilotoa Loop.
Zumbahua is a town in the Andean Highlands region of Ecuador.
Capital of Imbabura province, close to Colombia
World famous for its handicrafts market.
A larger city along south, close to Vilcabamba
A small town in a beautiful cloud forest
Capital of Ecuador, and an international travel hub
Tababela is in the Andean Highlands of Ecuador, significant to travelers for being the closest town to the Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO IATA) which opened in 2013 to serve the capital, Quito. The airport is about an hour and a half from the center of the capital by bus (with no stops) so Tababela's proximity makes it an important layover location for travellers arriving or departing at extremely early or late times.
The fourth most populous city of Ecuador. Where the Tsáchilas live
Transport hub in the center of Ecuador
Adventure capital of Ecuador, popular with tourists but far from overrun with them. Here you can go biking, rafting, hiking and a lot more
highland park with mountainous terrain, abundant lakes and diverse wildlife
draws mountaineering visitors to several mountain peaks, including the third highest peak in Ecuador, and nature lovers to look for the diverse animal and plant species throughout the park
Ecuador's highest mountain at just about 6,263 m (20,548 ft)
Laguna Cuicocha is a crater lake in Andean Highlands region of Ecuador.
Laguna Quilotoa is the highlight of the Quilotoa Loop, 14 km north of Zumbahua. It's a volcanic crater lake, sitting at an elevation of 3,900 m, with stunning views of both the lake and the mountain ranges surrounding it.
mountainous park that's rumored to hold a lost treasure worth a king's ransom
Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve is 17 km north of Quito in the province of Pichincha of Ecuador.
Sangay National Park is in the eastern Andean Highlands of Ecuador. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
a very scenic valley south of Loja with good hiking opportunities
Yacuri National Park (officially, Parque Nacional Yacuri) is a protected natural area in the Andean Highlands of Ecuador. The park is part of a larger conservation area that also includes the nearby Podocarpus National Park.
Articles and travel topics about Andean Highlands (Ecuador) and Ecuador.
Travel tipsEcuador has historical and renovated haciendas or traditional ranches. Haciendas often cover large areas of land and incorporate agricultural operations and other businesses.
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Nature & adventureEcuador has 11 national parks and other types of reserves protecting an area of 26 million hectares (almost 20% of the country's total territory). The parks include some of Ecuador's most spectacular natural wonders.
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Nature & adventureThe wildlife is the prime reason for visiting the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. The logistics of travelling to and around the islands as well as information on the islands is given in the Galapagos Islands article…
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ItinerariesThe Quilotoa Loop is a challenging 3-to-5-day hike in Ecuador that takes you through high Andean villages and past Laguna Quilotoa, a crater lake surrounded by volcanic peaks.
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