What to do and see in Chimborazo Province, Ecuador: The Best Places and Tips

March 19, 2018 Joeann Galban

Chimborazo (Spanish pronunciation: [tʃimboˈɾaso]) is a province in the central Ecuadorian Andes. It is a home to a section of Sangay National Park. The capital is Riobamba. The province contains Chimborazo (6,267 m), Ecuador's highest mountain.
Restaurants in Chimborazo Province

1. Pro Bici

Primera Constituyente 23-51 | Larrea, Riobamba 060150, Ecuador +593 3-294-1880
Excellent
95%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
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Overall Ratings

5 based on 217 reviews

Pro Bici

We offer excursions to Chimborazo and other snowpeaks, mountain lakes, thermal pools, rain and cloud Forests and indigenous, historic and cultural sites that reveal unimagined natural and cultural wonders hidden to the common tourist.

Reviewed By Michiel H - Antwerp Province, Belgium

A big 10/10. All was perfect while downhilling the Chimborazo volcano. We paid 60USD per person for a full-day adventure and it was worth every penny. Most definitely one of my all time South America highlights.
We had done downhilling before, and after Reading all these excellent reviews, we put our hopes up high. Our expectations were more than exceeded. The Chimborazo route is a thrilling and versatile one. It is semi-technical, quick, intense and mostly off-road, and the 60USD variant takes around 9 hours. Note that the more technical parts can be replaced by simple asphalt roads if you have little mountainbiking experience. Also, different riding levels in one group is not an issue as the included biking guide allows you to go your own pace.
Pro Bici on their part does a fantastic job in providing well-maintained and medium-end bikes, as well as all necessary safety downhill gear (helmet, knee and elbow protectors, gloves). The driver/guide was extremely friendly and even assisted my brother afterwards at the police station for a camera stolen a few days before. The tour organiser, Galo, is a sincere chap with a passion for mountainbiking that will help you to perfectly tailor your tour to your needs.
I highly, highly recommend the Chimborazo activity and Pro Bici agency.

2. Iglesia de Balbanera

Pan American Hwy, Riobamba 060150, Ecuador
Excellent
53%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 114 reviews

Iglesia de Balbanera

Reviewed By Donna H - Brighton, Colorado, United States

For such an amazing piece of history, it is sad that this chuch depends upon the parish and tourist donations for upkeep. It would be nice if there were more artifacts and interpretation of the effect of the church upon the indigenous population. In some senses, this is a non-descript parish church, in another sense, this is symbolic of a revolution in human life in this part of the world.

Streets June 5 between Veloz and Orozco, Riobamba 060150, Ecuador
Excellent
53%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 82 reviews

Catedral de Riobamba

Reviewed By Katey B - Albuquerque, New Mexico

A tiny historic gem. An earthquake destroyed part of it years back but the locals put it back together with an indigenous look to the exterior faces of angels.

4. Lakes of Ozogoche (Lagunas de Ozogoche)

Chimborazo, Riobamba 060150, Ecuador +593 98 421 6903
Excellent
77%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 51 reviews

Lakes of Ozogoche (Lagunas de Ozogoche)

Located in the state of Chimborazo, this group of 45 small lakes or lagoons is an excellent site for viewing wildlife, hiking, fishing and bird watching.

Reviewed By belleretraite - Montreal, Canada

The lakes are located at the beginning of the park , are easily walkable but we did not find any spectacular view points . They are lakes , in a flat surrounding without any specific characteristics . We found the lakes in the Cajas National Park more interesting . Maybe it was the guide ???

5. Tren Crucero

Av. Daniel Leon Borja y Carabobo, Riobamba 170121, Ecuador
Excellent
68%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
4%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 73 reviews

Tren Crucero

The Ecuadorian Train was called "the impossible one". When the project was finished, the train brought together for the first time the young Ecuador, it connected the Pacific coast with the Andean highlands, carrying voices, colors and goods to every corner of the country. Ride the train and be part of an historical journey: feel the excitement when you go up to the Andes; see the amazing climatic transition when the landscape changes in front of you eyes, feel the cool air from the Mountains while the daunting Devil´s Nose appears in the horizon! This journey will take you from zero to 2,300 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l) featuring an authentic Ecuador, on board a comfortable panoramic convoy. Discover by yourself why this railway was known as the "most difficult train in the world". Schedule and routes: - Round Trip, Guayaquil (Duran) - Alausi - Guayaquil | Saturdays to Sundays (2 per month) - One Way departing Guayaquil (Duran) to Alausi | Saturdays (2 per month) - One Way from Alausi to Guayaquil (Duran) - | Sundays (2 per month)

Reviewed By LED276 - Sydney, Australia

We travelled from Quito to Guayaquil on this amazing journey. The scenery was spectacular and the visits to a beautiful hacienda with its original Jesuit chapel and rose farm among many other great places of interest were real highlights of the journey. Unfortunately several sites along the track had been washed out in the wet season necessitating some sections of travel by bus but this was handled well by the wonderful crew. Overall a wonderful way to see some of the best of Ecuador.

