Info & Resources

LODGING & FOOD

Lodging

Every expedition begins in Quito where we stay in a comfortable hotel with hot water, private bathrooms, and trusted staff. Our climbing expeditions normally leave the hotel after two nights.

 

One of the highlights of trekking and climbing in Ecuador is staying at some Haciendas in between hikes or climbs. The so-called Haciendas were large Spanish farm houses converted now into hotels, hostels or climbers’ lodges. We always try to include some of these in the itinerary, to give our clients a great feeling of the rural life in our country and at the same time a good rest while getting the taste of Ecuadorian hospitality!

 

Before the summit attempts, on most of the major peaks, we stay the nights in well-equipped mountain refuges, complete with electricity and bathrooms. In some cases such as Antisana, where there is no hut, we will set up a base camp where we spend the night before the attempt. In this case, we provide excellent high altitude tents. We use Terra Nova Quasar tents (3 pax), in which two people can sleep very comfortably. Mess tents, kitchen and toilet tents are also available.

Ilatoa Lodge

A great accomodation near Cumbaya and Tumbaco. The view is astonishing and the service is welcoming, just like at home.

VIEW GALLERY

Hacienda Los Mortiños

Cotopaxi Pedregal

Hacienda Los Mortiños was built following the highland’s spanish hacienda style, with a lot of thought on the comfort, beauty and practicality of its infraestruture. On a clear day you will have a direct view of the northern side of Cotopaxi Volcano, it is worth to spend time in the garden early in the morning […]

VIEW GALLERY

Isla de Baños

Hotel Isla de Baños is a comfortable, cozy and full of nature hotel and spa. Ideal for those seeking relaxation after some good climbing days. It is surrounded by nature, has a beautiful and interesting garden, and it has some of the best food in town.

VIEW GALLERY

Hostal El Vaquero

Chugchilan

Hostal El Vaquero is a friendly hostal in the small town of Chugchilán on the Quilotoa Loop. The people at El Vaquero was stablished in 2011 and has been growing since then. It offers lodging, restaurant and lots of space to relax and enjoy nature, is an ideal place for travellers and nature lovers. The […]

VIEW GALLERY

Hacienda La Jimenita | Pifo

Pifo

La Jimenita is a 109 year old spanish farm & natural reserve recentlly converted into a hotel. It has been in the Cruz Lopez family for four generations. This private botanical eco-reserve with over 18 acres has archeological trails dated from the 1400’s, more than 3 km of amazing hiking paths, diverse flora and fauna […]

VIEW GALLERY

Termas de Papallacta | Papallacta

Papallacta

Termas Papallacta is a Hot Springs Spa and Resort located in a magical High Andes landscape at an altitude of 3.250 m / 10,600 ft in the Andes near the Eastern mountain range, which leads to the Amazon rainforest. It’s a beautifully constructed resort that offers great opportunities to relax and enjoy the mistic high […]

VIEW GALLERY

Ruales – Oleas – Bergé Refuge

Cayambe Volcano

The Ruales-Oleas-Bergé Refuge is located at 4.600 m / 15,744 ft, and it is the starting point for an ascent of Cayambe Volcano. Considered one of the best mountain refuges in the country, it was built on the western side of the mountain within close proximity of the glacier, although it has been receding in […]

VIEW GALLERY

José Rivas Refuge

Cotopaxi Volcano

The Jose Rivas Refuge is located on the North face of Cotopaxi at 4.800 m / 15,088 ft, and it is the starting point for an ascent. It is named after Jose Rivas, a priest who was one of the founders of the San Gabriel Mountaineering Club from Quito (Club de Andinismo del Colegio San […]

VIEW GALLERY

CotopaxiPungo Lodge

Pasochoa

Cotopaxipungo is located in a strategic place of the Ecuadorian Andes. It is the mountain lodge with the best views as on a clear day you can see several volcanoes such as Cotopaxi, Antisana, Cayambe, Puntas, Sicholahua, Rumiñahui and Pasochoa. It was built with a traditional Spanish style arquitecture, inspired in the old traditional Haciendas […]

VIEW GALLERY

Mama Hilda

Chugchilán

Hostal Mama Hilda is a family run hostel in the small town of Chugchilán on the Quilotoa Loop. The owner, Sra. Hilda, is a warm hearted Ecuadorian lady who has been welcoming visitors into her home for 20 years. The hostel is ideally located half way around the Quilotoa loop. It is situated in the […]

VIEW GALLERY

La Casona de Alausí

Alausí

La Casona de Alausi was converted into a hotel in 2005. The original house was built in 1950 and it was one of the most representative houses of the architecture of Alausi in those years.

VIEW GALLERY

Llullullama

Isinliví

LlulluLlama Mountain Lodge is a small eco-friendly lodge situated right on Ecuador’s most famous trekking route, the Quilotoa Loop. Built in local style, and in harmony with community & environment, the lodge is surrounded by impressive volcanoes, breathtaking mountain views, traditional highland villages and friendly indigenous people. A perfect spot for nature lovers and hikers.

