THE ANDEAN WORLD
THE AVENUE
OF THE VOLCANOES
Along the Andes mountain range await volcanoes, snow-capped peaks, valleys, lagoons and indigenous villages.
The summits of Chimborazo, Cotopaxi and Cayambe bring you closer to the sun, and cities like Quito and Cuenca —both UNESCO World Heritage Sites— hold the purest of Andean culture. And at the Middle of the World you can stand in two hemispheres at once.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Experience
The best-preserved historic center in the Americas, among baroque churches and lively squares.
Activities
City tour, heritage churches (La Compañía, San Francisco), museums, El Panecillo and the TeléferiQo cable car.
Cuisine
Potato locro, empanadas de viento, hornado, canelazo.
Tip
Ease into the altitude during your first days and explore the old town with local guides.
Latitude 0° 0′ 0”
Experience
Stand in two hemispheres at once, right on the equatorial line.
Activities
Interactive museums, latitude experiments, the ethnographic museum and photography.
Cuisine
Fritada, mote, chicha, traditional sweets.
Tip
Great for families; combine it with the nearby Pululahua crater.
The most famous craft market in the Andes
Experience
Living indigenous culture and the region’s largest artisan market.
Activities
Plaza de Ponchos, Kichwa communities, the Peguche waterfall, Lake San Pablo.
Cuisine
Yamor, roast cuy, tortillas de tiesto.
Tip
Visit on Saturday for the full market and buy directly from the artisans.
Leather, lagoon and volcano
Experience
The leather town beside the Cuicocha lagoon and the Cotacachi-Cayapas reserve.
Activities
Leather workshops, a hike around the Cuicocha crater, nature and shopping.
Cuisine
Carnes coloradas, hornado.
Tip
Perfect for pairing crafts and nature on a day trip from Otavalo.
The most iconic active volcano
Experience
Páramo landscapes and snow-capped peaks along the Avenue of the Volcanoes.
Activities
Trek to the Cotopaxi refuge, mountain biking, horseback riding, the Limpiopungo lagoon.
Cuisine
Trout, papas con cuero, Andean cheeses.
Tip
Bring thermal clothing; the refuge sits above 4,800 m.
Adventure and hot springs
Experience
The capital of adventure, among waterfalls, hot springs and adrenaline.
Activities
Zip-lining, rafting, canyoning, the Casa del Árbol swing, the Waterfall Route and thermal baths.
Cuisine
Melcochas, sugar cane, trout, fresh juices.
Tip
Great for active travelers: adrenaline by day, hot springs by night.
The closest point to the sun
Experience
Ecuador’s highest summit and the point on Earth closest to the sun.
Activities
Hiking to the refuges, high-altitude cycling, vicuña spotting.
Cuisine
Free-range chicken broth, hornado, morocho.
Tip
Requires prior acclimatization; always climb with mountain guides.
AUNESCO World Heritage Site
Experience
A colonial gem of cobbled streets, rivers and fine craftsmanship.
Activities
The New Cathedral, the Tomebamba riverbank, Panama-hat workshops, the art route.
Cuisine
Mote pillo, cuy, tamales, traditional sweets.
Tip
A calm, walkable city; perfect for longer cultural stays.
High-altitude lagoons
Experience
More than 200 glacial lagoons among páramo and polylepis forest.
Activities
Hiking, birdwatching, sport fishing, landscape photography.
Cuisine
Fresh trout and traditional páramo fare.
Tip
Changeable weather: bring a rain jacket and warm layers even on sunny days.
The country’s most important Inca complex
Experience
Ecuador’s best-preserved Inca-Cañari archaeological site.
Activities
A tour of the Temple of the Sun, the Inca’s Face and the site museum.
Cuisine
Mote pata, fritada, Cañari cuisine.
Tip
Combine it with Cuenca; a guide makes all the difference to grasp the history.
A ‘Magical Town’ of filigree
Experience
A Magical Town of Azuay, famous for its silver and gold filigree work.
Activities
Gold and silver jewelry workshops, pottery and toquilla-straw weaving.
Cuisine
Hornado, cascaritas, cuy, chicken broth.
Tip
Ideal for buying authentic handcrafted jewelry straight from the workshop.
Cloud forest and birds
Experience
A cloud forest with one of the greatest bird diversities on the planet.
Activities
Birdwatching, zip-lining, the cable car, the chocolate route and tubing.
Cuisine
Artisan chocolate, local coffee, tilapia.
Tip
A perfect one- or two-day escape from Quito; bring binoculars.
The Valley of Longevity
Experience
A mild-climate valley famous for the longevity of its people.
Activities
Hikes, horseback riding, yoga, wellness retreats and rural tourism.
Cuisine
Loja coffee, repe, artisan honey.
Tip
Made for unwinding: ideal for longer stays and wellness.
FOR THE TRAVELER
BEFORE YOU GO
Acclimatize to the altitude
Quito and the highlands sit above 2,800 m. Hydrate, rest on your first day and ascend the peaks gradually.
When to go
Year-round. The dry season (June–September) brings clear skies, ideal for volcanoes and trekking.
What to pack
Year-round. The dry season (June–September) brings clear skies, ideal for volcanoes and trekking.
EXPERIENCE THE ANDES
Download the Ecuador Travel Guide and discover how to link the highlands with the other three worlds in a single trip.