City2.550 m
1Otavalo
The most famous indigenous market in South America, surrounded by crater lakes, weaving villages and haciendas. Ideal as a first stop after Quito.
Mainland / Andes
The Andes
Volcanoes, indigenous markets and colonial cities along one road: the Panamericana.
1,200 to 6,263 m9 areas6 to 12 days
The route
From north to south
One main road runs through the narrow Andean region: the Panamericana. Most flights land in Quito. From there you first explore the north: Otavalo and the cloud forest of Mindo.
Then you drive south past Cotopaxi volcano and Quilotoa lake, via Baños and Riobamba (Chimborazo) and Guamote (the Thursday market), past the Inca ruins of Ingapirca to Cuenca.
From Cuenca you quickly reach Guayaquil. From there you fly to Galápagos, continue along the coast or fly home. The numbers on the map follow that route.
Areas
Highlights of the Andes
For each area you will find our hotels, nearby activities and a full description.
City2.850 m
2Quito
The capital, with the best-preserved colonial centre in Latin America and the monument on the equator. Almost every trip starts here.
Cloud forest1.250 m
3Mindo
Cloud forest on the western slope of the Andes: hummingbirds, toucans, orchids and waterfalls, two hours from Quito.
Hot springs3.300 m
4Papallacta
Hot springs on the pass between the Andes and the Amazon, with walks in the páramo. The logical stop on the way to Tena.
Highlight5.897 m
5Cotopaxi and Quilotoa
One of the highest active volcanoes in the world, with haciendas at its foot. Further south, the turquoise crater lake of Quilotoa and the markets of the indigenous villages.
City1.800 m
6Baños
Lively little town at the foot of Tungurahua and the gateway to the Amazon. Waterfalls, hot springs, cycling the Ruta de las Cascadas and the swing at the end of the world.
Highlight6.263 m
7Chimborazo and Riobamba
Chimborazo is the point on Earth farthest from its centre. Vicuñas on the slopes, and Riobamba as a base.
Markets3.050 m
8Guamote and Alausí
The Thursday market of Guamote is one of the most authentic in the country. In Alausí the train leaves for the Nariz del Diablo.
City2.550 m
9Cuenca and Cajas
The most beautiful colonial city in Ecuador (Unesco World Heritage), home of the Panama hat. On the way, the Inca ruins of Ingapirca; close by, the lake park of Cajas.
Natural parks in the Andes
National parks and reserves in the mountains, each with its own page.
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