Andean Highlands (Ecuador): Difference between revisions

Content deleted Content added

Inline

Latest revision as of 06:15, 29 October 2023

The Andean Highlands are a very scenic region in Ecuador. At an elevation of over 2,200 m (and often a lot more!), they offer a breathtaking natural experience. This part of Ecuador preserves much of its original pre-Columbian heritage, which is seen in the food, language, clothes and costumes of many people.

Cities

1°24′0″S 78°42′0″W

Map of Andean Highlands (Ecuador)

Arranged by province.

Azuay

-2.897414-79.0044811 Cuenca — The third largest city in the country, a modern place with lot of attractions and beautiful colonial architecture.

Bolivar

-1.605556-79.0030562 Guaranda — The "City of the Seven Hills" was founded by the Spanish in 1571. The quiet colonial town is the capital of Bolivar Province called also "the Rome of Ecuador" because it was built on seven hills. It is the smallest provincial capital in Ecuador
-1.40514-79.019283 Salinas de Guaranda — Famous for its brand of cheeses called Salinerito (considered the country's premium range) as well as wool spinning and dye mills.
-1.6999-79.00094 Santiago de Bolivar — It is a very interesting small colonial town in the Andes. Great walks around the area through ancient paths used by natives before the conquistadores arrived. Community projects for developing sustainable tourist activities are being organized by a group of enthusiasts nowadays. The main square houses and surroundings gives this placid town a special atmosphere.

Carchi

0.811667-77.7186115 Tulcán —

Chimborazo

-2.201389-78.8463896 Alausi — Start of the famous Devil's nose train ride.
-1.93206-78.70827 Guamote —
-1.583333-78.6333338 Guano —
-1.673056-78.6483339 Riobamba — A nice city in Central Ecuador. Starting point for tours of the 6,268-m (20,500-ft) Chimborazo volcano, which can also be seen from the city

Cotopaxi

-0.8-78.91666710 Chugchilán
-0.759-78.8698111 Isinliví —
-0.933333-78.61666712 Latacunga —
-0.96158-78.897513 Zumbahua —

Imbabura

0.362778-78.1314 Ibarra — Capital of Imbabura province, close to Colombia
0.233333-78.26666715 Otavalo — World famous for its handicrafts market.

Loja

-3.990556-79.20516 Loja — A larger city along south, close to Vilcabamba

Pichincha

-0.051192-78.77830317 Mindo — A small town in a beautiful cloud forest
-0.22-78.512518 Quito — Capital of Ecuador, and an international travel hub
-0.18602-78.343119 Tababela —

Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas

-0.254167-79.17194420 Santo Domingo de los Colorados — The fourth most populous city of Ecuador. Where the Tsáchilas live

Tungurahua

-1.242222-78.62888921 Ambato — Transport hub in the center of Ecuador
-1.396389-78.42472222 Baños — Adventure capital of Ecuador, popular with tourists but far from overrun with them. Here you can go biking, rafting, hiking and a lot more

Other destinations

-1.469167-78.81751 Chimborazo – Ecuador's highest mountain at just about 6,263 m (20,548 ft)
0.302222-78.3616672 Laguna Cuicocha
-0.861194-78.8972863 Laguna Quilotoa
0.038056-78.4630564 Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve
-1.833333-78.3333335 Sangay National Park
-4.255833-79.2188896 Vilcabamba — A very scenic valley south of Loja with good hiking opportunities

Understand

The Ecuadorian Andes consists of two mountain ranges running in parallel north to south, the Cordillera Occidental in the west and the Cordillera Central in the east. Both ranges contain numerous tall volcanoes such as -1.469167-78.81751 Chimborazo (6,263 m (20,548 ft)), -0.680556-78.4377782 Cotopaxi (5,897 m (19,347 ft)), 0.0239-77.98883 Cayambe (5,790 m (19,000 ft)), and -0.659444-78.7136114 the Illinizas (5,245 m (17,208 ft) and 5,126 m (16,818 ft)) which are popular targets for mountain climbers. In between them is the extensively settled and farmed central plateau that Alexander von Humboldt dubbed the Avenue of the Volcanoes. The Pan-American Highway, signed as E35 in Ecuador, runs the length of this corridor and connects its major cities.

Climate in the Andean highlands varies greatly by elevation, from cold páramo (alpine tundra) to warm subtropical zones.

