TREKKING INTO EL CAJAS NATIONAL PARK SLT 052
The 3 days trekking in El Cajas National Park will allow us to see the inner and most remote parts of the park, taking us along the ancient Inca Trail (known as Ingañan). Which used to connect the old city of Tomebamba (actual Cuenca) with the coastal plain; passing through several tambos (Inca resting areas) and important lakes such as Luspa and Mamamag, and down through the cloud forest area of Llaviuco. The two days trip is a shorter version of the 3 days one, which picks up the highlights on route.
CAJAS NATIONAL PARK SLT 051
“El Cajas” is considered a paradise for hikers due to its ecological conservation and natural beauty. On our trip, we do a moderate hike for about 3 hours through some of its 230 glacier lakes, admiring the moorland vegetation (high Andean grassland, like moors at high altitude) with amazing micro flora, some patches of Polylepis primary forests and spectacular rock formations.
TREKKING and HIKING IN ECUADOR
Photo belongs to Delphine Ménard
In the Southern Andes near Cuenca, we find El Cajas National Park, located in the majestic west mountain range. It is one of Ecuador’s natural wonders that must be added to the repertoire of every trekking amateur. Cajas lies at an altitude between 3200 m and 4500 m and boasts 28,544 hectares of numerous species of flora and fauna and impressive rock formations. Its 235 glacial lakes feed into breathtaking waterfalls, as its rivers descend toward the Pacific while others flow through “el Oriente”, ultimately arriving to the Amazon River. In addition to hiking, you can enjoy freshwater trout fishing, while listening to the wild birds singing in the background. There are approximately 125 species of birds inhabiting Cajas which include: the condor, the violet-tailed metaltail, sword-bill, shining sunbeam, sparkling violet-ear, etc.
If you wish to combine culture and nature with active travel, you must do the Inca trail, which takes you along the very same path than the Incas used to follow. This ancient main trail has also been used by merchants and travelers. The trail passes through astonishing natural landscapes, small hidden villages, past Culebrillas Lake, finally arriving at Ingapirca, our most famous Inca ruins. In the area we also find other important ruins such as Colloctor and Cojitambo and the colorful Cañari Indian markets of Ingapirca (Fridays) and Cañar (Sundays). It is also worth mentioning the amazing scenery, formed by farming landscapes of different crops and lots of cattle farming. This photo belongs to Julia Rubinic
The Northern Andes of Ecuador offer beautiful snowcapped mountains and volcanoes for great trekking trips. We must add to any itinerary the highlights of the amazing surrounding area such as lakes, moorlands, forest, Indian markets and villages, haciendas and all the components for a unique trekking experience.
The Central Andes offer excellent trekking options around the Chimborazo (6310m), highest mountain in Ecuador; Carihuairazo (5200m) which requires a moderate effort for a summit attempt and Altar, well known for its amazing landscapes. This photo belongs to Germania Rodriguez
We recommend visitors to have an appropriate acclimatization process for a better adjustment to the altitude. You can enjoy our daily tours or join a moderate trekking adventure of 2 or more days camping in spectacular natural spots.
Choose your preferred tour click here.
The journey starts with a short 20 minutes ride Northwest of Cuenca, to the east flank of Cabogana Mountain. We then hike 40 minutes with an awesome view of the city, through farming fields and cloud forest until we get to the gorge of Rio Amarillo.
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