Sierra Nevada Expeditions - From the highland to the lowland

From the highland to the lowland

This Program gives us the opportunity to walk along the very best spots of the northern and southern Ecuadorian Andes. Viewing along scenic highland trails, Indian Markets, volcanic summits, impressive glaciers and active volcanoes, we will travel towards Baños area, where the landscape change dramatically into cloud forest, jungle canyons, waterfalls and rivers. We will stay overnight in cozy haciendas-lodges enjoying their ambience, traditional food and hospitality.

This adventure begins with a gentle hike at Cuicocha lake and Otavalo Indian Market visit, followed by some treks into Cotopaxi National Park and summit of Rumiñahui volcano which is very easy to climb, Finally the area of Baños and its cloud forest will give us the perfect frame to practice some adventures sports.

Just a basic experience or fitness conditions are required to complete this itinerary, therefore is recommended for soft adventurers, who are willing to experience the fascination of the Ecuadorian Highlands and Lowlands. A truly soft adventure.

Tour Summary

Day 1 - Otavalo Indian market

Depart to Otavalo Indian market. Lunch and afternoon short hike in Mojanda lake area. Diner and overnight on a mountain Lodge.

Day 2 - Cuicocha crater lake

Transfer to Cuicocha and trekking around its crater lake edge at 3500 mt (5 hours). Afternoon, transfer to Quito. Hotel

Day 3 - Pasochoa

Transfer to Pasochoa area and hike to its crater edge and summit 4200 mt. Back to our cozy mountain lodge. Diner.

Day 4 - Cotopaxi National Park

Transfer to Cotopaxi National Park, hike to the summit of Rumiñahui volcano at 4700 mt. Back to Tambopaxi lodge.

Day 5 - Cotopaxi glacier

Transfer to Cotopaxi parking lot 4600 mt and hike to the refuge at 4800 mt and glacier edge at 5000 mt. Back to parking and transfer to Baños City. Hotel.