Ecuador travel
Tourist attractions in Ecuador
Explore the tourist attractions of Ecuador.
Tiagua cliffs
They are two large parallel blocks of rocks that run north-south, separated by a small intermediate valley where the tours take place. Several shallow caves have been formed in the walls in which the pre-Columbian natives used them as a refuge due to the remains of ceramics and other archaeological artifacts found.On the route there is a beautiful landscape and on both sides with rocky walls. There is a small stream that is used to provide water for the community of Salinas. Highlights of the Tiagua Caves The geological phenomenon is easily accessible from the center of the community of Salinas by a small entrance path, in the central square the vehicles are parked to start the tour. In addition to the rocky landscape that the site presents, you can easily climb to the top of the eastern rocky block, where the residents of Salinas have chosen a cross and it is a viewpoint from which you can see a good part of the Salinas River basin. Hikes through the Tiagua Caves: Walks and local tours are carried out with national and foreign visitors. Archaeological remains: Archaeological remains that belonged to the Valdivia culture have been found in the caves.
148.80 Km.
Colonia Isidro Ayora Spa
One of the best Spas in Mera Pastaza Reaching this attraction is quite easy, you have to take the road that leads to Colonia Isidro Ayora, the journey takes around 15 minutes on a second-order road, if you do not have your own vehicle you can rent a van in the central park, the approximate cost is 10 dollars. Being a natural spa, the main attraction are the natural pools that form the crystal clear waters of the Alpayaku River, mirrors of water in which the visitor can relax and enjoy the natural environment of that place. Mountain biking is another of the activities that can be carried out on the site, the route offers the optimal characteristics of difficulty and accessibility for both cycling enthusiasts and professionals; complementing the route is the natural environment and landscape typical of our geography, so a photographic camera is essential when capturing the best moments of the journey. The site has a large parking lot and food service, in the place dishes of our gastronomy are prepared such as Creole chicken broths, chicken dumplings, tilapia dumplings, coffee with green bolon and fried cassava. For more information you can contact the following phone number: Myrian León 0984387520
148.81 Km.
Fátima Spa
It is a pleasant destination to spend a weekend with family, friends or as a couple. Where you can have the best moments of relaxation. The site has sports courts ideal for having moments of recreation with those you love the most, where you can also have an afternoon of swimming and resting by the river; in addition to parking and food services. How to get to the Fátima spa? From Puyo: 7.8 kilometers from downtown Puyo. In the Fátima parish, kilometer 7 via Tena, 15 minutes from Puyo. Activities and services: Swimming Sports fields tubing Hike Feeding Entrance cost: The entrance to the spa is free Recommendations: Cap Repellent Photographic camera Bathing suit Source: Photographs from the Pastaza travel page.
148.94 Km.
Pindo Mirador Biological Station
Through permanent research, the Pindo Mirador Biological Station supports the improvement of the quality of life of fragile ecosystems, flora and fauna species; thus, it also seeks to disseminate the importance of native, endemic plants and those that hold great value for the communities of the area. At the Station, multiple studies of birds, mammals, herpetofauna and diversity of native flora have been carried out by altitude scales in the Cold Amazon; investigations that have allowed to know the diversity, richness, rarity, endemism and state of conservation of the species of the forests of the Station, belonging to the Province of Pastaza. The attractions that this biological station has to offer to the general public, educational institutions, tourists and the community are the following: Ecological routes Natural Viewpoints river walks Botanical Garden and Arboretum Water Collection Interpretation Center How to get to the biological station? 16 kilometers from the center of Puyo. Pindo Mirador sector. Detour at kilometer 14 of the road to Mera, kilometer 2 of the road to Pindo Mirador, approximately 30 minutes from Puyo by car. Entry Cost: Entrance to the station is completely free. Recommendations: Sunscreen. Photo cameras. Do not remove the plants that are inside the establishment. Parasol. Source: Information obtained from the magazine Pindo Mirador Biological Station, conservation area and Protection of Amazonian Natural Resources. Photographs obtained from the Pastaza Travel page.
