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This is a province with the most beautiful and splendid scenery of Ecuador, surrounded and protected by the six snowcapped mountains such as el Chimborazo, the highest mountain of the country. Carihuairazo, Tungurahua, El Altar, Quilimas, and Cubillin are the other mountains. The capital of this province is the city of Riobamba known as the sultana of the Andes, and counts with the sites of great touristic interest.
In Riobamba there is a great influence from Spain. Among the sites of interest are: The Museum of Religious Art, The Maldonado School, and the Balbanera Church. Simon Bolivar wrote his most distinguished poem in Riobamba, inspired by Chimborazo: “Mi delirio sobre el Chimborazo” (My Delirium about Chimborazo).
Balbanera Church: This is the oldest church in all of Ecuador and it is worth the visit given its preserved state. Its paintings and decorations give it an undeniable colonial aura.
In the area of el Chimborazo there exist many indigenous communities in places such as San Pablo deTotorillas, Santa Teresita de Guabug, and Chorrera Mirador, which are interesting because of their ancestral customs.
Guano: Famous for its carpets and textiles.
Guamote: In this city of colonial architecture, there is a train station in the middle of the city, and on Thursdays there takes place a fair where you can find authentic cultural manifestations such as indigenous artisans and a great variety of local culinary.
Alausi: This is a small town that is found on the superior part of the famous railway of the Nariz del Diablo (Devil’s Nose), with charming scenery and pleasant climate. Here you can see colonial houses, some of which are still of their original adobe construction. In June the holiday of San Pedro de Alausi is celebrated. During the festivities you can witness a fusion of cultural and social manifestations through traditions and folklore such as: the bulls, parades, cock fights, serenades, and dances.
Tradition “los hieleros del Chimborazo” The icemen of Chimborazo
A tradition of the communities of the province of Chimborazo is to take the ice from the glaciers of the mountain to the town to prepare drinks. Present day, blocks of ice are carved from the glaciers on Tuesdays and Fridays which are then transported by mules to the city of Riobamba to be sold as snacks called “raspados,” at the markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It is possible to follow the path of the “hieleros” on foot, horse, or automobile.
The fauna is outstanding as typical of the moor, represented principally by small deer, wolves, small rabbits, and remaining wild llamas which are considered being at great danger of extinction. The “programa de Reintroduccion de Camelidos Sudamericanos,” is a program that has been implemented in Chimborazo has been able to reverse the situation by working to reproduce them. The birdlife includes outstanding specimens such as the condor of the Andes, and the humming bird known as the Ecuadorian star. Much more abundant is the curiquingue, a bird which depending on its type of flight brings good or bad omens to the local communities and is always represented in indigenous festivities
Cave of Luterano
At one extreme of a town called Guamote in front of a site called the Black Bridge there is a natural cave surround by wild vegetation that has been known as “la cueva del Luterano,” for 400 years.
The Hill of Lluishi, and the Path of the Monolitos
This is s a natural viewpoint formed from rocky volcanic remains and at its base there is a children’s park. It contains 327 terraces of access. A visit here would allow you to observe the stone carvings, among which there is the face of an Inca, a fish, a vase, and various other figures.
Offers accommodation in comfortable community hostels for up to fifteen people where you can enjoy the local gastronomy. Accompanied by local guides, you could visit natural and cultural areas; in the trajectory of the walkways there are rest areas whether you can find food prepared by native guides and you can learn about the local ways of life of the communities, their cultures and traditions. The communities include the Kzaunan, Nizag, and Casa Condor.
Riobamba- The Devil’s Nose
This adventure on train of Riobamba passes through Cajabamba, the lakes of Colta, and the small town of Guamote. It then climbs a picturesque town of the sierra called Alausi. Then comes the exciting part of the trip commencing from Alausi and constitutes one of the most spectacular railway trips in the world. The train descends 800 meters in a rocky zigzag which, because of the difficult descent and form, has been eluded to the devil. This descent allows you to feel the change of climates from the altiplane to the coast.
Mountaineering in Chimborazo presents a challenge even for a seasoned mountain climber, given the height of Chimborazo. It is extremely necessary to become acclimated to be able to ascend the top of the Chimborazo. Climbers should have at least a weeklong stay in the high lands before climbing.
Ecuador is a country full of volcanoes. Chimborazo is the tallest volcanoes of Ecuador and one of the highest in South America standing at 6310 meters and is the point on earth closest to the sun. It is a massive volcano constituted by a double volcano oriented towards the east and west and a diameter of 20 kilometers. In addition its flanks have a decline of 30 to 37 degrees creating a relief of more the 2500 meters over its base. It is situated in the center Andes, 150 kilometers south east of Quito. This emblematic and colossal volcano is at the center of the country and is also part of the national emblem. The glacier of Chimborazo is a source of water for the populations of the provinces of Bolivar and Chimborazo.
It stands at 4900 meters and has a caldera 2 kilometers in diameter, one of the largest in Ecuador. The name comes from the quichua language and means mountain of the snow winds. This volcano along with Chimborazo and the small Punalica form a volcanic area of great dimension of which Chimborazo and Punalica are the latest expressions of volcanic activity. Carihuarazo is considered to be extinct.
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