Chimborazo among volcanoes, lagoons and cultural heritage

Chimborazo combines a striking Andean landscape with historic places and a variety of nature experiences. Chimborazo Volcano reaches an elevation of 6,263.47 meters; its glacier-covered, cone-shaped silhouette defines the landscape. The region is also home to high-altitude ecosystems, lagoons and colonial architecture. To plan your trip, you can first decide whether mountain scenery, wildlife watching or historic places will be your main focus.

Volcanic landscapes and protected areas

Chimborazo Volcano is a destination for mountaineering, hiking, cycling and landscape photography. These activities offer different perspectives on the same mountain: the physical challenge of mountaineering, hiking or cycling alongside the photographic exploration of its scenery. The Chimborazo Fauna Production Reserve protects páramo and puna ecosystems as well as native camelids, including vicuñas, llamas and alpacas.

The region’s boundaries are also varied: the Tungurahua UNESCO Global Geopark encompasses Chimborazo Province as well as the municipalities of Guano and Penipe. Parque Nacional Sangay, which lies partly within Chimborazo Province, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on December 7, 1983.

Lagoons, peaks and varied landscapes

Trekking and climbing are possible at Volcán El Altar, with routes leading to its lagoons. Its glaciers formed, among others, the Amarilla or Caldera, Azul, Verde, Pintada and Mandur lagoons. The activities on the volcano and the distinctive shapes of the glacial landscape are thus part of a shared nature experience.

From the summit of Cerro Puñay, you can see the Andean landscape and Ecuador’s coastal plains. The Desierto de Palmira in Guamote Canton offers a different landscape: the area encompasses 10 hectares of sand dunes and pine forest. Visitors can camp, enjoy ecotourism, take photographs, hike and go horseback riding on the dunes. This combination makes Palmira markedly different from the glacier-covered volcanoes and highland landscapes.

At Laguna de Colta, you can go for a walk, take photographs, observe flora and fauna, and enjoy the scenery; other adventure activities are also available. The lagoon is home to native bird species and a wide variety of brightly colored fish. The totora that grows there is used to weave mats and make handicrafts. Nature watching and a locally sourced material give a visit to the lagoon a distinctive character.

Historic places and trip planning

The Iglesia de Balbanera was founded in Colta in 1534. It is considered the first Catholic church built on Ecuadorian soil. The colonial church has a façade made of limestone blocks bonded with clay; Indigenous and Spanish workers were involved in its construction. Its date, building materials and construction history make it a tangible point of reference for the region’s cultural history.

Another cultural experience is Estación del Tren Sibambe, the terminal station of the railway line over Nariz del Diablo between Alausí and Sibambe. The station has a café, a small museum and a Plaza del Tren, where the community performs traditional dances for tourists. If you plan to take the train, check the current timetable before your trip.

Focus your search on the places that matter most to your stay.

Discover more destinations: Riobamba, Alausi, Pallatanga, Chunchi, San Isidro, Alao, Cajabamba, Guamote, Bucay, Guano, Cacha.

For the main travel overview: Ecuador.