Tour to Cayambe town and Cayambe volcano excursion

21 August 2005 

Cayambe is a picturesque town in Ecuador, where is possible to rent a truck and drive to the snow line on Cayambe volcano. In no other place of the world, the equator line is found at this altitude on top of Cayambe volcano, and it looks very strage to get snowfall and see glaciers at such latitude.

Equator line in Cayambe, Ecuador
An equator line monument, just south of Cayambe.
Cayambe, Ecuador Cayambe, Ecuador
Photos of Cayambe city in Ecuador, the beautiful central square.
Cayambe, Ecuador
More pictures of Cayambe downtown.
Farm holiday in Ecuador Farm holiday in Ecuador
Farm holiday in Ecuador
Where to stay in Cayambe? As accommodation in Cayambe, I've chosen this farm, one of the Ecuador's oldest. This destination is ideal for a farm holiday in Ecuador and to get day excursions to the surroundings.



During the afternoon, I rent a truck and a guide, in order to drive to the Cayambe Refuge, at 4600 meters of altitude. Firstly, the condition of the road is acceptable.
Driving to Cayambe volcano Driving to Cayambe volcano
The Cayambe volcano's top is hidden in clouds, however the glacier is still visible.
Driving to Cayambe volcano Driving to Cayambe volcano



At about 4200 meters of altitude, the road gets really bad and we have to move several large stones, to let the car to proceed toward the refuge.
Cayambe volcano refuge, Ecuador Cayambe volcano refuge, Ecuador
Cayambe volcano refuge, Ecuador


Finally we made it. Here, at about 4600 meters of elevation, is the world's highest point where the equator passes through.
Top of Cayambe volcano, Ecuador Top of Cayambe volcano, Ecuador
Top of Cayambe volcano, Ecuador Top of Cayambe volcano, Ecuador
Even here, at the equator, I finally find myself surrounded by blue glaciers.
Top of Cayambe volcano, Ecuador
Panoramic photo of Cayambe volcano near the top.
Top of Cayambe volcano, Ecuador
High mountain vegetation, Ecuador
High mountain vegetation, Ecuador
High mountain vegetation, Ecuador
High mountain vegetation, Ecuador
At this altitude the vegetation is completely different and looks like more the arctic tundra.
High mountain vegetation, Ecuador
More photos of typical vegetation at extreme altitudes over the equator line.
The same lichens that I normally see at sea level in the Arctic or Antarctica.
Cayambe volcano, Ecuador Cayambe volcano, Ecuador
Finally, well before the sunset, we start our short journey back to the town of Cayambe.
Nice views and hills at about 3500 meters of elevation.

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