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Tulcán

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Tourist attractions in Tulcán

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Chilma Archaeological Site
cultural

Chilma Archaeological Site

It is postulated that Chilmá was an essential place for the cultivation of corn as well as other useful plants for the international market of the mindalaes. Perhaps the chonta wood and the fern were products that were collected in these places to take them to the high mountain areas. Evidence of snails of the Strombus family or Malea sp. They also support the idea that Chilmá is on the route to the Esmeralda coast. According to Max Uhle (1928) in the large bohíos parties and cults were held or they were dwelling places for the caciques, they were generally located in high parts, hills, foothills. In the case of petroglyphs there is no extensive and exact study of their meaning, possibly it was a form of communication. State of conservation Due to lack of studies and maintenance in the archaeological site, the remains are deteriorating. Location They are located in the Hoya de Maldonado, community of Chilmá and Chilmá Bajo

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Green lagoons
natural

Green lagoons

They are a complex of three small lagoons located to the south-west of the Chiles Volcano in the province of Carchi in northern Ecuador. Considered a true scenic beauty due to the contrast of the coloration of the lagoons and the environment. They originate as a result of internal springs and slopes of the Chiles Volcano. They owe their name to the emerald green color of their waters resulting from a high content of chemical substances, especially sulfur. Three of its lagoons are the largest and have an approximate diameter of 200 meters. The landscape that these lagoons show in clear dawns is incredible, it has allowed to photograph images published worldwide, gaining the attention of thousands of observers, a true scenic beauty due to the contrast of the coloration of the lagoons and the environment. Among the activities that can be done in this beautiful place are: walks, photography, appreciation of flora and fauna. Location They are located to the south-west of the Chiles Volcano, 2 kilometers from its point of ascent towards the volcano, 20 kilometers to the north-west of the Tufiño parish and 40 kilometers from Tulcán, capital of the province of Carchi.

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Chiles Volcano
natural

Chiles Volcano

It is an interesting volcanic complex, which has glaciers, but remains with snow on the flanks, inside the caldera. At the foot of the volcano sits the Chiles páramo surrounded by frailejones and pajonales adorned with endemic flowers of various colors such as rosa urco (exotic Andean flower). It is the habitat of numerous condors, turtledoves, partridges and sparrowhawks. The fog that appears in this place is quite dense, especially in the morning and afternoon due to temperature changes.It presents an irregular relief with quite high rock formations as a result of the different volcanic eruptions. From its slopes you can see the Maldonado Valley. El Chiles is the ideal place for those who like adventure, mountaineering, walks, trekking; Considered a border landmark between Ecuador and Colombia, surrounded by frailejones and pajonales adorned with exotic multicolored flowers such as rosa urco (exotic Andean flower). Where is the Chiles volcano located? The Chiles Volcano is an elevation that is located in the geographical domain of the Western Cordillera, in the province of Carchi and is at a distance of 38 kilometers from the city of Tulcán to the south west of the parish of Tufiño on the border with Colombia. .

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Aguas Hediondas Ecotourism Complex
natural

Aguas Hediondas Ecotourism Complex

Its name is due to the high concentration of sulfur in the fluid. For this reason, a penetrating steam surprises the visitor as soon as he arrives at the place. The sulfur content in the water causes the place to have a strong smell of sulfur that is felt more intensely after 6:00 p.m. Carchenses and inhabitants of southern Colombia come to cure their ailments. The water jumps between the sharp rocks and tinges the surface with a greenish yellow. There, tourists take advantage of the heat and force of the water to massage their bodies. A unique place in the middle of the moor that benefits the physical and mental health of the tourists who visit it. The waters are used to cure diseases such as arthritis, sinusitis, bone pain, varicose veins and skin problems, they are contraindicated for people with high blood pressure and heart problems. There are several swimming pools, changing rooms and parking to facilitate the visitor's stay in the place. How to get? From Tufino: The Aguas Hediondas hot springs are 6 km from the Tufiño parish, the time to travel this distance is 30 minutes. Highlights of the Aguas Hediondas Complex Aguas Hediondas ComplexFrom the natural slope runs a tributary whose flow is stored 30 meters below, in a complex of hot and cold water pools. The place has an impressive panorama: a cliff of the Chiles that serves as a backdrop and in front of it there is a large natural grandstand, formed by the rocks and the magma that an eruption caused one day and in one of the highest cliffs , the image of the Virgin of the Rosary. Outside there are two pools with temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius, while inside there are baths that reach 59 degrees, in which you can cook an egg in 15 minutes, something that the little ones enjoy doing. Prices Adults $1.50 Children $0.75 Recommendations The use of swimwear (fabric cap and swimsuit) is mandatory. Bring towels and sandals for personal use Do not bring food into the pools. The entry of people with high blood pressure or heart problems is prohibited.