6. Altar Mountain

Riobamba, Ecuador +593 99 893 2505
Excellent
73%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
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Poor
3%
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4.5 based on 33 reviews

Altar Mountain

Reviewed By SamMora87 - Cotacachi, Ecuador

I did the El Altar Trek it's a moderate hike of 2 days or 3 depending on the itinerary... about 6 hours per day hiking (if you do the 2 days it's the same way to return). You get to see the yellow lagoon, crater lake of el altar volcano. It worth it, we did it with travel2south check their website.

7. Laguna de Colta

Riobamba, Ecuador
Excellent
49%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 37 reviews

Laguna de Colta

Reviewed By Any P

Almost most of my holidays I travel to the Mountains this time I went in carnival together with my cousins, and on the way to Riobamba we stayed in the "lagoon of colta", thanks to a friend who had recommended, is a place beautiful, located in the province of Chimborazo, spectacular place to spend with family, friends, boyfriends etc. Tickets with extremely low prices: 2 dollars for adults and 1 dollar for children bellow 12, the people were very friendly in such a way that attract many foreign tourists, and also from different provinces of the equator, also has boats to take a walk for all lagoon Especially is a place for see all beauty the landscape where also you can walk for hours according to the availability of each person, I would recommend you to visit.

8. Sangay National Park

Miles From Banos 43, Riobamba 060150, Ecuador
Excellent
69%
Good
31%
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4.5 based on 19 reviews

Sangay National Park

The park features two active volcanoes, rainforests, glaciers. It is home to animals such as tapirs, ocelots, pumas and porcupines.

Reviewed By Pierre W - Brussels, Belgium

The major road from Riobamba to Macas is very controversial since it was built right in the middle of the Sangay National Park, but now that it exists you can take profit of it for an easy visit to the Sangay NP. There are reguler public busses on this road, every 1 or 2 hours. Take a a bus to the Lagunas de Atillo, and than walk the next 12 to 15 km towards Macas. The environment is superb. First the lakes, then you climb (slightly) to the pass, and the first 10 km of the descent are really stunning, cloudforest, Waterfalls (If you travel by car, please note there is no parking anywhere along this stretch). Well of course it also means clouds and rain. Then you can board another bus to continue to Macas or return to Riobamba. Further towards Macas, there is a lot of colonization along this road.

9. Weekly Market

Guamote, Ecuador
Excellent
92%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
0%
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Overall Ratings

5 based on 12 reviews

Weekly Market

Reviewed By JAMS51 - Helensburgh, United Kingdom

Market is only on a Thursday morning, this was a stop on the Tren Crucero & the station was in the middle of the market so some of the stalls had to move to let the train in.
Don't think this market has changed it is amazing & they seem to sell everything food, clothes, local medicine & even livestock. All the locals are dressed up in their colorful clothing there is constant noise from the haggling to squeals of animals being lead along the streets or even tied to the train tracks. Everybody is so friendly & you can bag a bargain or two.
This is the real Ecuador & should not be missed if you are in the area.

10. Museo del Canton Guano

De Diciembre 20, Guano 060750, Ecuador
Excellent
64%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
27%
Poor
0%
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0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

Museo del Canton Guano

Reviewed By Lizitap R - Guayaquil, Ecuador

Guano is in the Province of Chimborazo in Ecuador, Guano is a beautiful valley, there are several archaeologists and researchers have found bones and pieces of thousands of years old , cultures have settled.Tuncahuán is a place to experience, learn more of our culture. Dont miss a visit to the museum that is located at the foot of Llushi, next to the archaeological ruins of the Assumption. it`s very interesting , it usually opens from 8:00 am until 18:00 pm , the admission is free , around this corner there are places like Lluishig Hill, where the practice of adventure activities like rock climbing is possible in various forms and levels, Cycling, Tightrope, Rapel, and Hiking is a wonderful place and you can go with friends and families ,Do not miss it!

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