With a small surface, pretty much as the size of Colorado state, Ecuador has huge number of micro climates, 62 volcanoes, amazing sceneries, local markets, a lot of history. So you can tell that this is the perfect spot to discover a great culture and nature trough our trekking trips.
We have many options for trekkers, we can build the right trekking trip for you just let us know
Our main trekking product is based in a 14 days itinerary as follows
1
SUN
Arrival Quito
2
MON
Quito - City Tour + Equator line
3
TUE
Quito - Cuicocha
4
WED
Cuicocha - Fuya Fuya - San Pablo - Zuleta - La Esperanza
5
THU
La Esperanza - Cubilche - La Esperanza
6
FRI
La Esperanza - Autoferro - Lechero - Otavalo
7
SAT
Otavalo (market) - Quito
8
SUN
Quito - Pasochoa - Lasso
9
MON
Lasso – Cotopaxi Refuge - Baños
10
TUE
Baños
11
WED
Baños - Chimborazo Refuge - Urbina
12
THU
Urbina - Saquisili - Quito
13
FRI
Quito - Guagua Pichincha - Quito
14
SAT
Salida de Quito
We will leave Quito early in the morning and travel by jeep south along the Panamerican highway to Riobamba. After that we head further southwest to the Hacienda Releche (3080 m). We spend the night here and will be able to enjoy our dinner and the cozy fireplace that the Hacienda has. -/L/D
After breakfast we will climb uphill and we will pass fields and varying vegetation until we reach the Collanes-valley. There we will set up our camp (3.800 m) and have a wonderful view towards the Altar mountain ridge. With some luck we can see gliding condors or hawks above. B/L/D
We will continue our climbing tour and go to the beautiful yellow lagoon. After that we will climb to the end of the valley. This will give us an excellent opportunity to explore the Andean highlands with its Polylepis and Quishuar Trees, variety of bushes and typical flowers. During this climbing tour we will partly be walking along the steep edges of the crater (4.200 m) from which we will have a wonderful view inside. After we have had a nice long break at the shore of the lake we will continue our walk to the highest point (4.480 m). From there we will have a breathtaking view over the extinct volcano. In the afternoon we will return to the camp in the Collanes valley. B/L/D
A cross-country trip will take us through the Andean vegetation, moor region and rocky parts of the northern part of the crater edge. From there will have an amazing view over the snow-covered peak of Chimborazo, Sangay, Cubillin and Quilimias. If we are lucky we might be able to watch condors. In the afternoon we will return to our camp. B/L/D
On our way to the Hacienda Releche the luggage will be carried by mules. We will have a lunch break in between and in the afternoon we will return to Quito. B/L/-
We depart from Quito in the direction to Volcano Pasochoa, where our trekking begins. As we walk up hill towards it summit (4200m) we will enjoy the gorges views of the neighbours peaks such as Antisana, Rumiñahui and Cotopaxi which present their best profile.. We will head Southern on a easy going trail along the crater edge of this extinct volcano, Condors and other birds of pray are often seen before we descend in a green valley where our stuff will be waiting for us for dinner. Overnight in tents. L/D
Today our walk is rather flat, we will go towards the Cotopaxi National Park and explore its North boundaries, and we will visit the Pre-Inca ruins of El Salitre while enjoying magnificent views of Cotopaxi Glaciers. Afterwards we will continue to Limpiopungo valley and lake, few minutes later we will reach our campsite located in the middle of Cotopaxi and Rumiñahui volcanoes. Diner and overnight in tents. B/L/D
Today is the longest day of our trekking tour. We will walk along a trail, up and down following the flanks of Rumiñahui peak observing birds of prey and in the horizon the mighty Chimborazo, and Illinizas until we reach our campsite in the western boundaries of the National Park. Diner and campsite. B/L/D
After breakfast we will keep on our trail and leave the Cotopaxi Park to pass by the old Rail Road Station. Following West direction we will traverse some crops and farms as well as wooded areas, observing the locals at their farm duties, until we reach a nice old Hacienda at the base of Iliniza Peak. Overnight in Hacienda. B/L/D
Today we can either drive our 4x4 vehicle to the parking place and walk up hill to the settle of Illinizas and summit the North peak which is rather easy and recommended as training for those who will attempt Cotopaxi, or continue our trekking up hills in west direction along the slopes of Corazón peak. Somewhere in highlands, our vehicle will be waiting to transfer us to Quito. B/L
The group will have a couple of hours to wake up, have breakfast and be ready to be picked up at 8:30am.
