Manteles - Patate Cloud Forest, 3days/2nights, overnight at Hacienda, private

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Price from:
562.00 USD
per person

This hike explores the Patate and Pastaza river gorge cloud forest and nearby valleys. The path skirts around the unique geography of the Llanganates mountain ridge overlooked by the Tungurahua Volcano. This hike ends with views of the many impressive waterfalls of the area. Spend one evening at Hacienda Manteles and another at a deluxe campsite.

Itinerary

Day 1
Depart from Quito and drive to the town of Patate, and on to San Jorge to begin your hike. This afternoon the hike is mostly downhill, on narrow trails and old remnants of dirt roads. Hike through fields of local crops and patches of primary cloud forest to observe local bird life, such as hummingbirds, tanagers, toucans, quails, guans, flycatchers and many more. The trail is about a 5 mile journey (8 Km.), which will take about 3 hours. Arrive at Manteles Hacienda, a traditional style Hacienda where supper will be served close to the cozy fireplace.

Day 2
After breakfast, hike along the Cloud Forest, mostly uphill to 9,840 feet (3,000 meters) where the Cloud Forest turns to Highland paramo. This unusual Highland vegetation is endemic to the high Andes close to the Equator. Hike for about six miles (10 Km) before reaching your campsite called "El Mirador", with splendid wide-open views of the Cotopaxi, Carihuairazo, Chimborazo, and Cerro Hermoso volcanoes. This day finds us hiking for about 4 to 5 hours to our deluxe campsite. In the evening, enjoy Andean music and a supper around the campfire.

Day 3
After breakfast hike along an old trail that drops into the Pastaza river gorge, the gateway to the Amazon. The abrupt geography creates stunning waterfalls and valleys. Walk mostly through Cloud Forest while enjoying a wide array of wild orchids. The journey ends near the picturesque town of Baños at the foot of the Tungurahua active volcano. Transportation will be waiting to take you back to Quito.

Included

• Bilingual guides
• Private transportation
• Accommodations and Deluxe camping
• Meals as described

Not included

•  Sleeping bag

Travel Facts

• Travel Time: 4 hours from Quito, each way
• Hiking Time: 3-6 hours per day depending on physical condition
• Season: Year-round
• Rating: Moderate to Challenging
• Altitude: 8,528 to 9,840 feet (2,600 to 3,000 meters)
• Average Temperature: Day 50-77° F/10-25 ºC
• Average Temperature: Night 43-50° F/6-10°C
• Suggested to bring: Binoculars 

Information Price per Person (USD) 1 person 1,185.00 16 - 25 420.00 10 - 15 460.00 5 - 9 499.00 4 persons 562.00 3 persons 630.00 2 persons 819.00

Adventure tours at Ecuador

If you have a zest for life, a yen for adventure, a taste for the unseen and an eye for color and beauty, Ecuador will instantly enchant you. Because of its location on the Equator and the Andes mountain ranges, Ecuador has no real seasons and it receives the most amount of sunlight in the planet. Ecuador's unique climate allows for year-round operation of outdoor adventure programs.

Ecuador's largest ecotourism operator, Metropolitan Touring, offers Active Travel Adventures to explore "off the beaten path" of Ecuador's many natural wonders. Under the expert supervision of experienced guides you visit remote and unspoiled places. Our policy is conservation of nature, as well as of the traditional cultures. Our programs are respectful of the environment, its inhabitants, their traditions and way of life. We wish to provide our guests with out-of-the-ordinary experiences, with an understanding of the region and an unforgettable vacation.

Trek and Hike through National Parks and Reserves, large Haciendas and Indian communities. Treks descend from the Highlands to the sub-tropical Cloud Forest, along amazing gorge trails and the awe-inspiring Avenue of the Volcanoes. Camp will be set up each night with freshly prepared meals and deluxe camping equipment. Few experiences compare with biking along secondary roads of the serene Andes Highlands. By Bike, enjoy a close contact with nature and genuine interactions with the local people. Overnights are spent at historical Haciendas, cozy inns or camping in tents under the magical skies of the Southern Hemisphere. The impressive flanks of the Andean range are the origin of spectacular rivers and canyons that empty into the Amazon Basin and Coastal regions. Adventurous spirits will enjoy Rafting and Kayaking with the opportunity to paddle the crater-lake of Cuicocha and exceptional tropical white water. Programs are available with various degrees of difficulty to suit every skill level.