Privacy Policy

Ecuador Tours and Travel

Cuenca Active Extensions

Trekking & Hiking Tours

In the Southern Andes near Cuenca, we find El Cajas National Park, situated in the majestic west mountain range. It is one of Ecuador’s natural wonders that must be added to the repertoire of every trekking amateur. Cajas lies at an altitude between 3200 and 4500m and boasts 28,544 hectares of numerous species of flora and fauna and impressive rock formations. Its 235 glacial lakes feed into breathtaking waterfalls, as its rivers descend toward the Pacific while others flow through el Oriente, ultimately arriving to the Amazon river. In addition to hiking, you can enjoy freshwater trout fishing, while listening to the wild birds singing in the background. There are approximately 125 species of birds inhabiting Cajas which include: the condor, the violet-tailed metaltail, sword-bill, shining sunbeam, sparkling violet-ear, etc.

If you wish to combine culture and nature with active travel, you must do the Inca trail, which takes you along the very same path than the Incas used to follow. This ancient main trail has also being used by merchants and travelers. The trail passes through astonishing natural landscapes, small hidden villages, past Culebrillas lake, finally arriving at Ingapirca, our most famous Inca ruins. In the area we also find other important ruins such as Colloctor and Cojitambo and the colorful Cañari Indian markets of Ingapirca (Fridays) and Cañar (Sundays). It is also worth mentioning the amazing scenery from the trail, formed by farming landscapes of different crops and lots of cattle for breeding.

Cuenca to Guayaquil visiting El Cajas National Park

When traveling between Cuenca and Guayaquil the trip can include a 3 hour visit (approx) to El Cajas National Park. During that time, we will visit the main sites and do a short hike.
2011 Price per person in US$: $199 for 1, $142 each for 2, $102 each for 3, $96 each for 4 -6

Trekking the Hidden Cajas

Private, Any Day, 3 Days / 2 Nights
Private, Any Day, 2 Days / 1 Night

The 3 days trekking in El Cajas National Park will allow us to see the inner and most remote parts of the park, taking us along the ancient Inca Trail (known as Ingañan) which used to connect the old city of Tomebamba (actual Cuenca) with the coast passing through several tambos (Inca huts) and important lakes such as Luspa and Mamamag and down through the cloud forest area of Llaviuco. The two days trip is a shorter version of the 3 day one, which picks up the highlights on route.

Day 1: Tres cruces - Canutillos lake
Day 2: Canutillos – Osohuayco lake - Mamamag lake
Day 3: Mamamag – Llaviucu lake

This trip’s itinerary could vary depending on the fitness level of travelers.
This is a sample itinerary; there are several routes for 2 or more days.

Overview:
2 nights camping
Moderate activities of 4 – 6 hours. Porters and mules provided
Highland terrain elevations from 3,200 to 4,100 m.

2011 Price per person in US$:
3 days = $316 each for 2, $239 each for 3, $226 each for 4
2 days = $227 each for 2, $178 each for 3, $162 each for 4

Inca Trail: Achupallas to Ingapirca

Private, Any Day, 3 Days /2 Nights

The Inca empire was connected by a well maintained road system, most of which has disappeared with the passage of time. These roads were constructed with stones and in some places they were more than seven meters wide. It is still possible to hike along the best preserved parts of this road system, which offers a view of what was Incan country and of the rural Andean life which has remained unchanged for centuries. The trip starts in a small village known as Achupallas 3 hours from Cuenca or 1 ½ hours from Alausi and end in Ingapirca, a sun’s worshipping temple.

Day 1: Cuenca – Achupallas – 3 Cruces
Day 2: 3 Cruces - Culebrillas lake
Day 3: Culebrillas – Ingapirca

Overview
2 nights camping
Moderate activities of 4 – 6 hours. Porters and mules provided
Highland terrain elevations from 3,200 to 4,100 m

2011 Price per person in US$: $387 each for 2, $306 each for 3, $267 each for 4

Rural Hike: Sigsig to Gualaceo

Private, Any Day, Full Day

This a fascinating and entertaining rural hike that passes through important historical sites such as Chobsi cave and Dumapara ruins. It also visits the impressive Chobsi canyon and show us local traditional houses made of adobe and tile roofs. The trail runs along the Sta Barbara river where we find lots of orchards, native trees and fields full of corn, wheat, barley and potatoes. All these ingredients turn this walk into a wonderful countryside experience. Picnic lunch by the river. Returning to Cuenca we could shortly stop at the craft-making villages of Chordeleg and Gualaceo. , US$78 each for 2, US$56 each for 3.