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Vague Goblin Waterfall
natural

Vague Goblin Waterfall

It is a 4m wide waterfall with several falls, in its last fall there is a small ford. He has a jump of 7m. The water is transparent and clear, it has a temperature of 18ºC. This waterfall is canyoned, surrounded by rock and abundant shrubby and herbaceous flora. Here you can see natural vegetation such as ferns, anthuriums, guabos, some species of the Rubiaceae, Piperaceae, and Araceae families. The slopes that it presents in the place of the attraction are abrupt, it has the Humid Megathermal Tropical climate. A trail leads to the waterfall allowing easy access to the attraction. In it you can find miramelindos that give color to this place due to their striking colors.In the environment there are fruit trees, especially bananas, oranges, lemons, among others that are daily food for the population that inhabits this place and are also a source of food for birds such as tanagers and banana trees, as well as for mammals such as foxes and bats. Legend of the Vague Goblin El Duende Vago is a Popular Legend from northern Ecuador. The goblins in Carchi are melodic and passionate, they love music and they are dancers. The elves live near the waterfalls, where they remain in their magical celebrations until an unsuspecting person catches a glimpse of them. This legend is part of the popular imagination, which is transmitted from generation to generation, that the word never shuts up, never dies. A young man named Rolando – who is our main character – will take us through the narrative of this story. He is fishing in a river near the community. However, his activity is interrupted by the sound of approaching drums. Rolando was completely focused on fishing, so he didn't realize that the Goblin started throwing small stones at him, to get his attention. He was "entitled" as possessed by this entity of the forest. The Duende likes to see people as sleepwalkers, without wanting to do anything, they are sleepy and never want to eat, that's where his name "El Duende Vago" comes from.

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Chical River
natural

Chical River

La topografía de esta microcuenca es irregular con pendientes moderadas y fuertes, con relieve montañoso y ondulado en donde se asientan los cultivos y huertas de los colonos, razón por lo que pueden observarse pastizales y pequeños manchones de bosque y matorral. Se aprecia grandes cantidades de rocas y troncos que han sido arrastrados por la corriente. Por otro lado, existen diversas especies de árboles y arbustos en los que crecen las bromelias (Tillandsia sp.) También predominan la caña brava y caña guadúa. Ubicación Se encuentra dentro de la parroquia chical, del cantón Tulcan.

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Manaquer Archaeological Museum
cultural

Manaquer Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum is a recent area of the House of Ecuadorian Culture Benjamín Carrión Núcleo del Carchi inaugurated on December 8, 2006, which had the support and advice of the INPC for the adaptation of spaces and exhibitions. This museum maintains 740 archaeological pieces corresponding to the cultural profile of the peoples who initially inhabited what is now Carchi, standing out pieces from the Negative phase of Carchi or Capulí, Tuncahuan, El Ángel or Piartal and Cuasmal, Tuza or Pasto. The museum consists of three different areas, the first corresponds to the archaeological phase of Manaquer in which the chronological phases of this culture such as Capulí, Piartal and Tusa are exposed, each one identified by the dates and characteristics of the ceramics exhibited there. Atractivos vasijas botijuelas compoteras se exhiben a turistas y estudiantes quienes además aprenden de las costumbres. trabajo y tradiciones flora y fauna del lugar Location It is located in the Tufiño parish, of the Tulcan canton on the borders with the neighboring country Colombia.

