| HIGHLIGHTS |
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Moderate hiking in a non tourist area.
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Experience the rural life of a unique and isolated region
during the hike.
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Stay in basic community lodges, thus contributing to
their economy.
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Visit the Indian markets of the region.
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Highest altitude 3.800 m / 2.464 ft.
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COMPLIMENTARY
EXTENSIONS |
Galapagos
Islands
A naturalist's paradise!
These are the legendary islands that inspired the father
of the theory of "The Evolution of the Species",
Charles Darwin.
There is few places on Earth as overwhelming and powerful
for the profound experience of interacting with wildlife
and nature as you will do here!
If you are in Ecuador, visiting Galapagos is a must.
Amazon
Jungle
As unique as the jungles are,
the Amazon is the single most important forest in our
planet. Not only it has the largest concentration of
species ever imagined, but it holds the secrets of a
world so mysterious and rich, that we are still at the
brink of revealing a small part of it.
Bellavista
Cloud Forest Reserve
Less than two hours away from
Quito lies one the 25 "biodiversity hot spots"
in the World. It is the Tumbes-Choco-Magdalena Hot Spot
which runs from northern Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and
southern Panama.
Located on the edge of this area is the Bellavista Cloud
Forest Reserve, a 700 hectare private reserve that holds
10 km of paths to explore. Home to hundreds of species
of wildlife and flora it is a distinct vision of a tropical
rainforest.
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| OTHER
TREKKING EXPEDITIONS |
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The
highlands and the rocky peaks around the
local villages in the Western part of the
Cotopaxi Province, are an undiscovered treasure
that have maintained their distinctly Andean
and indigenous character.
Indigenous, remote, high and dry are four
words that perfectly define this unique
area of Ecuador.
You will find a beautiful crater lagoon,
patches of cloud forest and a very defined
dry highland vegetation. The people who
inhabit this area are very warm-hearted
local Indians who live very simple but rough
lives, fighting against the harsh conditions
of their environment.
The Quilotoa region has stayed untouched
by the massive visits of tourists, which
has kept the area and its people basically
unchanged since the last centuries.
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Day
1
Drive and hike to Posada
Tigua. Visit the town of Tigua.
After an interesting journey along
the Pan-American Highway we get to the city
of Latacunga. From here we start heading towards
the western range of the Cotopaxi Province.
We will pass the little village of Pujilí,
known for its colourful Indian market that
takes place on Wednesdays and Sundays. After
Pujilí we will follow a dusty road
climbing up the Eastern "cordillera",
or mountain range. There will be fantastic
views of the Inter-Andean Valley and the Andean
highlands.
On the way there we will have a chance to
visit the Tigua Painters' Gallery. The indigenous
artists of the small village of Tigua are
famous for their colourful paintings depicting
their life in this particular area of the
Andes. |
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paintings made on sheep leather reflect the history,
festivals and legends of a people whose traditions
date back to pre-Inca times. Living much as they
have lived for centuries, families herd sheep and
llamas, and cultivate a variety of potatoes and
grains in small communities perched on the windswept
slopes of the mountains. Their language is Quichua,
the language of the Inca Empire. We stay the night
at Posada Tigua, a farmhouse that was converted
in a B&B hostel. |
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Day
2
Walk from Tigua to Quilotoa
crater at 3.800 m /12,464 ft.
Today we walk five hours to Quilotoa. From
Tigua there is trail that leads to the crater,
passing through the fields of small private
farms. On the way we will see some little
"chozas", very basic Indian huts,
where the local families live. Children will
follow us and try to make conversation!
The objective of today would be to reach the
crater early in the afternoon. Quilotoa is
a beautiful volcanic crater-lake 3 kilometres
in diameter. Its emerald water spans two kilometres.
Local legend claims it is connected to the
ocean and is therefore salty and sulphuric.
Once there, we will see a 280 m / 918 ft drop
down to the water. The hike down normally
takes 40 minutes and one hour to climb up. |
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At the crater you will have an opportunity to buy
the famous naive Tigua paintings and carved wooden
masks. The night will be spent in a basic Indian
lodge. |
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Day
3
Hike from Quilotoa
to the village of Chugchilan.
Hiking from Laguna Quilotoa to Chugchilan
we will have beautiful views of the canyon
of Toachi River. First we will walk by the
crater edge with impressive views of the
lagoon inside, until we descend to the plateau
where lies the small indigenous village
of Huayama. As we descend the switch back
trails down to the Toachi River Gorge, the
climate and scenery changes dramatically.
Soon we will be surrounded by the canyon
walls and hike along the river banks. The
hike ranges from 4 to 5 hours and is moderately
challenging.
We will be staying at Mama Hilda’s
Lodge. It is a basic, but friendly and clean
hostel run by Doña Hilda, a warm
hearted Ecuadorian lady. Chugchilan is a
well known destination for hikers. |
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| This little
town is a typical village of a mountain region in
Ecuador. It has a small plaza, a church and a school,
and most of the people still use a horse or donkey
as transport. Here we will feel like a few hundred
years back in history. |
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Day
4
Walk around Chugchilan and
Drive to Quito.
There are a couple of options for half day hikes
around Chugchilan that you can discuss with your
guide; either visiting the local cheese factory,
hiking towards the town of Sigchos or simply exploring
the surroundings by yourself.
Or if you prefer, you can enjoy the quietness and
peacefulness of the village from the hammocks at
Mama Hilda's. After lunch we drive back to the central
valley and head to Quito.
Important Note: Please note
that this itinerary is a guide line only. We will
do every effort to follow it, but in case of unforeseen
circumstances we may have to make changes.
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Indigenous
Markets around the Quilotoa region.
Monday: Guantualo, a small, non-touristy
rural community market.
Tuesday: Latacunga, a large market
in the biggest town of the area.
Wednesday: Pujilí, a small
market runs this day, but Sunday’s market
is bigger.
Thursday: Saquisili, the biggest
indigenous market of Ecuador.
Friday: No markets.
Saturday: Zumbahua, a morning market
surrounded by beautiful scenery, very indigenous
and colourful.
Sunday: Chugchilan, Guangaje and
Pujilí markets. |
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| Prices |
2
pax $ 400 per person
3 pax $ 350 per person
4 + $ 300 per person
What
the price includes
• All transport by private
vehicles during the expedition.
• All the food.
• Accommodation during the
tour.
• Permits and park fees.
• Bilingual guide.
The
Price does not include
• Travel insurance.
• Alcoholic drinks.
• Extras,
laundry, tips.
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| Duration
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4
days |
| Access |
Drive
in and drive out |
| Seasons
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All year round |
| Pre-requisites |
Backpaking
experience |
| Equipment |
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| Accommodation |
Hotels |
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| Moderate |
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