Central Highlands - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 165

The Convento de la Concepcion , south of the Plaza de la
Concepción (also referred to as the Plaza Roja), at Orozco and España
(entrance at Argentinos and J Larrea), open Tuesday-Sunday, is a re-
stored convent that now serves as a religious art museum. The mu-
seum is impressive, to say the least, offering displays of priceless
18th-century art.
Market day is Saturday in Riobamba and it's another regional high-
light, drawing natives from all over to the city. It is as much a social
event and symbol of unity as it is a chance for the indigenous commu-
nities to purchase daily necessities. The local San Alfonso Market
is in the eastern part of the city near the cross streets of Junín and 5
de Junio. Other markets include La Condamine , located at
Carabobo and Colombia, San Francisco (the church), near Parque
La Libertad at San Francisco and Velasco, and La Merced , near the
church on Guayaquil and Aspajo. Of more interest perhaps to the for-
eign shopper is the market just south of the Convento de la
Concepción.
Getting to Riobamba is easy, as it sits along the Pan-American High-
way. By bus, it is four hours from Quito in the north, five hours from
Cuenca in the south. The central bus station is at Eplicachima and
Av. D L Borja, but the station serving Baños and the Oriente is lo-
cated at Espejo and Córdovez. Taxis between stations and around
town are advised.
Adventures
The Central Sierras offer endless miles of scenic explora-
tion. Mountaineering is the obvious regional highlight for
the extreme adventurer, as the glistening peaks from
Cotopaxi to Chimborazo and everything in-between invite
those with technical experience or are willing to learn. Trekking and
camping in the backcountry are as beautiful as they are accessible,
though you also have to be prepared for adverse weather conditions.
The hiking opportunities in the páramo countryside are superb, in
many cases requiring only a landmark to aim for. Although there are
plenty of trails, including sections of the most famous trail in the
Americas, the Inca Trail, the páramo landscape is wide open. Several
guest haciendas also provide horseback riding options in the same ar-
eas, an excellent way to experience the Sierras.
Photographers and birders, as well, will be pleasantly surprised. The
stark and enormous landscape combined with equatorial lighting
and uniquewildlifemake this a very special place. Where else can you