We start hiking towards Cotopaxi National Park visiting spectacular waterfalls and graceful haciendas along the way. During your hike the scenery will change from the humid Andean forests to the wonderful “paramo” where you will walk through the grassland, feel the wind and enjoy sightings of wild horses. The scenery will change again, entering the rugged Quilotoa region with its lovely traditional villages. You will visit the colourful market of Saquisili and enjoy a short, windy drive to the mountains above the small village of Insilivi. The Quilotoa region is a highly remote area, famous for its impressive crater lake, with its aquamarine colored waters, shimmering in the clear Andean light. On the last part of our trek we visit the Chimborazo reserve, concluding with the Baños region. We will encounter small indigenous settlements along the way and learn about their traditional way of life and customs.

Trekking in Ecuador not only offers you breath taking views, diverse and unusual fauna, interactions with friendly locals, but also you will enjoy staying in some historical, colonial haciendas in between the hikes. These magnificent haciendas are large Spanish farm houses converted into lodges. We have included some of these gems in this itinerary, which will give you a great feeling for the rural life in our country and at the same time enjoy a luxurious rest while getting the taste of Ecuadorian hospitality!

This is a Easy level trip, with 4-6 hours of trekking per day, including hiking / trekking, wildlife & natural history, cultural exploration.

Want more adventure?  Check out our option to climb Cotopaxi with a professional mountain guide!  No prior experience required, we'll teach you the fundamentals of glacier travel with crampons, ice axe, and in a rope team.  Nothing beats the view at the top!