Located between Napo and Sucumbios provinces, 50 km from El Chaco canton, in Gonzalo Diaz de Pineda parish, Reventador is one of Ecuador's most active volcanoes. The entire site bears witness to the impact of natural disasters: notably volcanic movements on the landscape. Scientists, mountaineers and nature enthusiasts consider this place to be an unmissable destination in the Amazon jungle.

History

The volcano's name is drawn from an ancient legend telling the story of a young man who crashed a village party at the foot of the mountain. Nicknamed "The Reventador," the boy discovered that all the guests were ghosts and the organizer was the devil himself. While trying to escape, he fell into the mountain's crater. The explosion sent a block of stone that crushed the devil. Enraged, the devil swore he would have his revenge on the boy. Ever since, locals say that each rumble of the volcano is the devil seeking vengeance on the said Reventador. The Reventador volcano was discovered by an American named JH Sinclair in 1929 during his expedition to the Coca region. Despite persistent poor weather conditions preventing direct visual observations, some scientists still managed to reach it. Volcanologists Hantke and Parodi reported several eruptions in 1966. To this day, the volcano has recorded at least 16 eruptions. The most recent occurred in July 2017.

Today

The Reventador volcano rises over 3,600 meters in altitude amid an ancient ruin that extends more than 17 km and opens toward the east of the Amazon basin. It is a small stratovolcano of 200 meters composed of two structures: the first formed by an old crater that has undergone two sectorial collapses, and the second formed by a cone that developed within it. Located in the sub-Andean zone, Reventador volcano primarily produces andesite and basaltic andesite lava. It emits small strombolian eruptions reaching heights of 3,500 meters and magma that transforms into rock. It is still possible to discover several recent lava flows or those from previous eruptions. Mud flows, lava and pyroclastic flows have created the east plain of the volcano. The flows empty into the Quijos River.

Excursions to Reventador Volcano

Generally, the Reventador volcano area offers two categories of excursions: a walk around the base of the volcano and a second following the route to the volcano's summit. For both itineraries, it is advisable to always depart with a local guide due to the poor condition of the trail, the remoteness of the region and difficult access routes. To climb to the volcano's summit, plan for approximately 3 to 5 days for a round trip. The ascent to the summit includes passage over thick lava flows or potentially slippery mud, continuing over moss-covered ground to an old lahar riverbed. For the delight of mountaineers, the volcano offers steep slopes with terrain still in its raw volcanic state.

The Rich Biodiversity of Reventador

An excursion to the Reventador region also includes a walk around the base of the cone. The journey takes about 4 hours and passes through the lower part of the Cayambe Coca ecological reserve and crosses dense vegetation. Additionally, you can find other natural attractions: the "caverns of the tayos" are the most famous. If you want to discover and appreciate biodiversity further, it is also possible to camp on site. You can encounter indigenous peoples or admire wild plants (orchids, bromeliads, etc.) With its isolated jungles, Reventador is a haven for diverse flora and fauna. Its biodiversity constitutes another attraction for tourists seeking destinations rich in wildlife. As for its fauna, it is specially formed by rare or endangered animal species. During your visit, you may encounter a tapir, agoutis or guatusas, jaguars or tigrillo cats. Several species considered endangered also inhabit the region, including the spectacled bear, Tapirus pinchaque and the Lontra Longicaudis. Spotting the Peruvian cock-of-the-rock or "gallo de la peña" is also an important attraction in the region. It is a beautiful bird with a distinctive call. Females sleep in rocks while males live in trees. To observe these birds best, the optimal time is between March and May. You can then witness the courtship display during which females accompany approximately 30 males to their perch and begin a mating ritual.

Climate

The Reventador region is dominated by a mountainous and equatorial climate. The temperature is very pleasant, ranging between 17°C and 22°C. However, it is best to visit during the dry season (between January and March) to fully enjoy excursions. During the rainy season, clouds and mud create poor visibility and more difficult access.

To reach the Reventador volcano, it is more convenient to first head to the San Rafael waterfall. From Quito, which is 90 km away, buses depart around 7 a.m. following the Quito-Lago Agrio road toward the waterfall.