Trekking tour Pasochoa-Cotopaxi 2days/1night, overnight at La Cienega, private

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Price from:
306.00 USD
per person

Explore off the beaten path of Ecuador's many wonders; visit remote and unspoiled regions; bike, ride or trek along breathtaking scenery. 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.

Itinerary

Day 1
Pasochoa Protected Forest:
Drive from Quito to the entrance of the Pasochoa Protected Forest, a collapsed crater south of Quito. Hike through this thriving forest, which contains a wide range of highland trees, bamboo forest and shrubs, as well as orchids, bromeliads, lichens and ferns. Prolific bird life includes at least 11 species of hummingbirds. Other birds endemic to Ecuador are also easily seen along the trails. Spend the night at Colonial Hacienda La Ciénega in the Cotopaxi Valley.

Day 2
Cotopaxi National Park:
This morning arrive at the Cotopaxi National Park and visit the local museum before hiking. Walk along trails skirting glacier lakes, Inca ruins and stunning scenery on the foothills of the highest active volcano in the world. Sightings of Andean fauna such as wild horses, gulls, ducks, and possibly the majestic condor add to your adventure. Return to Quito in the afternoon.

Included

• Bilingual guides
• Private transportation
• Accommodations and meals as described

Not included

• Pasochoa Protected Forest entrance fee $7 high season and $3 low season, per person.
• Cotopaxi National Park entrance fee $10 high season and $7 low season, per person.

Travel Facts

• Travel Time: 2 hours each day
• Hiking Time: 2-4 hours per day depending on physical condition
• Season: Year-round, better views June through August
• Level:  Moderate
• Altitude: 9,184 to 13,120 feet (2,800. to 4,000 meters)
• Average Temperature: Day 46-64° F/8-18°C

• Suggested to bring: Binoculars

The highlight of Pasochoa is the protected Cloud Forest inside a collapsed volcanic crater. Cotopaxi National Park and its majestic volcano offers forests, dry lava flows and glacier lakes

Adventure Travel

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.