Talk

Almost everyone speaks Spanish. However for many people, especially in the countryside and Chimborazo/Tungurahua provinces, Quichua is the first language, and any attempt to speak some will be very well received. English is not commonly spoken, at least not beyond a basic level.

Get in

Quito (UIO^IATA) is the main air hub, and there are also international buses from Peru and Colombia. Domestically, you can take buses from many places in the Coastal Lowlands and the Amazon Rainforest and flights to Mariscal Lamar International Airport(CUE^IATA).

Although not too frequented by tourists the bus ride from Guayaquil into Babahoyo is most scenic and you will often see agricultural workers hard at work tilling the fields.

Get around

Due to the very uneven terrain, even short distances can take some time to cover. Buses run almost everywhere, and is the main mode of transportation. For longer distances (e.g. Quito to Cuenca or Loja) you could consider flying.

See

There are beautiful colonial towns which you should see and spend time in. However, the natural scenery is even more breathtaking.

Itineraries

Quilotoa Loop: Saquisilí, Laguna Quilotoa and Isinliví

Do

The Andean Highlands offers many opportunities for world-class hiking, biking, rafting, mountain climbing, birdwatching and horse-back riding.

Eat

All local dishes are delicious:

sancocho is a soup made with sheep or pork meat;
guaguatanda is the bread of All Souls Day,
llapingachos (potato cakes) and empanadas
and the famous "Salinas cheese" in Salinas de Guaranda.

Drink

Stay safe

Look at individual city guides for more information. The coast and Ecuador in general are quite safe, but take normal precautions and use common sense. Don't wander around at dark in places you don't know are safe. If going off the beaten path, do some extra research.

Stay healthy

Due to the elevation, altitude sickness is a risk. Take it easy your first days.

Go next

The other regions of the Ecuadorian mainland are the Amazon Rainforest and Coastal Lowlands. You can also fly to the Galapagos Islands from Quito, or visit Ecuador's neighbors Colombia and Peru.

This region travel guide to Andean Highlands is an outline and may need more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. If there are Cities and Other destinations listed, they may not all be at usable status or there may not be a valid regional structure and a "Get in" section describing all of the typical ways to get here. Please plunge forward and help it grow!

