Approx­i­mate­ly 19 miles north­east of Quito is Cochasquí Archae­o­log­i­cal Park and, with­in it, are the ancient pyra­mids of Cara. This com­plex is the most exten­sive and most impor­tant of pre-Columbian and pre-Inca Empire ruins in the north of Ecuador. It con­sists of 15 pyra­mids and 21 bur­ial mounds stretch­ing across almost 85 hectares and it played a huge role in stop­ping Inca incur­sions in the ear­ly 16th cen­tu­ry.

You can explore the com­plex via a hik­ing trail that runs through the pyra­mids and even gives you a look at the solar and lunar cal­en­dars sit­ting atop one of them. If you vis­it dur­ing the Andean March equinox, you might be lucky enough to catch a local cel­e­bra­tion, with folk danc­ing, cer­e­mo­ni­al cleans­ing, and tra­di­tion­al food.