Know your city
As earth's longest mountain chain containing some of the planet's most impressive
peaks, the Andes offer an incredible experience for your gap year travel. Ecuador
is one of the best places to bring this massive mountain range to life through active
pursuits and guided tours. Perhaps nowhere on the continent are the chain's snow-capped
volcanoes so accessible and easy to appreciate.
From a bird's eye view, the Andean highlands spring forth with a collage of colors.
In the upper reaches of the Andes, the afternoon sun drapes over wide stretches
of untouched páramo, or tropical alpine grassland. Down in the valleys, it illuminates
fields of corn, barley, wheat, and quinoa, turning them into gold, amber, lilac
and amethyst patterns that change with the shadows cast by playful clouds. In the
Andes, land of interplay between light and dark and the natural and the man-made,
it is impossible to experience the same day twice.
In Ecuador, as through most of their length, the Andes exist in two sub-ranges –
a western and an eastern one – with a central valley in between. The climate of
that central valley, which contains Quito and most of the highland towns, is fairly
similar year round, although there is rainy season that extends from September to
May, with the exception of a few weeks in December and January. In the rainy season,
weather tends to be better in the mornings, with downpours frequent in the afternoons.
Meanwhile, the dry months tend to be windier. In the highlands, temperature depends
much more on elevation than on seasonal changes. That said, the climate of the Andes
of Ecuador, while reliably temperate, is constantly changing, and locals claim the
area experiences “four seasons in one day” throughout the year.
In general, the best time to visit and climb in Ecuador's western Andes (which include
the peaks of Pichincha, Chimborazo and the Illinizas) is June through early September.
By contrast, June, July and August are the wettest months and December and January
the driest in the eastern Andes (where we find Cayambe, Antisana and Sangay volcanoes).
Cotopaxi, Ecuador's second peak and the world's highest active volcano, exists in
its own micro-climate and is climbable most of the year.
History of the city
Ecuador's Andes were inhabited by various
indigenous peoples before the Inca conquest in the 15th century. Among the most
notable were the Quitus and Caras in the north – with the former giving the future
country's capital its name – and the Cañari in the south, who still exist as a separate
ethnic group. When the Inca Empire reached its zenith at the beginning of the 16th
century, it stretched from Quito to what is now Santiago in Chile. But with the
death of the emperor Huayna Capac, the vast empire fell into civil war as the Quito-based
Atahualpa challenged, and eventually defeated his half-brother Huáscar in Cuzco
(Peru). It was into this war-torn empire that Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro
stepped when he first landed on the northern coast of Peru in 1526, then returned
to conquer it in 1532 with just 168 men. Quito was founded in 1534 by Sebastián
de Benalcázar, one of Pizarro's generals, and soon became an important colonial
center, along with the central and southern highland towns of Riobamba and Cuenca.
Around Andes
Ecuador's Andes are one of the most popular places for tourists in the whole country.
Located in the northern central valley between two sub-ranges of the Andes, the
city of Quito draws thousands of travelers each year. From Quito, you can make a
number of various day trips for hiking and climbing, river rafting, birding, and
other active pursuits. The city itself is also a major draw, boasting museums, restaurants,
hotels, a gondola ride up the side of a volcano, and a historical colonial district
that will transport travelers back in time.
The highland towns of Ibarra, Latacunga, Riobamba and Cuenca also offer fine examples
of colonial architecture, while such indigenous towns as Otavalo, Saquisilí, Salasaca
and Cañar have famous markets. Still other small towns, like the sub-tropical Baños
and Mindo, are favorite weekend or vacation getaways.
One of the most popular trips from Quito is to Ecuador's tallest volcano, known
as Chimborazo. Once believed to be the highest peak in South America, its summit
is the furthest point on the earth's surface from its center (due to the earth's
equatorial bulge). The volcano is stunning to see, and there are a number of day
hikes among llamas and vicuña around the lower part of the volcano. For the ambitious
climber looking to reach the summit, the glacial peaks will require ice picks and
other mountain climbing gear. Guided volcano climbs are available through scores
of agencies in Quito.
Culture and Customs
Indigenous culture is alive and well throughout the Andes, with ancient craft, produce
and animal markets thriving and many popular traditions and festivals – running
the gamut from pagan to Catholic – surviving.
While there are many different local specialties – such as chugchucaras in Latacunga
and mote pillo in Cuenca –, the cuisine in general tends to be potato and grain-based,
with quinoa, corn and hominy playing important roles. Chicken, beef and pork are
all consumed, in addition to lowland products such as plantains and yuca (manioc).
Traditional indigenous dress – colorful ponchos and broad-brimmed hats for men and
decorated blouses and skirts for women, are everywhere visible in the mountain region,
from the largest towns to the smallest farms and hamlets. And the haunting tones
of “El Condor Pasa” or other Andean tunes are still often heard being played out
on the charango (Andean lute) and pan flute.
