Tungurahua Volcano

Tungurahua or “Throat of Fire” is the most attractive active volcano of Ecuador located in the Cordillera Oriental of the Equatorial Andes, between Chimborazo and Tungurahua provinces. The last eruption started in 1999 and continues until today. You can comfortably stay at “Baños de Agua Santa” (Holy Water Baths) city during your visit, which lays at the volcano’s slope.

 

Tungurahua is also known as “Black Giant” and, in local indigenous mythology is allegedly referred to as Mama Tungurahua (“Mother Tungurahua”), it raises up to 5.023 meters above the sea level, it has 16 km in diameter and is located 33 km South-East of Ambato city. Baños city is located at the volcano’s slopes, five kilometers to the north and offers different services of accommodation and activities, like visiting the Tungurahua. The mountain is part of the Sangay National Park, declared by UNESCO as Natural World Heritage.

 

On July 14, 2006 Tungurahua had its most violent eruption since 1999, letting escape a smoke column of 15 km, composed of ash, steam and rocks, which headed to the Pacific Ocean and was clearly visible in satellite photos. Then, on August 16, 2006 an eight kilometer column of lava emerged from the crater, where huge quantities of ash and fiery rocks escaped. The whole province of Tungurahua, as well as the cities of Riobamba and Penipe in the province of Chimborazo, were covered with layers of rock and ash.

 

The flora is represented by some species such as: chuquiraga, moss campion (almohadilla), achupalla, pega-pega, aliso, bromelias, arrayán, pumamaqui, frailejones, mortiños, motilón, orchids, polylepis, chocho and rosemary. In the proximity of the volcano you can see rabbits, paramo wolves, cougars, spectacled bears, blackbucks, frogs, guinea pigs, tapir, hedgehod, hares and deers. Privileged place for bird watching: doves, blackbirds, swallows, quilicos, chirotes, condors, hummingbirds, band-tailed sierra finches, indigo buntings, hawks and eagles.

 

The reactivation process of the Tungurahua volcano, every 80 years, is a unique attraction because under normal conditions of visibility you can see how the mountain smokes or expulses lava. The indigenous believe that the "Taita Cotopaxi" is married to the "mother Tungurahua". It is easy to climb but with a specialized guide.