Category: Ecuador Travel Articles

A biking advetnure across the Andean Paramo in Antisana Geological Reserve Our adventure Antisana bike tour towards Antisana Ecological Reserve began early on a Sunday morning. My travel companion is Carlos a fellow travel agent, neither of us has a specialized knowledge in biking other that urban biking. The meeting point was set in north-central part of the Quito city, where a van with bikes on the roof is waiting for us. The Antisana Reserve is located 50km south-east from Quito, between Pichincha and Napo provinces, the threshold between the Andean Sierra and the Amazon. The ride takes about 1 hour riding the Interoceanica Highway towards Pifo then then through Av. Ruminahui which leads to the Colibrí Roundabout towards the lovely town of Píntag . Our first stop is right between Pintag and the entrance to the Ecological Reserve at a lovely sport called Tambo Condor, restaurant and viewpoint. Here we have breakfast right next to Secas Lagoon, one of the many in the area product of the natural damming of former eruptions of Antisana Volcano. The area offers an outstanding view, it is cradled by a rocky mountain and a crag settled by the millenary Andean Condor. Breakfast Breakfast served by its very kind owner Vladimi Ushina. Fresh coffee, scrambled eggs, bread, cheese and jam should be enough for the adventure still to come. The restaurant also works as a natural birdwatching spot, hummingbirds are the easiest to spot. We continue heading deep into the Reserve towards La Mica Lagoon. The ride takes approximately 30 minutes form the Tambo Condor. As you drive deep into the Reserve, the Páramo landscape slowly takes hold and transforms as we get deeper towards the lagoon. Polylepis tress (aka. paper tree) proliferate here, thay are endemic to the Andean areas and a vital specie

Is Cuenca One Of The New Wonders? Cuenca is a beautiful city in Ecuador, but is it a wonder of the world? It’s got structures that are older than the country itself, and more beautiful than cities in Rome. Recently, it was nominated to become one of the new wonders of the world, but only seven cities could make the cut, and Cuenca didn’t. That makes it no less of a magnificent location, though. Santa Ana De Los Cuatro Ríos De Cuenca Archaeologists discovered that the first inhabitants of Cuenca settled there in 8060 B.C. Since then the city has developed into one of the oldest cities on Earth. Though the Spanish settlement that is now Cuenca was not founded until 1557. The Subtropical climate makes it even more breathtaking. There is also a world heritage site there, that tourists often visit. City Of Fiestas Cuenca is also a city that likes to celebrate with big fiestas and parades that celebrate things like their country’s independence day. They know how to party in the city of Cuenca, and the scenery makes it ten times better. The ability to party and then relax amongst the old fashioned structures and decor. The food of Cuenca alone is enough to make one’s mouth water profusely. Landmarks Galore There is both the old Cathedral and the new one, both are historic sites that have been around for years. Between the two Cathedrals is a place of tranquility that many go to in order to find inner peace, and talk to each other. The Monastery and Museum of La Concepcion have 17th-century tombs, along with a complete collection of art based on religion. There are a couple more monasteries worth seeing as well. So it certainly is the place to visit in that part of