My brother, Stephen, and I made a trip to Quito, Ecuador in June, 2023. We took advantage of an opportunity to take a trip through Baños to the Devil’s Cauldron. The area sits on the edge of the Amazon Rainforest, and is a great reason to get out of the city.
We saw a lot on this all day adventure. We stopped at the Swing at the End of the World (it was foggy, and the pictures suck). Then we moved on to a roadside eatery for some “cuy.” Afterward, we drove around the area stopping at various waterfalls. Finally, after the fog lifted, we enjoyed views of the two highest points on earth – Cotopaxi and Mt. Chimborazo, lush scenery, and numerous waterfalls.
Cuy – An Ecuadorian Delicacy
Neither of us mustered up enough courage to try cuy. Simply put, I was not keen on sampling roasted guinea pig. I suffered through a horrific, life threatening bout of food poisoning in Okinawa, and I have not been an adventurous eater since. However, there were a few brave souls on our tour bus who gave it try, and they all said it tasted a little gamey and had a chewy texture. I took their word for it.
A Basket over the Falls
It wasn’t a barrel, and we were a hemisphere away from Niagara. Our next stop was at Cascada el Manto de la Novia. It’s a waterfall easily seen from the roadway. The best view, however, is from a small, open air cable car (i.e. a basket) that takes you across a small gorge to the falls. It’s a short, 2 to 3 minute trip, and it was worth overcoming my fear of heights to enjoy the amazing views of the falls and river valley.
After about another 20 minutes of driving, we arrived at the Devil’s Cauldron, or Pailon del Diablo in Spanish. Accessing the falls requires a short, twenty minute hike along a fast flowing river. There is a nearby staircase where visitors can climb down into the gorge. It’s slippery, and you will get wet, so be careful. Also, visitors may access the falls by crossing a small suspension bridge. We chose this option to we could admire the rushing water from directly behind the falls. The trail is paved and well maintained. There are restrooms, snack vendors, and souvenir stalls at the trailhead.
The falls are very impressive, and you will be amazed at the amount of energy they generate. I have never seen such a large volume of water move so quickly and forcefully. It looks as if the water is compressed into a tight ravine and then explodes over the side and into the cauldron below.
The water seems to explode over the side and into the cauldron below.
Return to Quito
After a stop for lunch, we made our way back to Quito. The three hour drive passed through small towns and villages. The fog lifted, and we enjoyed views of Cotopaxi and Mt. Chimborazo – two of the highest points on Earth when measured from the core. Whereas Mt. Everest is the highest point from sea level, these two Ecuadorian giants are closer to the sun due to the equatorial bulge, which gives them a two mile advantage.
My brother and I thoroughly enjoyed this tour. It offered a fantastic day away from Quito’s urban hustle and bustle, and gave us the opportunity to get a taste of the Ecuadorian countryside. I hope you take advantage of a similar a trip through Baños to the Devil’s Cauldron if you find yourself in Quito.
This looks like a teriffic destination. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Oh my, I remember that staircase.
It looked a bit treacherous when we were there.