El Chorro de Girón is made up of three waterfalls that are located within the canton of Girón in the province of Azuay, Ecuador. From the entrance, there is a path that takes you to the base of the waterfalls, to the viewpoint and to the other waterfalls. El Chorro de Girón is located in the El Chorro refuge. This refuge is 5 kilometers from the canton of the same name. In El Chorro de Girón you can go cycling, hiking, camping, climbing and of course take many photos.
En route to the waterfall there is a small $0.25 toll. To enter the waterfall complex there is an entrance fee of $1.50 for Ecuadorians and $3.00 foreign visitors. The waterfall has a height of almost 70 meters and the temperature of the water is a chilly 4 degrees Celsius. The second waterfall is a little more complex to reach with an hour and a half hike and the third waterfall takes almost four hours of hiking to reach.
The route to see the first waterfall is not complex, although you do have to climb several stairs. The one-way journey takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your physical condition. Once at the waterfall you can take photos but you cannot bathe at its base.
If you want to continue walking you can reach the viewpoints where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Chorro de Girón.
If you like adventure you can get on a swing for $3, although the swing does not have a view of the waterfall and the landscape does not have a great visual appeal, as in front of the swing is a parking lot and restaurants. You can also go on a zipline, which costs $10, or cross a Tibetan bridge, which is a suspension bridge where you are held in a harness for $3 per person.
What to pack for the Chorro de Girón?
- Warm clothing
- Raincoat
- Comfortable shoes
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Water
- Snacks
- Camera and cover to protect the camera from water
- Sunglasses
How to get to the Chorro de Girón?
From Cuenca you have to first get to the Girón canton, heading south of the province. The journey is approximately 45 minutes. Once inside the canton, take the Girón – San Fernando road, which has a toll. After 10 minutes, the road forks with a detour to the right which will take you to the entrance of the waterfall.
Where to sleep in the Chorro de Girón?
If you want to spend the night in the Chorro de Girón you can stay in the inn that costs $10 per night per person. There you can also try the delicious Ecuadorian cuisine and the famous fresh trout. The inn offers horseback riding and a place to camp. You can also rent the family cabins or camp in the huts provided by the inn for $4 per person.