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{pagebanner|S-amer africa default banner.jpg|pgname=Andean Highlands}}
-'''Andean Highlands''' is a region in [[Ecuador]].
+[[File:Guaranda (167281939).jpeg|thumb|Llamas are common in the highlands]]
+The '''Andean Highlands''' are a very scenic region in [[Ecuador]]. At an elevation of over 2,200 m (and often a lot more!), they offer a breathtaking natural experience. This part of Ecuador preserves much of its original pre-Columbian heritage, which is seen in the food, language, clothes and costumes of many people.
 ==Cities==
+{{mapframe|-1.4|-78.7|zoom=7|height=680|width=420}}
+Arranged by province.
+===Azuay===
+* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Cuenca (Ecuador)|Cuenca]]|wikidata=Q54886}} — The third largest city in the country, a modern place with lot of attractions and beautiful colonial architecture.
+===Bolivar===
+* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Guaranda]]|wikidata=Q264464}} — The "City of the Seven Hills" was founded by the Spanish in 1571. The quiet colonial town is the capital of Bolivar Province called also "the Rome of Ecuador" because it was built on seven hills. It is the smallest provincial capital in Ecuador
+* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Salinas de Guaranda]]|wikidata=Q3945528}} — Famous for its brand of cheeses called ''Salinerito'' (considered the country's premium range) as well as wool spinning and dye mills.
+* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Santiago de Bolivar]]|wikidata=Q14232534|lat=-1.6999 | long=-79.0009}} — It is a very interesting small colonial town in the Andes. Great walks around the area through ancient paths used by natives before the conquistadores arrived. Community projects for developing sustainable tourist activities are being organized by a group of enthusiasts nowadays. The main square houses and surroundings gives this placid town a special atmosphere.
+===Carchi===
+* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Tulcán]]|wikidata=Q752113}} —
+===Chimborazo===
+* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Alausi]]|wikidata=Q2640072}} — Start of the famous Devil's nose train ride.
+* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Guamote]]|wikidata=Q5613497}} —
+* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Guano]]|wikidata=Q5613774}} —
+* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Riobamba]]|wikidata=Q478675}} — A nice city in Central Ecuador. Starting point for tours of the 6,268-m (20,500-ft) Chimborazo volcano, which can also be seen from the city
+===Cotopaxi===
+* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Chugchilán]]|wikidata=Q5115954}}
+* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Isinliví]]|wikidata=Q14219227}} —
+* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Latacunga]]|wikidata=Q379338}} —
+* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Zumbahua]]|wikidata=Q5247872}} —
+===Imbabura===
+* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Ibarra]]|wikidata=Q946384}} — Capital of Imbabura province, close to [[Colombia]]
+* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Otavalo]]|wikidata=Q1020794}} — World famous for its handicrafts market.
+===Loja===
+* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Loja]]|wikidata=Q944697}} — A larger city along south, close to [[Vilcabamba]]
+===Pichincha===
+* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Mindo]]|wikidata=Q3081485}} — A small town in a beautiful cloud forest
+* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Quito]]|wikidata=Q2900}} — Capital of Ecuador, and an international travel hub
+* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Tababela]]|wikidata=Q22116922}} —
+===Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas===
+* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Santo Domingo de los Colorados]]|wikidata=Q1015654}} — The fourth most populous city of Ecuador. Where the Tsáchilas live
+===Tungurahua===
-* [[Quito]] - Capital of Ecuador, and an international travel hub
+* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Ambato]]|wikidata=Q210161}} — Transport hub in the center of Ecuador
-* [[Alausi]] - Start of the famous Devil's nose train ride.
+* {{marker|type=city|name=[[Baños]]|wikidata=Q812717}} — Adventure capital of Ecuador, popular with tourists but far from overrun with them. Here you can go biking, rafting, hiking and a lot more
-* [[Ambato]] - Transport hub in the center of Ecuador
-* [[Baños]] - Adventure capital of Ecuador, popular with tourists but far from overrun with them. Here you can go biking, rafting, hiking and a lot more.
-* [[Cuenca (Ecuador)|Cuenca]] - The third largest city in the country, a modern place with lot of attractions and beautiful colonial architecture.
-* [[Ibarra]] - Capital of Imbabura province, close to [[Colombia]]
-* [[Loja]] - Larger city along south, close to [[Vilcabamba]]
-* [[Mindo]] - Small town in a beautiful cloud forest
-* [[Otavalo]] - World famous for its handicrafts market.
-* [[Piedra Blanca]] - Off the beaten track rainforest tours.
-* [[Riobamba]] - Nice city in Central Ecuador. Starting point for tours of the 6,268m (20,500ft) Chimborazo volcano, which can also be seen from the city
 ==Other destinations==
+* {{marker|name=[[Chimborazo]]|wikidata=Q14081}} – Ecuador's highest mountain at just about 6,263 m (20,548 ft)
-* [[Cotopaxi]]
-* [[Laguna Cuicocha]]
+* {{marker|name=[[Laguna Cuicocha]]|wikidata=Q1143300}}
-* [[Laguna Quilotoa]]
+* {{marker|name=[[Laguna Quilotoa]]|wikidata=Q1641276}}