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Tulcan cathedral
cultural

Tulcan cathedral

It is a wonderful architectural church that has magnificent images of artistic value. It has an altar carved in gold leaf. Its restoration culminated in the year 2000. The remodeling of the Cathedral adopted a modernist style. Its interior is in the Romantic style, with classical-style altars. The façade was set back with a stone plinth and a tower finish. It has a monumental portal, with three domed naves, three fronts and relevant samples such as the Virgen de las Lajas and La Dolorosa belonging to the Padre Bedón School, as well as oil paintings.It has an impressive Altar of the Lord of Good Hope with the carved executioner, in colonial style. Also, the image of the Virgen de la Visitación stands out, considered the protector of Tulcán, from earthquakes. Its decoration arouses the attention of visitors to this Cathedral, as the capitals have internal columns covered with grapes and acanthus leaves. Address The cathedral church of Tulcán is located a few steps from the Plaza de la Independencia. On Av. Sucre and Pichincha. Highlights of the Cathedral of Tulcán Architecture of the Cathedral of Tulcán: Tulcán Cathedral The Cathedral has an Altar of the Virgen del Carmen, in gold leaf and classic style. It has an impressive Altar of the Lord of Good Hope with the carved executioner, in colonial style. sculptures: The image of the Virgen de la Visitación stands out, considered the protector of Tulcán, from earthquakes. Among the plastic arts belonging to this temple, the Sculpture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, La Inmaculada, San Pedro, San Judas Tadeo, San José, San Francisco with the children, Virgen del Tránsito, El Señor de la Columna, San Vicente Ferrer stand out. , Santa Teresita, San Cayetano, San Martín de Porres, Our Lady of Fatima and Santa Marinita de Jesús. Recommendations Take pictures without flash Help preserve the collections Do not enter food Do not enter with suitcases and large packages

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Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
cultural

Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church

It is composed of an interesting architecture, contains images of the Virgin, the shepherds draw attention to the craftsmanship in its finishes. It is located in the heart of the city, in it is the conventual center of the Community of Capuchin Fathers. The Church has an aesthetic influence on the modernist facade, straight with an octave, on two levels with a stone plinth, cornice finish and composite portal. It has a Latin cross with chapels in transept naves. Among the relevant samples, the Image of the Divine Shepherdess (Patron Saint of the Capuchins) stands out, of great cultural value and among the plastic arts, there are paintings such as the Virgen de la Dolorosa and that of Hermano Miguel, made by Falconí Dillon. The highlights of the San Francisco Church ​Architecture: Neoclassical in style, it was built from 1875 with the arrival of the Order of the Capuchin Fathers of Saint Francis of Assisi, who established the church based on plans by Father Luís de Beltrán of Central American origin. The facade is straight ochave, with exposed stone plinth, the facade finish is cornice, molding and ornamentation with band boxes and flat keys, the foundations are stone, the walls are brick and the roof is tile and wood. It has approximately 1200m2 of construction. How to get? From Tulcán, located in the center of the city, on Bolívar and García Moreno streets.

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Isidro Ayora Park
cultural

Isidro Ayora Park

It is one of the most modern parks in the City of Tulcán. With its green areas, pools, and it is also the preferred place for family walks, as well as a strategic site for fairs and different sporting and artistic events. Located in the central commercial part of the city. Here is the point of departure and arrival of public transport to and from Colombia. The lighting of the pools enhance the monument of the liberator, the same as it is an astonishment to the architectural style. The architect of this urban space was the architect Gato Sobral and the design can be seen from the sky. The peculiarity of the park is the position of the statue of Abdón Calderón on horseback, the entire sculpture is supported only on one of the animal's legs and is practically floating in the air. Inside the park there was a beautiful lagoon on which small boats took the citizens, years later they were changed for pools. In the center of the park there is also a sundial that marks the time, its original design is still preserved despite the remodeling that took place in these spaces for half a century.

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José María Azael Municipal Cemetery
cultural

José María Azael Municipal Cemetery

The green cypress sculptures created by José María Azael Franco Guerrero, for whom the park is named. They are replicas of characters from the pre-Columbian, Augustinian and Arab periods. The work occupies the left front part of the church cemetery and is called God's Altar, while the rear garden is called Parque de los Recuerdos. The cypresses grow strongly in the Tulcán Cemetery thanks to the calcareous soil of the place. From the tenth year of the tree's life they begin to shape them according to the wishes and imagination of the artist-gardener at each moment. There are 309 sculptures made of cypress distributed in the four hectares of garden area of ​​the 8 hectares that the cemetery has in total. Along with the 309 topiary works, there are more than 12,400 niches among those of the columbariums, burial mounds and mausoleums. One of the curiosities of the Tulcán Cemetery is that the figures, according to their theme, divide the cemetery into two zones. The first with the flora and fauna is called "Park of memories" and the second with the rest of the forms is the "Altar of God" where we can see semicircular arches, monolithic figures, masks or vessels among other things. Style The cypress figures called sculpture in green, found in the cemetery have a Greek, Egyptian, Inca, Arabic style, and natural forms. Currently you can see figures referring to the fauna of the Galapagos Islands, idols and masks of the indigenous cultures of Ecuador, Gothic columns, arches, among many others. How to get? Located in Tulcán on Av. Cementerio and Cotopaxi, in the center of the city, a few meters from Parque Isidro Ayora. It is a work of art built in 1936, on cypress trees, it is a green sculpture with representation of the Egyptian, Roman, Ecuadorian, Inca cultures as well as representative animals of Ecuador. On May 28, 1984, the work was declared "Cultural Heritage of the State" by the Institute of Cultural Heritage of Ecuador. On August 23 of the same year, the National Directorate of Tourism declares it, together with its interior gardens, as a "Natural Site of National Tourist Interest"

