Highland
The Andes mountain range runs right through Ecuador from North to South and is made up of three sections: the Eastern Range, the Inter-Andean Range with its many plains and valleys, and the Western Range.
In the Highlands, the rainy season lasts from October to May, and year-round temperatures average from 55 to 65 F. However, because of the altitude, temperatures vary much in a single 24-hour period, with cold nights and warm afternoons. Some refer to the mountain climate here as an "eternal Spring."
The existing climate and changes brought on by recent volcanic activity have spurred unique developments in the region's plant life, which help define the beautiful landscape of the "páramo." One tenth of the country is made up of these highland plateaus, at altitudes of 3,500 to 4,500 m above sea level. With its dry vegetation, the páramo is an ideal habitat for condors, deer, llamas, vicuna, hummingbirds and colorful flowers.