Andes Region of Ecuador
Tourism, attractions, sightseeing, places to stay and eat, sports and recreation and practical facts for the Andean region of Ecuador.
Quito - World Heritage City
t 10,000 ft (2850 m), Quito is breathtaking in more ways than one. Situated as it is, twenty-two miles from the Equator, a visitor would expect extremely hot weather but the altitude tempers that.
t 10,000 ft (2850 m), Quito is breathtaking in more ways than one. Situated as it is, twenty-two miles from the Equator, a visitor would expect extremely hot weather but the altitude tempers that.
A Stay at Ecuador's Hacienda Cusin
Hacienda Cusin, north of Quito, Ecuador is one of the charming haciendas open to vacationing visitors or conference attendees. In this account by guest author John Garcia, the amenities, recreational and relaxing opportunities in a pampered, lush setting tempt one into making a reservation for an extended stay. Enjoy Hacienda Cusin.
Hacienda Cusin, north of Quito, Ecuador is one of the charming haciendas open to vacationing visitors or conference attendees. In this account by guest author John Garcia, the amenities, recreational and relaxing opportunities in a pampered, lush setting tempt one into making a reservation for an extended stay. Enjoy Hacienda Cusin.
A Visit to Hacienda Alegria, Ecuador
Like many of Ecuador's famous haciendas, Hacienda Alegria is a family-owned and operated working ranch and organic farm. The owners, Gabriel Espinosa and his wife Paty, continue the traditions of his ancestors, where horses are paramount. Located south of Quito, the hacienda specializes in horseback riding adventures, some only a day in length and requiring a minimun of skill. Others involve advanced horsemanship and days in the saddle.Enjoy this online visit.
Like many of Ecuador's famous haciendas, Hacienda Alegria is a family-owned and operated working ranch and organic farm. The owners, Gabriel Espinosa and his wife Paty, continue the traditions of his ancestors, where horses are paramount. Located south of Quito, the hacienda specializes in horseback riding adventures, some only a day in length and requiring a minimun of skill. Others involve advanced horsemanship and days in the saddle.Enjoy this online visit.
Banos - Volcanos, Miracles and Tourists
In spite of an active volcano overhead, Baños draws visitors to the hot springs, the basilica, for ecology and sports. It's beautiful, too!
In spite of an active volcano overhead, Baños draws visitors to the hot springs, the basilica, for ecology and sports. It's beautiful, too!
Chagras and Bravos - Ecuador's Annual Rodeo
Ecuador's annual rodeos take place twice a year. One event is a typical rodeo competition, with parades, and a family-oriented bullfight. The other is a serious, two-week ride with horsemen called chagras into the high altiplano to bring down thousands of cattle, bulls called bravos, and wild horses to the haciendas. Visitors can take part in this ancient tradition on horseback or watch from the sidelines.
Ecuador's annual rodeos take place twice a year. One event is a typical rodeo competition, with parades, and a family-oriented bullfight. The other is a serious, two-week ride with horsemen called chagras into the high altiplano to bring down thousands of cattle, bulls called bravos, and wild horses to the haciendas. Visitors can take part in this ancient tradition on horseback or watch from the sidelines.
Ingapirca Inca Ruins
Ingapirca, meaning Inca fortress, was the center of the Inca empire in Ecuador. Two hours north of Cuenca, the site contains both Inca ruins and those of an earlier civilization, that of Cañris.
Ingapirca, meaning Inca fortress, was the center of the Inca empire in Ecuador. Two hours north of Cuenca, the site contains both Inca ruins and those of an earlier civilization, that of Cañris.
Ride the Devil's Nose Photo Gallery
Called the Most Difficult Train in the World, the train trip between Riobamba and Alausí is one of Ecuador's most famous attractions. The railroad was originally built to connect the Andes with the coast, and the route goes up and down steep slopes, along river valleys and has to negotiate a wall of rock called Nariz del Diablo, the Devil's Nose. Travelers today can choose to sit inside, or ride the roof for a better view.
Called the Most Difficult Train in the World, the train trip between Riobamba and Alausí is one of Ecuador's most famous attractions. The railroad was originally built to connect the Andes with the coast, and the route goes up and down steep slopes, along river valleys and has to negotiate a wall of rock called Nariz del Diablo, the Devil's Nose. Travelers today can choose to sit inside, or ride the roof for a better view.
Archaeological Sites of Tierradentro and San Augustin
These two prime archaeological sites are considered sacred sites and contain with ancient monuments, statuary, tombs and burial mounds.
These two prime archaeological sites are considered sacred sites and contain with ancient monuments, statuary, tombs and burial mounds.
