COTOPAXI & MARKETS FULL DAY
After an early morning breakfast we will depart heading south towards Cotopaxi National Park. On the way we will pass by different villages such as Sangolquí, Aloag and Machachi. Continuing south on the Pan-American highway to the city of
Ambato, we will along the way visit the town of Latacunga and its authentic indigenous market (Tuesdays and Saturdays only).
Almost midday we will arrive in the National Park, which is located 59.54km away from the city of Quito. Cotopaxi Volcano is one of the most important landmarks of in
Ecuador because it is the highest active volcano in the world. Lush endemic flora and fauna of the area can be observed, including: one of the most representative species is the Chuquiragua (also known as the mountaineer’s flower) wild horses, deers, llamas, and more. While there, you can visit Limpiopungo Lake, located near Rumiñahui volcano (149.96 meters), or go hiking to observe the birds. We can also visit the ruins of Incas del Pucara de Salitre , set on Cotopaxi’s mountainside. An early afternoon picnic lunch will be served before departing towards Quito. The tour will bring you to your hotel for an optional dinner and free evening.
BIKING DOWNHILL COTOPAXI FULL DAY
Your choice of day.
This full-day tour leaves Quito in the morning. After a scenic hour and a half drive on the Pan-American highway, we will reach the entrance of Cotopaxi National Park. We will drive through the thick pine forest and soon reach the park’s museum. While here, we will see the museum’s holdings and savor a warm cup of ginger tea before continuing the ascent in a 4-wheel drive vehicle.
Along this route we will reach the highest point of the tour, an astonishing 500 meters/15,000 feet. On a clear day, the stunning view presents eight volcanoes.
Afterward, dressed in helmets, gloves and protection pads, the bike adventure on the world’s most active volcano can begins! The first 8km of the ride will take us down 700m in altitude, traversing dirt roads through volcanic ash and páramo landscape. At 3.800m you will have to do some pedaling, continuing another 8km alongside volcanic rocks, with some luck we might see a wild condor or caracara. At this point we put the bikes on the jeep and head for the lake of Limpiopungo back up to 3.800m, where we resume biking for 16km, a leisurely downhill ride through pine forests and dirt roads. The bike adventure ends after 2km more on a beautiful single track road.
HORSE BACKRIDING COTOPAXI FULL DAY
Your choice of day.
Riding is one of the best ways of getting to know the Andes, their culture and the surrounding wilderness. Our guests can choose from riding a couple of hours around agricultural background or longer rides that last several days. A chagra, the Ecuadorian Andean Cowboy, will serve as the local guide for the rides on horses of the “criollo paramero” breed. These animals have adapted to the local environment and the weather, th
erefore they are shorter in statue and have more fur.
This full-day ride passes throughout the majestic “páramos”, along trails filled with rich legend and history. We can admire wild bulls and horses, native birds (It’s not uncommon to see a condor!) and fauna, all in the marvelous landscape of the Ecuadorian highlands. We will be quite close to the peaks of Rumiñahui Volcano where traditional “sunfo” tea will be shared.
As the ride continues, we cross spacious valleys and pass by natural caves carved deep into the volcanic rock by the Andean winds. The great Cotopaxi Volcano is present but not always visible. Later on, we will return to the farmhouse where a warm fireplace waits for us.
CANOPY CAÑON DEL SALTO FULL DAY
Your choice of day.
This is one of the most amusing adventures, combining a mix of vertigo and adrenalin. We depart from Quito for Santa Rita Reserve. The canopy trail is made up of five steel cables, each of them 300 m long, crossing the El Salto River.We will zigzag our way over the river and between the tops of trees with the aid of harness suspended lugs and pulleys, some 30m above the ground. The adventure is totally safe, as we use equipment made of the best and recognized quality.
L, Chocolate or canelazo in the afternoon.