Hike in the shadows of the Cotopaxi Volcano and follow the ancient roads of the Incas during our 5 day/4 night trekking trip. Enjoy full day hikes, tasty food, stories around the fireplace, and a good night's sleep each night. This trip is fully-supported - you just carry a daypack, and we carry the rest! Experience the hacienda culture of the Andean highlands and explore Inca sites during an active trekking circuit near the Cotopaxi National Park and in the Condor Biosphere (a 5.4 million acre conservation project consisting of public and private land).
For travelers with additional time to spend in the Condor Biosphere, we invite you to combine your trekking trip with our Ecuador service projects that promote conservation and community development in the region.
Highlights
Catch breathtaking views of the Avenue of the Volcanos
Hike Santa Rita Reserve one of the last areas of native Andean forest
Visit a Chagra (Andean Cowboy) community to experience local culture
Walk along Inca roads and discover major sites along the way
Requires high-intensity physical efforts that push the limits of one's fitness. May include tours with multiple days in a row of strenuous physical activity or single requiring more than 7 hours of activity. Recommended for travelers maintaining a demanding fitness level.
A private transportation and bilingual guide will pick you up early in the morning from your Hotel in Quito, we will do a quick stop at El Porvenir for a hot canelazo and then we will drive you from El Porvenir to Pasochoa Reserve, crossing the paramo plains. Our hike will begin in Hacienda Santa Rita Private Reserve, at an altitude of 3,300 meters, (10826 ft), begin climbing Pasochoa Volcano. The route crosses patches of native Andean forest and open “páramos” a type of moorlands. Trek through fields covered with high straw and will enjoy the magnificent view of the neighboring mountains covered with snow such as Antisana, Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Sincholagua watch over us during this climb. Have a box lunch in the middle of the day.
Hiking time is about 7 hours total round trip. Hiking difficulty is low. Hike to your campsite, and relax and enjoy the comfortable camping in the Andes. Dinner and overnight stay.
Today's hike starts on native forest trails and will take you to the the cobalt stone roads of the village of Pedregal, a Chagra (Andean Cowboy) community where we will have the chance to experience the local culture of the area before continuing to Hacienda El Porvenir, a fully-functioning hacienda set high in the Andean paramo with spectacular views of Cotopaxi. Lunch awaits you, and in the afternoon, visit Manto Blanco Waterfall and some lookouts with nice views of the mountains and surrounding landscape.
Duration of trek: 5 hours
Total distance trekked: 15 km (9.5 mi)
Maximum altitude: 3,600m/11,800ft
Day 4: Cotopaxi National Park
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today hike to Pucará Del Salitre, a strategic military fortress of the Inca Empire that was used to monitor the roads that led to the Amazon Rainforest and Latacunga Valley. The old road or “incañan” will lead into the Cotopaxi National Park. Explore this area before arriving to Santo Domingo Lake, the campsite for the evening.
Duration of Trek: 8 hours
Total distance trekked: 24 km (15 mi)
Altitude: Flat hike at 3,700 meters
Today we trek to Hacienda El Tambo, a pre-colonial Inca refuge and stockyard that hosted and supplied the Inca travelers that moved through the area on the road to the jungle. Along the way, you will cross hills and valleys underneath Quilindana, a peak resembling the Matterhorn that has been blocked on the previous days. Overnight at the hacienda that has the original handcrafted stone floor of the Inca tambo. This magical place is surrounded by volcanic sand and has fantastic views of Cotopaxi.
Duration of Trek: 7 hours
Total distance trekked: 22 km (16.5 mi)
Altitude: from 3,700-4,000 meters
After breakfast in Hacienda El Tambo, trek through an area that was flooded with lava during the last Cotopaxi eruption. Today’s trek will be exciting as this area has fighting bulls, and a Chagra (a local cowboy) will accompany us. Don't wear red (just kidding)! Meet up with your transportation in the afternoon for the drive back to Quito.
Duration of Trek: 7 hours
Total distance trekked: 24 km (15 mi)
Altitude: Flat hike at 3,850 meters
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$1,5692-3 travelers
Notes
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Please note that the circuit for this trip is relatively flat with gradual ascents and descents, but it is at an elevation of 3,000-4,000 meters above sea level. An extra night in Quito or in the highlands is advised to acclimate, and we can help make extra arrangements.
Initial deposit is $400 + Internal Flight Cost, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
My travel consultant went out of her way to make sure everything went smoothly, everything from the flight reservations to the final booking.
johnw
4 months ago
We have told everyone we know about Adventure Life. What a great company to work with and no detail is missed. Call them for your next adventure!!
Paul Rupert
4 months ago
Clara was great to work with. She presented lots of options and always responded promptly. And she found excellent options within our price range.
Colorado Traveler
7 months ago
Erin C. was incredibly helpful and thorough. I had answers immediately or within the same day.
Marilyn Snook
8 months ago
The staff at Adventure Life made planning my family's trip to the Galapagos Islands as easy as possible. They listened to what we were hoping to experience and made thoughtful suggestions about how to accomplish our vacation goals while meeting the needs of travelers ages 17-76! They patiently answered questions and follow up questions in the months leading up to the trip. They helped us trouble shoot and customize the trip in every way possible. The logistics involved in traveling from Boston to the Galapagos are innumerable. The Adventure Life staff helped us arrange every detail and the team they assembled in the Galapagos was tremendous. I have never done a trip this big before and after working with Adventure Life this time--would not hesitate one second in working with them again.
