Postcards From Ecuador…Waterfalls of the Andes

Baños, in central Ecuador is a lively town set in the foothills of the Andes mountains, overlooked by the active Tungurahua volcano looming overhead.  It’s the center of Ecuador’s adventure tourism industry and there’s plenty to do in and around town, including visiting a couple of lovely waterfalls.  The first, a short drive away from town is the thundering Pailón Del Diablo waterfall, easily viewed on a thrilling hike along a path and rope bridge that follows the course of the falls. 

 

Nearby, are the lovely Manto De La Novia falls.  These are notable because they are on the opposite side of a mile-long gorge that separates the main road running through the area, with a series of small farming villages on the other side. In order to reach the falls (and enjoy a spectacular view of them), it’s necessary to cross the gorge on an open air cable car, costing $1 for the thrilling round-trip ride.  This isn’t just for adventure seekers, though – you’ll be sharing space in the cable car with villagers who use it as a form of commuting from one side of the valley to the other.