Information
Landmark: Cascada Manto de la NoviaCity: Banos
Country: Ecuador
Continent: South America
Cascada Manto de la Novia, Banos, Ecuador, South America
Overview
Cascada Manto de la Novia, or the Bride’s Veil Waterfall, spills in a white curtain of spray along the Ruta de las Cascadas near Banos-de-agua-santa_banos" class="underline">Baños de Agua Santa, Ecuador, and ranks among the area’s most stunning sights.With two silver streams tumbling down a lush green slope, this waterfall draws nature lovers, photographers, and thrill-seekers alike.Cascada Manto de la Novia sits about 11 kilometers (7 miles) from Baños, following the Pastaza River toward Puyo, where the road winds past green cliffs and rushing water.You can reach it quickly by car, bike, or bus, and many travelers pause here to stretch their legs before continuing along the famous Waterfall Route (Ruta de las Cascadas).One of the most thrilling ways to reach the waterfall is by hopping on a tarabita, an open-air cable car that glides high above the Pastaza River Canyon, giving you a sweeping view of the falls and the lush, emerald jungle below.Why do they call it “Bride’s Veil” (Manto de la Novia), with its white spray tumbling like satin in the wind?The waterfall is named for its delicate white streams, thin as silk, cascading like a bride’s drifting veil.While Pailón del Diablo thunders with raw force, Manto de la Novia flows in delicate white ribbons, giving it a graceful beauty that makes it one of the region’s most picturesque waterfalls.Hop on the Manto de la Novia cable car, or tarabita, and you’ll glide so close to the roaring falls you might feel the mist on your face.Suspended 450 meters above the Pastaza River, the ride sweeps you past the roar of the waterfall and over a sea of emerald jungle.The ride’s just a few bucks, and it’ll have your heart racing as the wind whips past-perfect for anyone chasing a little adventure.Visitors can follow a short, winding trail through mossy pines to reach the base of the waterfall.Tall ferns and tangled green vines line the trail, making it a perfect spot for catching a flash of a blue jay or snapping a striking photo.At the bottom, a cool spray from the waterfall brushes your skin, and the quiet all around makes you want to linger.From the pedestrian bridge near the waterfall, you can watch the Pastaza River rush below and see the white spray drifting off the tumbling falls.It’s a perfect place to snap a few photos and take in the rolling hills stretching out under the wide, blue sky.If you’re chasing an adrenaline rush, head to the zipline stations near Manto de la Novia, where you can glide high above the canyon with the roar of the waterfall in your ears.In Baños, travelers often rent bikes and pedal the Ruta de las Cascadas, pausing to feel the cool mist at spots like Manto de la Novia and Pailón del Diablo.River rafting on the Pastaza River delivers roaring white-water rapids, perfect for thrill-seekers who crave the rush of cold spray on their faces.You can reach the waterfall any time of year, but the prime months are June through September, when the dry season keeps the trails firm underfoot-perfect for hiking, biking, and snapping crisp, sunlit photos.From October to May, the rainy season swells the waterfall into a roaring curtain of white, though the slick, mud-slicked trails can make the hike tricky.Go early in the morning, when the air’s still cool, or drop by on a weekday to skip the crowds.While you’re at Cascada Manto de la Novia, take a little time to see what else is close by-like Pailón del Diablo, a roaring waterfall that thunders so loud you can feel it in your chest.Cascada Agoyán towers above the river, a striking waterfall just a short distance from Manto de la Novia.Baños Hot Springs: Sink into the steaming pools and let the day’s mountain dust wash away.At Casa del Árbol, you can soar on the “End of the World” swing, the wind rushing past as Tungurahua Volcano rises in the distance.In conclusion, the Cascada Manto de la Novia is a breathtaking sight, its white curtain of water plunging into the canyon and capturing the wild beauty of Ecuador’s waterfalls.You can ride the aerial cable car, hike down to the base where mist cools your face, or take in the view from a bridge-no matter how you get there, the waterfall’s beauty and calm will leave you breathless.If you’re traveling through Baños de Agua Santa, you can’t skip this stop on the Ruta de las Cascadas-it’s where the roar of falling water fills the air.