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awá bioanthropological reserve
natural

awá bioanthropological reserve

It is inhabited by the Awá community, aborigines who maintain their cultural traditions within a semi-jungle vegetation with large forests and plains, a mountain rich in flora and fauna, ideal for bird watching, typical of the region.It has an extension of 120,000 hectares that are shared by the provinces of Carchi and Esmeraldas. In the surroundings there are portions of remnants of subtropical and tropical forest. It is presumed that in the areas of human occupation there are subsistence agricultural and livestock activities, as well as wood extraction and hunting to a lesser degree. The existence of 170 species is known, among which there are several threatened with extinction, which in turn are endemic. This reserve is suitable for those who enjoy ecological walks. How to get? From Tulcán: By private vehicle or public transport 125 km from Tulcán along the Maldonado - Tobar Donoso road, then continue about 6 hours on foot to the Awá village. recommendations Wear suitable clothing: wearing long-sleeved clothing will prevent you from being bitten by mosquitoes and insects. It is also important to wear special pants that dry quickly for expeditions. Avoid dehydration Don't get off the road Protect your electronic devices: The humidity of the jungle can seriously affect electronic devices, so it is convenient to store them in sealed bags. Backpack instead of suitcase

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Customs house
cultural

Customs house

Its construction began in 1933 and ended in 1936, with materials such as brick and stone in its structure, roof is made of bahareque and concrete, in the central part it is made of glass due to the new remodeling. Its style is eclectic with neoclassical influence, applied to traditional Ecuadorian architecture typical of the early twentieth century. It is surrounded by modern buildings, customs controls and immigration; Very close is the current Rumichaca International Bridge. The height is 10.7m, the facade is divided into three floors. The windows are semicircular arches, Ionic and Corinthian columns, topped with cornices and a triangular pediment where the name of the customs police is installed with a balustrade that delimits the terrace where the Ecuadorian coat of arms is on the sill. The plinth is made of stone, molding and ornamentation, balustrade, pediment, stone foundations, brick walls and earthenware cover.

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Rumichaca International Bridge
cultural

Rumichaca International Bridge

Rumichaca comes from two Quechua words, rumi which means stone and chaca which means bridge. As a whole Rumichaca means "Stone Bridge". It is the main border crossing between the nations of Ecuador and Colombia located on the Guáitara River. It is a natural bridge, structured by Huayna Capac, the Inca sovereign, for the passage of his troops, over the tortuous Guáitara River that forms the spectacular river canyon at this site. It is located in the Nudo de los Pastos or Huaca, considered by the indigenous people to be the navel of the universe and since ancient times it was part of the path of the indigenous pastures. On the natural bridge rise the customs houses of Colombia and Ecuador, built around 1932 and 1936 respectively; they have witnessed the passage of time and a great example of republican architecture. The commercial exchange between Colombia and Ecuador is intense, and makes this route the main artery through which most of the products of these nations pass. In 1972 the concrete bridge known as international was inaugurated, a few meters further east of the natural bridge, which is part of the Pan-American Highway. Location It is located on the Colombian-Ecuadorian border, 3 kilometers from Ipiales (Nariño), and 7 kilometers from Tulcán (Carchi). recommendations You can cross the bridge on foot, without any problem. It is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Do not forget to stamp your exit passport at Migration Ecuador and entry at Migration Colombia if your entry is for a prolonged stay. If your entry is short to Colombia, until Ipilaes you can only present the ID. This trip only takes 15 minutes by taxi.

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Tulcán

Tulcán

Carchi, Ecuador

About Tulcán

Region

sierra

Province

Carchi

Discover Tulcán, a charming city in the province of Carchi, in the sierra region of Ecuador. A destination for visitors who want to explore the cultural and natural richness of Ecuador.

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