Pichincha is a province in the northwest of Ecuador, in South America. It takes its name from the Pichincha volcano, an active volcano that overlooks the metropolitan area of the capital, Quito. The volcano is the province's most striking landmark, and much of a visit here is shaped by the view of it rising above the city.
What the province offers
Pichincha is the setting for Quito, Ecuador's capital, so the province is best understood as a gateway to the city and the country's highlands. Visitors who come for the urban side will find a capital set against a dramatic volcanic backdrop. Those who prefer the outdoors have the volcano itself and the high Andean landscape that surrounds it.
Planning a visit
- Base yourself in Quito if you want city streets, restaurants and transport links, with the volcano close at hand.
- Look up at the volcano whenever the weather allows, since it dominates the skyline and gives the city its character.
- Allow for altitude, as the capital and the surrounding highlands sit high in the Andes.
- Check conditions locally before heading out toward the volcano, because an active volcano can affect access.
Pichincha suits travellers interested in a combination of Andean scenery and a lively capital city. Its clearest draw is the way the volcano and the city meet, which gives the province a setting unlike many other places you may have visited.
