Welcome to Riobamba
Riobamba has a strong indigenous presence, which grows to wonderfully colorful proportions during the Saturday market, but the city’s layout, large arcaded plazas and architecture are imposing reminders of Spanish colonization. The colonial center is a nice maze of churches and narrow streets, but it also feels a bit urban and diesel-choked. The 'Americanization' of the center, with KFC and other copy-cat fast food joints, is a bit disconcerting.
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Riobamba activities
Andes 2-Day Tour from Quito with Avenue of the Volcanoes Train
Day 1: Quito -- RiobambaAfter pickup from your hotel in Quito, listen to commentary from your guide of the 185-mile (300-km) Avenue of the Volcanoes. Admire scenic landscapes and gaze with awe at Ecuador’s highest mountain peaks. You’ll be amazed by the breathtaking views of Cayambe, Sangay, El Altar and more, each of them towering over 16,00 feet (5,000 meters).Stop for a brief visit in Cotopaxi National Park, one of Ecuador’s most visited ecological reserves, with plenty of great photo opportunities. Reaching a height of 19,350 feet (5,900 meters), Cotopaxi volcano is one of the highest volcanoes on earth. Relax here as you enjoy lunch (not included) and rest assured – although active, Cotapaxi hasn’t erupted since 1904.After you arrive in Riobamba, enjoy dinner (not included) and spend your evening at leisure. Overnight: a typical hacienda of the region (category - first)Day 2: Riobamba -- Quito (B) After breakfast is served at your accommodation, depart for the train station in Alausí. From here, board the train (subject to change) for a 2-hour ride, zigzagging around sweeping slopes as you gaze out the open windows, and snap photos of the panoramic views along the way. Head toward Devil’s Nose, a rock wall jutting skyward, as you listen to commentary from an expert guide. Then return to Alausí for a box lunch (not included) before transport back to your Quito hotel in the afternoon.
6-Day Hiking in the Ecuadorian Andes
Day 1: Trekking in Isinlivi (L,D) Today we'll have very nice car ride from Quito to the avenue of volcanoes; including the Pasochoa, Rumiñahui, Illinizas and others. After arriving in Isinlivi, we'll enjoy our lunch and go for our first trekking exploration. Trekking time: 3hour Accommodation: Hostal Llullu Llama Day 2: Trekking through the Toachi Canyon & Chugchilan (B,L,D) The magic Andean mountain landscapes inspire us today on a trek along the Toachi canyon. We'll hike down to the canyon of the Toachi River and then back up to the main road that will take us to Chugchilan, a small town located on the middle of the Quiltoa loop. In the afternoon we can explore the village. Trekking time: 4hour Accommodation: Hostal Mama Hilda Day 3: Chugchilan to Quilotoa (B,L,D) After breakfast, we'll begin our hiking adventure for 11km (6,9 miles) on small trails blazed by the mountain people and still used by locals to transport products and to travel across canyons to reach neighboring communities. We'll hike down across impressive canyons to later climb back up to the top of the crater rim, where you will be rewarded with beautiful views of the Quilotoa Lake. Trekking time: 4.5-hours Accommodation: Hosteria Shalala Day 4: Trekking to the Quilotoa Crater Lake (B) After breakfast, we'll take a hike down to the base of the Quilotoa crater. Following this path, you will have an awesome view of the lake and many chances to take pictures of the turquoise water-filled caldera. In the afternoon we get a transfer to the area of Riobamba, located in the central part of the Ecuadorian highlands. Trekking time: 2.5-hours Accommodation: Chimborazo lodge Day 5: Chimborazo Highest Volcano and Ba ños Hot Springs (B,L) Early in the morning, we'll drive through valleys and farming villages towards the Chimborazo Volcano, the highest mountain in Ecuador with an elevation of 6310 meters above sea level, whose summit is the world farthest point from the center of the earth. On the hike to the glacier, we can spot animals such as the Andean condor, cara-cara, hummingbirds, and the timid wild Vicuñas. In the evening we will soak in the famous hot springs of Baños and experience the thriving night life of this town. Trekking time: 2.5-hour Accommodation: La Floresta Hotel Day 6: Hike to the Road of Waterfalls (B) Baños is very well known for its spectacular location right on the foothills of the Tungurahua active volcano. This morning we'll hit the road of the waterfalls. The first stop will be at the Bride's Veil waterfall where we'll take the Tarabita (cable car) to get across the Pastaza River. Then we'll hike down for 1-hour to the Pailon del Diablo waterfall, the second highest in Ecuador. In the afternoon drive back to Quito.
Inca Trail - Ecuador
Day 1.- Baños- Riobamba-AchupallasWe depart from Baños at 5:00 am and drive to Achupallas (3400 m). We will get there at 10:00 am and start our 5 hour hike to Cuchi Corral. Later we will have dinner and enjoy the night under the start at our campsite.Day 2 - Laguna Tres Cruces-Paredones ruinsWe will hike 5 hours to Paredones ruins, where we will explore the ancient site. Then we will relax and have dinner, while camp is pitched.Day 3- Paredones -Tambo Cajon-IngapircaToday we will hike to Ingapirca! We will stop for lunch at the small village of Tambo Cajón. From there, we will be able to see the distant Inca Walls. At 4.00 pm we will arrive there. We will enjoy a guided tour of the site and explore the cultural museum. Then we will drive back to Cuenca or Riobamba.
