DESTINATIONS IN ECUADOR - HIGHLAND
/ BAÑOS
some information - places
of interest - destinations in the surrounding
area - activities
Baños (17,000 inhabitants) is situated about 28 miles east
of Ambato and about 40.5 miles north east of Riobamba at a height
of 5,996 ft.
Journey:
from Quito: with the bus about 3 1/2 hours. Recommendable
is Coop. Baños.
Ifrom Tena (via Puyo): also by Coop. Baños.
Travel season:
All-the-year. Spring-like climate makes this place attractive during
every season.
Holidays:
- Día de la Cantonización, December 12th to 16th
For one week, Baños is celebrating the jubilee of the canton
to which catholics from all over the country find their way to
the village. The colorful program varies every year, normally
a festive opening is followed by dancing contests, a race of the
waiters, votings for the beauty queen, live concerts, exhibitions
on fotographs and craftsmenship, motocross-races, firework and
processions; in general, a lot of alternation.
Accomodation:
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Spas:
In Baños are some sulfurous thermal springs to be found that
belong to the most beautiful public baths within Ecuador. We would
like to point out the Piscinas de la Virgen and the Piscinas de
Santa Clara. The Virgen-Spa is situated underneath a steep face
with the waterfall of Cascada de la Caballera de la Virgen ('Waterfall
of the hair of the Virgen').
Open from 04.30am (!).
Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Agua Santa:
Here you can find various paintings of heroic rescue missions of
the Holy Virgin. Behind the side aisle spring the sources of the
holy water.
Parque Eco Zoológico:
At the western exit of the city, the little zoo of Baños
is situated where you can admire tapirs, condors, pumas, wolves,
monkeys, tortoises of Galápagos and many more.
Open from 9.00am to 6.00pmr.
Bridge of San Fransisco:
One of the highest bungee facilities of the world with a height
of 985 feet.
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| DESTINATIONS
IN THE SURROUNDING AREA |
Lago San Pablo:
About 3.1 miles away from Otavalo, the lake is beautifully surrounded
by the panorama of the surrounding mountains of Imbaburra. A walk
around the lake takes about 2 hours. The path is also ideal for
mountainbiking. The beginning of September, a swim contest in the
cold waters of the lagoon takes place.
Lagunas de Mojanda:
South of Otavalo, the Laguna Grande de Mojanda and the Laguna Negra
are to be found. At the lakes, about 10.5 miles away from the village
of Otavalo, you can camp in the picturesque landscape of páramo.
From here it is also possible to walk to the extinct volcano Fuya
Fuya.
Laguna de Cuicocha:
From the parting of the ways Quiroga, a 3 hours march to the lagoon
starts. This lagoon is located at a height of 10,493 ft. in the middle
of the nature protecion area Reserva Ecológia Cotocachi-Cayapas.
It takes about 4 to 5 hours to surround the lagoon. Very recommendable
is also a trip on a boat over the lake submontane of volcano Cotocachi.
Cotocachi:
The village is about 20 minutes - which equals 10.5 miles - away
from Otavalo and famous for the fabrication of finest leather ware
such as hats, gloves, saddles, rucksacks, belts and wallets.
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Hiking:
This most beautiful landscape offers ideal conditions for wide-spread
walking-tours. However, all trips are leading steeply up-hill because
of the fact that the place is surrounded by very high mountains.
Mountainbiking:
One of the most exciting distances leads from Baños
to Puyo. Along the route, mountainbikes can be lent.
Rafting:
This is possible on the rivers Patate and Pastaza.
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back to traveling in the
highlands
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