-* [[Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve]]
+* {{marker|name=[[Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve]]|wikidata=Q4746787}}
-* [[Sangay National Park]]
+* {{marker|name=[[Sangay National Park]]|wikidata=Q839603}}
-* [[Vilcabamba]] - Very scenic valley south of Loja with good hiking opportunities.
+* {{marker|name=[[Vilcabamba]]|wikidata=Q153528}} — A very scenic valley south of Loja with good hiking opportunities
 ==Understand==
+The Ecuadorian Andes consists of two mountain ranges running in parallel north to south, the '''Cordillera Occidental''' in the west and the '''Cordillera Central''' in the east. Both ranges contain numerous tall volcanoes such as {{marker|type=do|name=[[Chimborazo]]|wikidata=Q14081}} ({{cvt|6263|m|ft|abbr=on}}), {{marker|type=do|name=[[Cotopaxi]]|wikidata=Q181476}} ({{cvt|5897|m|ft|abbr=on}}), {{marker|type=do|name=[[Cayambe]]|wikidata=Q754734}} ({{cvt|5790|m|ft|abbr=on}}), and {{marker|type=do|name=[[Illiniza|the Illinizas]]|wikidata=Q734280}} ({{cvt|5245|m|ft|abbr=on}} and {{cvt|5126|m|ft|abbr=on}}) which are popular targets for mountain climbers. In between them is the extensively settled and farmed central plateau that Alexander von Humboldt dubbed the '''Avenue of the Volcanoes'''. The [[Pan-American Highway]], signed as E35 in Ecuador, runs the length of this corridor and connects its major cities.
-At an elevation of over 2,200m (and often a lot more!), the Andean highlands are very scenic, and can offer breathtaking natural experience This part of Ecuador also preserves much of its original pre-Columbian heritage, which is notable in the food language, clothes and costumes of many people.
+Climate in the Andean highlands varies greatly by elevation, from cold ''páramo'' (alpine tundra) to warm subtropical zones.
 ==Talk==
-Almost everyone speaks Spanish. However for many people, especially in the countryside and Chimborazo/Tungurahua provinces, Quichua is the first language, and any attempt to speak some will very well received. English is not commonly spoken, at least at a more advanced level.
+Almost everyone speaks [[Spanish]]. However for many people, especially in the countryside and Chimborazo/Tungurahua provinces, [[Quichua]] is the first language, and any attempt to speak some will be very well received. English is not commonly spoken, at least not beyond a basic level.
 ==Get in==
-Quito is the main air hub, and there are also international buses from [[Peru]] and [[Colombia]]. Domestically, you can take buses from many places in the [[Coastal Lowlands (Ecuador)|Coastal Lowlands]] and the [[Amazon (Ecuador)|Amazon Rainforest]].
+Quito ({{IATA|UIO}}) is the main air hub, and there are also international buses from [[Peru]] and [[Colombia]]. Domestically, you can take buses from many places in the [[Coastal Lowlands (Ecuador)|Coastal Lowlands]] and the [[Amazon (Ecuador)|Amazon Rainforest]] and flights to Mariscal Lamar International Airport({{IATA|CUE}}).
+Although not too frequented by tourists the bus ride from [[Guayaquil]] into [[Babahoyo]] is most scenic and you will often see agricultural workers hard at work tilling the fields.
 ==Get around==
-Due to the very uneven terrain, even short distance can take some time to cover. Buses run almost everywhere, and is the manin mode of transportation. For longer distances (e.g. Quito-Cuenca/Loja) you could consider flying.
+Due to the very uneven terrain, even short distances can take some time to cover. Buses run almost everywhere, and is the main mode of transportation. For longer distances (e.g. Quito to Cuenca or Loja) you could consider flying.
 ==See==
@@ Line 45: / Line 83: @@
 ===Itineraries===
-* [[Quilotoa Loop]] : [[Saquisilí]], [[Laguna Quilotoa]] and [[Isinliví]]
+* [[Quilotoa Loop]]: [[Saquisilí]], [[Laguna Quilotoa]] and [[Isinliví]]
 ==Do==
-The Andean Highlands offers many opportunities for world-class hiking, biking, rafting, mountain climbing, birdwatching, horse-back riding and much more.
+The Andean Highlands offers many opportunities for world-class hiking, biking, rafting, mountain climbing, birdwatching and horse-back riding.
 ==Eat==
+All local dishes are delicious:
+* ''sancocho'' is a soup made with sheep or pork meat;
+* ''guaguatanda'' is the bread of All Souls Day,
+* ''llapingachos'' (potato cakes) and ''empanadas''
+* and the famous "Salinas cheese" in [[Salinas de Guaranda]].
 ==Drink==
@@ Line 57: / Line 100: @@
 ==Stay safe==
-Look at individual city guides for more information. The coast and Ecuador in general are quite safe, but take normal precautions and use common sense. Don't wander around at dark in places you don't know are safe. If going off the path, do some extra research.
+Look at individual city guides for more information. The coast and Ecuador in general are quite safe, but take normal precautions and use common sense. Don't wander around at dark in places you don't know are safe. If going off the beaten path, do some extra research.
 ==Stay healthy==
-Due to the elevation, [[altitude sickness]] is a risk. Take it easy the first day(s).
+Due to the elevation, [[altitude sickness]] is a risk. Take it easy your first days.
 ==Go next==
+The other regions of the Ecuadorian mainland are the [[Amazon (Ecuador)|Amazon Rainforest]] and [[Coastal Lowlands (Ecuador)|Coastal Lowlands]]. You can also fly to the [[Galapagos Islands]] from Quito, or visit Ecuador's neighbors [[Colombia]] and [[Peru]].
-* [[Coastal Lowlands (Ecuador)|Coastal Lowlands]]
-* [[Amazon (Ecuador)|Amazon Rainforest]]
-* [[Peru]]
-* [[Colombia]]
 {{IsPartOf|Ecuador}}
 {{outlineregion}}
-{{no Wikipedia link}}
+{{geo|-1|-79|zoom=7}}