In both provinces there are offers to enjoy with the family, in the midst of unique landscapes and with various complementary options.
Editorial IBARRA – TULCÁN
To the north of Ecuador, four and two hours from Quito, respectively, are the provinces of Carchi and Imbabura full of natural charms that are an ideal option to visit during the coming carnival holiday.
waterfalls and rivers with crystalline watersobservation of unique flora and faunarides in boats, on horseback, on foot mountains and passages with a privileged viewadventure sports, added to an exquisite gastronomy, is, in general, the attractions that these two Ecuadorian regions present.
Among the varied offer, there are places where you can do Alternative tourismwhich privileges open and natural spaceswhich has been gaining the preference of people in the midst of the pandemic of COVID-19.
See bears in their natural state and just a few meters
In the province of Imbabura, in the Pimampiro canton, thanks to an environmental project, it is possible to observe the spectacled bear species in its natural state, from a viewpoint and a few meters away.
In order to get to Andean Bear Viewpoint it is necessary to travel by vehicle for about an hour and a half, from Ibarra (Imbabura); while from Quito (Pichincha) it takes two more hours.
The site has food, lodging and extreme sports services, in the so-called ‘Vertigo Route’.
To get in touch and find out your rates, depending on the services you require, you can do so through your Facebook pageunder the same name (‘Mirador del Oso Andino’), by calling 098 645 02 57, or via email [email protected].
Live in community houses in rural areas
If what you want is get out of the city routineget away from it all and live new experiences around ancestral Andean traditions and customs, the ideal option is in the rural parishes of Angochagua and La Esperanzain Imbabura, made up of communities, where around 75% of the population is indigenous.
In both places, located south of Ibarraless than 30 minutes from the city center, you can rent fully equipped cabins or houses, for family groups or couples, for one or more days, where live with the community and their daily way of life is shared, in contact with nature.
The rates depend on the chosen place and additional serviceswhich for example can be excursions to the nearby mountains, lakes and waterfalls, on foot, by bicycle or on horseback, with a native guide.
For these activities you can contact San Clemente Tours, on its website, or by calling 099 776 15 24.
Hot springs for all ages
In the carnival season one of the most liked options is go to spas. In Imbabura, in the canton Urcuqui It is characterized by having public and private tourist complexes that offer dozens of options for swimming pools with thermal waters.
The Hot springs in the Chachimbiro sectorin the Urcuquí canton, in Imbaburaare of natural originwith its source on the hill known as La Viuda, from where you can also see a high part of the Cotacachi volcano and the Yanahurco hill.
The area where these attractions are located is 160 kilometers from Quito, 57 km from Otavalo, 35 km from Ibarra, 12 km from Urcuquí, 130 km from Tulcán and 140 km from Ipiales (Colombia).
One of the places where you can find, in addition to the hot springs, lodging and food services is santaguawhich belongs to the Prefecture of Imbabura, which receives reservations via Facebookthrough the website or by telephone, at 098 982 44 42.
Fun without going too far
In the province of Carchi, one of the places that has become a tourist attraction for locals and foreigners is the ecoparklocated 7 kilometers from Tulcán, on the road that leads to Tufiño.
This space, covering more than 10 hectaresis an option to enjoy the holiday without going very far, if you live in the province, although if you want to visit it from anywhere in the country, it is a worthwhile place to connect with nature.
Hanging bridges, ornamental lagoons, natural figures of animals, adorn this space, where there are services of extreme sports, you can go boating, biking, walking or camping with people of all ages.
At 3,500 meters above sea level
In Carchi, the El Angel Ecological Reserve It is the only protected area in the province, where the paramo exceeds 3,500 meters above sea level, with temperatures between 5 and 6 degrees.
It is located at 11 kilometers from El Ángel and next to the Chiles volcanoas far as it can be reached by the Panamericana Norte.
This reserve has an extension of 16,000 hectares, covered with frailejonendemic plant of the region that reaches up to 7 meters in height, where deer, rabbits, rodents, birds and reptiles live.
In addition, among the important attractions are the Voladero, Potrerillos, Crespo lagoons…
An ancient myrtle forest
In the canton Montufarprovince of Carchi, in the community of Green Mount8 kilometers from Saint Gabrielis one of the natural treasures of Ecuador: the ancient myrtle forest.
The site, of about 16 hectares, shows imposing myrtle trees, They have a height of approximately 20 meters. According to local authorities, its tourist attraction derives from the fact that it is the only one of its kind in Ecuador and one of the few in South America.
