DESTINATIONS IN ECUADOR

Here you can find a description of the different regions in Ecuador.

Highlands - Coast - Rainforest - Galápagos

HIGHLANDS

The Andean highlands of Ecuador are marked by two plateaus of the high mountains running from North to South. Between those mountain chains stretches a lengthways valley in which the most important cities of the highlands are located at an altitude ranging from 2200 to 2900m. Due to its numerous snow-covered volcano summits this fertile valley is also called the "avenue of the volcanoes". In this magnificent landscape with mild climate throughout the year you can find the following cities and places:

Quito - Otavalo - Cloud Forest (Mindo) - Papallacta - Cotopaxi National Park - Baños - Riobamba - Cuenca - Vilcabamba
what to bring

Quito is situated in the mountain plateau of Ecuador at an altitude of 2850m. The city was founded on the ruins of the old Inca town on 6th December 1534 by the Spanish officer Sebastián de Benalcázar and still evinces today a plethora of colonial buildings from this epoch. The capital of Ecuador received its name from the Qitús who were the first Inca inhabitants of this settlement.

With 1,6 million citizens Quito is only the second biggest city after Guayaquil but represents the economic hub of the region. Furthermore, it is the starting point for trips and journeys to Otavalo, the rainforest or along the avenue of the volcanoes to Cuenca or to the Peruvian border.
The Old Town of Quito has been declared World Cultural Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1979 is considered to be the place with the largest accumulation of significant art treasures in Southamerica. The historic centre of the city appears through its colonial buildings, numerous museums and plazas differently than the North of Quito. Famous landmark of the city is the hill of the Old Town, that is the Panecillo, with the iron construction of the Virgen de Legarda and its viewpoint. Heart of the Old Town is the Plaza de la Independencia also called the Plaza Grande. A further highlight is the Plaza San Francisco with the oldest church of Quito, that is the Iglesia San Francisco.
Several museums such as for example the contemporary Museo Guayasamín or the Museo Nacional del Banco Central in the Casa de la Cultura render your stay in Quito interesting and diversified.
The quarter of La Mariscal Sucre is well-known for its nightlife and its many entertainment opportunities like bars and restaurants. There everybody will find something for his or her liking. Quito is a modern and pulsating city that can offer a lot to its visitors.

For more information about the Ecuadorian capital please visit the official homepage of Quito.

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Otavalo is the tourist meeting point of the North about 90km from Quito. The centre of attention surely represents the Plaza de Ponchos, the biggest indio market in Ecuador attracting particularly on Saturdays many locals and tourists from all over the world. Beside jewellery, pottery, panama hats, crockery, traditional souvenirs, weavings, figures and paintings it is also the indígena culture itself that allures many tourists.
Everywhere you can see the meanwhile richest and most reputable indígenas of the country in their typical dress: the women with two skirts and a volant blouse as well as glas pearl necklace, and the men with three-four trousers, poncho and hat. From Otavalo you can go on different trips into the surrounding area, such as for example to the Lagoon of Cuicocha only 14km away or to the Lagoon of Mojanda.

On the Spanish site of Otavalo you will find more information.

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Papallacta is located 64km East of Quito on the Vía Interoceánica with direction to the rainforest at an altitude of 4064m. You will find yourself amidst cloud forests and the rough páramo landscape. The region invites you to wonderful walks within the ecological reserve of Cayambe-Coca finding then a perfect close with a relaxing bath in the thermal springs of Papallacta.
The most beautiful and trimmest spa in Ecuador with affiliated hotel and natural path attracting local as well as foreign tourists is situated about 1km out of the village of Papallacta in a high valley. The hot water is directed into three large pools as well as into three smaller ones and two family pools. Furthermore, you can find a steam grotto, hot and cold showers as well as access to the Papallacta River. On clear days you will even have a marvellous view of the snow giant Antizana (5704m) from the thermal springs.

Please visit the interactive homepage of Papallacta (English).

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Cloud forests, which correct name is subtropical rainforest, cloak the steep hillsides of the Andes from 900 up to 2500m of altitude. Those forests are of great biodiversity and a profusion of little-studied wildlife and plants. The New York Botanical Gardens writes that the diversity of epiphytes ("air plants" that grow on other plants) is higher in the cloud forests of Ecuador, Colombia and Peru is higher than anywhere else on the planet. In those forests the annual precipitation is at least 2000mm. The humid cold air together with the rich offer of light permeating through the top of the trees allows a growth of plant similar to the one in the lowland rainforest. Among others you can see colorful blooms such as fuchsias, orchids and geraniums.

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Since 11th August 1975 the area around Cotopaxi Volcano covering 34.000ha is a declared national park. Main highlight is of course the worldwide highest active volcano, that is Cotopaxi Volcano with its 5897m. Even though the Cotopaxi is presently "sleeping", fumaroles testify its activity; and volcano experts constantly observe and analyse any changes.
The snow giant attracts every year over 40.000 visitors because also those not so experienced in mountaineering get their money worth in the Cotopaxi National Park.
The páramo landscape, a unique, humid cold grass zone between 3500 and 4700m of altitude, invites you to hiking tours through the park where you, with a lot of luck, might even see one of the rare condors.
All those willing to breath more mountain air can ascent up to the refuge José Riba (sleeping and cooking facilities) at an altitude of 4800m. By car you can drive up to the car park at 4500m and continue on foot from there. For ascents to the summit of the Cotopaxi the refuge serves as acclimatisation station and starting point - requirement here is professional equipment. The climb up is quite demanding but experiencing the sunset at the edge of the crater compensated for all efforts.

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