Ecuadorian Highlands, Andes and Cloud Forest

The Ecuadorian Highlands or Ecuador Andean region is formed basically by two parallel ranges of mountains (cordilleras) that are aligned from north to south. Both cordilleras have numerous high peaks and volcanoes over 4,000 mts (13,120 ft) such as Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Cayambe, Antisana, etc.

Before the Spanish conquest, Ecuador was part of the Incan Empire, and nowadays, 500 years later we can still find the influence of this culture and also settlements of other ancient cultures that used to live in this area.

At the same time with the arrival of the Spanish conquerors, a new race was born, the mestizos (mixture between indigenous and Spanish) that are 80% of the actual population of the country. There is a small percentage of native cultures like Otavalos, Salasacas, Cañaris, Chibuleos, Saraguros and others.

During the Spanish colony, many haciendas were built and they became the social and productive economic centers. In recent years many of these haciendas have been transformed into guest houses where you can travel into the past and imagine how the landlords (patrones) used lo live.

Between these two ranges is located the intermountain valley known as the Avenue of the Volcanoes, here is where most of the Andes population lives because of the fertile soils which offer a high productivity of corn, beans, potatoes and vegetables, the primary crops grown. This agricultural activity replaced the native vegetation of the Andes, but in some areas you will still find remnants that, mixed with the tundra or paramos, form the most spectacular landscape that you can find.

From the haciendas you can visit the local market towns such as Otavalo, Saquisili, Zumbaua, lakes like Quilotoa and Cuicocha and undertake activities like horseback riding..

The Ecuadorian Cloud Forest is formed by sharp and deeply forested mountains descending to rushing waterfalls and crystalline streams, this magical place is perfect for adventure, relaxation, and discovering habitats that you never imagined could exist.

The annual precipitation is about 2,000mm to 2,500 mm. The canopy is about 20 to 25 m high and there is much epiphytic growth, this forest is an exceptionally important are for birdwatching as well as an area of high diversity in flora and fauna.