Cotopaxi Volcano :
A sacred transformation
Duration
7 Days / 6 Nights
Difficulty Level
Medium
The Cotopaxi region in Ecuador is a place of profound natural beauty and spiritual significance. The majestic Cotopaxi volcano is part of this magical scenery and is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world.
You’ll be staying in a beautiful colonial Hacienda, hiking and exploring this ancient Andean landscape, going on horseback rides with a chance to see Andean condors, wild horses and learning about the local culture and geology. On your itinerary, you’ll also visit waterfalls, local villages, and the ruins of an Inca fortress.
After all the exploring, relax and enjoy by soaking in the APU Mountain spa and sweat lodge.
Participate in a cooking class and learn to prepare traditional empanadas and when the night falls, sit by the fire listening to a serenade of shamanic music.
This trip will be magical and our itinerary aims to evoke a sense of adventure and newness, so you can feel renewed, reconnected, and filled with reverence to our Pachamana- Mother Earth.
Included
- First and last night in Quito in a 4 star property with breakfast included
- 4 nights in a Standard suite at beautiful colonial Hacienda Porvenir
- Daily tours & activities
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner (please see details under Included/Excluded tab)
- Roundtrip transportation in private van from Quito to Hacienda Porvenir
Pricing
- Single room US$ 2,450
- Double room US$ 2,250
A 30% deposit of the total trip cost will be required at time of booking.
The final balance will be requested 60 days prior to departure.
Cancellations up to 55 days no penalty.
Cancellations 54-35 days before trip start are subject to a 50% cancellation fee.
Cancellations 34 days or less before the trip start are subject to 100% cancellation fee (no refund).
Your trip will be confirmed when minimum numbers are reached, at latest 65 days before departure.
If the trip is canceled by us before this date, a full refund will be issued minus any bank charges
Please Note: You can transfer your trip to another participant with prior approval from the host at a cost of USD $100 for the name change.
*** Please Note: All prices are subject to change and are based on availability. ***
***Visa requirements for Brazil are the client’s responsibility ***
***Prices quoted are for Low Season (Jan 16th to June 14 2025/ Aug 21th – Dec 14th 2024) and subject to availability ***
***Minimum number required for a group is 8 people ***
Please refer to our General T&C for a full description of our policies
Activities
- Visit the beautiful city of Quito, founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city and UNESCO world heritage site.
- Be a Chagra (local cowboy) for a day, by going horseback riding through the valleys of Cotopaxi National Park.
- Hike the Rumiñahui Volcano, crossing vast highlands swept by the cold breath of the Andes
- Visit the lovely city of Tigua, famous for its vibrant, colorful art and warm local hospitality
- Enjoy farm style organic meals sitting by the fireplace and the unique, breathtaking night sky views
Accommodations
Hotel (4 stars or equivalent) in Quito
Hacienda Porvenir
Important information
The Cotopaxi region is a wonderful destination for adventure lovers as well as for relaxation.
All the daily tours provided on our itinerary are optional, you can choose to stay and enjoy your day or go take advantage of all the daily activities.
For the hiking days, we suggest you should be moderately fit and healthy to better enjoy the treks.
Travel Insurance is strongly suggested.
Please note:
A 30% deposit of the total trip cost will be required at time of booking.
The final balance will be requested 60 days prior to departure.
Cancellations 60 days out or more will be subject to a 30% cancellation fee (for non-refundable permits)
Cancellations 59-35 days before trip start are subject to a 50% cancellation fee
Cancellations 15-34 days before trip start are subject to a 75% cancellation fee
Cancellation 14 days or less before trip start are subject to 100% cancellation fee
Please Note: You can transfer your trip to another participant with prior approval from the host at a cost of USD $100 for the name change.
***All prices are subject to change and are based on availability. ***
***Visa requirements for Brazil are the client’s responsibility ***
Tour Plan
Day 1. Arrival in Quito
Arrival in Quito. Check in at your Hotel. Free time to enjoy the lovely cobblestone streets and colonial historical sights of Quito.
Day 2. The Route of the Waterfalls
We’ll pick you up from your hotel in Quito early in the morning, for a 1.5-hour drive (approx) to our starting point on the slopes of Pasochoa Volcano at an altitude of 3,200 meters (10,499 ft). Passing by the Pita River, born at the Cotopaxi valley, forming waterfalls and unique landscapes. Our track will take about 3-4 hours, with lush vegetation and waterfalls . We’ll take a break for recharging and enjoy our delicious lunch box before starting the second part of this acclimatization day. We’ll continue our hike, for about 45 minutes through fields covered with tall grass, enjoying magnificent views of the neighboring mountains covered with snow such as Antisana, and Cayambe. Hiking difficulty is low. We’ll head over to Hacienda El Porvenir for check in and a hot canelazo (traditional Ecuatorial drink) as a welcome drink followed by a farm style traditional dinner serverd by the warm fire.
