La Sierra — Andes Mountains

With 12 peaks over 16,000 feet and Chimborazo, the tallest, at over 21,000 feet, the Andes are Ecuador's tallest national landmark by far. And considering that this mountain range features a handful of active volcanoes, it can certainly be one of the most exciting places to visit in the entire country. The mountains and the regions therein offer unlimited opportunities for exploration and adventure — hiking, biking, mountain climbing, horseback riding and touring the communities of indigenous people, to name a few.

Two of the region’s largest cities, Quito and Cuenca, are UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites for their rich histories and contributions to Ecuadorian culture. In fact, Quito was the first site ever to be named by UNESCO in the world. This region is also the only place on earth where the Equator divides the hemispheres by crossing over a mountain range.