© Picture by Isabel de Wuth. Sales: 02-2282841.

Cayambe, a quiet pleasant highland town located 25 km northeast of Guayllabamba. Known by its "bizcochos" (small biscuits with tasty string cheese).
The countryside area is surrounded by flower plantations and farms. The town's celebrations are: In March for the equinox, and in June the Inti Raymi and the San Pedro celebrations.
Another attraction of Cayambe are the pyramids of the Sun and the Moon at Puntiachil on the edge of town and the private museum of Marco Sandoval Ortiz.

Important Notice: If you wish to book in advance any of the below listed hosterias, haciendas, hotels, hostels, cabins, or bed and breakfasts in Cayambe for either a high standing or affordable place to stay during vacations. By filling in our online Hotel reservation form, a BOE specialized agent will be able to search for the best and most affordable accommodation rates. Save time and money and take advantage of immediate discounted hotel rates!.

Hacienda Guachala.- A beautiful hacienda built in 1580 with swimming pool. Simple comfortable rooms with fireplaces. Horses for rent, and organized excursions to pre-Inca ruins. Location: South of Cayambe on the road to Cangahua. Reservations: Tel. 2363042. Book now!

Hostal Cayambe.- Address: Bolivar 23 and Ascázubi. Reservations: Tel. 2361007.

La Gran Colombia.- Located on the Panamericana, north of town. Reservations: Tel. 2361238.

Hostal Mitad del Mundo.- Located on the Panamericana south of town. Reservations: Tel. 2360226.

El Molino.- French style and a nice atmosphere. Located on the Panamericana norte, Km 3.

Casa de Fernando.- Located on the Panamericana Norte Km 1 1/2.

Bus

To get there, a direct bus cooperative named Flor del Valle, leaves every 10 minutes from Manuel Larrea and Asunción in Quito. It's 1 1/2 hours. The ticket value is around US$1.00. From the Terminal Terrestre in Quito there are some Quito-Otavalo buses that stop in Cayambe departing every few minutes. Always ask around before buying a ticket.

From Cayambe to Olmedo is 1 hour, buses leave every 30 minutes, the ticket value is around US$0.45. To lbarra, is 1 1/2 hours. Ticket value around US$0.60. To Otavalo is 40 minutes and the ticket value is around US$0.45.

Cayambe, is one the main access points for the Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve.

Cayambe Volcano.- At 5,790 m, Ecuador's third highest peak. Located 1 km south of Cayambe and 26 km to the Ruales-Oleas-Berge refuge (4,800 m). To stay in the refuge (refugio) one night costs around US$ 10 per person. Up to 37 people can sleep here in bunks, but it is advisable to bring a sleeping bag and the basics. In the refuge there is a fireplace, eating area and a kitchen. Also water, a radio for emergencies and electricity. Climbing Cayambe is dangerous and more difficult than either Chimborazo or Cotopaxi, especially near the summit is an avalanche risk due to southeastern winds which are definitely a problem. Another alternative is climbing to the northeast summit (5,570 m), which is not recommended.

Located thirty two kilometers north from Quito's center. Calderón is a small town where attractive figures made of bread dough and glue are done. A Native specialty. Except for Sundays you can see them being made, prices are much lower than in Quito. They range from around US$0.15 to $5, which is very cheap for such a craft like that. The figures can also be seen in November in most of the cemeteries especially the 1 and 2nd day of November when the Catholics decorate the graves with flowers, food and drinks for the dead. (See also Arts and Crafts). In Calderón they have a procession called "The Corpus Christi".

The small village of Guayllabamba, is famous for their delicious avocados and chirimoyas. Guayllabamba also hosts the Quito Municipal Zoo. The area is a very popular destination for all Quiteños, who escape from the city's routine on weekends to eat the typical food in the several "comedores" in town or along the road to Cayambe.

A protected area that contains 15 truncated clay pyramids covered by earth and grass and nine with long ramps. Tolas de Cochasqui is an archaeological site, administered by the Consejo Provincial de Pichincha. Built by Indians of the Cara or Cayambi-Caranqui tribe between 900 and 1500 A.D.
Visits to the pyramids are available and there is a small entry fee.

El Quinche is very well known by "La Virgen del Quinche" (El Quinche virgin) where there is a sanctuary to Nuestra Señora del Quinche in the main plaza. Also known for the processions held on 21 November honoring the virgin and asking for miracles. The small village is situated six kilometers southeast of Guayllabamba. The virgin's image was the work of a sculptor around 1600 in Oyacachi.

In Cayambe: