TREKKING LOW-AVERAGE LEVEL
TREKKING AVERAGE LEVEL
TREKKING SEVERAL DAYS
TREKKING - LOW LEVEL
- PITA RIVER CASCADES
- ESTIMATED TIME: 4 hours
- PHYSICAL LEVEL: Low / TECHNICAL LEVEL: Low
- MAXIMUN ELEVATION: (2.690 m / 8.825 ft)
- MINIMUN ELEVATION: (2.930 m / 9.612 ft)
This route runs a small section of the Pita river basin which is formed from the Cotopaxi glaciers, and eventually meets up with the main cascades formed by the river. Along the way, there is plentiful flora and fauna of the river ecosystem, many of which are native species of the Andean forests.
- CUICOCHA LAKE
- ESTIMATED TIME: 4 hours
- PHYSICAL LEVEL: Low / TECHNICAL LEVEL: Low
- MAXIMUN ELEVATION: (3.480 m - 11.417 ft)
- MINIMUN ELEVATION: (3.080 m - 10.105 ft)
On this tour, you will have the opportunity to visit a small, yet gorgeous part of Imbabura, the Lakes Province, by enjoying the typical food, handicrafts and nature attractions inside of the Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve. The hike will travel along the surrounding crater edge that shelters the Ancient Cuicocha Lake, as well as the Yerovi and Wolf volcanic domes at the base of the extinct volcano, Cotacachi.
- PAPALLACTA LAGOONS
- ESTIMATED TIME: 5 hours
- PHYSICAL LEVEL: Low / TECHNICAL LEVEL: Low
- MAXIMUN ELEVATION: (4.000 m / 13.123 ft)
- MINIMUN ELEVATION: (3.200 m / 10.500 ft)
During this hike, you will visit the Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve, one of the most diverse and important reserves because it serves as the main water source of Quito. The hike passes a small section of one of the most important chain of lakes in the country. We will visit Sucus, Ciega, and Baños lakes while traveling through a medium-grass prairie in the highlands until we arrive at Papallacta where we will enjoy swimming in the hot springs of this zone.
- QUILOTOA LAKE
- ESTIMATED TIME: 5 hours
- PHYSICAL LEVEL: Low-Average / TECHNICAL LEVEL: Low
- MAXIMUN ELEVATION: (3.900 m / 12.795 ft)
- MINIMUN ELEVATION: (3.700 m / 12.139 ft)
To many, Quilotoa Lake, which lies inside an extinct volcano crater, is the most beautiful lake in all of Ecuador. The hike around the crater is an incredible adventure that will present picturesque landscapes and the beautiful way of life of surrounding indigenous communities.
TREKKING - AVERAGE LEVEL
- RUMIÑAHUI VOLCANO
- ESTIMATED TIME: 7 hours
- PHYSICAL LEVEL: Low-Average / TECHNICAL LEVEL: Low
- MAXIMUN ELEVATION: (4.200 m / 13.779 ft)
- MINIMUN ELEVATION: (3.100 m / 10.170 ft)
This route joins the Panzaleo community with the Limpios prairie in Cotopaxi National Park, crossing mountain plains on the outskirts of Rumiñahui Volcano until reaching Limpiopungo Lake. It is accompanied by a beautiful view of Cotopaxi Volcano and the many different species of birds that are typical to the area.
- MORURCO LOOP
- ESTIMATED TIME: 7 hours
- PHYSICAL LEVEL: Average / TECHNICAL LEVEL: Low-Average
- MAXIMUN ELEVATION: (4.500 m / 14.764 ft)
- MINIMUN ELEVATION: (3.900 m / 12.795 ft)
This is an adventure that will travel along the south face of Cotopaxi, one of the most aesthetically beautiful and lesser-explored zones of the National Park. We will hike around Morurco, which has a maximum elevation of 4.800 m and an average of 4.000 m, traversing sand pits that are edged by the glaciers of the biggest active volcano in Ecuador.
TREKKING - HIGH LEVEL
- ALTAR VOLCANO LAKES
- NUMBER OF DAYS : 4 days
- PHYSICAL LEVEL: Average / TECHNICAL LEVEL: Low
- MAXIMUN ELEVATION: (4.670 m / 15.322 ft)
- MINIMUN ELEVATION: (3.600 m / 11.812 ft)
This hike traverses the southwestern foothills of the Altar Volcano inside the Sangay National Park until arriving at the Italiano, or Italian, campsite at 4.670 m, the closest scenic overlook of the Altar peaks until we reach them. During the approach, we must cross a gorge in order to reach the Mandur mountain chain, where it opens itself up to a spectacular view of the aerea mountain lakes, which are surrounded by high mountains, making this one of the most aesthetically beautiful hikes of Ecuador.
- COLLANES VALLEY AND ALTAR VOLCANO
- NUMBER OF DAYS : 3 days
- PHYSICAL LEVEL: Average / TECHNICAL LEVEL: Low
- MAXIMUN ELEVATION: (4.500 m / 14.764 ft)
- MINIMUN ELEVATION: (3.600 m / 11.812 ft)
The Altar is an extinct volcano whose collapsed caldron is rimmed by horseshoe-shaped peaks which open towards Collanes Valley. Inside of the crater lies the Amarilla Lake which is surrounded by formidable icy veils of hanging glaciers. These particularities are the reason for the name Capac Urcu, which in Quechua, a native language of Ecuador, means “Majestic Mountain". Approaching the base of Altar Volcano, the most beautiful mountain in Ecuador, is an incredibly unique experience.
- LOS CEDROS CLOUD FOREST
- NUMBER OF DAYS : 3 days
- PHYSICAL LEVEL: Average / TECHNICAL LEVEL: Low
- MAXIMUN ELEVATION: (1.400 m / 4.593 ft)
- MINIMUN ELEVATION: (670 m / 2.198 ft)
The Cedros Ecological Reserve is situated to the northwest of Quito and forms part of the greatly diverse region of El Chocó. The extension of the virgin forests makes this place a paradise to visit. The approach hike passes through farms and rivers until reaching the reserve, where we will be hiking its paths during the followings days.
