| Trekking & Hiking
In the Southern Andes near Cuenca, we find El Cajas National Park, situated in the majestic west mountain range. It is one of Ecuador’s natural wonders that must be added to the repertoire of every trekking amateur. Cajas lies at an altitude between 3200 and 4500m and boasts 28,544 hectares of numerous species of flora and fauna and impressive rock formations. Its 235 glacial lakes feed into breathtaking waterfalls, as its rivers descend toward the Pacific while others flow through el Oriente, ultimately arriving to the Amazon river. In addition to hiking, you can enjoy freshwater trout fishing, while listening to the wild birds singing in the background. There are approximately 125 species of birds inhabiting Cajas which include: the condor, the violet-tailed metaltail, sword-bill, shining sunbeam, sparkling violet-ear, etc.
If you wish to combine culture and nature with active travel, you must do the Inca trail, which takes you along the very same path than the Incas used to follow. This ancient main trail has also being used by merchants and travelers. The trail passes through astonishing natural landscapes, small hidden villages, past Culebrillas lake, finally arriving at Ingapirca, our most famous Inca ruins. In the area we also find other important ruins such as Colloctor and Cojitambo and the colorful Cañari Indian markets of Ingapirca (Fridays) and Cañar (Sundays). It is also worth mentioning the amazing scenery from the trail, formed by farming landscapes of different crops and lots of cattle for breeding.
The Northern Andes of Ecuador offers beautiful snowcapped mountains and volcanoes for great trekking trips. We must add to any itinerary the highlights of the amazing surrounding area such as lakes, moorlands, forest, Indian markets and villages, haciendas and all the components for a unique trekking experience.
The Central Andes offers excellent trekking options around the Chimborazo (6310m), highest mountain in Ecuador; Carihuairazo (5200m) which requires a moderate effort for a summit attempt and Altar, well known for its amazing landscapes.
We recommend visitors to have an appropriate acclimatization process for a better adjustment to the altitude. You can enjoy our daily tours or join a moderate trekking adventure of 2 or more days camping in spectacular natural spots.
See:
El Cajas National Park
Trekking the hidden Cajas
Inca Trail: Achupallas to Ingapirca
Rural Hike: Sigsig to Gualaceo
El Cajas Gourmet
Cotopaxi hike
Chimborazo trekking
Altar trekking
El Cajas National Park
Private, Any Day, Full Day
El Cajas is considered a paradise for hikers due to its ecological conservation and natural beauty. On our trip, we do a moderate hike for about 3 hours through some of its 230 glacier lakes, admiring the moorland vegetation (high Andean grassland, like moors at high altitude) with amazing micro flora, some patches of Quinoa primary forests and spectacular rock formations. The 2nd walk last about 1 hour in the lower cloud forest zone; rich in plant life and abundant in species of birds. The 2 walks are in very different environments, showing all the highlights of the park. For lunch we go to a local restaurant or we take a packed lunch.
Depending on passenger fitness and interest, we could do a longer or more difficult hike, or an easier and more flexible sightseeing journey.
Shared Basis, Any Day, Full Day
Travelers must be fit enough for a moderate standard hike of approximately 4 hours.
Visit also:
Trekking the hidden Cajas
Inca Trail: Achupallas to Ingapirca
Rural Hike: Sigsig to Gualaceo
El Cajas Gourmet
Cotopaxi hike
Chimborazo trekking
Altar trekking
Trekking the hidden Cajas
Private, Any Day, 3 Days / 2 Nights
Private, Any Day, 2 Days / 1 Night
The 3 days trekking in El Cajas National Park will allow us to see the inner and most remote parts of the park, taking us along the ancient Inca Trail (known as Ingañan) which used to connect the old city of Tomebamba (actual Cuenca) with the coast passing through several tambos (Inca huts) and important lakes such as Luspa and Mamamag and down through the cloud forest area of Llaviuco. The two days trip is a shorter version of the 3 days one, which picks up the highlights on route.
Day 1: Tres cruces - Canutillos lake
Day 2: Canutillos – Osohuayco lake - Mamamag lake
Day 3: Mamamag – Llaviucu lake
This trip’s itinerary could vary depending on the fitness level of travelers.
This is a sample itinerary; there are several routes for 2 or more days.
Overview:
- 2 nights camping
- Moderate activities of 4 – 6 hours. Porters and mules provided
- Highland terrain elevations from 3,200 to 4,100 m.
Shared Basis, Tuesdays, 2 Days /1 Night
The route taken could vary from the ones used on private basis, since porters, mules and cook are not provided.
Visit also:
El Cajas National Park
Inca Trail: Achupallas to Ingapirca
Rural Hike: Sigsig to Gualaceo
El Cajas Gourmet
Cotopaxi hike
Chimborazo trekking
Altar trekking
Inca Trail: Achupallas to Ingapirca
Private, Any Day, 3 Days /2 Nights
The Inca empire was connected by a well maintained road system, most of which has disappeared with the passage of time. These roads were constructed with stones and in some places they were more than seven meters wide. It is still possible to hike along the best preserved parts of this road system, which offers a view of what was Incan country and of the rural Andean life which has remained unchanged for centuries. The trip starts in a small village known as Achupallas 3 hours from Cuenca or 1 ½ hours from Alausi and end in Ingapirca, a sun’s worshipping temple.
