How Many Days You Need to Visit Ecuador

Pros / Cons of different types of Ecuador Highlands Trips

There is a lot to see in the Ecuador highlands, and most people will find that they do not have time to cover everything. One special way to spend time in this area is to focus on the Central Andes. Visiting one of the highest active volcanoes on Earth, Cotopaxi, as well as the Quilotoa region, Baños and Otavalo provides an opportunity to see a lot in a condensed area – avoiding too many long travel days. Such a focus allows the chance to observe indigenous life, take part in adventurous activities and visit colorful markets, among other highlights. However, such a trip does mean that you will not get to the Southern area of the country. With a few more days you could see more of the highlights of the Ecuador Andes, including many of the places already mentioned (though not all) as well as Cuenca, Ecuador’s fine southern colonial city. While such a trip does naturally include more driving time, as more of the country is visited, you are more likely to feel that you have seen as much as you can of Ecuador in a relatively short time.

If you are strapped for time, and only have a few days to spend in the Ecuador highlands, a trip focused on a particular part of the highlands region may be best. For example, focusing primarily on the Northern Andean region could be better suited to your needs. In this area you could visit the Mindo cloud forest, Otavalo’s indigenous market, the Equator, hot springs and the Cotopaxi volcano in just five days or so. On the other hand, you might decide you’d prefer to see more of what the southern Andean highlands of Ecuador have to offer, by focusing your highlands time in and around the delightful city of Cuenca. Others may have a preference for focusing on the Avenue of Volcanoes, which promises spectacular scenery and a great insight into Ecuadorian rural indigenous life. In some cases you can get a sense of how life has been lived in the Andes for centuries.