Laguna Quilotoa is a volcanic crater lake at 3.800 m, located within the active volcano Quilotoa, last major eruption over 850 years ago. We hopped on a truck at 9 am in the morning: a 45 min drive to Quilotoa. There we started our hike around the crater rim. And of course we happened to … Continue reading Day hike to Laguna Quilotoa
I'm amazed by Canyon's. Most of the time they are very well hidden, carved into the rocks by strong natural forces, very steep or less steep, with high plateaus or without. This one here is certainly not as impressive as the Colca Canyon that I hiked in Peru, yet it was still worth a hike. … Continue reading Four hour hike in Toachi Canyon
A steep climb up to the ridge (approx. at 3.600m) of the mountains behind The Black Sheep Inn - but worth it, since it presents another amazing view of the surrounding area. We had lots of wind on our hike,especially on the top, a dramatic sky and perfect views!
A short, approx. 2-hour hike starting directly from Black Sheep Inn, lead me down into a canyon, along the canyon - including sheep's on the way - up through a tiny rock chasm, and... I was rewarded with a steep view down into the canyon on the other side. Walking along the path is nothing … Continue reading Hiking the “Skywalk”
Since I wanted to be on top the mountains rather than in the valley, The Black Sheep Inn, a ECO Lodge in the middle of the Andes, seemed like a good idea. Promising day hikes, yoga and a hot tub & sauna - exactly what I needed for a view days. My stay exceeded my … Continue reading Right in the middle of the Andes: Black Sheep Inn
Baños (de Agua Santa), was praised by Lonelyplanet & co. as the action adventure place of Ecuador. A small holiday spot at 1.800 m with thermal springs and waterfalls. Surrounded by lush green forests and the neighbouring volcano Tungurahua. I stayed here for 2 days, cutting down from a planned three - because I realized, … Continue reading Baños: Biking not bathing
Leaving Riobamba with a short glimpse of Chimborazo volcano in the back. Arrived in Banos in the valley next to Tungurahua (5.023m), an active volcano located in the Cordillera Oriental of Ecuador, at the northern end of Sanguay National Park. The busride, which went around the volcano, revealed the geological structures formed by the past … Continue reading Baños (de Agua Santa) and volcano Tungurahua
... or maybe I just had a bad day. Traveling from Cuenca to Riobamba by bus was horrible: Full, smelly, no working A/C, super loud TV (yes, my noice canceling headphones saved me a bit...), little baby next to me (with smelling diaper after a few hours), stops every other minute to pick someone up. … Continue reading Some places suck…
A very picturesque city in the southern part of Ecuador is Cuenca. Located at 2.500 m after descending from the Southern Central Highlands, just about 40 min from Cajas National Park. Gorgeous old houses, cathedral and various churches.Cuenca is the “home” of the Panama hat. I really did not know, that the hat origins in … Continue reading Beautiful city Cuenca and the “Panama” hat
As soon as I pass through mountains I want to hike them. With a guided day tour I went to Cajas National Park. The hike starts at Laguna Llaviuci (3.100m), close to the Park's entrance and marks the park`s lowest elevation area. Thus, the vegetation here is mainly cloud / mountain forest. Very tropical, yet … Continue reading A walk in the park: 1 day hike in Cajas National Park