149.14 Km.
Alpayaku River Ecological Trail in Mera Pastaza
Enjoy the pure air on the Alapayaku River Ecological Trail It is the favorite attraction of lovers of hiking and mountain biking, located a few minutes from the center of Mera we have a journey of approximately 2.5 kilometers that runs along the right bank of the Alpayaku river. The entire route is surrounded by the characteristic greenery of our canton, during its visit the traveler will be able to appreciate a wide variety of orchids, bromeliads, trees, birds and insects up close. Complementing the tour we have the natural crystalline water pools that form the river, places where the visitor can cool off and enjoy direct contact with nature, so we recommend wearing sportswear for the tour and warm for after the bath and for course a camera, essential item of any trip. More information with our local guides Frankie Lugo: 0995227433
149.32 Km.
Chimborazo volcano
The Chimborazo is the highest volcano and mountain in Ecuador and the furthest point from the center of the Earth because the Earth's diameter at the equatorial latitude is greater than at the Everest latitude (which is approximately 28 ° north) . Its last known eruption is believed to have occurred around 550 n.e It is located in the central Andes, 150 km southwest of Quito and 20 km northwest of Riobamba. Measured from the center of the earth, it is the highest mountain on the planet exceeding the height of Everest by two km. Until the 19th century, Chimborazo was considered the highest mountain on the planet. This reputation led to many attempts to conquer its peak, especially during the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1802, Baron Alexander von Humboldt, accompanied by Aimé Bonpland and the Ecuadorian Carlos Montúfar tried to climb to the summit, but gave up at 5875 masl because of the soroche (discomfort felt at the heights due to thinning of the air, also called pointing). At that point, the Baron was at the highest altitude reached by any European in written history. The first man who reached the summit was Edward Whymper with the brothers Louis and Jean Antoine Carrel in 1880. As there were many people who doubted this success, Whymper climbed again, on a different path the same year with the two Ecuadorians David Beltrán and Francisco Campaña. Chimborazo Volcano Location The top of Mount Chimborazo is only one degree south of Ecuador, so even though its elevation above sea level, which is 6,268 meters above sea level, 2530 m lower than Everest, is 6384.4 km from the center of the planet, which represents 1.5 km farther than the top of the Asian colossus. It is located 150 km southwest of Quito and 20 km northwest of Riobamba. The Chimborazo is surrounded by the Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve, which forms a protected ecosystem to preserve the habitat of the native camelids of the Andes such as vicuña, llama, and alpaca. How to get to Chimborazo Volcano? To get from Riobamba to the first Carrel refuge there is a distance of 50 km; Those who have private transportation must take the Panamericana Sur until the “Cemento Chimborazo” Factory, continue to San Juan and from there in 40 minutes you will reach the Carrel Refuge By public transport you can travel by bus, from the land terminal depart buses from the Bolivar Fleet twice daily (8:45 and 13h15) that pass through the Carrel refuge. Chimborazo Volcano Glaciers The upper part of Mount Chimborazo is completely covered by glaciers, with arms to the northeast that descend to 4,600 meters above sea level. Its glacier is the source of water for the population of the Ecuadorian provinces of Bolívar and Chimborazo. The Chimborazo glacier has declined in recent decades, apparently due to the combined influences of climate change, ash as a result of the recent volcanic activity of Tungurahua and the Phenomenon of the Child. As in other glaciers in the Ecuadorian highlands, the ice from the Chimborazo glaciers has been extracted by ice makers to be sold in the markets of Guaranda and Riobamba. In ancient times, people transported ice to coastal cities, such as Babahoyo and Vinces. Volcanism in the Chimborazo Volcano Chimborazo is predominantly a stratovolcano. About 35,000 years ago the eruption of Chimborazo produced an avalanche of rubble, the deposits of those underlying Riobamba. Then it erupted several times during the Holocene, the last time around 550 AD ± 150 years. The Geophysical Institute of Ecuador (IGE) considers the Chimborazo volcano as potentially active. Chimborazo Volcano Elevation With a height of 6,268 meters above sea level, Mount Chimborazo is the highest mountain and volcano in Ecuador. The summit of Mount Everest reaches a greater height above sea level, but the summit of Mount Chimborazo is the furthest point on the surface of the center of the Earth with Huascaran in second place. This is because the Earth's shape is a geoid of revolution, a sphere flattened by the poles, resulting in a bulge around the Earth's equator. This bulge is caused by the rotation of the Earth, and causes the diameter at the equator to be 43 km longer than the diameter of one pole to another. The Chimborazo is one degree south of Ecuador and the diameter of the Earth at the equator