Category: Highlands
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The Yellow Lagoon – El Altar trekking
A first approach to hiking and mountaineering The “Laguna Amarilla” (4150 m.) or Yellow Lagoon is located in the crater of El Altar peak, in the Sangay National Park, within the Chimborazo Province. In the last years, trekking to this lagoon has become increasingly popular. Despite all the hours required to reach the lake, the…
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Cayambe Volcano (5790 m.)
When the coincidence meets the conditions, the magic comes General information Having reached this summit means a lot to me, after one failed attempt due to bad weather conditions and my own lack of strength after hours trying to hike up against the cruel wind. Unlike the previous mountains I have attempted, this second-attempt of…
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Swimming the San Pablo Lake
A different crossing for the adventurous The San Pablo Lake is the Ecuadorian biggest natural lake, located in the Imbabura province, about 5 minutes away from the Otavalo city. It is placed at almost 2662 m. It is at the foot of the majestic Imbabura Volcano (4640 m.). Its maximum length reaches about 3600 m.…
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Sincholagua
An electric peak Despite being among the 15 highest mountains of Ecuador, Sincholagua is not frequently visited. One of the reasons is related to its accessibility, since you will necessarily require a 4×4, unless you want to add many extra hours to your hike. The technical skills required for this mountain could also explain why…
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Yambo Lagoon
The enchanted lagoon Yambo Lagoon—often called the “Green Lake” for its intense emerald color—is one of the most intriguing natural attractions in Ecuador’s highlands. It is a long and narrow lagoon, with a longitude of 1 km and a width of 290 m. Yambo is a pluvial lagoon, with diverse groundwater divides. Its deepest part…
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Yanahurco de Mojanda
Yanahurco de Mojada is a 4280-m. mountain that along with some other peaks, circunvalates the Caricocha Lake (Laguna Grande). Laguna Grande, together with the Huarmicocha Lake (Laguna Negra) and the Chiriacu Lake (Laguna Chiquita), make the inactive volcano known as Mojanda. Thanks to its relatively low altitude, Yanahurco de Mojanda is a suitable option for…
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High mountains in Ecuador
Ecuador is the perfect destination for trekkers, hikers, and mountaineers. Crossed by the Andes, we have plenty of middle mountains (below 5.000 m), high mountains (above 5.000 m), with several types of treks and hikes along the mountain range. In Ecuador, a high mountain is above the 5.000 m., and is generally snow-covered on a…
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Latacunga (Cotopaxi)
Latacunga is an Andean city at about 2800 m., capital city of the Cotopaxi province. It is easily accessible, either by bus, individual car or a shared taxi; the trip from Quito usually takes 1 hours and 30 minutes. Latacunga is ideal for spending a day or two, before heading to nearby destinations, such as…
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Plaza de los ponchos (Otavalo)
The canton of Otavalo is a place of history and tradition, preserving centuries‑old artisanal practices in the production of textiles, which are sold in the “Plaza de los Ponchos” (The Ponchos Square), one of the largest traditional markets in South America. Plaza de los Ponchos, also known as Mercado Centenario, is a permanent fair, being…
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Open water swimming in Ecuador
Your ideal place for your next sports challenge While open water swimming culture is still not widely diffused in the country, improvements have been made in the last years. Thanks to the efforts of organizations and individuals who have been implementing open water swimming competitions and activities, the interest and participation has increased. Technically speaking,…