Top Destinations in Ecuador’s Andes Mountains

Top Travel Destinations in the Ecuadorian Andes

• Quito is the capital city of Ecuador and one of the most popular destinations among travelers. At 9,350’ above sea level, this is Ecuador’s most iconic colonial city, featuring the best preserved “old town” in the country. Highlights include:
• La Mitad del Mundo & the Intiñan Museum: A giant monument marks the equator line, as calculated by the 18th century French geodesic mission. Improvements in mapping equipment after this mission showed that the actual equator line is several hundred meters away from the monument and is now recognized at the Intiñan Museum, also on site. Here, you’ll find interactive exhibits, cultural presentations, restaurants, and a number of souvenir shops.
• El Panecillo: This hilltop monument overlooks the entire city of Quito, offering fantastic panoramic views. Crowning the hill is a 30m aluminum monument known as the “Winged Virgin” or the “Virgin of Quito,” inspired by sculptor Bernardo de Legarda’s 18th century model. For an even better view of the city, pay a few dollars to climb inside the monument.
• Old Town: This is one of the best preserved colonial districts in all of South America, with hotels, cafes, shops, streets, and other buildings preserved just as they were built hundreds of years ago while Spain was colonizing the region.
• Carondelet Palace:Tours of the presidential palace will show you important meeting rooms, various artifacts and pieces relevant to the presidential administration, and even the balcony overlooking the Plaza de Independencia, where the president gives many addresses.
• TeleferiQo & Vulqano Park: A gondola style lift takes you right up the side of the scenic Pichincha Volcano, where you can rent horses or hike even higher up this iconic peak that overlooks Quito. At the bottom is a small theme park with rides and arcade games.
• La Compañía de Jesús Church: Considered the most beautiful church in the country, this Jesuit cathedral is gilded inside and offers free tours in Spanish and English. The gold-leaf finish highlight the Baroque architecture of the 17th century when construction started.
• La Basílica del Voto Nacional: Another impressive church is this impressive Gothic cathedral, situated on a promontory directly opposite El Panecillo. A guided or unguided tour will leave you in awe as you explore the intricately carved stone towers and walkways.
• El Ejido & Carolina Parks: These big urban parks are a great place to relax on the highland grass and perhaps listen to a local music artist playing a song or enjoy a picnic.
• Cotopaxi National Park: Just outside the city is an expansive national park where hiking, horseback riding, and trekking are popular ways to see the paramo ecosystem. This is definitely one of the best sites for trekking in Ecuador.
• Otavalo: The largest indigenous market in South America is about an hour north of Quito, featuring a rainbow of textiles and all manner of handicrafts that make for the best souvenirs.