is greater than at the latitude of Everest (8848 masl), about 28 ° north. Despite being 2580 m lower than the height above sea level, it is 6384.4 km from the center of the Earth, 2168 m higher than the summit of Everest (6382.3 km from the center of the Earth). Point closest to the Sun Chimborazo Volcano The one who colloquially is known as "the point closest to the Sun" does not make it such. The inclination of the earth axis achieves, beyond the differences in height between the different points on the earth's crust, that the points closest to the Sun are, depending on the day and year, from those around the Tropic of Cancer (20- June 21, summer solstice in the northern hemisphere) to those bordering the Tropic of Capricorn (December 21-22, summer solstice in the southern hemisphere); on the other hand, the points of the globe on the equator are only candidates to be closest to the Sun in intermediate periods, of equinoxes (March 20-21, September 22-23). Such is the case, so little is the terrestrial topography compared to what influences the inclination of the axis of the Globe in the calculation of which points are closer to the Sun, than during some days, around the summer solstice in the hemisphere North, the point of greatest depression on the planet, located somewhere in the Mariana Trench (northern hemisphere), will be closer to the Sun than the top of Aconcagua itself, the highest point above sea level of the entire southern hemisphere. Chimborazo Volcano Climate Being at the foot of the Chimborazo its climate is cold, however, at noon the sun almost always shines on the city and sometimes the temperature reaches 13 degrees Celsius. Chimborazo Volcano Flora Regarding the best known plants are ferns, Azorella pads, gentians, chuquirahua, architect, chocho flower, achupallas, mosses and lichens. But the important thing about this ecosystem is the property of storing large amounts of water that seep into the earth because of the permeability of its soil, which leaks feed nearby lands by regulating the microclimate of the Sierra. Chimborazo Volcano Fauna The outstanding fauna is typical of the moor, mainly represented by dwarf deer, llamas, vicunas, deer, small rabbits, marsupial mice, wolfs of the moor, the cervicabra. Among the birds that are generally observed are the white-chested, long-beaked and long-tailed quindes, the curiquinges, the common piggy or eaglet and the king of the Andes the condor, in addition there are the animals introduced by man such as sheep, llamas, vicuñas and horses. Chimborazo's last ice maker The old tradition of the Chimborazo ice makers that still remains. Every Tuesday and Friday, the farmers of the town of Cuatro Esquinas go on donkeys from 06h00 to the Carlos Zambrano glacier. There with picks and shovels they remove the earth and discover the ice. They get blocks that weigh up to 30 kilos. They immediately wrap them with straw and begin their journey to the San Alfonso de Riobamba market where they sell them at a price between eight and ten dollars. The Chimborazo Volcano Landscape In the access road you can see unique landscapes such as the sunset in the moor while crossing, at full speed, a flock of vicuñas. In addition, from this volcano you can observe with patience the crossing of the train that descends between rocky alleys from Huigra and pinking the "Devil's Nose", towards Bucay, warm coastal canton. Mountaineering on the Chimborazo volcano This sport is practiced, by preference, in the King of the Ecuadorian Andes thanks to its imponderable beauty. The Liberator, Simón Bolívar, was the first to practice it. Snow Hostel At present, with the construction of the “Snow Hostel”, visitors have the facilities to spend the night in the volcano. Source: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volc%C3%A1n_Chimborazo https://www.ecured.cu/Volc%C3%A1n_Chimborazo Images: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:VolcanChimborazo.JPG https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AMA_Volc%C3%A1n_Chimborazo_3_(8226318049).jpg https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Volc%C3%A1n_Chimborazo_Chuquiragua.jpg https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chimborazo_01.jpg
149.73 Km.
Pambay River Dam Tourist Complex
It is a space where you can have a moment of relaxation, this complex also offers recreational activities for children and adults. In this place you can bathe in the river, in addition to being able to take some excellent photos with the bridge that it has, thus increasing your satisfaction when visiting this tourist complex. It has food and beverage services. It has parking service, it should be noted that the attraction has showers, bathrooms, dressing rooms and garbage cans How to get to the tourist complex? From Puyo: 7 minutes from the center of Puyo, by car on paved roads. Sweeping El Chofer, La Alborada sector, end of Quito street, or also entrance through side passage Carlomagno Andrade. Activities and services: River swimming Photography Tubing Fast food and drinks Entrance cost: The cost of admission to this tourist complex is completely free. Recommendations: Photographic camera Sunscreen Bathing suit. Source: Information and photographs acquired from Pastaza Travel.
