Mountain Guardians Lodge Trek Itinerary
A guided hike though varied and scenic terrain in the Andes staying in delightful mountain lodges and hosterias.
5 days from £2,135pp plus international flights.
Full itinerary
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Call: 01473 890499
Start planning your tailor-made holiday now. Tell us what you want, and we will tailor make your perfect trip.
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Day 1
Quito to Cotopaxi
This morning you'll be collected from your Quito hotel for the drive to Pasochoa Reserve, named after the peak that you're about to scale! At 4,200 metres this is an impressive sight and your hike to the summit will take about 3 hours, travelling on grassland trails. At the top you'll have superb views of the surrounding mountains which include Cotopaxi. You'll also be able to see down into the Pasochoa crater. Next you'll have a 3-hour descent through forests and grassland to the Pita River canyon and your lodge for the next three nights, Chilcabamba Lodge. Total hiking time today is about 7 hours.
Lunch, dinner
Day 2
The Pita River Loop
After a hearty breakfast at the lodge you head out to Cotopaxi National Park, an area of great natural beauty. The hike begins and ends at the lodge and will take around 5 hours. Your route takes you into the national park and the area known as Pedregal. On the way you should see a variety of birds, and, if lucky, some of the resident wild horses, deer and llamas. The scenery is stunning, and the views of the volcanoes are beautiful. The hike concludes back to the lodge. Total hiking time is around five hours, largely through grassland trails.
Full board
Day 3
The Cotopaxi Trail
Today your route continues along the course of the Pita River. You'll soon enter the flatlands on eastern flank of Cotopaxi, Ecuador's highest mountain, with views of the foothills of Mount Sincholagua as well as the mighty Cotopaxi. You'll travel through varied terrain including grassland and stony plains. Wild horses are often seen in this area and you may spot Andean condors soaring overhead. Enjoy a picnic lunch, perhaps at the water's edge or at the park's natural springs. Later you'll return to Chilcabamba Lodge for the night. Hiking time today is around 5 hours.
Full board
Day 4
Ruminahui Peak
This morning your target is the lowest peak of Ruminahui, regarded as the sentry to Cotopaxi National Park. The climb is not arduous and travels past several waterfalls before reaching the stone plains of the mountain at about 4,600 metres above sea level. As you ascend you'll have views of the eastern side of Sincholagua and of Cotopaxi. Descending from the peak you'll pass the Inca site of Machay and walk through 'the silent valley' before arriving at the scenic Limpiopungo lagoon where a vehicle is waiting for you. Hiking time is about 6-7 hours and tonight you'll be staying at the lovely Hosteria Tambopaxi.
Full board
Day 5
On The Snow Line
Following breakfast you'll be driven to Cotopaxi mountain refuge, where an hour's walk leads to the mountaineers' lodge. Next there's a hike of about 2 hours to the edge of the glacier. The views are spectacular and, with the help of your guide, you'll be able to see the entire route of your hike. You'll have a great sense of achievement as you survey the scene and you'll certainly want your camera to hand. The descent back to the mountain refuge will take about 2 hours, where you'll board the vehicle for the drive back to Quito.
Breakfast, lunch
Call: 01473 890499
Start planning your tailor-made holiday now. Tell us what you want, and we will tailor make your perfect trip.
Enquire
