CAYAMBE

Cayambe is the largest town to the north of Quito. Located on the Pan-American Highway at the base of the Caymbe Volcano, Cayambe is an important agricultural town. Traditionally most of the residents are involved in subsistence farming, dairy farming, or lumber. Cayambe has long been famous for cheese produced here as well as a short bread style biscuit known as bizcochos often eaten with local cheese called bizcochos con queso (with cheese).

In the 1980's a new business has immerged in Cayambe. Colombian growers noticed that the 12 hour days and fertile volcanic soil in the area produce great roses. Hundreds of green houses now exist near the Cayambe. Ecuadorian Roses have the reputation for being high quality with a large head and long lasting.

History of Cayambe

Cayambe was home to the Caranqui and Cayambi people who grew corn, quinoa, yucca, beans and raised guinea pigs and llamas. The Caranqui and Cayambi lived peacefully in a loosely organized federations. These people closely identified with the mother earth Pacha Mama. The people unified under Nasacota Puento to resist Incas.

Using the 17 pucaras or fortresses built on the hills around Cayambe including Pambamarca, Quito Loma, Cochasqui, Guachala and Pesillo the Caranqui and Cayambi successfully held off the Inca advances for 20 years. In the early 16th century the coalition was was defeated by Huayna Capac. The Incas then killed an estimated 50,000 Caranqui and Cayambi warriors throwing their bodies into lake Yahuarcocha (the lake of blood) near Ibarra the water of the lake turned red and stayed that way for several days. Approximately 1,000 of the Cayambi fled the area traveling over the mountain and were never incorporated into the Inca Empire.

Those who remained in the area, under the Incas all but the very young and very old were moved from Cayambe and relocated to Matibamba in southern Peru to produce Coca Leaves for the Incas. Some 30,000 Incan colonists came to the Cayambe area to teach the local people the Inca customs and religion. For the next 29 years the region became part of Tahuantinsuyo (the Incan Empire). When the Spanish arrived the people of Cayambe were resistant against the Spanish as they had been with the Incas and never fully gave up their traditional beliefs.

Each year around the time of the fall equinox (March) and winter solstice (July) thousands of local indigenous people come dressed in their traditional clothes many wearing masks singing and dancing and celebrate the sun. The parade travels down the main street around the central plaza and ends at the mud pyramids of the sun and moon nearby where the participants spend the day in celebration.

Visiting Cayambe

Most visitors to Cayambe make a short stop at the the small equator monument along the Pan-American Highway and to purchase queso and bizcochos. Those wishing to visit the town will find it small and pleasant. The mud pyramids of the sun and moon near the main square are interesting in that Pre-Columbian pottery shards can easily been seen by those who look. The family that tends the land has an interesting collection of pieces that have appeared in the soil after rain storms over the years.

In the south part of town is a small museum of pre-Colombian pottery. The owner tells that one night he had a dream to dig under his house and when he did he discovered a treasure trove of ancient pottery. These relics are now on display in his museum.

Climbing Cayambe

The trailhead for Mt. Cayambe is in the town of Cayambe. Snow-covered Cayambe, is the third highest mountain in Ecuador at 18997ft (5790m) and is considered one of the favorites of mountaineers.

Cayambe is the highest point on earth lying directly on the equator. To reach the summit requires crevasses, seracs and a rock and ice wall. The climb is more technical then either Cotopaxi or Chimborazo.

The Ruales-Oleas-Berge Refugio located at 15,749ft (4800m) is known as the nicest refuge in Ecuador. It has bunks for 37 people a kitchen with fireplace, eating area with tables and benches, running water and an emergency radio.

Recommended Hotels

Hacienda Guachala - The oldest hacienda in Ecuador Guachala is a charming country inn.