The Chimborazo volcano reaches 6,263.47 meters. Its glacier-covered, conical silhouette shapes the Andean landscape. Activities on the volcano include mountaineering, hiking, cycling and landscape photography. The range of options combines physical activity with close observation of the landscape—a useful distinction when considering how you would like to experience the mountain.

Volcanoes and Vast Landscapes

Trekking and climbing are possible at Volcán El Altar; one route leads to the lagoons there. Its glaciers form the Amarilla or Caldera, Azul, Verde, Pintada and Mandur lagoons, among others. Compared with Chimborazo, El Altar is notable not only for its range of activities but also for the way a route connects with the lagoons.

From the summit of Cerro Puñay in the canton of Chunchi, you can see the Andean landscape and Ecuador’s coastal plains. The Chimborazo Faunal Production Reserve protects Páramo and Puna ecosystems as well as native camelids such as vicuñas, llamas and alpacas. Sangay National Park lies partly in Chimborazo Province and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on December 7, 1983.

Lagoons, Wildlife and Totora

At Laguna de Colta, visitors can take walks, photograph and observe flora and fauna, enjoy the scenery, and take part in other adventure activities. The lagoon is home to native bird species and a wide variety of brightly colored fish. Totora grows along the lagoon and is used to weave mats and make handicrafts. Colta therefore offers not only nature observation but also a connection to a plant that grows there and is used in local crafts.

Churches, Railways and Local Culture

Iglesia de Balbanera in Colta was founded in 1534 and is considered the first Catholic church built on Ecuadorian soil. This colonial church has a façade made of limestone blocks joined with clay; Indigenous and Spanish laborers both took part in its construction. Its founding date and building materials offer two different ways to understand its history: its historical context and its construction.

Estación del Tren Sibambe is the terminus of the railway line over the Nariz del Diablo between Alausí and Sibambe. The station includes a café, a small museum and Plaza del Tren, where the community performs traditional dances for tourists. While Balbanera is associated with colonial architecture, Sibambe centers on the railway line, museum and community performances. Check the latest arrangements before your visit.

Between Dunes and Water

In the canton of Guamote in Chimborazo Province, Desierto de Palmira covers ten hectares of sand dunes and pine forest. Activities available there include camping, ecotourism, photography, hiking and horseback riding on the dunes. At Lagunas de Atillo, visitors can fish, go boating and camp. The two places offer different experiences: Palmira combines dunes and pine forest with land-based activities, while Atillo offers boating and fishing alongside camping. You can plan your explorations around whether you prefer a dune landscape or activities on the lagoons.

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

For the main travel overview: Ecuador.