VIEW GALLERY

La Floresta Hotel

Baños

La Floresta is a small cozy hotel located on the southern edge of the town of Baños at a short walking distance of the centre, hot springs and amenities. The house is well maintained, and super clean. A lovely hotel with 29 nicely decorated rooms, a beautiful courtyard and Ecuadorian art in the lobby, a […]

VIEW GALLERY

Hacienda El Porvenir

Rumiñahui Volcano

Hacienda El Porvenir is surrounded by four volcanoes – Cotopaxi, Sincholagua, Pasochoa and Rumiñahui. The beautiful farmhouse is built with traditional materials such as brick, straw, wood and adobe and has a traditional thatched roof. Downstairs is comfortable with attractive sitting rooms and log fires. Upstairs the accommodation is more akin to a mountain hut, […]

VIEW GALLERY

Posada La Estación

Urbina

Posada La Estación is a full service mountain lodge, a gathering point for adventurers on the skirts of Chimborazo Volcano, located at 3.500 m /11,480 ft on the western side of the highest mountain of Ecuador. Rodrigo Donoso, an environmental activist and climber runs the place. For many years the train station of Urbina was […]

VIEW GALLERY

Tambopaxi Lodge

Cotopaxi N. P.

As the only hotel located inside the Cotopaxi National Park, Tambopaxi is a charming and welcoming lodge. It was built in 2002 by two managers from the Cotopaxi refuge. The food is delicious, however the highlight is the incredible view of the stunning volcano.

VIEW GALLERY

Chimborazo Lodge

Chimborazo Volcano

Chimborazo Lodge is an attractive mountain lodge owned by Marco Cruz who was the first mountain guide of Ecuador, built on the site of the ‘Tambo de Totorillas’, a former roadside inn on the old royal Inca road between Guayaquil and Quito. This lodge is built in traditional vernacular style. The attractive dining room is […]

VIEW GALLERY

Hacienda Guachalá

Cayambe

Hacienda Guachalá was the first hacienda of Ecuador set up in 1580 by the spanish, occupying nearly 30,000 acres. It was historically an “encomienda”, a spanish institution where Catholicism and spanish were taught to the native indians. The hacienda also functioned for nearly 100 years as an “obraje”, a place where indian workers did manual […]

VIEW GALLERY

Posada de Tigua

Tigua

The Posada de Tigua is situated just below the village of Tigua in a beautiful spot with great views of the surrounding countryside. Posada de Tigua is a family run guest house and Margarita Rodriguez who runs the Posada is extremely welcoming and makes sure that guests feel so thoroughly at home that you will […]

VIEW GALLERY

Vieja Cuba Hotel

Quito

A colorful and friendly small hotel in the Mariscal area of Quito close to all amenities such as restaurants, bars, bookshops, located 2.5 km from the old colonial part of Quito.

VIEW GALLERY

 

We can make any hotel reservation that will be needed for your trip in Ecuador. Here are some links to the option we can arrange:

 

RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN QUITO
Classic Hotels in the colonial old part of the city
El Patio Andaluz – www.hotelpatioandaluz.com
Casa Gangotena – www.casagangotena.com
La Casona de la ronda – www.lacasonadelaronda.com

 

Tourist Hotels in the Mariscal area (centrally located)
Vieja Cuba – www.hotelviejacuba.com
Reina Isabel – www.hotelreinaisabel.com

 

Bed and Breakfast in the tourist area (centrally located)
Casa Helbling – www.casahebling.de

 

RECOMMENDED HOTELS NORTH OF QUITO
Hacienda Guachala – www.guachala.com
Hostal Aya Huma- www.ayahuma.com

RECOMMENDED HOTELS SOUTH OF QUITO
Mountain Lodge Chilcabamba – www.chilcabamba.com
Tambopaxi Lodge – www.tambopaxi.com
Hacienda La Carriona – www.lacarriona.com
Hacienda La Cienega – www.hosterialacienega.com

Food

 

Our many years of mountain travels in Ecuador have provided us with well-tested and nutritious meal plans and our cooks have lots of experience. They prepare very tasty meals with high standards. The menus are well balanced with a fair amount of carbohydrates needed for the hikes and climbs.
Be sure to bring along your favourite energy food and after dinner treats. If you have specific allergies or special dietary needs, our staff will provide meals accordingly if it was specified on your application.

LOGISTICS

Our services include the organization of logistics of the excursions and expeditions for private groups, climbing companies and outdoor organizations. We have been providing reliable logistic support to climbing & trekking international operators, as well as student organizations.

The number of services provided depends on the needs of the client and the level of service required for the specific trip.

We know exactly what makes an expedition run smoothly: Reliability in all the aspects of logistic support provided by the local agent.

PERMITS

We provide special permits to restricted mountain regions which are normally owned by private owners such as Antisana, Quilindaña, the eastern access of Pasochoa, the northern side of Rumiñahui, etcetera.

We have all the licenses (operations permits) needed to be able to transport people into National Parks and Reserves.

TRANSPORT

Our vehicles are very reliable; we can get you and your gear anywhere in Ecuador. We provide transport with drivers to the mountains or to any remote region of the country. We use 4×4 jeeps and/or mini buses.