Cordillera del Cóndor

The Cordillera del Cóndor is a mountain range in the eastern Andes on the border between Ecuador and Peru. The mountains stretch for about 150 kilometers and reach elevations of up to 2,900 meters. It is renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity and hosts numerous endemic species living on isolated tepui-like plateaus. Historically, the region was the site of border disputes between Ecuador and Peru, particularly during the Cenepa War in 1995. Since the 1998 peace agreement, transboundary protected areas, known as "Peace Parks," have been established. The Cordillera is rich in mineral resources, especially gold and copper, which leads to tensions between conservation interests and mining projects. The dense rainforests and cloud forests of the range are also a vital watershed for tributaries of the Amazon River.

Nearby cities

Zamora

The center of mining and nature tourism on the edge of the southern Amazon.

Gualaquiza

Gualaquiza is a charming Amazonian town known for its lush rainforests, rivers, and gold mining history.

Macas

The Emerald City of the East, an Amazonian settlement that was isolated for a long time.

Azogues

A colonial city in the Andes known for its majestic Franciscan church.

Riobamba

Often called the Sultana of the Andes, surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes.

Latacunga

A colonial town near the Cotopaxi volcano, known for the Mama Negra festival.

Puyo

The dynamic commercial center on the threshold of the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest.

Saquisilí

Saquisilí is an authentic Andean town famous for hosting one of the most vibrant and expansive indigenous markets in Ecuador every Thursday.

History & landmarks

Chordeleg

Chordeleg is an artisan town near Cuenca, famous for its exquisite silver and gold filigree jewelry, ceramics, and shoemaking.

The Treehouse

A famous wooden observation deck with a swing dangling over a deep canyon near the Tungurahua volcano.

Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Dew

A spectacular church built directly into the steep cliffs above the small town of Biblián.

Alausí

Alausí is a charming heritage town in the Andes, globally famous as the starting point for the dramatic "Nariz del Diablo" train journey.

Cajamarca

A historic highland city where the Inca Empire met the Spanish conquerors, famous for its colonial architecture and thermal springs.

Cumbemayo

An impressive archaeological site known for its pre-Inca aqueducts and the distinctive rock formations 'Los Frailones'.

Cañar

Cañar is an Andean town renowned for its vibrant indigenous culture and its proximity to Ingapirca, Ecuador's most important Inca ruins.

Pujilí

Pujilí is a picturesque town in the Cotopaxi province, renowned for its indigenous markets and vibrant Corpus Christi celebrations.

Nature

More places

Mirador Gold Mine

Ecuador's first large-scale open-pit copper and gold mine, which has attracted significant foreign investment.

Cerro Plateado

A remote biological reserve in the southern Andes known for its pristine ecosystems and high level of endemism.

Cordillera de Kutukú

An isolated mountain range in the Amazon basin that is geographically separated from the main Andes chain.

El Altar

El Altar is an extinct volcano whose collapsed caldera forms nine sharp peaks that enclose a stunning lagoon.

Sangay National Park

A UNESCO World Heritage site with a huge variety of ecosystems, from tropical rainforest to glaciers.

Tungurahua

Tungurahua is a highly active volcano above the town of Baños, known for its frequent ash eruptions and lava flows.

Ingapirca

The largest and best-preserved Inca archaeological site in Ecuador, famous for its Temple of the Sun.

Iglesia de la Balbanera

The oldest Catholic church in Ecuador, built from volcanic rock to mark the first Spanish village in the country.