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TREKKING and HIKING IN ECUADOR

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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.

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HIKE AT CAJAS NATIONAL PARK & HORSEBACK RIDING AT HACIENDA SLT043

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. The second walk last about 1 hour in the lower cloud forest zone; rich in plant life and abundant in species of birds. The two walks are in very different environments, showing all the highlights of the park. For lunch we have a box lunch, after morning and early afternoon hikes we will continue to the hacienda Totorillas where we spend overnight and dinner.

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AFTER THE INCAS’ FOOTPRINTS SLT13

 

The Incas had a highly developed road and communication system that connected important points and settlements along the Andean mountains. However, with the construction of modern roads, the Inca trail was not that important anymore, except for local people that still use it and follow many part of this ancient road system for connecting with other remote villages and trading activities.

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SOUTHERN HACIENDAS SLT12

 

This trip aims to follow country trails connecting private haciendas around the Tarqui area, allowing visitors to witness and share the real rural life and its milieu. Each hacienda has its own particularity and beauty, some are colonial with lots of history, others are modern and charm and others are the typical Andean cowboy farms where horse and cattle farming are the main interests. the common factor in every hacienda is the warm and welcoming touch provided by the owners, without skipping comfort and details, opposite to feel in a regular hotel, but more like at home.

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TOTORILLAS COUNTRYSIDE SLT011

 

 

The country side of Totorillas is only half an hour south of Cuenca and it offers some of the most beautiful southern Andean landscapes; exhibiting cloud forest patches, indigenous agricultural grounds, stockbreeding farms and rugged topography. The area is also crossed by the ancient Inca trail that connected Tomebamba (actual Cuenca) with the northern and the southern villages of the ancient “Tahuantinsuyo” Inca domains.

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