Explore the Ecuadorian Andes and Highlands (Sierra) of Ecuador
When looking down on the area from a bird's eye view, the Ecuadorian Andes jumps out of the surrounding blanket with a collage of colors. It is as if nature has created its own embroidery. But a closer look will soon make you realize that this beautiful panorama is not only an expression of nature, but also a product of people's labor.
Down in the valleys of the Ecuadorian Andes you can expect to see some gold, amber, lilac and pale purple patterns that change with the shadow cast by the clouds. The different shades of color are a result of the many corn, wheat, barley and quinoa fields in this region. The collage of man-made and natural products, together with each day's unique shadow and lightening, makes it impossible for someone to have the same day each day. The Ecuadorian Andes will surprise you with something different everyday.
The Ecuadorian Andes, also known as the "Sierra" and the "Highlands", is probably the most visited region of the country and it’s not difficult to see why. The region is jam-packed with a certain cultural and natural diversity that brings many visitors back time and time again.
This region has the most developed tourist industry in the country, providing tourists and locals with a wide range of accommodation, world-class eateries, shopping centers and many cultural festivals. In addition to this, most of these facilities are easily accessible from the Ecuadorian capital of Quito.
Hiking, skiing, mountain biking, kayaking, swimming and relaxing are only a few recreational activities that the Ecuadorian Andes will be able to offer you. Whether you want to dive into the thermal springs, exhaust yourself on a week long hike or just lie in your five-star hotel room, the Sierra has it all. But don't take our word for it, book a flight now and go see for yourself!
User Comments & Reviews
2010-03-15 16:57:56
Ecuador seems a very beutiful place to live.i would like to learn and explore and find new stuff and i would like to see pictures of quito and the capital.i would like anybody thats drom ecuador and would like to tell me stuff about ecuador
2010-03-04 21:34:03
Azogues es una ciudad pequeña pro muy bonita, tiene hermosos lugares turísticos........
2010-03-03 04:41:55
Ambato es lindo en nuestros corazones, acabo de estar En Ambato despues de 10 anos en el extranjero y no me parece mas la ciudad de las flores y jardines y arboles . En la ciudad esta todo pavimentado los arboles en al ciudad no existen talves algunas matas o arbustos pero muy poco que lastima...esperemos que cambien de autoridades de governacion o alcaldia y pongan la ciudad linda como antes...
2010-02-21 02:24:02
My wife and I visited Cuenca for one moth in August from US. Arizona. After the visit, we decide upon retirement, we would like to live there. Cuenca is an amazing place, great food, great people, the best climate I have ever been in, and very cheap. For those of you that want to live there, you can't go wrong.
2010-02-17 19:24:42
I'm very interested in living in Cuenca. I would like long term rental two bedroom and 2 baths. Would like to be able to walk to Plaza's and Resturants. My target date is May-June 2010. Please email what you have available, thank you in advance, John
2010-02-12 05:50:32
thank you for giving us a wonderfull description of what is AMBATO and our Fiesta de las Flores y las Frutas,no we do not have historical sights because of the eathquakes that destroyed many of the beautifull old buildings,but we have a big heart, we love to work hard ,we love when people visit us and yes we love to trow one of the best parties in Ecuador......
2010-02-09 14:19:07
si mi QUERIDO AMBATO es cuna de los tres JUANES y TIERRA DE LAS FLORES , FRUTA Y PAN
2010-02-03 12:26:48
I am looking to retire in ecuador. I would like to correspond with some one in cuenca to establish a connection, preferably a person of knowledge of housing and all the laws that apply to expats. A good friend is all ways good to have. Any one who is a retired person in cuenca your reply will be greatley appreciated, My husband and i are very good people and would like to talk to someone with real experience. Thx.
2010-02-03 05:41:29
Note to Cecilia re: comments copied below: Please email me with additional information. Is the condo available now for a short-term rental? Also interested in 6 months beginning mid-October 2010. What is the rent? THANK YOU! Diane Smit Cecilia Ordonez 2010-01-24 04:25:59 I have a centrally located condominium, two bedrooms, two baths, with famiy room , living room available to rent. Please e-mail if interested. Located one block from the Cathedral & Central Park.
