Ecuador Tours and Travel

Cayambe - Coca Ecological Reserve Trek, 4 Days

Level: Moderate to Challenging

The Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve is considered to have the greatest diversity of flora and fauna within Ecuador's protected areas. This reserve, which slopes down into the Amazon Basin, offers many interesting sites. Other than the typical páramo vegetation, the flora consists of many species with great ecological, economic, and medicinal value such as: orchids, gencianas, puyas, bromareas, fushias, polilepys, hoja blanca and more. Lots of birdlife, including the elusive Andean condor, eagles, falcons, ducks and even highland hummingbirds can be seen. Animal life abounds, and a lucky visitor might spot deer, The Andean fox, mountain liona, Andean rabbits and more. Cayambe-Coca is a large reserve, covering many life zones from the summit of Cayambe at 5790 meters (18,997 feet), down to the Amazon rain forest. The reserve includes 81 different lakes, many of them remote and difficult to access.

Day 1: Depart from Quito to Hacienda Rancho Alto. After a short briefing and time to prepare we start our hike at approximately 2800 meters above sea level. We hike, gaining altitude into the glacial valleys, until we reach a high point called San Lorenzo, which is also the entrance to the reserve. We keep hiking along the páramo until we reach our first camp, hidden next to a small stream in a Polylepis forest. This climate zone gathers much of the fresh water on the continental divide as it flows down both sides of the Andes. We'll start with an easy acclimatization hike through trails that feature many of the flowers and plants of the Andean cloud forest. We will set up camp next to the lake and relax before enjoying our gourmet dinner. (L, D)

Day 2: After breakfast, we prepare day packs and loud up our horses before climbing through trails that feature stunning scenery and photo opportunities. We keep an eye out for cara-caras, eagles and the Andean condor as we climb through the highlands along trails that take us to one of the most beautiful lakes in the reserve, called Nunalbiro. Afterwards, we keep hiking until we reach our next campsite at Laguna Seca (4290 meters). The expected temperature is below zero. Our campsite will be set up near a freshwater river. (B, L, D)

Day 3: On day three we will walk mostly downhill for the first part, through the obsidian valley, before going up again to the Corrales, which are impressive granite wall formations with waterfalls that used to be an ancient mine between 10,000 and 5,000 years ago, when the Inga cave men lived in the area. As we hike back down, we get stunning views of the avenue of the volcanoes. On a clear day, you can see the Antisana and Puntas volcanoes. We will complete the circuit back to San Lorenzo and before arriving hike through some cattle ranches and local farmland with quinua and potato crops. Our support vehicle will transfer us to Papallacta, where we will close this magnificent journey with a soothing and therapeutically relaxing day in the mineral, sulfate and alkaline rich waters of the Papallacta Hot springs resort. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Today we have the morning to relax in this first class resort. Return to Quito after lunch. (B, L)

BOOKING REQUEST

2009 Price per person in US$: 2 people = $794, 3 = $598, 4 = $500

INCLUDED: Professional guides, private transportation, meals as per description, refreshments, camping arrangements.

NOT INCLUDED: Natural Reserve entrance fee, beverages in hotel.

IMPORTANT FACTS:
TRAVEL TIME: 2 hrs approx.
TREKKING TIME: 3 to 4 hrs
SEASON: All Year
TEMPERATURE: 20° to 0° C
ALTITUDE: 2800 m. to 4290 m.
SUGGESTED: warm layered clothing, sun block, gloves, flashlight, rain gear, trekking boots, binoculars