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Discover the magical
Binational Colombia - Ecuador Road
A journey full of culture, nature and tradition
Walk the Binational Road Pasto - Ibarra, which begins in Pasto, capital of Nariño, where the presence of the imposing Galeras volcano. Enjoy the local gastronomy, with dishes such as the hornado pastuso, empanadas de añejor and nariñense tamale. Then, in Ipiales, marvel at the majestic Sanctuary of the Virgin of Las Lajas, one of the most impressive temples in America. Crossing into Ecuador, it passes through Tulcan the Ibarra, and enjoy the El Angel Ecological Reserve and the indigenous culture of Otavalo, known for its handicraft market. A trip full of culture, nature and tradition.
Temperature
Oscillates 10° H y 22 ° C
Weather
● Cold tempered
● Altitude between 1.220 and 2.900 m.s.n.m.
● Dry season: December to March and July to August, high visitor season.
● Rainy season: April to June and October to November, low visitor season.
How to get there?
Find the best route to start your experience
Terrestrial Tour
For the tour you can choose to take a bus from the main terminals, rent a private vehicle or hire an organized tour by travel agencies. If you choose to travel by bus, remember to check schedules and routes to better plan your experience.
Ipiales
Terrestrial Tour
For the tour you can choose to take a bus from the main terminals, rent a private vehicle or hire an organized tour by travel agencies. If you choose to travel by bus, remember to check schedules and routes to better plan your experience.
Start touring Pasto and its surroundings
In Pasto the “Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art” visit:
● The Plaza de Nariño locatedin the city center. You can also visit the Cathedral of Pasto, declared a NationalCultural Interestto the national.
● Museums full of cultural richness such as the Taminango Museum, the Negros y Blancos Carnival Museum, the Gold Museum, the Juan Lorenzo Lucero Museum and the Alfonso Zambrano Museum-workshop, where art and tradition become visible.
● Live theCarnival of Blacks and Whites, one of the most enjoyable cultural experiences in Colombia.The Carnival became Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco in 2009. IIt celebrates the first days of January and invites you to enjoy parades of floats, music, dances and painting games in whites and blacks that celebrate indigenous, African and Spanish roots.
● Galeras Volcano is admired from the city of Pasto and for adventurous spirits it is possible to go to visit the protected area Galeras Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, where you can go hiking and wildlife watching. The volcano's foothills are ideal for bird watching.
● At la Laguna de La Cocha, a natural paradise close to Pasto, enjoy peoples from boat rides in a place that invites tranquility. In the middle of the lagoon is the smallest natural protected area in peoples from Colombia, the La Corota Island Flora Sanctuary, where you can take a short trail that leads to a lookout point.
● La Planada Natural Reserve, a 3 hours of Pasto, offers trails such as El Tejón and La Vieja, ideal for bird and orchid watching. This reserve is administradin by the Resguardo Indígena Awá Pialapí Pueblo Viejo.
● Try the gastronomy traditional of the region like the hornado pastuso, slow baked pork with local spices. The empanadas de añejo, with fermented corn dough and filled with cheese or meat. The locro pastuso, a thick soup with potatoes, guasca herbs and cheese. And don't miss the tamales nariñenses, wrapped in bijao leaves and filled with flavorful pork.
● Admire the inrtesanías premises like the guanga fabrics that reflect ancestral knowledge in mantas. Discover mopa handicrafts mop or varnish of Pasto, Patrimonio Cultural Immaterial of Humanity by UNESCO (2020), a pre-Hispanic technique that embellishes wooden objects..
Pasto - Ipiales, Nariño (82 km/ 1h40 min)
Fromde the city Pasto head towards Ipiales. En a private vehicle you can take the Pan-American Highway or take a bus at Terminal de Transportes de Pasto S.A. The route offers wonderful landscapes mountainous with different shades of green.
In Ipiales let yourself be surprised by:
● The Santuario of OurLady of Las Lajas with its neo-Gothic architecture, built over a canyon, makes it a unique place in the world and one of the most visited in Colombia. The ● Coffee farms where you learn about the coffee process step by step, walk among coffee plantations and enjoy a cup of the best coffee in the world.Patron Saint Festival of Our Lady of the Rosary of Las Lajas, which commemorates her apparition in 1754, is celebrated between August and September.
● At Iemana Ianta (between March/April) se merge catholic tradition with indigenous expressions, finding different solemn processions.
● Traditional gastronomy: authentic and full of flavors like the roasted guinea pig, prepared with ancestral techniques that highlight its unique flavor.
Ipiales - Tulcán, Carchi (11 km/ 20 min)
From Ipiales continues to Tulcán, Ecuador. En a private vehicle you can take the Pan-American Highway and cross the frontera. You can also take a cab to the border with Ecuador and from there take another to the city of Tulcán. The route offers wonderful mountain scenery and volcanoes.
At Tulcán enjoy:
● Municipal Cemetery “José María Azael Franco Guerrero”.” dazzles with more than 300 sculptures carved in cypress.
● El Ángel Ecological Reserve, near Tulcán, an impressive paramo where you can walk among giant frailejones, walk through forests of Polylepis and visit the wonderful El Voladero Lagoon.
● Bosque de Arrayanes, near Tulcán, a magical place for guided hikes, contemplation of ancient trees and connection with the nature of northern Ecuador.
● Chiles Volcano, for lovers of adventure and high altitude hiking between the Ecuadorian and Colombian border, there are also the Green Lagoons located in an ideal environment that allows wildlife observation and photography of Andean landscapes.
Tulcán - Ibarra, Imbabura (127 km / 2h30 min)
The route continues from Tulcán, capital of the province of Carchi, by private vehicle you can take the Panamerican Highway or take a bus from the Terminal Terrestrial of Tulcán up to Ibarra, capital of the province of Imbabura.
Ibarra enchants with:
● The historic center captivates with the 19th century Cathedral, the Episcopal Chapel and the Government House, icons of its colonial legacy.
● Yahuarcocha Lagoon, very close to Ibarra, allows boat rides, recreational fishing, hiking in the surrounding area, picnics at the viewpoints..
● Surprising lagoons near Ibarra such as Cuicocha, Mojanda Lagoons and San Pablo Lake.
● Plaza de los Ponchos, in Otavalo near Ibarra, brings together more than 3,000 artisans kichwas offering textiles, jewelry and traditional art, with Saturday being the busiest day.
Tourists can continue their journey through Ecuador via the Caminos Andes del Norte.
Road Highlights
SANCTUARY OF LAS LAJAS
In Ipiales, its impressive neo-gothic architecture, located on a canyon, makes it a unique destination, attracting thousands for its beauty, spirituality and natural surroundings.
LAGUNA DE LA COCHA OR GUAMUEZ LAKE
A natural paradise where you can enjoy water sports, boat rides and ecological hikes in the La Corota Island Flora Sanctuary, the smallest reserve in the country.
CARNIVAL OF BLACKS AND WHITES
In Pasto, enjoy parades with giant floats, music, dances and painting games, celebrating the diversity and identity of southwestern Colombia, from January 2 to 6.
TULCÁN MUNICIPAL CEMETERY
Famous for its unique topiary art. With over 300 figures carved in cypress trees, this cultural site stands out for its beauty and and symbolism.
The best adventure
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