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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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FROM HIGH MOORLAND TO SUBTROPICAL DESERT SLT 034

 

In the southern part of Ecuador we find several small, seldom used secondary roads that connect isolated villages and farming areas, which offer no interest for regular or heavy traffic. The 100Km road that drops 2000m, from Saraguro down to the Jubones desert is a perfect example. The trip starts at high moorland ground and descends to a very fertile agricultural area inhabited by the Saraguro Indians. Then the second day we descend gradually to a dry forest, full of interesting plant and bird life and finally we cross the Jubones inter-andean desert that drops down close to the lowlands level. The trip is full of excitement and adrenaline along the zigzagging dirt road.

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BIKING TO INGAPIRCA SLT 032

It is absolutely the best way to visit the main Inca complex in the country. The rural trail to Ingapirca follow part of the old train tracks combining stunning landscapes, farming areas and Cañari Indian culture. The Cañar province it is known as one of the most diverse places in Ecuador for multicolor examples of flora and birds observation and the presence of various ethnic groups since in this special place we can find the indigenous communities of Cañar and mestizos (mix of native and European on the colonial period) living together in characteristic villages.

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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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