Termas de Papallacta

Termas de Papallacta Spa and Resort is located just 67 kilometers (40 miles) east of Quito, Ecuador's capital. The route to get to Termas de Papallacta is the route to the Amazon rainforest taken by the Spanish conquistador Francisco de Orellana in 1542 as he crossed the Andes mountain range when he discovered the Amazon and the Amazon River.

Termas de Papallacta is perched on a high Andean valley and is on the entrance route to the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle. The Termas de Papallacta resort, with its specialist emphasis on being a spa, offers its visitors onsite health, recreation, adventure and rest. Also, this includes taking the waters at the thermal springs, diverse treatments at the health spa, accomodation in hotel rooms & cabins, and adventure at the Rancho del Cañón (Canyon Ranch) or at the Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve.

Several restaurants complement the range of services that Termas de Papallacta offers.  
   
The Ecuadorian Medical Federation has certified that the thermal waters of "Termas de Papallacta SPA & Resort" have medicinal properties that guarantee healthy benefits.
 
Altitude: 3,300 meters (10,824 feet) above sea level.

Climate: Humid rainforest in high mountain. Cold-wet climate

Winter (cold and rain, similar to autumn): June, July and August.
Summer (similar to spring): December, January, February and March
The remaining months present a transition between winter and summer.
Average daytime temperature: 14°C ( 57°F )

Hot Springs 

The hydrothermal value of Termas de Papallacta's Hot Springs is due to the fact that Papallacta is located between two volcanoes, the Cayambe Volcano and Antisana Volcano.

The Hot Springs' temperature at the source varies from 30°C to 70°C (86°F to 158°F) and at the pools it ranges between 36°C and 40°C (97°F to 104°F).

Papallacta´s thermal waters contain sulfates, sodium, calcium, chloride and traces of magnesium which are odorless, colorless, and have a slight salty taste. Besides improving intestinal motility, their properties are also anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, anti-rheumatic, soothing, etc.

Benefitial effects in the Golden Years

The thermal waters are known worldwide and the healing qualities have been already said. This water is specially good for aged people older than 65 years old.

Acitivities

Apart from soaking in our thermal baths, there are several ecotourism and adventure activities available just minutes away:

Canyon Ranch

Termas de Papallacta owns "The Rancho del Cañón" (250 hect- 625 acres) a land field area crossed by the Papallacta River, that offers the visitor a beautiful view of the extinct volcano Antisana (5704 mts - 19800 ft.).  The ranch is located at the entrance of the Cayambe-Coca ecological reserve.

It is possible to do trekking on ecological trails and appreciate the local flora and fauna which boasts unique endemic species (more than 160 bird species, tapirs, anteater bears, etc.) 

There is an “Exploratory” research and interpretation center which provides information on the protected area and its surroundings.

Papallacta's ecological area counts with different kinds of walking tours and horse-back riding trips that will fascinate all lovers of nature. The Terra Foundation is in charge of the observatory that offers information about the different species that form part of the unique environment of Papallacta.

Termas de Papallacta offers excursions along its self-guided and native-guided ecological paths in which you can appreciate the local flora, characterized by Guanto (Brugmansia sanguinea) and polylepis (“paper tree,” unique for the unusual texture of its bark).

Papallacta is a wonderful place for birdwatching (condor, hummingbirds and more). There is also a spectacular view of glaciar landscape, including the extinct volcano Antisana rising 5.704 m. (19.200ft) into the air. You can hike and trek in the surrounding lake-studded mountains.

Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve

This is managed by the Ministry of the Environment. It has an approximate area of 400,000 hectares (1 million acres) composed mainly by páramo , primary forests, rivers and lagoons. lt is considered one of the protected areas of greatest animal and plant diversity in Ecuador . By paying an entrance fee, starting in Papallacta one can visit the reserve highlands composed of Andean paramo and high forests. The paramo, considered a carbon deposit, collects and regulates water flow. Trout fishing is allowed with a permit issued by the controlling authorities.

Quijos River

This unique river as it descends from the high Andes to the Amazon plains offers great whitewater with runing rapids and steep creek descents in its upper area and turns into a strong waterflow as it reaches the lower plains.

Word class whitewater rafting and kayaking are available in the Quijos with class IV and IV+ rapids.

The Quijos was the scenario of the word rafting championship in October 2005.

Facilities

Hotel Termas de Papallacta

The hotel has 32 rooms with heating and private bathroom next to the pools for exclusive use of our guests.

The hotel restaurant offers delicious Ecuadorian and international cuisine while some vegetables on the menu come from our own organic kitchen garden.

Guests have free access without charge to emergency medical services and consultations related to the use of thermal spa services.

Termas de Papallacta cabins

Termas Papallacta's 13 cabins (one and two floors) are located 100 meters ( 330 feet ) from the hotel and offer a welcoming environment with a fireplace in the living room.

The pools at Termas's Papallacta's cabins are also reserved for the exclusive use of its guests, and are ideal for families or couples wishing to have their own social space.

Guests of Termas Papallacta also have free access, without charge, to emergency medical services and consultations related to the use of thermal spa services.

Cuisine and Restaurants

Since good food is an important part of the trip, Termas de Papallacta offers you several restaurants where you can savor national and international food. The trout raised in Termas de Papallacta's zone is the specialty.

Many of the vegetables that Termas de Papallacta offers are organically grown at our vegetable garden, free of chemicals or pesticides.

At the Kiosk you will find a variety of bazaar goods, snacks and drinks

The Spa

This is a small paradise that cannot be missed during your stay at the Termas de Papallacta Resort. It has two areas well defined with many services.

Thermoludic area

The hydrotherapy area of the SPA has 5 thermal hot pools and one cold pool. The Thermoludic Area is the ideal place to do a full circuit experiencing different sensations from streams of water, water hydro massage or hydro massage with air bubbles.

Thermal Club

The Thermal Club is a place that combines design beauty with warm and enjoyable service. In a private and exclusive environment, it allows for the enjoyment of a varied range of treatments related to health and beauty, such as:

Baths in individual hydro massage, body treatments with medicinal mud from the Andes, baths at the Thermal Cave, Finnish saunas, massages with pressurized water or under shower, aromatherapy massages or therapeutic massages, body and facial treatments, etc. Meditation and rest area, and beverages counter.

The Spa at Termas de Papallacta has a clinic and a cafeteria.

Thermal Pools & Hot Springs

Health, recreation & relaxation three important reasons to visit us

The thermal baths are located on the banks of the Papallacta river, in a unique natural environment which contains 9 thermal pools and 3 cold water pools. The resort restaurant offers several food options, and a small kiosk provides bazaar goods, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks.

Termas de Papallacta's clinic attends emergencies and consultations related to health and application of spa waters.

Convention center

Termas Papallacta's Convention Center is an ideal location for meetings in general. The Convention Center has floor heating and the comforts that one can find in large cities, with the added advantage of being away from the noise, pollution and stresses, thus guaranteeing the maximum benefit in less time.

The maximum capacity for conventions is 679 people.