The
largest town
north of Quito,
Cayambe is
an important
centre for
cattle, dairy
and roses.
It is famous
for its dairy
industry,
mainly the
cheese, and
for the crumbly
soft biscuits
known as bizcochos
or bizcochos
con queso
[with
cheese].
Since the
1980's a new
business has
emerged in
Cayambe: flower
growing. Colombian
growers noticed
that the 12-hour
days and fertile
volcanic soil
in the area
produce great
roses. Hundreds
of greenhouses
now exist
near Cayambe.
Ecuadorean
roses have
a reputation
for being
high-quality,
long-lasting
and with large
heads.
Each bush
produces 1
bud per month.
Once the buds
are cut from
the bush they're
stored in
a refrigerated
warehouse
where they
are packed
and prepared
for air-shipment
around the
world.
Places
to visit
Just
east of the
city there's
a pre-Columbian
archaeological
site,
where the
pyramids of
the sun and
the moon are
raised from
the surrounding
soil. Relics
from ancient
civilisation
are exposed
on the ground
surface after
each rainstorm.
The family
who has been
farming the
area for years
have a great
collection
of archaeological
pieces found
here.
A museum in
the southern
part of town
was created
to house the
pottery unearthed
by one of
the locals.
A dream told
him to dig
under his
house to discover
buried treasure.
He followed
the directions
in the dream
to find a
tunnel filled
with ancient
pottery. The
tunnel has
since been
closed, although
the 'treasure'
can be seen
at the museum.
Indigenous
tribes from
all over Northern
Ecuador come
to Cayambe
to celebrate
the equinox
in March and
the summer
solstice during
July. Thousands
of villagers
dressed in
traditional
clothing fill
the town square
singing and
dancing, many
wearing masks.
The celebration
lasts for
hours before
proceeding
onto the pyramids
for an afternoon
picnic.
Cayambe
- Coca Reserve
Things
to do
The town of
Cayambe is
also where
climbers start
out to climb
the mountain
of the same
name. 18,997ft
[5790
m]
high, snow-covered
Cayambe
is the third
highest mountain
in Ecuador
and is considered
one of the
favourites
by mountaineers.
It is the
highest point
on earth lying
directly on
the equator.
To reach the
summit requires
crossing crevasses,
seracs and
a rock and
ice wall.
The climb
is more technical
then either
Cotopaxi
or Chimborazo.
The Ruales-Oleas-Berge
Refugio located
at 15,749ft
[4800
m]
is known as
the nicest
mountain refuge
in Ecuador.
It has bunks
for 37 people,
a kitchen
with fireplace,
an eating
area with
tables and
benches, running
water and
an emergency
radio.
Getting
there
To
get to Cayambe
take a direct
bus
from Manuel
Larrea and
Asuncion in
Quito.
Buses leave
every 10 minutes
and the one
and a half-hour
trip costs
around US$1.00*.
From the Terminal
Terrestre
in Quito
you can catch
a Quito--Otavalo
bus that stops
in Cayambe.
They depart
every few
minutes.
Cayambe
to Olmedo
takes an hour
by bus and
costs US$0.45*.
Buses leave
every 30 minutes.
To lbarra,
1 1/2 hours,
US$0.60*.
To Otavalo,
40 mins, US$0.45*.
*
Prices are
approximate
Last
updated 11th
July 2006
