Extend your trip in Ecuador with a 3 night stay in a comfortable hacienda near the Cotopaxi Volcano and explore the Andean highlands on foot, horseback, and gliding through the forest by zipline during our multisport trip that is a short drive from Quito.
Highlights
Hike across the beautiful Condor Machay Waterfall wooden trails
Participate on the Cotopaxi High Ropes Course
Climb the RumiƱahui Volcano and enjoy the cold breath of the Andes
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
We leave Quito early in the morning (07h30 am) and reach Hacienda Santa Rita, a Private Ecological Reserve, located at 3200 meters (10,500 ft), where we will hike for about three hours.
Condor Machay Waterfall (45 minutes - 1 hour hike): The entire path has wooden stairs and railing where necessary. We will hike down on a dirt trail where we can observe Pita river going on petrified lahars until we get to a beautiful view of the Condor Machay Waterfall.
La Letra Trail (2 hours): This hike has different paths between grassland and pastures and also crosses bridges over the river. Throughout the tour you can see birds such as turkeys, ducks, hummingbirds. In addition, there is a great variety of paramo plants and trees lining the trails. We will have nice views of Cotopaxi, Sincholagua and Rumiñahui. Return on our vehicle for a drive back to Hacienda El Porvenir to enjoy lunch. During this afternoon we can participate on the Cotopaxi High Ropes Course. This is a high adventure activity with a low environmental impact, letting people with little or no knowledge of climbing techniques have a unique experience. Overnight stay.
Day 2: Horseback riding and hike through the trails of Hacienda El Porvenir
In the morning we will have a delicious farm breakfast followed by a brief riding lesson from our guides before we set out on our horses. Wearing the typical dress of the chagra (Ecuadorian cowboys), we ride out across the slopes of the dormant volcano, Rumiñahui. A legendary chagra from the area will come with us and share some of his deep knowledge of the country life. The ride lasts for approximately 4 hours. Back in the farmhouse, a tasty local lunch will be ready on our arrival. In the afternoon we go on a short walk to Bosque del Tentadero, a polylepis or paper barked tree forest. Overnight stay.
We begin our climb of Rumiñahui Volcano very early in the morning, crossing vast highlands swept by the cold breath of the Andes. In one single picture one can take in valleys, mountains and neighboring volcanoes. On a cloudless day, we will even have the opportunity to admire in the distance Ilinizas peaks and Chimborazo, the highest snow-capped mountain of Ecuador. Hiking takes about 5 hours total round trip. Hiking difficulty is middle. We will trek along with a local guide that will share with us his knowledge about the mountains, the páramo and the local culture. We will take a packed lunch and then you will go back to Hacienda El Porvenir, a warm fireplace will be waiting for you. Overnight stay.
Day 4: Cotopaxi National Park Visit
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Traditional breakfast and then we get ready to visit Cotopaxi National Park. We set off for the Park and eventually reach the car park below the refuge. From there we will begin our short hike up to the climbing hut (Refugio José Ribas) at 4,800m. (15,744 ft). It is hard not to be overwhelmed by the sheer immensity of this volcano during the hike. Once back in the vehicle, we continue on our way, driving down to Limpiopungo Lake, where a wholesome box lunch will be served.
If there is time, we will visit the Park Visitors Centre, which has interesting descriptions of the local flora and fauna as well as details of the various eruptions of Cotopaxi. We will then continue, crossing rocky valleys, until we reach the Pucará del Salitre, an ancient Inca fortress on the way to the Amazon basin.
Return to Quito.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 179 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
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20 hours ago
What made our Costa Rica experience great was the wonderful places we stayed and transportation to get to our different areas to visit was excellent! The white water rafting and the snorkeling & dolphin watching were really fun!
Michell Murphy
1 day ago
I received a quick and friendly response from my contact, Christina Mayo, both in email and phone calls. My request for information was provided in less than a day. She took a few minutes to chat about family and events. Dealing with her has always been a pleasure!
Mary Ann
2 days ago
First class all the way. Enjoyed our Guide, Karla, Driver Mark so much. Personalized tour of Antigua during Easter was like a National Geographic in person. Trip of the Lifetime. Such a spiritual and magical tour. Many Thanks.
Ben Shaver
Ben Shaver, Jr.
4 days ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
6 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!