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Papallacta: Rest, Relaxation, Health And Ecoturism - Friday, March 30, 2007
After a length and productive period of work in my country, I decided to award myself with deserved vacations of rest and relaxation, it was how I decided to come to Ecuador, and between all tours and services that I took, definitively the Excursion to the Papallacta Hot springs & Spa of the One Day Tours that Gray Line Tours Ecuador in Quito - Ecuador provided to me, was the one that fulfilled all my expectations, since in a single excursion I could know, relax, rest, enjoy a ecotourist footpath and until care a little bit my physical health.It was as well as today in the morning a very likeable guide of Gray Line Tours Ecuador in Quito - Ecuador, it gathered to us in the Lobby of my Hotel in Quito - Ecuador, and she lead us to the vehicle of Gray Line Tours Ecuador in Quito - Ecuador, a very comfortable transport and with a very kind driver and cheerful, that would take us until the Resort & Spa of the “Termas de Papallacta”, located to 40 miles of distance.
We initiate our trip and we took the "New Oriental Highway", in the direction of the Quito - Ecuador surrounding valleys by the East, we pass through a town that denominates Cumbaya, where we could appreciate very elegant houses and condominiums, since in this population and the following one, Tumbaco, have taken root many wealthy families from Quito - Ecuador, that looking for fresh air and a little tranquility has decided to move away at least 15 minutes of the noise of the city. Cumbaya, also is a fantastic place to taste many of typical plates of the zone of the Ecuadorian Highland and is as well as many families leave Quito – Ecuador the week ends, according the guide commented to us, to taste these wonderful gastronomy of Ecuador.
We continued our Tour, in the direction of the Amazonian Jungle of Ecuador, since Papallacta is the entrance to this zone. We pass through other towns like Pifo, Yaruqui and Checa, each one with a special and a different colorful and attractive. Also in the route we are knowing different altitude floors from the Ecuadorian Highland, taking care that we have coming down from Quito - Ecuador that is a city located on 9,200 feet over the sea level, to valleys and soon we returned to raise between straw highlands characterized by the precious straw bushes, by the western mountain range, to pass the transition point between the Ecuadorian Highlands and the entrance to the Ecuadorian Amazon Jungle, whose higher point is the denominated of the Papallacta Virgin where we arrived until the 13,700 feet over the sea level. After this point we began to descend, just a few minutes of our final destiny, and before arriving at the end of the pavement road, we can appreciate to the beautiful Papallacta Lagoon, and by this zone we already are within the Cayambe - Coca Ecological Reserve, and the existing diversity in the area, making it a real paradise for the fishermen and fanatics of the adventure sports like the horseback riding, trekking, rappelling, etc.
Once in the “Termas de Papallacta” Resort and Spa (hot springs), knowing that we are to 10,560 feet over the sea level in the Andes Mountain Range, and between 2 volcanoes, The Cayambe Volcanoe and The Antisana Volcanoe, this last one, with this sunny and spectacular day that we have we can appreciate it in all its splendor, it invites us to raise its perpetual snows, but that will be in another opportunity, be cause in this occasion we are going to relax, rest and enjoy thermal waters of these Papallacta Hot Springs.
The hydrothermal value of Papallacta Hot Springs is thanks to Papallacta 's location like I mentioned before, between the Cayambe and Antisana Volcanoes. The source temperature of the thermal baths varies between 30°C and 70°C (86°F and 158°F). At the pools the temperature ranges from 36°C to 40°C (97°F to 104°F), which contrasts with the cold climate, typical of the zone. The thermal waters contain sulfates, sodium, calcium, chloride and traces of magnesium which are odorless, colorless but have a slightly salty taste to us. Besides the baths curative properties, our guide told us that they will helps to improving intestinal function, are also anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, anti-rheumatic, etc.
So after spending a good time submerged in these delicious and warms thermal waters and to arrive at a indescribable point of relaxation, I decided to take like optional a complete corporal massage that would leave me for a long time in the limb. The rest of my family, decided to take a long walk by the footpaths from the reserve, in which, according to their comments, they had the opportunity to learn many new things and to appreciate a landscape without equal.
Once in the Van in the return way, been thankful to have taken this tour, completely relaxed, and with new forces for another year of work, we began our return to the city, with a beautiful sunshine worthy of The Middle of the World, like wanting to boast of its beauty.
The only thing that I can comment to you is that, last night it was the night in which more placidly I have slept in all my life, for that reason the next trip of rest and relaxation that I need, I will do it on the Papallacta Hot Springs in Ecuador.
- Created:
- Friday, March 30, 2007 at 8:35 AM