Cable car at the Rio Verde waterfall in the valley of the Pastaza River that flows from the Andes to the upper Amazon Basin, near Banos, Ambato Province, Central Highlands, Ecuador, South America

Smoke rises from the active crater of Tungurahua Volcano that threatens the nearby town of Banos, Ambato Province, Central Highlands, Ecuador, South America

Catholic ornaments outside Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Agua Santa (the Virgin of the Holy Water) which is famous for miracles, on the Parque de la Basilica, Banos, Ambato Province, Central Highlands, Ecuador, South America

Hikers enjoy the view on the verdant slopes of the active Tungurahua Volcano that threatens the nearby town of Banos, Ambato Province, Central Highlands, Ecuador, South America

Cable car at the Rio Verde waterfall in the valley of the Pastaza River that flows from the Andes to the upper Amazon Basin, near Banos, Ambato Province, Central Highlands, Ecuador, South America

The Rio Verde waterfall, one of many in the valley of the Pastaza River that flows from the Andes to the upper Amazon Basin, near Banos, Ambato Province, Central Highlands, Ecuador, South America

The verdant slopes of the active Tungurahua Volcano that threatens the nearby town of Banos, Ambato Province, Central Highlands, Ecuador, South America

Smoke rises from the active crater of Tungurahua Volcano that threatens the nearby resort town of Banos, Ambato Province, Central Highlands, Ecuador, South America

Colourful flowers and church in the Pastaza River valley, near the town of Banos, Ambato Province, Central Highlands, Ecuador, South America

The valley of the Pastaza River, that flows from the Andes to the upper Amazon Basin, near Banos, Ambato Province, Central Highlands, Ecuador, South America

One of many picturesque waterfalls in the valley of the Rio Pastaza that flows from the Andes to the upper Amazon Basin, near Banos, Ambato Province, Central Highlands, Ecuador, South America

The valley of the Pastaza River, that flows from the Andes to the upper Amazon Basin, near Banos, Ambato Province, Central Highlands, Ecuador, South America

Small town of Machay in the Pastaza River valley, that flows from the Andes to the upper Amazon Basin, near Banos, Ambato Province, Central Highlands, Ecuador, South America

Part of the $300 million, 230 megawatt San Francisco hydroelectric project that extends the existing Agoyan power station in the Rio Pastaza valley, downstream of Banos, Ambato Province, Central Highlands, Ecuador, South America

Part of the $300 million, 230 megawatt San Francisco hydroelectric project that extends the existing Agoyan power station in the Rio Pastaza valley, downstream of Banos, Ambato Province, Central Highlands, Ecuador, South America