Horse Riding

The mountainous topography of the Ecuadorian Andes, combined with the natural wonders existent, such as volcanoes, lakes, forest, plus the ethnical component, makes up the right components for wonderful horse riding experiences. Our trips intend to show visitors the remote countryside landscapes by following small trails used by locals, which can only be reached by foot or by using the most ancient way of land transportation. On our journeys we pass by small hidden villages, farming areas and unique landscapes.

Our trips range from beginners to experienced riders, but in all of them you must like horses, have some degree of fitness, but most important is to have self confidence. Our horses are well trained and are used to carrying passengers with different skills. Some are very calm for those with little experience and some are hot blooded for riders that love adrenaline.

For our trips we use different family haciendas for accommodation and facilities. Each one has its own magic, its own natural ecosystems and unique traditions. Some are very old from colonial times, others are located on the skirts of volcanoes, some are surrounded by forest and wonderful natural landscapes and others are modern with beautiful decoration. however the common issue among all of them, is the fact that are very comfortable, charming and welcoming for visitors that would like to experience the Ecuadorian countryside life, without been in a hotel, but more like feeling at home.

Horse riding at Hacienda Totorillas

Private, Any Day, Full Day

After a half hour drive from Cuenca, we reach Totorillas, a charming farm in an amazing natural spot, located in the area known as the mountains of Tarqui. Horse riding is definitely the specialty and little experience is required, on a trip aimed at passengers that would like to witness and experience daily countryside life. Once on the horses, we will ride along countryside trails through indigenous and private farming sites, areas of primary forest, the ancient Inca trail and small hidden villages. The old trails from the colonial era follow the top of the mountain ridge, providing amazing views from the saddle. Horses are professionally trained for any level of experience. Lunch included.

Optionally we offer activities such as: involvement in farming duties (agricultural, animal raising or dairy processing), rural walks, biking or simply relaxation and enjoyment in a pleasant environment. US$113 for 1, US$87 each for 2, US$77 each for 3

Shared Basis, Tue/Thu/Sat/Sun, Full Day - US$60 per person, min. of 2

Totorillas countryside

Private, Any Day, 2 Days / 1 Night

The country side of Totorillas is only half an hour south of Cuenca and it offers some of the most beautiful southern Andean landscapes; showing us cloud forest, indigenous agricultural grounds, cattle raising farms and rugged topography. The area is also crossed by the ancient Inca trail that connected Tomebamba (today Cuenca) with the north and the south of the ancient tahuantynsuyo Inca empire.
The program includes 2 days of full riding adventure in an amazing rural and natural surrounding, following the rural trails used by local indigenous, passing by and visiting the most remarkable sites. During this program, visitors can also get involved in the daily farming activities (agricultural, animal raising or dairy processes), do rural walks, biking or simply relax and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere and facilities of our charming and comfortable hacienda Totorillas. US$209 per person for 2-3 people.

This tour could be extended to 3 or 4 days with daily rides to different destinations with overnight at the hacienda.

Overview:
1 night in private hacienda
moderate activities of 4 – 6 hours a day
beginners to intermediate riding skills required
highland terrain elevations from 2,600 to 3,400 mts

Southern Haciendas

Private, Any Day, 3 Days / 2 Nights

This trip aims to follow country trails connecting private haciendas around the Tarqui area, allowing visitors to witness and share the real rural life and its environment. Each hacienda has its own particularity and beauty, some are colonial with lots of history, others are modern and charm and others are the typical Andean cowboy farms where horse and cattle growing are the main interests. the common factor in every hacienda is the warm and welcoming touch provided by the owners, without skipping comfort and details, opposite to feel in a normal hotel, but more like at home.

