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History Among the Snowcapped
Peaks
Home to challenging peaks and towering volcanoes such as Chimborazo, the
province of Chimborazo is ideal for mountaineering which is one of the many
reasons it has gained popularity among foreign tourist. The province is
also rich in history, traditions, handicrafts, and natural beauty, with
many lakes and beautiful paramo landscapes. The average temperature here
is 13 degrees centigrade.
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Riobamba - The Sultan of the Andes
Surrounded by spectacular snowcapped peaks such as Chimborazo (at 6,310
m, Ecuador's highest peak), Riobamba, the former capital of Ecuador, is
known as the Sultan of the Andes. With its colonial architecture and cobblestone
streets, Riobamba's Old Town is a favorite among foreign tourists, with
Parque Pedro Vicente Maldonado being a particularly interesting destination.
Other places worth visiting are the Natural Science Museum at Colegio Maldonado,
the religious art museum in the Concepci?n Convent, the Banco Central Museum,
the Cathedral, San Antonio Church, the Basilica, and La Merced.
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Towns and Villages
Guano, ten minutes from Riobamba, is an important handicraft center known
its wool and carpet weavings. Guamote, 46 km from Guano, is also famous
for its colonial architecture as well as for its woolen and sisal handicrafts
as is bustling Alaus?, a two-hour drive from Riobamba. Outdoor sports enthusiasts
will enjoy fishing at nearby Lake Ozogoche and hunting in Chunchi, where
wildlife abounds in the dense vegetation . Visitors to this region also
enjoy visiting churches and early colonial homes in Cajabamba and the church
at La Balbanera - the oldest Spanish-built structure in the area.
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Pun?n Cemetery
A 30-minute drive from Riobamba brings you to this cemetery, famous for
its Pleistocene animal fossils and the human remains found in Chal?n gully
which date back to 8,000 BC. There is a museum here and a sanctuary to Se?or
del Chuypi.
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Lakes
Colta Lake is situated on the Sicalpa plain. This is where Santiago de Quito
was first founded in 1534. The rolling Andean scenery is quite unique here
and can be appreciated by fishing enthusiasts while fishing in one of the
many lakes and rivers in the province - El Altillo, Magtay?n, and Cubill?n
to the east or in the Cebadas or Ozogoche rivers.
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Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve
Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve, 58.560 hectares in size, is so large that it
overlaps into the provinces of Bol?var and Tungurahua. Volcano Chimborazo
is the Reserve's main attraction and is especially popular with climbers
as is Carihuairazo. The Reserve aims to preserve endangered Andean species
such as vicu?a, llama, and alpaca.
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The Spectalur Ecuador Train Ride
The spectacular train ride from Quito to Riobamba takes you down through
the Andes, offering unbeatable views of the Andean p?ramos, mountains, forests,
flora, and fauna. Another journey, from Riobamba to the coastal plain below,
includes a world-fmaous stretch of track known as the Nariz del Diablo
(Devil's Nose. Here, the train zigzags from the dizzying heights of the
Andes to sea level in a matter of hours. Be sure to enjoy the view from
the train's roof!
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Map of Chimborazo, Ecuador |
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Province's Capital |
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Road |
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Cities |
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Chimborazo |
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| Chimborazo Intro
| Riobamba | Towns & Villages
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| Punín Cemetary | Lakes
| Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve |
| Riobamba/Nariz del Diablo Train Ride |
| Map of Chimborazo, Ecuador |
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