(5790 masl)
It is one of the main tourist attractions of the canton that bears his name. A place that spells for its beauty and the charm it has. It is the only volcano in the world with perpetual snow and is crossed by the equator.
The volcano is currently part of the country's Protected Areas System and is located within the Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve. Ascending it is technically easy, but due to its altitude an excellent physical condition and a good previous acclimatization is indispensable.
Due to its difficulty of access it is not very visited, however the intrepid climbers who try it are always impressed by its spectacular beauty.
Before embarking on the trip you should consider that a sudden drizzle or snowfall can complicate the journey, but this is part of the adventure of the tourists that arrive in this beautiful country that is Ecuador.
The first part of the tour is completed in about 90 minutes, when you arrive at the refuge. From this point you have to take a one-hour walk to get to the snow. In case of doing so, it is recommended to go with an experienced guide.
People who wish to reach the summit remain in the place until midnight, which is usually the time of departure of the ascent. Keep in mind that the presence of an experienced guide is essential to go to this beautiful place.
In the climate in the area it is relatively cold, with temperatures that oscillate between 8 and 14 ºC.
To get to the Cayambe volcano, you must take Cordova Galarza Avenue, which crosses the cantonal head.
In the sector of Juan Montalvo the asphalt replaces the cobblestone. A few meters later the road becomes ballast. In this way, the 21-kilometer journey begins towards the Rúales-Oleas-Berge refuge, located at 4,600 meters above sea level.
At the beginning of the route, the soils are green, because there are countless beautiful trees, and it is common to observe the sheep running in the middle of the road. After 30 minutes and barely eight kilometers, the panorama changes. The trees disappear, the road becomes dusty, on one side you can appreciate the majesty of the Inter-Andean alley. To see the clouds below the road is a spectacle to photograph. This is one of the signs that it is reaching the paramo. In a few minutes the road becomes more difficult, there are large potholes and stones of considerable size on the road.
Cascada río Pita Saturday 22 February 2025
Tourism
