Penipe is a town located on the slopes of El Altar volcano. This is 92 mi. (149 km.) South of Quito, near Riobamba — in the Chimborazo province, Ecuador. There are some buses from Riobamba to Penipe — approximately 10 mi. (16 km.) driving east. In fact, Penipe's main attraction is "El Altar" volcano; as well as the Tungurahua volcano. The first one is an extinct volcano that contains a crater lake, known as Laguna Amarilla, while the other one is an active volcano near the town of Banos de Agua Santa. In addition, other attractions are Quishar forest; Chambo and Puela rivers; and Curiquingue and Quinoaquiro waterfalls.
The name of Penipe comes from the "colorado" native language: "PI-NI-PI", which means the "River of the Serpents". Due to a native American tribe that lived in that area. Penipe is a nice town with nice people. They work either in agriculture, poultry farming, or fruit growing. Some traditional food includes roasted guinea pig (cuy), roasted pork, potato soup, quinoa soup, corn tortilla, and more.
Besides the Ecuadorian holidays, Pepipe celebrates local holidays as well. The town anniversary on February 9 and the Patron Saint festivities on October 4. Climate is warm in the valleys, cold in the paramos and chilly near the volcano area.