Sample itinerary
Day 1: Totorillas - Cumbe
Day 2: Cumbe – San Agustin
Day 3: San Agustin – Totorillas

Overview:
2 nights in private haciendas
moderate activities of 4 – 6 hours a day
intermediate riding skills required
highland terrain elevations from 2,600 to 3,400 m

2011 Price per person in US$: $376 each for 2, $338 each for 3, $329 each for 4

Behind the Inca´s footsteps

Private, Any Day, 2 or more days

The Incas had a highly developed road and communication system that connected important points and settlements along the Andean mountains. However, with the construction of modern roads, the Inca trail was not that important anymore, except for local people that still use it and follow many part of this ancient road system for connecting with other remote villages and commerce.

After long research we have been able to re-discover the portions between Riobamba (central Ecuadorian Andes) to Cuenca and Cuenca to Loja (southern Andes). We could cover and offer the whole long trip in approximately 10 days or better recommend a couple smaller journeys picking up the best portions of the trail, considering the scenery, highlights on route and level of difficulty.

These trips are aimed at skilled riding adventure lovers. The route taken is along mountain ridges and up and down the narrow Andean valleys providing a very active riding experience, passing by the remotest indigenous villages and amazing Andean landscapes, witnessing the most hidden and least visited sites in the Ecuadorian Andes.

The 2 portions of the Inca trail that we recommend the most are:

Achupallas – Ingapirca
Day 1: achupallas – culebrillas
Day 2: culebrillas - ingapirca

Gualaceo –Totorillas
Day 1: San Juan de Gualaceo – Aguarongo
Day 2: Aguarongo - Totorillas

Totorillas – Saraguro
Day 1: Totorillas – Gima
Day 2: Gima - Cochapata
Day 3: Cochabamba – Ona
Day 4: Oña - Saraguro

Overview:
overnight at local indigenous villages, camping, or haciendas
some difficult riding of 6 – 8 hours a day
intermediate to advanced riding skills required
highland and subtropical terrain elevations from 2,600 to 4,000 m

2011 Price per person in US$ : $150 per person per day, minimum of 2 people

Bird-watching southern Ecuador

Private, Any Day, 5 Days / 4 Nights

This privileged itinerary takes passengers to the most important bird watching sites in Southern Ecuador, from high moorland, to cloud forest areas, subtropical valleys, dry forest and tropical zones, so it gathers a wide range of great ecosystems for an abundant diversity of birds, including some endemic species.

Day 1: Cuenca - Llaviuco cloud forest & Cajas NP
Check for sites descriptions above. Afternoon time to explore the highlights of Cuenca.

Day 2: Cuenca - Chorro de Girón - Yunguilla – Zaruma
Check for sites descriptions above. Arrival to Zaruma at the end of the day for wondering around this small town with a wonderful colonial style architecture and important mining history.

Day 3: Buenaventura - Vilcabamba
This reserve is located near Piñas and Zaruma in El Oro province. The area is renowned for being one of the ornithological richest and easily accessible sites in The Ecuadorian Andes. It protects a narrow zone of cloud forest habitat on the otherwise seasonally dry west slope of the Andes in Southern Ecuador. The reserve is the type locality of the El Oro Parakeet and the El Oro Tapaculo and is home of species like the Club-winged Manakin (small passerine bird which is a resident breeding species in the cloud forest on the western slopes of the Andes Mountains of Colombia and northwestern Ecuador). The manakins are a family of some sixty small bird species of subtropical and tropical Central and South America. Late arrival to Vilcabamba for a great and relaxed atmosphere.

Day 4: Tapichalaca Reserve – Zamora
This reserve was established to protect the type locality and only known range of the newly discovered Jocotoco Antpitta (Grallaria ridgelyi). The reserve, which protects an unusually wet area of temperate-zone forest on the east slope of the Andes, is located along the trail to Quebrada Honda below Cerro Tapichalaca. In addition to the Antpitta, the reserve is also home to other vulnerable restricted range birds such as the Bearded Guan, Golden-plumed Parakeet, Rufous-capped Thornbill , and Masked Saltator. The reserve is also home to the Spectacled Bear and Woolly Mountain Tapir. Late arrival to Zamora, a gateway town to the Amazon rain forest.

