La Esperanza is a town in northern Ecuador, in the Imbabura Province. It lies at the northern foot of the Mount Imbabura volcano. La Esperanza is the best base-town for climbing the Imbabura volcano. The climb isn't too hard but the last part involves walking over loose rocks so if you don't have experience then it's best to hire a guide. A round trip will take about 10 hours. If you can't be bothered with all that walking then make the short trip up the Loma Cubilche, just south of town. It's not nearly as strenuous and the views from the top are still great.

Getting there
There are regular buses from Ibarra but it is possible to walk here.