Ecuador Travel

Papallacta hot springs

Papallacta hot springs

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Overview

The Papallacta thermal springs and Antisana reserve offer the traveler a variety of activities and breathtaking scenery in close proximity to one another.

The hot springs at Papallacta are found high up in the páramo at around 3300 meters above sea level. Just ninety minutes or so from Quito, pools that are found here reach 40 degrees Celsius, in steep contrast to the temperature outside of the pools. The pools of Papallacta are framed by dramatic, jagged peaks—an unusual and quite beautiful backdrop to the hot springs themselves.

The thermal waters of Papallacta are thought to have healing properties. While relaxing in the springs, the visitor might be lucky enough to be able to watch hummingbirds feeding on the pollen nearby. For those who like to mix it up a bit, there are both hot and cold pools available, to get the circulation going. Those travelers who choose to stay overnight at the hot springs can enjoy a romantic night time trip to the pools with a glass of wine and a view of the stars.

From the Papallacta hot springs, on a clear day the visitor may catch a glimpse of the gigantic Antisana volcano. This volcano stands at 5752 meters above sea level and is the fourth highest volcano in the country. The volcano is situated in the Antisana Ecological Reserve, which covers a massive almost 300,000 acres. The reserve is home to outstanding scenery, including thick forest, lagoons and deep gorges, not forgetting of course the mountain itself.

The largest lagoon in the reserve is called Micacocha, while another, the Muerte Pungo, supports fishing. The Santa Lucia Lagoon is great for camping and fishing. Other enjoyable activities in this reserve include climbing the volcano (for experienced climbers only), bird watching for the mighty Andean Condor, and hiking.

Highlights

The Thermal Springs – Not to be missed on any trip to Ecuador, the thermal springs of Papallacta are thought to have some healing properties. From a luxury resort, to small family setups, there are a variety of options to suit all tastes and budgets. Hummingbirds can be watched from the comfort of a steaming hot pool of water. Some places have hydro massage options available for a higher price.

Hiking around Papallacta – The scenery around Papallacta is some of the most spectacular wilderness that Ecuador has to offer. There are a number of interesting day hikes in the area for those who want to get out into the countryside. In this remote area, there are a lot of small lakes and craggy peaks, and the vegetation is páramo-based.

Fishing for and Eating Trout – In the areas around Papallacta and Antisana, the lakes are stocked with a large population of trout, an introduced species to Ecuador. A popular activity here is to fish for trout in the many lakes in the countryside around Papallacta. An even more popular activity is to eat the trout, which is available in pretty much every restaurant around here. The name for trout in Spanish is trucha.

Climbing Antisana – Antisana is technically difficult to climb to the summit at 5752 meters above sea level. This climb should not be attempted by those with little experience. The climb may take from one to three days in total and there is complicated ice, glacier and rock work to reach the peak. There are four different peaks that can be climbed. Due to the difficulty of arranging permits, it is recommended to go with a guide from an agency.

Trek of the Condor – Challenging to organize due to the permits required, the Trek of the Condor starts at the little village of El Tambo, not far from Papallacta. It then heads through the Antisana reserve and ends in the Cotopaxi National Park. There is some route finding that can be challenging, so it is better to go with a guide and allow four days for the trek. It is worth noting that this trek depends on the will of the haciendas owners who will either allow or not allow you passage through their land. You need to request permission beforehand in order to have a good experience.

Wildlife and Bird Watching – Around Papallacta and Antisana there is an abundance of Andean wildlife. Condors inhabit this area and are seen from time to time soaring overhead. The Andean Spectacled Bear has been observed from the Termas de Papallacta on rare occasion, and the Tapir can occasionally be seen. White tailed deer and birds such as Andean Snipe and hawks are commonplace.

Getting There

Getting to Papallacta

There are a couple of possible options to get to Papallacta. The first from Quito is to head to the Quitumbe bus station to the south of the city. This is a $0.25 journey on the Trole line, taking one hour from the Mariscal area of town, or a 30 minute ride in a taxi, with an approximate cost of $10. From Quitumbe the visitor can take a bus to Papallacta town itself. There are many buses leaving per day on this route, as the town is located on the road to the jungle. The trip takes approximately two hours and usually costs about $2.

The second option for getting to Papallacta sees the traveler taking the Ecovia line to its final northern terminal, Rio Coca, at a cost of $0.25 from anywhere along the Ecovia route. From here, it is possible for the visitor to take a green bus to Cumbaya, from where they can catch a bus that is heading for the jungle and passes through Papallacta. This route is generally quicker and more cost effective for those staying in the Mariscal and northern parts of Quito. The bus journey will cost approximately $2 and will take about 1.5-2 hours.

Getting to Antisana

To get to the Antisana reserve, a bus can be taken from La Marin in the Centro Historico of Quito, heading to Pintag, the entrance town to the reserve. The journey is approximately an hour long and costs about $1. From here, it is necessary to hike to the reserve (25 kilometers) or take private transportation at a cost of approximately $30.