2.850m above sea level in the middle of Andean mountains and volcano's: there is Quito, the capital of Ecuador. The highest capital in the world (La Paz in Bolivia is much higher at 3.600/4.000m - but it is not the capital of Bolivia). My last stop on my Ecuador travel and I spend almost 3 … Continue reading Quito – highest capital in the Andes
La Florestra is a nice residential area, filled with lots of street-art, nice cozy cafés. Happy to experience this area and stroll through the streets, since this is not at all typical for South American cities. I enjoyed a very nice 3 hour walking tour and got so much insights into Quito, La Florestra, a … Continue reading Street-art in Quito’s La Floresta
I still need a bit of time to sum-up my Ecuador experience - also in relations to the other countries (Colombia, Bolivia, Peru) which I visited. But I would love to share some pictures, which for me pretty much summarize the Andean region of South America.
A day-trip to Otaval,mostly known for its indigenous market, is one of the most popular trips from Quito. I decided to spend a little more time in the region, to combine: Otavalo + indigenous market Train trip to the North (touristy, I know - but I like train rides) Cotocachi Volcano and Cuicocha Laguna - horseback … Continue reading Otavalo and around
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”
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…