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16 Days – 15 Nights
Starting Day: Saturday
With this roundtrip for the sportive, youthful participant, we explore scenic different regions: from the mangrove forests on the coast, to the petrified forest in the dry forest and up to the lush cloud forest, and even higher in to the páramo vegetation. We visit historical interesting places, colonial old towns which belong to the UNESCO world heritage, an active small gold mine, and relax in a natural hot spring. On the way, we prepare ourselves with several hikes and a trek to the highest point of the tour: the ascent to the Cotopaxi volcano (5897 m). For all mountaineers, the highest freestanding volcano in the world belongs to the highlands of Ecuador.
Day 1 Quito – Loja – Vilcabamba
Early morning flight from Quito to Loja, the most southern town of Ecuador. Short city tour of the old town and lunch in a quiet restaurant. Afterwards, we drive on to Vilcabamba, the famous valley of the immortals and overnight stay in a hotel with its own thermal bath.
Day 2 Podocarpus National Park
After an early breakfast, we drive to the Podocarpus National Park, lying between Loja and Vilcabamba. We go on a daylong hike in the lush cloud forest, known for its endemic plants and animals. On the way, we have a box lunch and in the late afternoon we return to Vilcabamba for a relaxing bath in the hot spring.
Day 3 Vilcabamba - Loja - Zaruma
After breakfast, we return to Loja and go in the direction of the coast to Portovelo. Here we visit the small but interesting mineral museum and one of the several gold mines. Lunch and drive on to the gold-mining town of Zaruma. Visit the lovely town perched on a hilltop with splendid views on the surrounding hills.
Day 4 Zaruma – Puyango – Machala
Today we get to the National park of Puyango, the second largest petrified forest in South America, containing up to 150 million year old petrified trunks. Short hike in this extremely dry tropical forest, also known for its unique fauna and flora. Box lunch and then continue to the main banana town Machala.
Day 5 Mangrove island Jambelí
Outside of Machala on a sheltered island we visit the mangrove forest of Jambelí, and a short hike to observe the rich avifauna. Lunch in a seafood restaurant and free afternoon on the beach of Jambelí. In the early evening we return to Machala.
Day 6 Machala – Girón – Cuenca
After breakfast we drive through the banana plantings back towards the Andes. First we reach the desert of Jubones and then the land becomes greener again until we arrive in Yunguillas. Here we observe the production of “panela” and “aguardiente” made of sugar cane. Lunch, and then a short hike to the three waterfalls of Girón. In the early afternoon we arrive in Cuenca, the third largest town in Ecuador.
The mystic polylepis forests |
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Day 7 City tour of Cuenca
We visit the old town with it famous flower market and the many different colonial buildings and cathedrals. Lunch in a cozy restaurant. Afterwards we drive up to the overlook of Turi with its splendid panoramic views, visit to the ceramic atelier Vega, and then visit the museum of the Banco Central with its interesting exhibition of all the different indigenous cultures of Ecuador.
Day 8 Cajas National Park
After breakfast we drive to the Cajas National Park with its more then 250 mountain lakes. We hike the whole day through the páramo vegetation and the mystic polylepis forests, enjoying a unique landscape. On the way, box lunch and in the early evening return to Cuenca for dinner.
Day 9 Ingapirca - Inca trail
Today we visit the Incan ruins of Ingapirca, about 80 km north of Cuenca. Lunch in the Posada of Ingapirca and then we drive on to the small Cañari village of San Carlos and from here we start trekking to Achupallas. From here on we follow the Incan road on a plateau until we reach the pass Puyal. Camp next to the ruins of Paredones above the Laguna Culebrillas, known as the Cañari holy mountain lake.
The Incan ruins of Ingapirca |
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Day 10 Culebrillas – Lagune Tres Cruzes
We follow the rivulet Culebrillas on the rim of the plateau Espindola upstream and climb up to the highest point of this trek, the pass Tres Cruces at 4420m, with splendid views of the surrounding valleys. A short descent to the Laguna of Tres Cruces at 4100m to our camp site.
Day 11 Tres Cruzes – Achupallas – Riobamba
We follow the rim to the mountain flank of the Cerro Cisarán. On the way we enjoy beautiful views, sometimes almost down to the Pacific and down in to the valley of Cadrul. A descent to the small pass between the mountains Cerro Mapahuina and Cerro Callana Pucará. After a short time we arrive in the village of Achupallas where our transport awaits. We drive on to Riobamba.
Day 12 Riobamba - Chimborazo – Ambato
Early in the morning we drive over the southern slope of the Chimborazo to the first refuge at 4800m. On the way we visit a Hacienda where they breed bulls for the traditional bullfights of the country. From the first refuge we hike up to the second refuge at 5000m and have a box lunch. The “taita” Chimborazo is the highest mountain in Ecuador at 6310m with a high snow-capped summit. On the way on to Ambato, we have the chance to observe the vicuñas, one of the three llama species in Ecuador.
Day 13 Ambato – Cotopaxi National Park
In the morning, depart from Riobamba to Cotopaxi National Park. Visit to the Laguna Limpiopungo. Afterwards from the parking lot we walk for about 45 minutes uphill to the refuge José Ribas at 4800 m. After lunch, practice on ice and the guide explains the use of the equipment and controls the condition of all the participants. The ones who do not attempt the ascent can walk to the beginning of the glacier. Early dinner and attempt to sleep as early as possible.
Day 14 Summit Cotopaxi – Quito
At midnight, small breakfast and latest departure at 1:00 am, ascent to the peak, passing the Yanasacha, the black rock cliff even visible from Quito. From the peak, a beautiful view into the crater and around the other snow capped mountains. Back to the refuge for a well-deserved breakfast. Afterwards, descend to the parking lot and we drive on to Quito, where we arrive around lunch time. Afternoon on free disposition.
Day 15 Market Otavalo – Laguna Cuicocha
Early in the morning we drive to Otavalo to the famous Indian markets. First we visit the lively livestock market, then change to the colourful vegetable and fruit market, and finally to the “poncho” craft market. Here the Otavaleños sell their textiles and all kind of handicrafts. After a typical lunch we drive on to the collapsed crater lake Cuicocha. We can take an optional boat trip around the two islands in the lake or go on a short hike. On the return journey we visit the village Cotacachi, famous for its leather crafts.
Day 16 Citytour – Midad del Mundo
In the morning we visit the old town of Quito, which as Cuenca does, belongs to the UNESCI world heritage. Quito is famous for its colonial buildings, gold covered interiors of the churches and monasteries, and picturesque small parks and places. We drive up the Panecillo with the Virgin of Quito and enjoy the views over the huge metropolis from the north to the south between the snow capped cordilleras. Lunch in a typical restaurant and in the afternoon visit to the Mitad del Mundo. Here it’s possible to stand with one foot in the southern hemisphere and the other in the northern hemisphere. We walk through the small village with its museums and exhibitions.
At the end of our program, the possibility exists to start one of our programs to the rainforest or to the Galapagos Islands.
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