Antisana is a volcano in Ecuador, South America, rising to 5,753 metres in the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes. It is one of the country's most remote and unspoiled peaks, and a visit here is a trip into high, quiet country rather than a stop on a busy circuit.
The landscape
The volcano sits within an extensive páramo, the high Andean grassland and wetland ecosystem that covers much of the region above the treeline. The Antisana Ecological Reserve protects these wetlands, which act as important habitat for wildlife. The reserve is known for Andean condors, spectacled bears and hundreds of bird species, so birdwatching and quiet walking through the grasslands are central to any visit.
What a visit offers
- Views across the Eastern Cordillera from the higher slopes
- Walks through open páramo and wetland landscapes
- Birdwatching and wildlife spotting within the protected reserve
- Acclimatization climbs, which make the volcano a useful stepping stone for visitors preparing for higher ascents
Planning your trip
Because Antisana is high and remote, visitors should expect cold temperatures, thin air and changeable weather, and should allow time to acclimatize before attempting steeper routes. Arranging a guide familiar with the reserve and its conditions is a sensible choice, and the nearby area around Quito can serve as a base for organising a day trip or longer excursion.