ECUADOR SERIES: DRIVING ON THE AVENUE OF VOLCANOES

in #travel5 years ago

One way to get from the Northern area of Ecuador to the Southern province of Azuay, to Cuenca, is to go through the Andes and cross the magnificent Valley of Volcanoes.


Cotopaxi volcano seen from the Pan Americana Highway

They don't call it valley of volcanoes for no reason! It's the Ecuadorian spine of the Andes.


Andean plateau at over 4000 m altitude

The Pan-American Highway runs from North to South cutting through the cordilleras, crossing farmland and fields beneath the dormant and active volcanoes.


Cotopaxi volcano

Ecuador is one of the few places in the world where you can enjoy orchids and palm trees while gazing at the glaciers and snow on the mountains above. You can find different ecological zones from subtropical to alpine.


Cotopaxi volcano

Driving down South on the Pan-Americana Highway we were welcomed by the Cotopaxi volcano,(5,897 meters/19,350ft), the second-highest peak in the country and one of the world's most active volcanoes. We have seen its snow-caped cone from far and got enchanted by its majestic sight.


Cotopaxi volcano

A bit more South, we laid our eyes on the mighty Chimborazo, the highest peak in Ecuador, only ‎6,263.47 m (20,549.4 ft)!!! Its height make sit visible from three provinces (Chimborazo, Bolívar and Tungurahua).


Chimborazo volcano seen from the Pan Americana Highway

The area surrounding the mountain has been declared a fauna reserve. It's a great place to do some high-altitude hiking, enjoy the stunning views, learn more about the way the indigenous people live and see some adorable llamas (vicuña or alpaca).


Llama

Thank you for coming along on this trip!


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Unless stated otherwise, all photos used in this posts are taken and owned by myself. If you wish to use any of my images, please contact me!

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed it! Please leave your feedback in the comments, I would love to hear your thoughts!

@2018 LaviPicu aka The Lyme Poet. All rights reserved.

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@lymepoet,

Great photos ... I especially like that first one. All the trees, I noticed, are bent on an angle ... windswept?

Quill

Yes, it was a very windy day. Actually in the North is always windy! ;0)

Wow! Stunning landscapes there!
BB <3

The whole country has some amazing landscapes!

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I remember the vibes I've got when I was so close of a volcano over here in Romania. But still, I don't know how cool would it be to stay close by more than one, lol

It's a thrilling experience! Especially even you see that they are active.

Buna @lymepoet. Witness-ul "nostru" (eu si un coleg argentinian, Pablo) voteaza automat articolele tale.

Cum nu ai aprobat decât 7 witness (din 30), crezi ca ai putea sa ne aprobi si pe noi, @lux-witness ?

Daca esti de acord, gasesti un link direct in toate articolele mele ;-)
Multumesc anticipat

Buna @sorin.cristescu! Multumesc pentru suport! Am votat pentru @lux-witness. O zi frumoasa! ;0)

Mulțumesc! :-)

sigh... I ignored the fact that Ecuador has snow lol

Not a lot, but it does!

Spectacular landscapes so beautiful

The beauty of it is that when you drive there, each three-four hours later you enter a new climate zone where the landscape changes completely.

WOW that must be such a cool experience and drive

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I love love love the look of Chimborazo! 20,000 feet... could be an interesting one to hike up! Did you try? :D The landscape looks phenomenal, thanks for sharing your adventures :)

I did not but one of my friends went snowboarding there which was a bit extreme for me.

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