Ecuador Travel

Ambato & Saquisili Market – the small city of Ambato, known for its annual Festival of Fruits and Flowers held in early Febuary, is a great place to visit in conjunction with the nearby Saquisili Market, which provides an authentic Andean market experience.

Baños de Agua Santa & Pailon del Diablo – the town of Baños is famous for its beauty, charm, and the plethora of outdoor activities it offers, including a short trek to the view the thundering cascade of the massive Pailon del Diablo waterfall.

Manto de la Novia waterfall – part of the Valley of the Waterfalls route, which starts in Baños and ends with the Pailon del Diablo cascade, this lovely waterfall can be viewed by taking a small cable-car which runs across the gorge and over the top of the falls.

Tungurahua Volcano – overlooking the town of Baños, this volcano is still highly active and often puts on spectacular fireworks displays which can be viewed by night.

Llanganates Nacional Park – It is believed that Rumiñahu buried his treasure beside a lake in this remote and mysterious region. The 290,707 rugged hectares of the park have a diverse topography, with altitudes going up to 4,571 meters above sea level, along with one of the highest levels of biodiversity and endemism in the world. It is recommended that you contact a guide to explore the park safely.

Guaranda Carnival – the colorful and lively Carnival is celebrated every February in the town of Guaranda. The celebration is famous throughout the country, and it is not considered complete without some of the locally-made pajaro azul cane liquor.

Salinas de Bolivar – not to be confused with the coastal resort area, the beautiful high Andean village of Salinas de Bolivar is known for its locally-run cooperatives making everything from herbal teas to artisan chocolate to some of the best cheese Ecuador has to offer.

Guaranda Historic Downtown – the city of Guaranda has beautiful historic buildings dating back to 1571. It was declared a national Ecuadorian cultural center in 1997 in recognition of the historic and cultural value of the architecture. In the center Parque Simon Bolivar is a statue of Bolivar created by famed Ecuadorean artist Oswaldo Guayasamin.

Caluma – the town of Caluma is a hidden jewel well-worth a visit. Calling itself the “citrus capital” of Ecuador, Caluma also features excellent locally grown and roasted coffee,  and opportunities for rafting, fishing, and treks to one of its numerous cascades or natural pools. Tangerines, oranges, grapefruit and all manner of hybrids can literally be plucked off the branch of the nearest tree – largely thanks to a wonderfully warm and mild climate which varies little throughout the year.

Bosque Protector Cashca Totoras – The Bosque Protector Cashca Totoras, located in Boliver provice, forms part of the western Andean cordillera, and though parts of the forest are threatened by agricultural activities, it nonetheless contains one of Ecuador’s last remaining interandean montane forests. The forest serves as a habitat to hundreds of bird species, and has served as the base for numerous scientific investigations. Tours to the area can be obtained in Guaranda.

Riobamba & Chimborazo Volcano Climbing – the town of Riobamba is a great stepping off point for a climb up the mammoth Chimborazo Volcano, whether it be to the refuge or all the way to the summit.

Devil´s Nose & Alausi – these destinations form part of the path of the famed Nariz del Diablo (Devil´s Nose) railway, which departs out of Riobamba, and passes through the village of Alausi before cumulating in a serious of hair-raising switchbacks into the high Andes which gave the route its name.

Punín – the small town of Punín is most noted for the important archeological discoveries that have been made in the area: both the fossilized remains of animals from the Pleistocene era and human remains dating to 8000 BC have been unearthed, and many students and researchers come to the town to carry out studies. There is a fascinating and well organized paleontology museum documenting the local discoveries. Punín is located about 30 minutes from Riobamba.

El Altar – the caldron-shaped, eroded, jagged-edged peak of El Altar is unmistakable when glimpsed on the horizon. In Quichua, it is known as Cápac Urdu, or sublime mountain, and the peak is actually divided into 9 separate summits surrounding a central lagoon known as Mandar. The peak was once the highest in Ecuador, but a historic eruption blew off the top of the volcano. It is one of the most difficult and technical climbs in Ecuador, but admiring it from a distance and exploring the numerous nearby lagoons is also a worthwhile adventure. El Altar is located 45 kilometers southeast of Riobamba.

Chimborazo Reserve – even if you don´t plan on summiting the volcano, it is very well worth taking a trip into the 58,561 hectare Chimborazo Reserve to enjoy the trekking, biking, and wildlife viewing activities it affords. The park is populated with llamas, vicuñas, pumas, deer, condor, and various species of hummingbird, and wild quinoa – the sacred plant of the Incas – grows abundantly. The Reserve is located at about 30 minutes from Riobamba, making it an excellent destination for a day trip. The park has basic but decent infrastructure, meaning that camping is also an option.

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