Pichincha

In the northern Sierra region of Ecuador, this mountain-dominated province is home to the national capital, which sits at a lofty altitude and has an important old town.

The Pichincha province in northern Ecuador is located in the northern Sierra, a landscape dominated by the Andes mountain range. The province’s major hub is Quito, the nation’s capital. With a population of 2.7 million residents Quito is smaller than the busy commercial hub of Guayaquil in the south but its historic city center and status as the world’s highest official capital city attracts large numbers of visitors each year. At 9,350 feet (2,850 meters) above sea level, Quito is surrounded by the Andes and is an ideal base for hiking, climbing and mountain adventures.

The Pichincha province has a long colonial history, as seen in the architecture and historic sites of the capital. In the heart of the city you’ll find its historic Old Town, which was recognized in 1978 as the world’s first UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Explore its 320 acres (130 hectares) of city streets to discover more than 100 monuments and thousands of historic homes and buildings protected by the heritage listing.

After you’ve indulged in some local cuisine, captured photographs of the city’s sterling backdrop and gathered tourist information, head to higher altitudes to explore the northern Sierra. Go to the rural enclave of Lloa to see traditional agricultural practices or to begin your exploration of the area around the Pichincha Volcano. Less than 62 miles (100 kilometers) north you’ll find Cayambe, another volcano and one of the tallest peaks in Ecuador. Climbing the volcano has become a popular attraction of the region. Admire the shifting ecosystems of the Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve that runs along the earth’s equator, and the slopes of the volcano, as you make your ascent with a trained guide. Buses service the town at the base of the volcano.

Pichincha is an accessible Andean province and one of the most visited regions of Ecuador. With an international airport on the outskirts of Quito and a major rail link between the north and south of the country, Pichincha province is easy to navigate and accommodation and tourist services are plentiful.