Then, you will transfer to Amaguaña to start the hike to Hacienda El Porvenir.
The hike from 3.000 m (9,842 ft) to 3.500 m (11,482 ft) takes about 6 hours. The trek follows a road surrounded by native forest and offers you a great view of the valley and some mountains such as Antisana, Pasochoa, Viudita, etc. at night there will be a briefing about the history, landscapes, flora and fauna of the region.
Overnight at hacienda el Porvenir. -/L/D
After breakfast we go to a place called “El Pucará del Salitre”, a strategic military fortress from the Inca Empire. This “fort” was used to monitor the “incañanes,” or roads, that led to the Amazon rainforest and to the Latacunga valley.
Following this Inca road, we will head to our campsite. We will have the chance to see herds of Alpacas and learn a little bit about them. This hike takes 6 to 7 hours and is relatively flat. B/L/D
This day our hiking goes to el Tambo Quilindaña, a pre-colonial Inca refuge on the road towards to the jungle. Many volcanoes surround this magical place: Quilindaña that presides over it, and other mountains like Yanahurco, or black hill, legendary Predicator or majestic Antisana. The hike will take 6.5 hours and it's relatively flat. El Tambo Quilindaña farmhouse is at 3.700 m (12,136 ft) . B/L/D
The group loops around Hacienda El Tambo Quilindaña going to Chirimachay’s base camp through the paramos of Cotopaxi's . The scenery of this area is unique because of the lava that flowed through here during Cotopaxi’s last eruption. This hike takes about 5 hours. On today’s hike some chagras (Andean cowboys) will ride along with us, and share their culture. Chirimachay base camp is at 4.000 m (13,120 ft) . B/L/D
We start our hike in the morning going through a flat and high road towards Limpiopungo Lagoon. This is an excellent day of acclimatization with fantastic views were breathtaking pictures of the Cotopaxi, Rumiñahui and Sincholagua Volcanoes can be taken on a clear day. The hike will take 6 to 7 hours. Camp site at Rumicorral 3800m (12,464 ft). At night local musicians will play music for us. B/L/D
On our final day we hike to the shelter on Cotopaxi at 4.800 m (15,748 ft). The hike takes 4 to 5 hours to reach the refuge and 15 minutes back down to the parking lot were our vehicles will pick us up to take us to Hacienda El Porvenir from where we return to Quito. B/L/D
This path forms part of the Inca Trail from Cusco to Quito. Some places are still in good condition. The trail takes us through the Andes, around lakes and gradually rises to 4200 m. On the journey we pass the Paredones ruins and finally arrive at the fort of Ingapirca.
From Quito we travel south on the Pan-American Highway to Riobamba and further to the small Indian village of Achupallas. We set up camp and stroll around the village.
After breakfast we set off uphill through Páramo vegetation, Indian huts and cultivated land. Donkeys carry all our gear. In the afternoon we reach the Tres Cruces Lake where we pitch up our tents.
Early in the morning we set off to Quiloloma, the highest point of the journey (4300 m). We enjoy beautiful views of other lakes and mountains. We hike down to the Culebrillas valley and pitch up camp at the Paredones ruins.
The Ingapirca ruins are another 4-5 hours walk from the lake. In the afternoon we visit the spectacular Inca-site. Drive back to Quito (7 hours).