Climbing the Neck of the Moon: Volcan Cotopaxi
Climbing report: "Cotopaxi is the second highest mountain in Ecuador, and by far the most popular to climb. Its name means "Neck of the Moon" in Quechua, the language of the Incas, Ecuador’s first inhabitants."
Climbing report: "Cotopaxi is the second highest mountain in Ecuador, and by far the most popular to climb. Its name means "Neck of the Moon" in Quechua, the language of the Incas, Ecuador’s first inhabitants."
Cotopaxi - Ecuador
"The province of Cotopaxi's main attraction is Cotopaxi National Park. Located on the eastern plain of Patate, in the center of the country, Cotopaxi's climate varies from 12 to 17 degrees centigrade. In addition to Cotopaxi National Park, the province has major indigenous markets and is rich in popular traditions."
"The province of Cotopaxi's main attraction is Cotopaxi National Park. Located on the eastern plain of Patate, in the center of the country, Cotopaxi's climate varies from 12 to 17 degrees centigrade. In addition to Cotopaxi National Park, the province has major indigenous markets and is rich in popular traditions."
Cotopaxi Cattle Round Up in Ecuador
"This extraordinary ride will introduce you to a side of our spectacular country that few Ecuadorians, let alone visitors, ever see. You will participate in a traditional "rodeo", literally "round-up", of fighting bulls in the remote fastness of the Cordillera Oriental of the Andes."
"This extraordinary ride will introduce you to a side of our spectacular country that few Ecuadorians, let alone visitors, ever see. You will participate in a traditional "rodeo", literally "round-up", of fighting bulls in the remote fastness of the Cordillera Oriental of the Andes."
Cotopaxi National Park
"Cotopaxi Nacional Parque is the country's most visited mainland park and has around 33,390 hectares although during weekdays is maybe traffic free and in quiet solitude."
"Cotopaxi Nacional Parque is the country's most visited mainland park and has around 33,390 hectares although during weekdays is maybe traffic free and in quiet solitude."
Cotopaxi Volcano, Ecuador
"There have been more than 50 eruptions of Mt. Cotopaxi alone since 1738. With its height of 5,897 meters it is more than 3,000 meters higher than the surroundings. The base of this stratovolcano has a width about 23 km."
"There have been more than 50 eruptions of Mt. Cotopaxi alone since 1738. With its height of 5,897 meters it is more than 3,000 meters higher than the surroundings. The base of this stratovolcano has a width about 23 km."
Cotopaxi
Photograph by Michael Dürig.
Photograph by Michael Dürig.
Ecuador and so forth: The Mountain Biking Part
"We did an amazing 40k bike ride, but the true highlight of this trip was the visit to the market. In contrast to the other markets (Otovalo), this market is for the local folk. I was one of the only gringos there."
"We did an amazing 40k bike ride, but the true highlight of this trip was the visit to the market. In contrast to the other markets (Otovalo), this market is for the local folk. I was one of the only gringos there."
Ecuador Central Highlands
"Traveling along the Pan-American Highway south from Quito brings you into the Avenue of Volcanoes named for the many towering peaks surrounding you on both sides...This region is also home to the gentle countryside of traditional farmers, famous artisans like those in Tigua, National Parks, and some of the most incredible Haciendas in the country."
"Traveling along the Pan-American Highway south from Quito brings you into the Avenue of Volcanoes named for the many towering peaks surrounding you on both sides...This region is also home to the gentle countryside of traditional farmers, famous artisans like those in Tigua, National Parks, and some of the most incredible Haciendas in the country."
Ecuador
Pictures and text describing a trip through Ecuador. Includes0Banos, Otavalo, the coast and the Amazon basin.
Pictures and text describing a trip through Ecuador. Includes0Banos, Otavalo, the coast and the Amazon basin.
Hotel Luna Rantun
In Baños popular tourist destination.
In Baños popular tourist destination.
El Angel Ecological Reserve
"The Humid Moorlands (or páramo) of El Angel are located 170 kilometers (105.6 miles) to the north of Quito – the capital of Ecuador --, in the Province of Carchi. This complex ecological community is unique in the world with spots that seem magical, secret, almost untouched."
"The Humid Moorlands (or páramo) of El Angel are located 170 kilometers (105.6 miles) to the north of Quito – the capital of Ecuador --, in the Province of Carchi. This complex ecological community is unique in the world with spots that seem magical, secret, almost untouched."
Hotels, Haciendas, Resorts and Jungle Lodges
In Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca and the countryside, including Rio Napo.
In Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca and the countryside, including Rio Napo.
Ingapirca
Description and attractions of the region, with photos and suggested tours.
Description and attractions of the region, with photos and suggested tours.
