Introducing Central Highlands
As poetic monikers go, few can top the sound of ‘The Avenue of the Volcanoes, ’ the nickname coined by German explorer (and unwitting wordsmith) Alexander von Humboldt when he traveled through Ecuador’s central Andean valley in 1802. Not surprisingly, the name stuck. South of Quito the Panamericana winds past eight of the country’s 10 highest peaks, including the picture-perfect snowcapped cone of Volcán Cotopaxi (5897m) and the glaciated behemoth, Volcán Chimborazo (6310m).
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For trekkers and climbers, the central highlands are a paradise, and even inexperienced (but acclimatized and extremely fit) climbers can have a go at summiting the country’s highest peaks. Those who are happier off the hill will find the region just as thrilling. The central highlands are home to scores of tiny indigenous villages, some of which are so remote you can only get there on foot, and where people lead lives that have changed little over the centuries.
The region is also home to many of the country’s most traditional markets. Wandering through these outdoor markets, where you’ll find the most unimaginable and interesting goods is one of the country’s most memorable experiences.
Riobamba and Baños are two of the best towns in the country for adventure sports. There’s ample opportunity for climbing, hiking, mountain biking, rafting, canyoning and more.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
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Fellow Travelers
by tjhenke 09 December 2007
I just want to put this out there. I will be in the Central Highlands area from around Dec 2, 2007 to Jan 3, 2008. I am considering…
Hotels & Hostels in Central Highlands
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La Casa Verde - Eco hostel
Central Highlands
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CharVic Hostel
Central Highlands
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Hostel Backpackers Los Pinos Banos
Central Highlands
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Central Highlands
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Our Top Picks For Central Highlands
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1 Quilotoa loop
Hike the Quilotoa loop and experience magnificent Andean scenery, indigenous villages and the awesome crater lake of Laguna Quilotoa
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2 Baños to Puyo
Whiz through Andean cloud forest, past stunning waterfalls and into the tropical lowlands on a bike ride from Baños to Puyo
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3 Volcán Chimborazo
Climb to the most distant point from the center of the Earth – the snowcapped peak of Volcán Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest mountain
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4 La Nariz del Diablo
Ride the roof of the train down the hair- raising descent ofLa Nariz del Diablo, one of the world’s greatest train rides
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5 Parque Nacional Cotopaxi
Trek beneath the majestic volcanic peaks of Parque Nacional Cotopaxi, crowned by the perfect cone of Ecuador’s second highest peak, Volcán Cotopaxi
Our favourite Central Highlands Blogs (beta)
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Riding Down The the Devil’s Nose
Blog: Hole In The Donut - 23 January 2012
High in the Andes Mountains, at the point where the Guasuntos and Chanchán Rivers meet, a gigantic rock known as El Nido del Condor (Nest of the Condor) soars more than 6,200 feet. I sat atop this massif, safely ensconced in a leather seat on board what has been dubbed “the most difficult railroad in the [...]
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An Exceptional Welcome in Alausi, Ecuador
Blog: Hole In The Donut - 19 January 2012
The pickup truck squealed to a stop in front of me and six suit-clad men scrambled out of the open bed. A tall, thin, mustachioed man held out his hand. “Bienvenidos a Ecuador,” he said. Welcome to Ecuador. Surprised, I looked around and realized I was the only white face on the street; it was [...]
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Quenching the “Throat of Fire” in Banos, Ecuador
Blog: Hole In The Donut - 12 January 2012
In 1999, the volcano that towers over the small mountain town of Baños de Agua Santa in central Ecuador again began living up to its name. Seventy-four years after its last eruption, Tungurahua, which means “Throat of Fire” in the indigenous Quichua language, roared to life with a vengeance that required a complete evacuation of [...]
