The Blessing of Volcanoes

ECUADOR, HOME TO HECTIC SEISMIC ACTIVITY, WAS BLESSED WITH THE GIFT OF MAKING THE DEEP ENTRAILS OF ITS VOLCANOES OOZE OUT FABULOUS THERMAL WATERS JUST NATURALLY

Ablessing or a punishment? The people of Ecuador do not even ask this question. They trust that nature is wise, and that if their nation grew up within the Pacific Ring of Fire, that inverted crescent-shaped landscape that in its 400,000 km of length houses half of the world's active volcanoes, Mother Nation had its reasons to do so. Among them, that from the very bowels of that fertile land fabulous thermal waters spring up naturally, recognized for their quality worldwide. With its four regions: Sierra, Oriente,

Costa and Galapagos, where those warm waters abound and have been used since time immemorial by the ancestral inhabitants for their miraculous healing effects - the explanation lies in their high content of nutrients, minerals and sulfurs - Ecuador today proudly shows off its popular spas that make it a spectacular destination for those who pursue natural and spa treatments.

For all the above-mentioned reasons, this South American nation is part of the select list of just 20 countries from four continents

associated with the Termatalia International Fair of Thermal Tourism, Health and Wellness.

Whether it's natural pools, such as those originally discovered and used by the region's indigenous people, or artificial ones, the Ecuadorian territory offers truly impressive sites, such as the city of Baños, the most sought-after destination in that country after the Galapagos Islands, basically because of the presence there of the very active Tungurahua volcano and its thermal waters. In fact, there is not a city within its borders that exceeds the amount of tourist complexes that privilege the activity that it possesses. From Termas del Salado, the water complex of Santa Clara and Termas La Virgen, to Termas Santa Ana and the Las Modernas compound.

MORE NATURAL BLESSINGS

For decades, about 15 families have lived in a very unique community in the province of Guayas, Shuar. Getting at this town not only means being able to bathe at a temperature of up to 40ºc, which is already a gift of nature (especially for those who suffer from muscular pain and such conditions as arthritis and rheumatism), but also having the opportunity to come into contact with good and friendly people who will show you their customs, shamanistic rituals, dances, typical dishes such as fish, chicken, guanta and beef ayampaco..., while they will give you unforgettable massages with mud. As if that wasn't enough, the area offers seven waterfalls and the Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve, perfect for hiking.

An hour and a half from Guayaquil, at the entrance of Balao Chico, is the Shuar Center of Thermal Waters, located not far from the Tuna waterfall with its 20 meters high and the widespread belief that between five and six in the afternoon the visitor can be surprised in its surroundings by good spirits that will purify him.

Oyacachi, which belongs to the Chaco community of the province of Napo, is not only famous for the ruins of Mawka Llacta

The fact that Ecuador is located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is home to half of the world's active volcanoes, leads to fabulous natural hot springs oozing from that fertile land

and the path of La Cueva de la Virgen, where the venerated virgin of Quinche appeared, but also for six magnificent pools ideal for relaxation, whose waters are heated by the Cayambe volcano itself.

And if praise passes from mouth to mouth when someone asks about the Nangulví Hot Springs, then the eyes of those interviewed shine brightly if someone is interested in the Chachimbiro Hot Springs. Located in the province of Imbabura, it has the Aguasavia Complex, approximately 40 minutes from the city of Ibarra, or as the one named Santa Agua, whose gift was given by the crater of the La Viuda volcano, and that later on man promoted by creating an eye-catching complex, the main one in the northern zone of Ecuador, made up of 14 pools: half conceived for the recreational area, and the rest designed for spa or medicinal uses.

The waters that gather here are of mesothermal type, that is to say, their average temperature sways between 30ºc and 50ºc, and they concentrate significant amount of chlorides and sulfides of iron, magnesium, copper, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine..., among the elements that act as digestive regulators, diuretic and central nervous system and cardiovascular stimulant, while also acting as an anti-inflammatory in trauma, neuralgia, arthritis, rheumatism, while also counteracting skin and gynecological infections.

The geological fault called Loma de los Hervideros gives a distinctive seal to the Termas de Baños de Cuenca, which is located in the parish of Baños, in the canton of Cuenca in the province of Azuay. It is this accident that causes the water to reach up to 75ºc (the highest temperature in the country) and a cooling and channeling process has to be applied to bring it down to 38ºc, 40ºc, just the level of heat needed to be used in hot springs, pools and Turkish baths, and do wonders in muscle relaxation, blood circulation, rehabilitation and skin diseases.

The fact that the World Travel Awards awarded the Termas Papallacta as the best Spa and resort in Ecuador back in 2014, gave it a warranty seal that has become even more convincing over the years. The fame of this valley covered with moorland vegetation comes from long ago, when the Inca warriors used to go there exhausted or wounded to heal themselves with those sulfated, sodium, calcium, chloride and slightly magnesium waters, qualities that the Cayambe and Antisana volcanoes have given them, a name that also carries the steep summit, whose silhouette tourists admire while discovering the true paradise.

In its four regions: Sierra, Oriente, Costa and Galapagos, there is abundance of these warm waters that stand out for their miraculous healing effects, thanks to their high content of nutrients, minerals and sulfur