Riobamba City

Why not include a visit to Riobamba, the capital of the Chimborazo Province, in your holiday break in Ecuador. Forming the agricultural centre of the region with a population of more than 100,000, Riobamba is blessed with one of the most dramatic geographical settings in the country. On clear days, the volcanoes of Chimborazo and El Altar provide the most captivating backdrop imaginable. At an elevation of 2,700m, it is a pleasant country town with some eye-catching colonial architecture that comes alive during market day on Saturday. The small-scale ceramics, cement, textiles, shoe manufacturing, food processing and local craft industries make it the hub of local commerce. Although not a popular tourist destination, Riobamba makes a fine base for exploring the region and is the departure point for the thrilling Devil’s Nose train ride.