Road to Zaruma

It's the end of my visit in Ecuador. I am heading toward the small town of Zaruma for a night, and the next day, I will cross the border and enter Peru.

Curiously, between Cuenca and Zaruma, there are only 100 kilometres as the crow flies, but the change of climate is very surprising. I started in green Cuenca, and then I crossed a desertic zone before reaching Zaruma, where everything was green again.

The altitude in Cuenca was 2500 metres, then I went down to about 800 metres in the desertic zone. After a few dozen kilometres in the desert, I drove back up to more than 3300 metres where I was in the clouds, and I also had some drizzle. Obviously, all was green again. Finally, I went down to 1200 metres to the town of Zaruma. What a change of altitude in only one day!

Here are a few photos of this spectacular route.

It has become quite desertic...

I am now at an altitude of about 800 metres.

The river allows for the creation of some green oasis.

I am climbing up in altitude, the green is coming back.

At 3300 metres, I am back in the clouds and some drizzle.

Descent toward the town of Zaruma.

Zaruma

I thought Zaruma was going to be only an ordinary town where I was only going to sleep before going to the border. I didn't know it was a very photogenic and old mining town with friendly locals.

It is very enjoyable to walk the narrow streets and to admire the old fashion buildings.

He can even aim right...

Some buildings are left to crumble.

In the evening, the town lights up in a magistral way. Since the start of my trip, it's by far the town with the nicest lighting.