History…..

Carchi is located in the northern part of the country, on the interandean alley, borders with Colombia and it was named after the river with the same name. It was founded on November 19, 1880, and it has a population of about 190,000 persons. Temperatures varies from below 0° C on the top of the volcano Chiles to 27°C on the subtropical area near the Esmeraldas Province. Its capital is Tulcán and its located at 134 KM from Quito, the drive takes you through a one of the most enjoyable area of the Ecuadorian Andes. The Hot Springs of Aguas Hediondas (stinking waters) and the paramos of the Chiles Volcano are the obligatory stops for visitors.

Tulcán

Tulcán is the capital of Carchi, founded by the Spanish conquistadors on June 11, 1535. It has a population of about 61,000 as of the 2015 census. This canton situated a 2,980 meters above sea level it’s the highest elevation in Ecuador. This city is located only 7 Km from the Colombian border, the Rumichaca Bridge joins both countries and it’s the major point of entry to Ecuador both for commercial and emigrants.

Things to do in Carchi……

Carchi offers visitors with some of the beautiful and incredible places in the northern part of Ecuador. • Chiles - Cerro Negro Volcano • El Ángel Ecological Reserve • Tulcán Municipal Cemetery • Tufiño Baths • La Encañada Lagoon • Guanderas Private Biological Reserve • Arrayanes Forest • El Salado Lagoon • Paluz Waterfall • Las Canoas Complex

Chiles - Cerro Negro volcanos

These two volcanoes are shared between Ecuador and Colombia, they are located at 35 Km to the west of city of Tulcán and at 130 Km to the north of Quito. Chiles volcano is a snow caped volcano; it has an altitude of 4,700 meters. Climbing this volcano represents a challenge to people trying to reach the summit because of the rocky formation. If you visit this volcano, you will pass through the northern part of another important site in Carchi, El Angel Ecological Reserve National Park.

El Ángel Ecological Reserve

With 40,874 acres, this Ecological Reserve are filled with huge Frailejones (Espeletia pychnophyla) which grows to about 20 feet and produces a flower that resembles the sunflower. This park provides of the water to Carchi in its entirety, this is accomplished through the various rivers that flow down the mountains. This park also housed a variety of animals and birds like, wolf, wild rabbit, condor and carunculated caracara, (caracara carunculada). These lakes are full of trout, gulls and ducks.

Tulcán Municipal Cemetery

Unique in its kind "Sculpture in green" this cemetery with the cypress figures found in the cemetery it is a sculpture in green with representation of cultures like the Greek, Egyptian, Inca, Arabic styles, and natural forms. There you can see figures referring to the fauna of the Galapagos Islands and various indigenous cultures of Ecuador, Gothic columns, arches, among many others. This cemetery it’s a must visit place if you are visiting Carchi, its located in the city’s downtown a few meters from the Isidro Ayora Park.