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UIO → TUA
Which side of the plane to sit from Mariscal Sucre International Airport (Quito) to Teniente Coronel Luis a Mantilla Airport (Tulcan)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a superior vantage point for the dramatic volcanic craters and alpine lakes of the Western Cordillera during the northern ascent.
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Pululahua Crater
A massive geobotanical reserve and one of the world's only inhabited volcanic craters.
Lake San Pablo
A large, shimmering lake located at the base of the mountains near the town of Otavalo.
Cotacachi Volcano
An impressive extinct volcano often capped with snow, located within the ecological reserve.
Cuicocha Lake
A stunning three-kilometer wide caldera lake with two distinct islands in its center.
Book a window seat on the left for early morning flights when the air is clearest and the volcanic peaks are not yet obscured by afternoon clouds. Look for the distinct circular shape of the Cuicocha crater shortly after passing the Otavalo region. Keep your camera ready as the plane descends toward the Tulcan plateau.
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Cayambe Volcano
The third highest peak in Ecuador and the only snowy point on the Earth's equator.
Imbabura Volcano
The iconic 'Taita' Imbabura, a dormant volcano that dominates the northern Andean skyline.
Ibarra City
Known as the White City, its colonial grid layout is clearly visible from high above.
Chota Valley
A dramatic transition into an arid, dry tropical landscape as you move further north.
The right side is ideal for capturing the scale of the massive Cayambe glacier shortly after takeoff from UIO. The transition from lush green slopes to the sandy, arid terrain of the Chota Valley is most visible from this side. Ensure you have high-speed shutter settings to capture the jagged peaks of the Eastern Cordillera.
Book Hotels in TulcanDistance: 127 km (79 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 13 min
Departure: UIO (-0.129166666667, -78.3575)
Arrival: TUA (0.8095059990882874, -77.70809936523438)
Route Type: Domestic
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