2010-01-30 06:02:25
Cuenca is my favorite city in Ecuador located in the mountians. the weather is a perfect 70F (20c) during the day and in the 50's (15c0 at night. There are many houses, condos and appartments for rent. Most people do not advertise homes for rent or sale so you may have to find an ajent in country to help. You can rent a nice home for about 200 a month and travel anywhere in the city by taxi for $0.50-$3.00. There are several good companies that can help, some located in the US. Have a great trip
2010-01-29 00:11:33
Azogues is a town were Ecuador shows its people who are docil and caring. Everystep you take you will find the atmosphere of a hurry and busily town. For miles you will notice the savory and delicious food offer by many of the locals. Once you step in a restaurant you wouldnt want to go home. Enjoy Azoguez and its culture.
2010-01-24 04:25:59
I have a centrally located condominium, two bedrooms, two baths, with famiy room , living room available to rent. Please e-mail if interested. Located one block from the Cathedral & Central Park.
2010-01-19 18:14:46
I would like to see more information about hotels, hostels in Azoques!
2010-01-11 20:14:19
Hi Carlota. Cuenca it's a very nice and calm place. I loved to know Parque Nacional de Cajas (National Park of Cajas), it's a place with an amazing environment (nature). The food is not expensive and the most deliciours food is called CEVICHE and my favorites are ceviche of shrimp or fish, served with pop corn. Also there is a lot of museums and churches to visit. I've stayed in Hotel Carvallo, which is located near downtown and another one called Hotel Oro Verde (a 3 stars hotel), but this one is not located on downtown, although a taxi to there will take you no more than 3 dolars. Well, this is it! I hope you enjoy Cuenca. I'll arrive there on Thursday 15th. Best regards.
2010-01-09 13:21:52
I will travel to Ecuador on afew months and we would like go to Cuenca, can you advice me tourists places , colonials houses anything would help and also hotels and wonder is the food expensive there? Thanks for your response.
2010-01-07 00:38:17
I already wrote a comment thanking all these beautiful people for those sweet words describing my gorgeous land ECUADOR.. and beleive me .. I feel myself proud to be an ECUADORIAN... and I hope we as ECUADORIANS never desapoint you guys.. and if you see a little bad thing about ECUADOR.. just remenber nothing is perfect and considerer the possibility on contribute to change whatever bad to something good ... MIL GRACIAS
2009-12-31 15:43:03
Do the citizens of Loja welcome Americans who want to live in their fabulous town?
2009-12-30 13:08:14
Would like info about cost of living in Loja or other places in Ecuador. Since my husband does not speak Spanish would like to hear from US ex-pats.
2009-12-28 21:15:05
ECUADOR es mi pais y leyendo los parrafos donde ustedes con sus palabras describen a nuestro pais es maravilloso,motivan a que el turismo sea cada dia mas grande tanto ecuatorianos como extranjeros.Orgullosa de ser ecuatoriana y viviendo tan lejos de mi lindo pais quiero felicitar a cada una de las personas que dan su tiempo a actualizar la pagina para promover el turismo
2009-12-28 16:20:53
I am an American who lived in Loja, Ecuador for over 5 years. Sadly for Loja because it is "a little off of the beaten track" & a little harder to get to many visitors don't take the time to go there. More so than that being sad for Loja it is even sadder for these visitors because they miss so much. Many visitors wind up in Quito & Guayaquil which are large cities w/ international airports. Loja on the other hand DOES have a NATIONAL airport located only about 30 mins. by car away so it really ISN"T as difficult to get to as one might think. And once there as this web page says it is a city w/ all the things one would want, need & expect from a city yet it is a small, close knit town type community. The architecture is old old colonial. Sadly everyone says CUENCA is famous for their colonial architecture. Now it is true that Cuenca ALSO has a lot of colonial architecture but anyone who has walked the streets of Loja would have to agree that it does too. Poor Loja is like the forgotten city because it is smaller & a little out of the way but I can promise anyone who takes the time to get there they WON'T be sorry to have made the trip.
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