Ecuador - Trekking Old Inca Trails
"Trekking from Achupallas to Ingapirca provides the adventurer with a close look at a significant native American culture, reflected in the ancient ruins as well as the contemporary lifestyle of the native inhabitants. This is a great opportunity to travel on foot through the Andes in a nearly untouched landscape and culture."
"Trekking from Achupallas to Ingapirca provides the adventurer with a close look at a significant native American culture, reflected in the ancient ruins as well as the contemporary lifestyle of the native inhabitants. This is a great opportunity to travel on foot through the Andes in a nearly untouched landscape and culture."
Map
Map of cities courtesy of www.chile-travel.com.
Map of cities courtesy of www.chile-travel.com.
Ingapirca - Ecuador /Andean Community
Attractions and transportation tips to the The Ingapirca archeological complex in Cañar province.
Attractions and transportation tips to the The Ingapirca archeological complex in Cañar province.
Ingapirca
"Originally, the Incas had an impressively large system of roads here in Ecuador, measuring about 5,000 kilometers in length; a larger system than the Roman Empire had. Today, there exists few remnants of this road system, but what is left is incredibly interesting."
"Originally, the Incas had an impressively large system of roads here in Ecuador, measuring about 5,000 kilometers in length; a larger system than the Roman Empire had. Today, there exists few remnants of this road system, but what is left is incredibly interesting."
Map
Courtesy of Lonely Planet.
Courtesy of Lonely Planet.
Mt. Cotopaxi
Photos. "Cotopaxi is considered one of the world's highest active volcanoes and is at 5897m Ecuador's second highest mountain. Loosely translated from the Quechua, Cotopaxi means "Smooth Neck of the Moon" and was first climbed by the German geologist Wilhelm Reiss and the Colombian Angel Escobar in 1872."
Photos. "Cotopaxi is considered one of the world's highest active volcanoes and is at 5897m Ecuador's second highest mountain. Loosely translated from the Quechua, Cotopaxi means "Smooth Neck of the Moon" and was first climbed by the German geologist Wilhelm Reiss and the Colombian Angel Escobar in 1872."
Parque Nacional Cotopaxi
"Un gran páramo con paisajes volcánicos, hábitat natural de cóndores, ciervos y otros animales, conforman el Parque Nacional de Cotopaxi, creado el 26 julio de 1979."
"Un gran páramo con paisajes volcánicos, hábitat natural de cóndores, ciervos y otros animales, conforman el Parque Nacional de Cotopaxi, creado el 26 julio de 1979."
ProBici - Chimborazo mountain bike adventure
"We offer excursions to Chimborazo and other snowpeaks, mountain lakes, thermal pools, rain and cloud forests and indigenous, historic and cultural sites that reveal unimagined natural and cultural wonders hidden to the common tourist."
"We offer excursions to Chimborazo and other snowpeaks, mountain lakes, thermal pools, rain and cloud forests and indigenous, historic and cultural sites that reveal unimagined natural and cultural wonders hidden to the common tourist."
Recharging in the Andes
Itinerary of a trip through the Valley of the Volcanos.
Itinerary of a trip through the Valley of the Volcanos.
Rodeo in the Cotopaxi National Park
"Rodeo is one of the most important events that take place in the "haciendas" of the Ecuadorian Andes. It consists of a very old ceremony when the "chagras", or Andean cowboys, take their horses and go to the mountains to round up the fighting bulls and to corral wild horses. "
"Rodeo is one of the most important events that take place in the "haciendas" of the Ecuadorian Andes. It consists of a very old ceremony when the "chagras", or Andean cowboys, take their horses and go to the mountains to round up the fighting bulls and to corral wild horses. "
Salcedo Ecuador
Recommended lodgings and restaurants for this city in the highlands.
Recommended lodgings and restaurants for this city in the highlands.
Salcedo Region Map
Satellite map of Salcedo in the Andean highlands includes a view from ocean to tropical rainforest and links to haciendas and items of interest in nearby regions.
Satellite map of Salcedo in the Andean highlands includes a view from ocean to tropical rainforest and links to haciendas and items of interest in nearby regions.
Travel Salcedo
"For those who have an appreciation for crafts, Salcedo hosts a great craft market every Sunday. It is at markets such as these where you will find ponchos, hats, donkeys and local produce...You must make a stop in this quiet little town to sample the delicious fruit ice cream for which the town has a world-famous reputation."
"For those who have an appreciation for crafts, Salcedo hosts a great craft market every Sunday. It is at markets such as these where you will find ponchos, hats, donkeys and local produce...You must make a stop in this quiet little town to sample the delicious fruit ice cream for which the town has a world-famous reputation."