Day 1: Cuenca – Achupallas – 3 Cruces
Day 2: 3 Cruces - Culebrillas lake
Day 3: Culebrillas – Ingapirca
Overview
- 2 nights camping
- Moderate activities of 4 – 6 hours. Porters and mules provided
- Highland terrain elevations from 3,200 to 4,100 m
Visit also:
El Cajas National Park
Trekking the hidden Cajas
Rural Hike: Sigsig to Gualaceo
El Cajas Gourmet
Cotopaxi hike
Chimborazo trekking
Altar trekking
Rural Hike: Sigsig to Gualaceo
Private, Any Day, Full Day
This a fascinating and entertaining rural hike that passes through important historical sites such as Chobsi cave and Dumapara ruins. It also visits the impressive Chobsi canyon and show us local traditional houses made of adobe and tile roofs. The trail runs along the Sta Barbara river where we find lots of orchards, native trees and fields full of corn, wheat, barley and potatoes. All these ingredients turn this walk into a wonderful countryside experience. Pic nic lunch by the river. Returning to Cuenca we could shortly stop at the craft-making villages of Chordeleg and Gualaceo.
Visit also:
El Cajas National Park
Trekking the hidden Cajas
Inca Trail: Achupallas to Ingapirca
El Cajas Gourmet
Cotopaxi hike
Chimborazo trekking
Altar trekking
El Cajas Gourmet
Private, Any Day, Full Day
This hiking trip includes a luxury lunch with high service standards and special local and fusion dishes, using the natural beauties of this park as our setting. In the middle of our hike, we will find a comfortable dining tent with tables, chairs and elegant accessories used for providing a top of the range service. Food is prepared by professional chef and served by a skilled waitress. After this memorable lunch we continue with the hike enjoying the natural wonders of El Cajas N P.
Visit also:
El Cajas National Park
Trekking the hidden Cajas
Inca Trail: Achupallas to Ingapirca
Rural Hike: Sigsig to Gualaceo
Cotopaxi hike
Chimborazo trekking
Altar trekking
Cotopaxi hike
Private, Any Day, Full Day
Shared Basis, Any Day (please confirm), Full Day
This is without any doubts, the most popular hike along the inter Andean valley. It shows the best sites, which combine snow-capped mountains, indigenous markets and small villages. Cotopaxi volcano (highest active in the world – 5897mts) is the heart of this beautiful National Park and one of the prime tourist attractions in the country. Once there, we will do some walking in the moor land zone and if weather conditions allow, we could reach the refuge and walk around there too. Lunch at a local restaurant or hacienda.
Visit also:
El Cajas National Park
Trekking the hidden Cajas
Inca Trail: Achupallas to Ingapirca
Rural Hike: Sigsig to Gualaceo
El Cajas Gourmet
Chimborazo trekking
Altar trekking
Chimborazo trekking
Private, Any Day, 3 Days / 2 Nights
For this amazing trekking experience, we use the mountain Lodge " Estrella del Chimborazo" located at Totorillas valley at 4.000m, at the foot of the majestic volcano. From here, we drive 40 minutes to the Carrel Hut (4800m) and then climb for 1 hour to the Whymper Hut (5000m). Following "Edward Whymper's Route" we will reach 5200m enjoying the breath taking glaciers of El Chimborazo. The 2nd day we do the Yungas hike across the paramo and punas at the Great Sand Pit (Arenal). Our hike continues down in direction to the coast following the trail of the old "Yungas", who were the traders of exotic products, for about 5 to 6 hours of hiking before taking our vehicles at approximately 3.000m back to the lodge. The 3rd day we drive to the Northeast side to the Carihuayrazo Vicuñas Reservation, with a stock of over 800 wild vicuñas. Here we hike through the reservation to the unique Abraspungo Valley between the impressive peaks of Chimborazo and Carihuairazo.
Day 1: Estrella del Chimborazo – refuges and glaciers
Day 2: Las Yungas trekking
Day 3: Carihuayrazo vicunas reserve hike
Overview:
- Overnight at lodge
- Moderate hikes of aprox 5 hours a day
- Elevation terrain from 3,000 to 5,000 mts
Visit also:
El Cajas National Park
Trekking the hidden Cajas
Inca Trail: Achupallas to Ingapirca
Rural Hike: Sigsig to Gualaceo
El Cajas Gourmet
Cotopaxi hike
Altar trekking
Altar trekking
Shared Basis, Any Day, 3 Days / 2 Nights
This is the fifth highest mountain in Ecuador and one of the most beautiful trekking itineraries in the country. It's an extinct volcano which at one time was probably higher than the Cotopaxi but a huge eruption almost destroyed the cone leaving a steep-sided and jagged crater of 3 kms of diameter. Once at Hacienda Releche we hike for 5 hours to the Collanes valley for setting camp at 3900m. Next day we hike for 3 hours to the crater rim at 4200m and down to the Laguna Amarilla before returning to base camp. Last day we descend back to Releche to catch our vehicle back to Riobamba
Day 1: Riobamba – Hacienda Releche – Collanes Base Camp
Day 2: Collanes valley – Crater rim – Amarilla lagoon – Base camp
Day 3: Base camp – Hacienda Releche - Riobamba
Overview:
- Overnight at camping site
- Good health and fitness level
- Experience level for beginners and up
- Trekking up to 6 hours per day
- Elevation terrain from 2,900 to 4,000 mts
Visit also:
El Cajas National Park
Trekking the hidden Cajas
Inca Trail: Achupallas to Ingapirca
Rural Hike: Sigsig to Gualaceo
El Cajas Gourmet
Cotopaxi hike
Chimborazo trekking
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