Tourism, attractions, sightseeing, places to stay and eat, sports and recreation and practical facts for the Andean region of Ecuador.
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.
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.
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.
In spite of an active volcano overhead, Baños draws visitors to the hot springs, the basilica, for ecology and sports. It's beautiful, too!
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, 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.
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.
These two prime archaeological sites are considered sacred sites and contain with ancient monuments, statuary, tombs and burial mounds.
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."
"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."
"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 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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
Pictures and text describing a trip through Ecuador. Includes0Banos, Otavalo, the coast and the Amazon basin.
In Baños popular tourist destination.
"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."
In Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca and the countryside, including Rio Napo.
Description and attractions of the region, with photos and suggested tours.
"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 of cities courtesy of www.chile-travel.com.
Attractions and transportation tips to the The Ingapirca archeological complex in Cañar province.
"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."
Courtesy of Lonely Planet.
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."
"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."
"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."
Itinerary of a trip through the Valley of the Volcanos.
"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. "
Recommended lodgings and restaurants for this city in the highlands.
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.
"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."
