Cotopaxi & Papallacta

After the hummingbirds, we'll take a hike down a forest road, birding our way back to the van before returning to Quito in the late afternoon.

COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK & VOLCANO

DAILY, FULL DAY

A very special day awaits you! Set out early to Cotopaxi National Park, enjoying breathtaking views of The Avenue of Volcanoes. Here your guide leads you on a walk around Lake Limpiopungo at the base of the volcano Cotopaxi and shows you some the area’s interesting vegetation and wildlife. We may see hawks, hummingbirds, ducks and even the Andean Condor! For those feeling especially energetic (and weather permitting) we will hike up to the Cotopaxi refuge at 15,800 feet!

With good weather, we will enjoy a grand view of Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world at over 19,000 feet. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant not far from the entrance of the Park. We return to Quito in the afternoon.

PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS

MONDAY - FRIDAY, FULL DAY

Papallacta is a small village, located at 3300m high up in the Eastern Cordilleras on the road which leads into the Amazon jungle and boasts of the best Hot Springs in the country. On the drive there we also stop at a place where condors can occassionally be observed and later on at a pass of 4000m from where the majestic glaciers and high peaks of Antisana can be admired.PASOCHOA & SANGOLQUI MARKET

THURSDAYS & SUNDAYS FULL DAY

We depart from Quito in the direction to Volcano Pasochoa, where our nature exploration begins. As we walk up hill through well marked trails we will enjoy the gorgeous views of the neighbouring peaks such as Antisana, Rumiñahui and Cotopaxi which present their best profile. We will hike on a easy going trail in search of Polylepis trees, hummingbirds and other birds. We descend in a green valley and continue to Sangolqui – Visit a traditional market on Sundays, smaller market on Thursdays. The animal market is especially fun.