Route of Volcanoes from Quito to Guayaquil in 5-Days
Day 1: Quito – Quilotoa Crater LakeFrom Quito your professional guide takes you south, following the Avenue of Volcanoes. Today, you visit the stunning blue-green Quilotoa Crater Lake, situated in the crater of the Quilotoa Volcano. You have the opportunity to walk down to the crater to admire this impressive art of nature from a different perspective. Next, you travel to the town of Lasso, where you spend the night in a colonial hacienda. (Box lunch included) Day 2: Cotopaxi National Park and rose plantationAfter a delicious breakfast, you continue your Andean adventure to the Cotopaxi National Park to visit the Limpiopungo Lake and admire the volcano from here. The Cotopaxi Volcano measures 5897 meters and its iconic snow-capped peak can be seen from the entire area. Next, your guide brings you to a rose plantation (closed on weekends) to learn about the production process of one of the most important export products of the country. You spend the night in a charming hacienda in Riobamba. (Breakfast and lunch included) Day 3: Devil’s Nose train and Ingapirca Inca ruinsYou wake up in Riobamba at the foothills of the Chimborazo Volcano. Today you travel to Alausí to experience the Andean Mountains from a different perspective in the famous Devil’s Nose train. Subsequently, you continue your way south to visit Ingapirca, the largest Inca ruins of Ecuador and once a very important fortress for the Inca Empire. The final destination of today is Cuenca, where you spend the night. (Breakfast and box lunch included) Day 4: Cuenca city tourYou spend the day exploring the colonial city of Cuenca, the third largest city of the country and according to some the most beautiful. Thanks to the well-maintained colonial center, impressive churches, riverbanks, and charming squares, it is a delight to wander around the streets of Cuenca. The city's friendly climate completes this wonderful day. (Breakfast included) Day 5: Cajas National Park – Arrival at GuayaquilOn the last day of your Andean adventure you pass Cajas National Park while traveling from Cuenca to Guayaquil. At an altitude of around 4000 meters, you enjoy the beauty of Laguna Toreadora. This lake is surrounded by mountains where the largest hummingbird in the world can be seen. Afterwards you continue to Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city, where the guide drops you off at the requested location. (Breakfast included)
3-Day Altar Volcano Trekking Tour to Laguna Amarilla from Riobamba
Day 1: Departure from Riobamba City - Hike to Altar Refuge (6 hr. hike) (L, D)Start the day in the beautiful city of Riobamba, our guides will pick you up at your accommodation hotel around 9:00 AM. After an hour ride by private transportation, arrive at a large hacienda located in the Sangay National Park (height of 3070 m.a.s.l.). Here, with the help of your guide, you will get ready and mount all the necessary equipment on the horses and begin the adventure. Depending on the weather, you may catch sight of Altar Volcano in the distance next to the Collanes River valley. The hike is approximately 6 hours until you reach the Refuge of “El Altar” which is located at an altitude of 3830 m.a.s.l.Dinner and overnight at Collanes Refuge.Day 2: Collanes Valley - Laguna Amarilla Hike (B, L, D)Start the day with a delicious breakfast. Afterwards, get ready for a hike through the Valley of Collanes towards Laguna Amarilla,the crater of Altar volcano. Laguna Amarilla translates to Yellow Lake, and the name comes from its beautiful greenish and yellowish color. The view is amazing and from the plateau, at an altitude of 4,300 m (14,108 ft), the highest point of the trek, you will have a stunning view over the crater lake and the snow-capped peaks of the Altar Volcano. You will reach a platform at a height of 4300 m.a.s.l. (the highest point of this trekking tour). After a rest and some time to enjoy the site, get ready to return to the Refuge.Dinner and overnight at Collanes Refuge.Day 3: Return to Riobamba (B, L)In the morning, after breakfast, hike down to the hacienda and starting point of this trip, to then ride to Riobamba at be back at 2:00 PM approx.* IMPORTANT NOTE: You will hike between four and six hours over the Andean Trails every day. The trek starts at an altitude of 3,830 m (12,566 ft), you will reach the highest point of the trek at 4,300 m (14,108 ft) on the second day. The trek goes up and down over muddy trails and steep hills. Be mentally prepared to be hiking through the deep mud for several hours. What to Bring: Warm, and also light comfortable waterproof clothing, hiking boots, several pairs of socks, they will get wet and muddy every day. You should also bring a full set of clean clothes so you can get changed when you reach the hut. Water bottle, sunblock, sunglasses, pocket money, and passport.
Devil's Nose Train and Ingapirca from Riobamba
Experience two of the most interesting destinations in our country. After hotel pick up in Riobamba you will travel to Alausi, a little town considered a national heritage. In this charming town you will take the train known as "The Devil’s Nose". In its day it was considered one of the greatest feats of engineering that the world had seen.This railway was built in 1899 with the intent of linking the coastal city of Guayaquil with the highlands capital of Quito. This amazing ride traverses and descends an almost perpendicular mountain face by using switchbacks. Many lives were lost in the construction of this extraordinary railway. There are two options after the train excursion. You will return to Riobamba or you can continue to Cuenca.In the second option, our trip continues on the Pan-American Highway to Ingapirca, which is the major Inca archeological site in Ecuador. You will have the chance to appreciate one of the most important Inca structures, an elliptical platform known as the “Sun’s Temple”. Courtyards, terraces and various other ruins are found here as well.