Volcan
Chimborazo
(Volcano
Chimborazo
)
The
King
of
the
Andes,
Chimborazo
,
exceeds
all
the
other
Ecuadorian
mountains
and
elevations
in
height.
The
giant
extends
from
east
to
west
with
an
altitude
reaching
some
6,310
metres
and
a
base
diameter
of
20
kilometres
.
Recently,
there
has
been
no
volcanic
activity
and
it’s
estimated
that
the
last
eruption
occurred
approximately
ten
thousand
years
ago.
The
ascension
to
the
peak
presents
certain
difficulties
and
requires
expert
knowledge
in
the
field
of
ice
climbing.
There
are
two
refuges
available
for
use
by
climbers:
the
first
at
4,000
metres
,
reachable
by
car,
and
the
second
at
5,000
metres
,
where
it’s
possible
to
stay
the
night.
Its
majesty
is
such
that
on
a
clear
day
it’s
possible
to
observe
Chimborazo
from
even
as
far
as
the
city
of
Guayaquil
to
the
shores
of
the
Pacific
Ocean
.
El
Carihuairazo
As
well
as
conquering
Chimborazo
,
Whymper
and
the
Carrel
brothers
were
the
first
to
reach
the
summit
of
Caruairazo,
achieving
this
great
feat
in
1873.
Carihuairazo
reaches
a
height
of
4,900
metres
with
a
peak
extending
a
diameter
of
two-kilometres
covered
in
ice
and
snow.
A
glacier
descends
towards
el
Valle
de
Abraspungo
(the
valley
of
Abraspungo
)
from
the
small
valley
situated
between
two
peaks
on
the
south-eastern
side.
Hans
Meyer,
in
his
work
‘In
the
Andean
Highlands
of
Ecuador
’
explains
that
a
summit
as
large
as
Carihuairazo’s
is
extremely
rare
in
Ecuador
,
with
similar
summits
only
gracing
volcanoes
Altar
and
Antisana
.
Furthermore,
the
sheer
amount
of
snow
covering
this
mountain
is
quite
surprising
given
that
the
mountain
is
exceedingly
high.
Scenic
areas
Several
pathways
are
mapped
out
for
the
purpose
of
embarking
on
nature
walks
within
the
Reserve.
Many
of
the
routes
are
extremely
demanding,
all,
however,
provide
marvellous
views
of
the
landscape
including
paramo
and
mountainous
terrain,
characteristic
of
this
ecosystem.
The
mid-mountain
and
open-countryside
routes
are
those
preferred
by
visitors
to
the
area,
however,
they
should
always
be
undertaken
in
the
company
of
an
experienced
guide
due
to
the
rapidly
changing
climate
and
fog,
which
can
easily
cause
disorientation
amongst
travellers.
One
of
the
most
exhausting
but
most-frequented
treks
is
the
Mocha-Mechahuasca
route,
which
takes
around
two
days
to
complete
(walking
for
around
8-10
hours
per
day),
crossing
the
territory
between
Chimborazo
and
Carihuairazo,
where
it’s
possible
to
observe
the
stunningly
beautiful
glaciers
of
the
snow-capped
peaks.
During
these
tracks
it’s
possible
to
visit
tourist
attractions
such
as
Templo
Machay,
an
ancient
place
of
worship
by
Chimborazo;
la
Chorrera
,
a
large
canyon,
where
the
river
of
the
same
name
begins,
exhibiting
unique
scenery
thanks
to
the
huge
vertical
rock
formations,
which
reach
up
to
one
hundred
metres
high.
Several
routes
given
over
to
mountain
biking,
particularly
those
which
descend
from
the
volcano’s
refuge
towards
the
village
of
Urbina
San
Juan
,
have
also
earned
Chimborazo
its
reputation
as
a
leading
tourist
attraction
in
Ecuador
.
Indigenous
Communities
Many
indigenous
communities
exist
within
the
Chimborazo
region,
including
San
Pablo
de
Totorillas,
Santa
Teresita
de
Guabug
and
Chorrera
Mirador,
all
regarded
as
interesting
due
to
their
ancient
customs,
which,
as
in
the
case
of
the
latter
indigenous
group,
have
lasted
for
centuries
and
are
still
practised
today.
Iglesia
Balbanera
(Balbanera
Church)
Balbanera
church
is
the
oldest
in
the
entire
country
and
is
definitely
worth
seeing
due
to
its
perfectly
preserved
state.
The
art,
which
adorns
the
church’s
walls,
gives
the
church
an
undeniably
colonial
feel.
The
town
is
situated
opposite
Lake
Colta
,
right
beside
the
Riobamba-Guamote
highway.
Museo
de
Arte
Religioso
(Religious
Art
Museum)
Located
in
the
city
of
the
Riobamba
,
the
museum
is
under
the
administration
of
the
Madres
Conceptas.
It
houses
a
collection
of
religious
art
unique
in
South
America,
including
a
priceless
monstrance
(a
ceremonial
Roman
Catholic
ornament)
made
from
gold
and
incrusted
with
several
precious
stones
of
unrivalled
beauty
and
value.
Last
Updated
17th
July
2006