153.31 Km.
Shell Dam Tourist Complex
It is located 500 meters away from the central park. It is an architectural manifestation that dams the waters of the Pindo river to be used as a spa and enjoy a refreshing swim or sailing in small boats, small stones painted with different messages on which you can take a break or why not take a souvenir photo . Its surroundings, with the charm of palm trees and flora typical of the area, allow you to enjoy yourself on two slides that invite fun and adventure; These slides are snake-shaped representing the fauna of the place. It also has soccer fields, stages for artistic presentations, food and beverage services. It has a parking service, it also has a tree house from which you can take an impressive view of the entire attraction. It should be noted that the attraction has showers, toilets, dressing rooms and garbage cans. Source: Shell Tourist Complex Facebook page, information and photos
153.69 Km.
Boardwalk Boayaku Puyu
In this sector you can find a wide variety of tourist attractions, as well as activities designed to delight visitors. You can enjoy the nature of the Puyo River, the beauty of its spas, typical foods, ecological tourism experiences, inns and places that keep the harmony of their land. Here you can walk, jog or bike along almost 2.5 kilometers of this relaxing path. In addition, you will see small cabins designed for barbecues, mini events, and even for playing sports on the simple courts that you will find near the booths. Thus, the ecological path of the Malecon Boayacu Puyu seems to be the product of the international ingenuity of the jungle, by presenting different options to relax and have fun in the same place. How to get? Puyo: Cotopaxi Street, Obrero neighborhood. 5 minutes by car from the center of the city of Puyo. Activities and services: lookout photographic shots walking trails Flora Observation Observation of Monuments Sports Practice (Indor-Soccer and Basketball) Children's recreational area (children's games) Food and beverage services. Recommendations: Bring a camera Sunscreen Comfortable clothes Source: Photographs obtained from the Pastaza Travel page.
154.36 Km.
Central Park May 12
The Central Historic District 12 de Mayo is where the central park of Puyo is located and it is also here where the city was born, being the capital of the province of Pastaza, the neighborhood has important historical buildings such as the Cathedral run by the Dominican order , Parque Central 12 de Mayo is currently remodeled. For some decades the transformation that this sector has experienced is evident. Today it is a place of entertainment for children and a meeting place for those people who are used to conversing and even for couples in love. It is the perfect place to have a good time to strengthen ties between the family since it has a park where you can take care of and live with the youngest members of the family and why not have a romantic moment with your partner observing the gardens with those that this Park has. How to get to the place? Puyo: Sucre Street and October 9, in Puyo. Activities and Services: Photography Recreation flora observation walks Childish games Recommendations: Photographic camera Parasol sunscreen Comfortable clothes Source: Photographs obtained from the Pastaza Travel page.
155.15 Km.
Puyo Ethno-Archaeological Museum
Anthropological museum that exhibits replicas of the different houses and has archaeological pieces of great cultural value. Among its most notable pieces are funerary vessels made of Amazonian clay, stone pieces and hand tools used by the aborigines of Pastaza. Some of these pieces date back to more than 2,000 years B.C. When you visit the place you will be able to find replicas of the different types of huts or typical houses made in their own style and functionality. The explanations provided are very illustrative for fans of anthropology and archeology. How to get to the Museum? Puyo: Calle 9 de Octubre, between Francisco de Orellana and Atahualpa in Puyo. Activities and Services: Interpretation of the seven indigenous nationalities of Pastaza Archeology Representations of ethnic dwellings Guided tour Entrance cost: Admission to the museum is completely free, but donations are also accepted. Schedule: Wednesday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., available by appointment at other times. Recommendations: Bring a camera
155.26 Km.
Kushni Pakcha waterfall
Buoy and keel recreation, hydromassage, swimming, flora and fauna observation, hiking, walking, Kichwa dance presentations from the community, tasting of traditional dishes, photography. How to get there: Leaving the city of El Coca, road to Loreto, San Luis de Armenia Parish, Alto Manduro community (27 km) Hours of Operation: Wednesday to Sunday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
155.31 Km.
We have 413 tourist attractions listed in Ecuador.