Day 3. Chagra’s Life: Horseback ride, lassoing, and cooking in the clouds
Rise and shine for an authentic experience with the local people and their life in the hacienda. The day begins early in the morning by greeting the animals from the ranch and moving the horses from the corral to the Hacienda’ and learn how to saddle a horse with the Chagras (local cowboys). We’ll gather for a homemade delicious breakfast and get ready for the day.
After a briefing on how to handle the horses, we start a ride of 2 hours through exclusive trails at the hacienda. The first portion of the ride will help you to get acquainted with our horses and ride on dirt roads, through open valleys where we can learn about the native flora and fauna . We’ll reach 12,500ft at “El Mirador de los Guardianes del Volcán” and enjoy a magnificent view of the Cotopaxi Volcano, then start our descent back to the hacienda. The pace of the horses is mainly slow, but with a chance to trot on portions of the ride. We might be able to spot many Andean birds on this ride. Once we return to the hacienda and take a short break, we’ll take lessons on how to lasso like an authentic Chagra.
A delicious lunch will be served, and free time to relax. Later in the afternoon, we’ll enjoy a cooking lesson with our local chef and learn to prepare our famous cheese empanadas with ají (hot sauce) and the local canelazo, a traditional hot drink that is commonly served on celebrations in Ecuador. After the class, we’ll enjoy dinner next to a crackling fireplace.
Day 4. Cotopaxi National Park Exploration
Have you ever wondered how it’s to climb an active volcano and discover why ancient explorers pointed out Cotopaxi as one of the most beautiful mountains in the World? Immerse yourself in a fantastic day trip of exploration to the iconic Cotopaxi National Park, home of the biggest flying bird in the world: the Andean Condors and herds of truly wild horses. Here, migratory birds stop by to get some rest on their way South.
Learn about Andean geology from our knowledgeable guides while we reach the Cotopaxi Refuge, where you begin a short hike up to the climbing hut (Refugio José Ribas) at 4,800m (15,744 ft). It’s hard not to be overwhelmed by the sheer immensity of the Volcano on this short hike (about 1.5 miles. Once back in the vehicle, we will continue driving down to Limpiopungo Lake, where a wholesome lunch box will be served. After our break, the exploration will continue, to spot ancient Inca military fortresses, full of volcanic rocks from past eruptions. Don’t forget to hydrate and bring your camera for this stunning day trip.
After all that , we’ll head back to Hacienda El Porvenir to rest and enjoy a delicious dinner.
Day 5. Rumiñahui Volcano Trek and Spa
After a wholesome country breakfast, we begin our trek to Rumiñahui Volcano inside the exclusive trails of the hacienda, crossing vast highlands swept by the cold breath of the Andes. The hike will take about 5 hours, physical effort is medium but no technical experience is needed. In one single picture, you can capture valleys, mountains, and neighboring volcanoes. On a cloudless day, we can see Chimborazo, the highest snow-capped mountain in Ecuador. We’ll take a lunch break with the Apus or spirits of the mountains, enjoying the stunning scenery. We’ll head back to the Hacienda, enjoy a relaxing soak and sweat lodge at APU Mountain spa and a peaceful evening and dinner.
Day 6. Quilotoa Exploration
After a delicious breakfast, we’ll check out and start another fantastic day by visiting Tigua, a small region famous for its vibrant art. Colorful landscapes and masks reflect history, legends, and traditions that date back to pre-colonial times. With no formal training, Tigua artists have earned worldwide fame for their vibrancy, vivid colors, and depiction of nature and traditional life in remote Andean villages.
Grab your camera and get ready for an endless series of one-of-a-kind natural beauty. From canyons, mountains, and herds of sheep. This route is one of the most beautiful living paintings in the Andes! You will then arrive at Quilotoa Lagoon, considered one of the most beautiful lagoons of volcanic origin worldwide! Its volcanic minerals give the water a beautiful emerald-green tint. It’s a 3km trail and about a 1-hour walk going down and up again, on the lake you have the option to rent a kayak. After this short excursion, you will have a delicious packed lunch and return to Quito. Drop off at your hotel.
Day 7. Return to US
Checkout from Quito hotel and return to US (Transfer to airport is not included)
Included
- Accommodation (based on double or single occupancy)
- Listed Meals
- One soft drink per meal
- Described activities & tours
- Licensed English speaking guide
- Gears to perform activities
- Transport from and to Quito
- Entrance fee to Santa Rita Ecological Reserve and Condor Machay
- Entrance to APU Mountain SPA wet area
Excluded
- Insurance
- Tips
- Alcoholic drinks
- International Airfare to Quito
- Anything else not described on the tour
***Horse Riders can’t exceed 220 pounds of weight.***
***Itinerary subject to change due to weather conditions***
***To participate in this tour you must sign our waiver of liability***
***We recommend you buy a travel health insurance plan.***
Our Recent Trip Videos
Book your next vacation with us!
We are constantly adding new and out-of-the-beating path destinations. If you have one in mind, we can take care of the planning so all you have to do is enjoy!