Day 5: Bombuscaro (Podocarpus N P) – Loja
Podocarpus is considered one of the richest areas in the world with regard to diversity of birds. Within the park more than 560 species have been identified. For this reason it has become one of the most visited areas in the world for bird watching. We will visit the low part of the park known as Bombuscaro, which is already in the eastern Andean foothills and connected with the Amazon rain forest environment. Some of the specialties here include Maroon-tailed and White-breasted Parakeets, Amazonian Umbrella bird, Highland Motmot and a spectacular number of colorful tanagers. At the end of the trip passengers can be dropped off at Loja’s airport or return by car to Cuenca.

Overview:
Overnight at local hotels and at reserve’s lodges
Easy to moderate activities of 6 – 8 hours a day
Highland to lowland terrain elevations from 800m to 4,100m
Some long days and bad roads
Hotels standards may vary depending on location, so we use best accommodation available.

2011 Price per person in US$: $798 each for 2, $678 each for 3, $642 each for 4

Biking Cuenca

Shared Basis, Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun, HALF Day

Cuenca attracts visitors for its charming atmosphere, but most visitors only get to see the Old Historical town. However a lot of that charming is found in the new town too, since it has 4 rivers crossing the city, nice parks and natural sites as well as old buildings too.

So this trip intends to show the best of the new town, riding mostly along the river side trails and some secondary roads with very little traffic. The journey takes half a day and it is about 30 km long. The most interesting sites on route are: the broken bridge, Pumapungo the old Inca city, El Paraiso park with over 20 hectares of natural trails and greens, the old train tracks, Quinta Bolivar - where the liberator stayed while in Cuenca, San Joaquin the main grocery provider for Cuenca, the new architecture on private houses and El Barranco known for its hanging houses by the Tomebamba river. Basic riding. US$32 per person, min. of 2

Fishing in the Highlands

Private, Any Day, Full Day

El Cajas National Park offers great trout fishing opportunities in several of the 235 glacier type lakes, an amazing environment of moorland vegetation and spectacular rock formations. We provide the company of an experienced fisherman. Standard fishing equipment provided. Packed lunch included. US$99 for 1 person, US$69 for 2-3.

Alternatively we could organize several days of fishing with camping in El Cajas N P or in other lake areas that can be accesed by foot or horses.

Rock climbing

Private, Any Day, Full Day

Paute, Cojitambo, Sayausi, El Cajas, Giron, Susudel are some of the best rock climbing sites in the country and they are located in the area surrounding Cuenca. These climbing spots offer walls from 10 to 150m high and rating 5 – 5.12d. The level of difficulty will depend on the experience of the participants ranging from beginners to very technical routes. Packed lunch included. US$62 per person, minimum of 2.

For enthusiastic rock climbers, we could organize a 2 or more days of rock climbing selecting the very best sopts near Cuenca for this amazing activity.

Soon we will be offering a Canyoning and rapell experience only 15 min from Cuenca in a wonderful natural area with waterfalls, ponds and canyons perfect for this activity.

Cuenca Adventure Challenge

Private, Any Day, 3 Days / 2 Nights

Definitely, it is the best multisport combination in southern Ecuador. We start by trekking across El Cajas National Park from north to south, passing through a little visited area. The next day our bikes await at the campsite, we then start a great downhill and cross country journey along the southern border of the park. The biking trip ends at the horse raising farm. The last day we do a horse riding trip along the Inca Trail that follows the mountain ridges through cloud forest and indigenous farming areas.

Day 1: Crossing El Cajas National Park
Day 2: Biking along the 30 Bridges
Day 3: Horse riding in Totorillas

Overview:
1 night camping and 1 night at hacienda
Multi-activity: Trekking, biking & horse back riding
Moderate to strenuous activities of 6 – 8 hours a day
Intermediate to advanced skills required
Highland terrain elevations from 2600 to 4200 m

2011 Price per person in US$: $433 each for 2, $332 each for 3, $278 each for 4

entrance fees not included in prices for group tours.