Description:
This tour includes three days of hiking in the Andean Highlands around the Cotopaxi National Park followed by a day and a half relaxing at the Papallacta Hot Springs Spa. Camp the first two nights; spend the last night in Papallacta.
Activites:
Cultural Exploration, Hiking
Itinerary:
Day 1: Trekking to the Pasochoa
Drive from Quito to the Pasochoa Protected Forest, a collapsed crater south of Quito. We start the hike at the Pita River Gorge at 9,184 ft (2,800 m). Observe Andean animals and birds while walking through secondary roads that go up the mountain. During the day you can see the Highland Indians cultivating potato and grains and tending cattle and horses. End the day at our campsite at 11,480 ft (3,500 m) above sea level on the border of Cotopaxi National Park.
Day 2: Trekking Pucara Del Salitre
After breakfast we will go to a place called “Pucara del Salitre” a strategic military fortress from the old Inca empire. This fort was used to monitor the roads that lead to the Amazon Rainforest and to the Latacunga valley. Following the old inca road, we will head to our campsite. We will have the chance to see herds of Alpacas and learn a little bit about them. Overnight: campsite at La Laguna de los Patos. (B,L,D).
Day 3: Limpiopungo - Papallacta
We will start our hike in the morning going through the water channel road to the Limpiopungo Lagoon, we will hike to 3,800 m and cross the Cotopaxi National Park, around Limpiopungo and through a small trail that leads to Rumiñahui summit. After lunch our support vehicle will take us to Papallacta Hot springs for relaxation. We spend the night at these magical hot springs that are known for their rich mineral content and legends dating back to the Inca times.
Day 4: RETURN TO QUITO
Today we have the morning to relax in the hot springs resort. Return to Quito after lunch.