Andes Highlands Pictures
ANDES HIGHLANDS AND PERU
Testimonials
 
Testimonials
 
"I traveled to Ecuador with my two finicky children for adventure. I discovered Columbus Travel on the internet and booked trips both to the Galapagos and the jungle with them.Their advice was clear, the trip arrangements were very dependable and travel was on time". MORE TESTIMONIALS
 
 
Galapagos Islands Tours
 
Amazon Jungle Tours
 
Adventure Travel in Ecuador
 
Ecuador Hotels
 


The Andes are the longest mountain range in the world, stretching 7,250 kilometers (4,200 miles) down the southern half of the world. The Andes run north to the warm equator, and stretch south towards Cape Horn and Patagonia, a windy, cold, semi-desert where the winter temperatures stay below freezing. The southern tip of the Andes is not far from Antartica, home of the south pole!



The name "Andes" comes from a native word whose meaning is unkown today. The tallest peak is Mt. Aconcagua, a giant volcano of 6,959 mts (22,831 ft) above sea level. The Andes mountains have been formed by one of the crustal plates of the Pacific ocean floor pushing slowly against the American continental plate.

This pressure has caused the sedimentary rocks to bend and fold up into long ridges, called "sierras". Most of the highest mountains in the Andes are volcanoes, some still active, many dormant or extinct. Eruptions and strong earthquakes can cause landslides on the steep slopes. Rich minerals formed here include gold, silver, tin, copper, platinum, lead, and zinc.

 
Call us toll free in The US at: 1-877-436 7512
Also try our local US numbers: 415-8306075,
305-7671490, 213-8144567
United Kingdom: 0208-133-3456
Business hours: 8.30 AM-6 PM (GMT-5)
 
Our Tours
Ecuador Land Tours
Short Tours
Quito city tours Quito city tours
Guayaquil city tours Guayaquil city tours
Otavalo handcrafts market Otavalo handcrafts market
Papallacta Hot Springs Papallacta hot springs
Papallacta Hot Springs Mindo Full Day
Quito, Mindo and Otavalo handcrafts market Quito - Mindo - Otavalo
Baños 3 days tours Baños 2 days tour
Cuenca 2 days tours Cuenca 3 days tour
Avenue of the volcanos Avenue of the Volcanoes
Larger Tours
Ecuador scenic tour (7 days) Ecuador Scenic tour (7 days)
Culture & Gastronomy (9 days) Culture & Gastronomy (9 days)
Ecuador 12 days tour Ecuador 12 days tour
Ecuador Complete (14 days) Ecuador Complete (14 days)

You can also create a taylor-made tour that fits your requirements. Please contact us for further assistance.


Ecuador Andes

Ecuador's region of the Andes consists of over 30 volcanic cones, many over 5,000 meters and almost a third still active. One of these the snow-capped Cotopaxi is the world's highest active volcano. Numerous national parks and protected areas of wilderness feature a wide range of microclimates and enormous bio-diversity, making the Sierra a paradise for bird watching in particular. The highlands provide exciting hiking and trekking and there are excellent routes for mountain biking and horse riding. One of the world's greatest train Journeys begins in Riobamba passing through the famous "Devil's Nose" on the way to the coast. Many inhabitants of the Sierra are Indians and there are fascinating indigenous markets and craft centers throughout the highlands. Quito, situated in a circle of mountainous peaks, is the world's second highest capital and has one of the finest settings of any city in the world. Quito is home to excellent museums, churches and art galleries and its colonial center, one of the finest in Latin America, has been designated a World Heritage Site, by UNESCO. In the Southern Andes, colonial Cuenca near the Inca fortress ruins of Ingapirca is considered by many to be Ecuador's most beautiful city.

Not surprisingly, this region possesses Ecuador's most developed tourist industry, providing a wide range of accommodations, culinary options, shopping opportunities, and cultural festivals, all easily accessible from the capital of Quito. In addition to Quito, Otavalo and Baños are considered travelers' meccas, boasting an extensive infrastructure supporting tourism. In these towns you can expect a wide selection of restaurants, hotels and activities. Choose a luxurious suite in a 400-year old hacienda, or nestle down in a backpacker's $3 per night hostel. Dine on veggie pizza one day and barbecued guinea pig the next!

Home | Peru | Ecuador | General tour information Hotels | Galapagos/Jungle Tours | Contact Us | About Us

Related sites:

Travel in Ecuador | Galapagos Tours | Galapagos Promotions | Amazon Tours | Adventure Travel in Ecuador | Study Spanish in Quito
Study Spanish in Cuenca | Study Spanish in Ecuador | Ecuador Volunteer Program


ColumbusTravel Cia. Ltda. ® 2008 - info@andesadventure.net
DESIGN