Avenue of the Volcanoes

Chimborazo-Jens Kinckmeier

In the mythical Andes mountains, there are volcanoes that are more than 16,400 feet (5,000 meters) high and are permanently covered with snow and glaciers dating back to ancient times.

The tallest active volcano in the world, Cotopaxi (19,350 feet, or 5,897 meters above sea level), is the perfect setting for charming villages and fertile valleys. Chimborazo (20,702 feet, or 6,310 meters above sea level) has five summits on flanks of rocks and an extensive Andean plateau. Cayambe (18,996 feet, or 5,790 meters above sea level) is the only snow-capped mountain in the world that is located at zero latitude. Iliniza Norte (North) (16,784 feet, or 5,116 meters above sea level) and Iliniza Sur (South) (17,267 feet, or 5,305 meters above sea level) are considered by the indigenous people to be a couple: one male and one female mountain. The impressive Antisana (18,713 feet, or 5,704 meters above sea level) has two cones joined together by a shallow ridge.

In the north, extensive forests of Polylepis, the original trees of the area, are found next to flat plateaus of frailejones in “El Angel” Reserve. Meanwhile, in the northwest, in the Mindo-Nambillo protective forest, you will find the most important bird reserve in the world. Here, you can see hummingbirds, parrots, horneros (ovenbirds), sparrowhawks, and cock of the rocks, to name but a few. In the Andes, in the south of the country, 18 miles from Cuenca, el Cajas National Park is spread out over a protected area of more than 28,000 hectares (69,189 acres) and contains some 232 glacial lakes.

Throughout the Andes mountain range, you will find impressive plateaus, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, hot springs, cloud forests, valleys, indigenous markets and picturesque villages, and historical and modern colonial cities. In addition to this enchanting panorama, a number of haciendas dating back to colonial times can be found along the “Avenue of the Volcanoes”.

Sample itinerary for the Andes: Five days

El Cajas-Jens Kinckmeier

1st day: Tour of Quito

– Discover the enchanting contrast between Modern Quito, with its tall buildings, bustling businesses, and wide streets, and the Historical Center, which is brimming with impressive churches such as the Cathedral, El Sagrario, La Compañía, and San Francisco, among others. Visit other historical sites, including the Plaza Grande and the Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace). Look out over the colonial city from Panecillo Hill, where you will find the only winged virgin statue in South America.
– In the afternoon, visit Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World), where you can stand on the Equator itself, or look out over the entire city in a 15-minute cable ride up Pichincha Volcano at the “Teleférico de Quito”.

2nd day: Quito – Otavalo – Cuicocha

- Visit Calderón in the north of Quito, where craftsmen make figures out of marzipan (a local material). Enjoy the attractive Andean landscapes before arriving at the indigenous market in Otavalo, home to the world-famous ‘Poncho Fair.’ In the afternoon, visit Cotacachi, famous for the high-quality leather goods that are made there. Cotacachi is on the road to Cuicocha, a turquoise lake found within an ancient volcanic crater.

3rd day: Quito – Cotopaxi National Park – Riobamba

– Travel from Quito to Cotopaxi National Park, home to the tallest active volcano in the world (5,897 m / 19,350 feet). Visit the archaeological center of El Salitre and take a walk around Limpiopungo Lake. Later on, visit the park’s interpretation center. In the afternoon, head to Riobamba, an interesting colonial city and the birthplace of Ecuador’s first Constitution in 1830.

4th day: Riobamba – train – Ingapirca – Cuenca

– Travel along the Pan-American Highway, passing through some of the most picturesque indigenous areas of the Andes. Arrive at the train station in Guamote or Alausi to experience the adventure of traveling from the high Andes to the lowlands down the Nariz del Diablo (Devil’s Nose), an engineering masterpiece. Continue on to Ingapirca (3,100 m / 10,168 feet), one of the most important archaeological sites in Ecuador, and then head onwards to Cuenca.
– IMPORTANT: The train normally runs on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

5th day: Tour of Cuenca – El Cajas National Park

– Visit one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Ecuador. Walk through the cobblestone streets and admire the charming wrought iron balconies and plazas brimming with flowers.
Visit the impressive new Cathedral on one side and the fascinating old Cathedral on the other side. See the colonial houses that line one of the four rivers of Cuenca: “El Tomebamba”. Visit a company that makes Panama hats. In the afternoon, visit El Cajas National Park, its paper trees (Polylepis), and some of the 232 different sized lakes among the steep mountains.

(Ministry of Tourism)