Ultimate Cajas National Park Full-Day Adventure with Local Expert
Embark on an exclusive small-group hiking adventure in Cajas National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity. Begin your journey at the continental divide, where waters flow toward both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, offering a unique geographical perspective. Proceed to the Toreadora Refuge, situated amidst the park's highlands, and traverse trails that wind through a mesmerizing tapestry of glacial lakes and the rare Polylepis Forest, home to some of the world's highest-altitude tree species. Conclude your exploration in the serene Llaviuco montane forest, immersing yourself in its tranquil beauty during a second invigorating hike. This meticulously crafted tour provides an unparalleled opportunity to experience the diverse ecosystems of Cajas National Park, ensuring an unforgettable adventure for nature enthusiasts and hikers alike.
Options
Private tour all inclusive
Lunch included
SUV
Pick up included
Pickup included
What's included in Ultimate Cajas National Park Full-Day Adventure with Local Expert
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
El Cajas National Park
We start our tour with hotel pick ups in Cuenca. We drive for about an hour to Toreadora refuge from where we will take a hike in the highlands through the moorland ecosystem of wetlands and lakes to get to the unique forest of Polylepis trees. These are the highest growing trees in the world and are native to South America. The park includes approximately 768 lakes in an area of 70,533 acres. It is one of the most important water sources in Cuenca and Ecuador. It has gained international prominence in several categories: Wetland of International Importance in 2002 by RAMSAR, Area of International Importance for the Conservation of Birds by IBA in 2003, and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2013.
Afterward, we will explore the Llaviuco Cloud Forest where you will be able to appreciate the contrast of the park on our 1.5 hour hike. If we are lucky we might see Tucans. After a full-day adventure, we drive back to Cuenca. We will stop at a local restaurant for lunch. The specialty is trout!
Inclusions
- Lunch with trout option (if selected during the booking process)
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Licensed Naturalist Tour Guide
- Private Transportation
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities (Optional)
- Something not mentioned herein
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required to operate shared tours. We reserve the right to cancel the tour if there are not at least 2 participants.
- Bookings made 48 hours prior the tour are subject to guide availability.
- Please contact us at [email protected] or WhatsApp +593-987-796-896 within 24 hours notice to reconfirm the tour and pick-up time.
- Vegetarian/Vegan/Gluten-Free/Lactose-Free options are available, please advise at time of booking if required.
- For 1 to 6 passengers, a bilingual guide will also be the driver. For more than 6 passengers, a driver and a bilingual guide will be provided. Max group size 15 passengers.
- Shared Tours hotel pickups commence prior to this time, you must contact the local service provider to verify your exact pickup time.
- Comfortable walking shoes and sun protection are recommended.
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
Choose to be picked up from a list of locations
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
• Please contact the us one day before the departure to reconfirm the pick up time Email: [email protected], WhatsApp +593-987-796-896 • A minimum of 2 people per booking is required to operate shared tours. We reserve the right to cancel the tour if there are not 2 participants minimum. • Vegetarian/Vegan/Gluten Free/Lactose Free options are available, please advise at time of booking • Not wheelchair accessible • Please be advised that lunch is included in the tour, subject to the category selected during the booking process. • Infant meals not included. • For 1 to 6 passengers, a bilingual guide will also be the driver. For more than 5 passengers, a driver and a bilingual guide will be provided. • Not recommended for participants with heart complaints or other serious medical conditions. • Hotel pickups commence prior to this time, exact pickup time will be advised on reconfirmation. Cajas Tips The weather is very unpredictable in Cajas, sunshine one minute and sudden mist or rain. We suggest to consider the following tips: 1. Dress Comfortably and layered clothing: t-shirt, sweater or jacket, and raincoat. (Rain season is March and April) 2. Bottle of water and snacks (Keep in mind that we will have lunch usually around 2 pm) 3. Hiking shoes or comfortable shoes for walking 4. Rainproof gear, in the afternoon it tends to drizzle specially March through May 5. Hat (for sun protection and warmth) 6. Sunscreen 7. Sunglasses
