Things To Do In Alausi
There are so many things to do in Alausi its hard to know where to start: for trekkers, hikers, and mountain climbers, and lovers of nature, Alausi is the perfect base camp because of its proximity to Sangay National Park and the Chimborazo volcano.
Nariz del Diablo Trek
The Nariz del Diablo train ride used to be an incredible trip that took you around the mountains of Ecuador’s central Andes by the roof of a train. Today however its lost its appeal to anyone that wants an adventure because the government closed down the old train after an unfortunate double decapitation of two Korean tourists.
Now you have two options to see the Nariz del Diablo: from inside an overpriced and gentrified train carriage full of geriatric tourists and steamed-up windows. Or you can put on your hiking boots and follow this guide How to Hike the Devils Nose and take the trail that starts beside Killa Wasi Hostel and follow the tracks around the mountains to the Nariz del Diablo.
Ozogoche Lakes Complex
The Ozogoche Lakes consists of 45 separate lakes and lagoons located at 3,700 meters above altitude in Sangay National Park. The interconnected lakes and lagoons are scattered between mountains and high-altitude marshlands known as Andean paramo.
The Ozogoche Lakes are also known as “bird suicide lake” because of the thousands of migrating Plovver birds that kamikaze into the icy cold waters every September. This essential ecosystem is the source of life for the Ecuadorian Amazon because of the way the surrounding Andes collect water from coastal rains in the west and slowly release it into jungle rivers that flow below it the east.
Pyramid of Puñay
The Pyramid of Puñay was discovered in 2003 on the peak of a 3300m (10,826 feet) mountain in the Ecuadorian Andes near the border of Sangay National Park. The temple is 450m (1,476 feet) long and 40m (131 feet) tall and constructed in the shape of the sacred Guacamaya or Macaw. This is a two day camping trips where we take travellers from Alausi to the ancient temple ruin and camp on the mountains peak.
Ecuadorian Inca Trail
The Inca Trail in Ecuador is over 1,000 years old and was used by messengers to communicate between outposts in the Incan Empire. This trek follows the ancient trail for 3 days past many lakes and lagoons through the beautiful Andean Paramo until we arrive at the Incan Ruins of Inga Pirca. This is a challenging trek with the highest point being 4,800 meters (15,748 ft) on the peak of a mountain overlooking three lagoons.
Mount Chimborazo
Mount Chimborazo is the largest mountain in Ecuador and when measured from the center of the earth instead of sea level it is the highest mountain on planet earth. The 6,268.2 m (20,565 ft) equatorial summit of Mount Chimborazo is the closest point to the sun on earth and the view from the peak of all the other volcanoes in Ecuador is one of the most incredible views in the world.
