Hacienda to Hacienda Trek
Experience the raw beauty of a country full of treasures
TRIP OVERVIEW
On this incredible trek we combine 3 different mountain regions of Ecuador: Cotopaxi, Quilotoa and Chimborazo. You will be trekking into Cotopaxi National Park of which Cotopaxi is the centrepiece. Then you will enjoy the hilly region of Quilotoa, where you will visit the colourful market of Saquisili and lastly you will trek in the Chimborazo Reserve, where Ecuador’s highest volcano, Chimborazo is located. You will end this multiday trip with two night on Baños, a sup-tropical region of Ecuador where we can do many activities including hiking, and of course, maybe a ride on the longest zip lines across the Pastaza Canyon in Ecuador, before returning to Quito.
We start hiking towards Cotopaxi National Park visiting spectacular waterfalls and graceful haciendas along the way. During your hike the scenery will change from the humid Andean forests to the wonderful “paramo” where you will walk through the grassland, feel the wind and enjoy sightings of wild horses. On day 5 the scenery will change again, entering the rugged Quilotoa region with its lovely traditional villages. You will visit the colourful market of Saquisili and enjoy a short, windy drive to the mountains above the small village of Insilivi. The Quilotoa region is a highly remote area, famous for its impressive crater lake, with its aquamarine colored waters, shimmering in the clear Andean light. On the last part of our trek we visit the Chimborazo reserve, concluding with the Baños region. We will encounter small indigenous settlements along the way and learn about their traditional way of life and customs.
Trekking in Ecuador not only offers you breath taking views, diverse and unusual fauna, interactions with friendly locals, but also you will enjoy staying in some historical, colonial haciendas in between the hikes. These magnificent haciendas are large Spanish farm houses converted into lodges. We have included some of these gems in this itinerary, which will give you a great feeling for the rural life in our country and at the same time enjoy a luxurious rest while getting the taste of Ecuadorian hospitality!
Arrive/Depart: Quito
Group Size: 2-10 Guests
Pre-requisites: Good physical condition
Difficulty Levels: Easy: Walks from 4 to 6 hours per day
EXPLAIN DIFFICULTY LEVELS
Accomodation: 10 nights Haciendas and Mountain Lodges VIEW LODGING
Activity: Hiking / Trekking, Wildlife & Natural History, Cultural Exploration
Seasons: All year round
Equipment: Lodge to Lodge Expedition Gear List
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ITINERARY
DOWNLOAD ITINERARYDAY
01
Explore the Pita River Waterfall [3.000 m / 9,840 ft]
Activity: Short drive / 4 hours hiking
Accommodation: CotopaxiPungo Hotel
Transportation: Private van or jeep transfer
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY
02
Hike to Hacienda El Porvenir (or los Mortiños) [3.500 m / 11,480 ft]
DAY
03
Hike to Pucará Salitre and Tambopaxi [3.700 m / 14,060 ft]
DAY
04
Hike up to Rumiñahui’s Central Summit [4.500 m / 14,750 ft]
DAY
05
Visit Saquisilí Indian Market / Hike to Insiliví [2.900 m / 9,515 ft]
Activity: 2-3 hours hiking / Sightseeing / Driving
Accommodation: Hostal Llullullama
Transportation: Private van or jeep transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY
06
Hike to Chugchilán [3.300 m / 10,496 ft]
DAY
07
Hike Around Quilotoa Lake [3.800 m / 12,464 ft]
Activity: 5-6 hours trekking
Accommodation: Samay Quilotoa Lodge or Posada de Tigua
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY
08
Drive to Chimborazo Lodge / Afternoon Hike [4.000 m / 15,200 ft]
Activity: Drive / Relax at hot springs / Short hike
Accommodation: Chimborazo Lodge
Transportation: Private van or jeep transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY
09
Chimborazo trek to Whymper’s Needles [5.250 m / 17,220 ft]
Activity: Drive / Trekking
Accommodation: La Floresta Hotel or simmilar
Transportation: Private van or jeep transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY
10
Rainforest Hike and Waterfalls
Activity: Driving / Cannopy Ride / Sightseeing
Accommodation: La Floresta Hotel or simmilar
Transportation: Private van or jeep transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY
11
Morning in Baños / Drive back to Quito in the afternoon
Activity: Driving / Hot springs / Sightseeing
Accommodation: In Quito
Transportation: Private van or jeep transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Important: Please note that this itinerary is a guideline only. We will do every effort to follow it, but in case of unforeseen circumstances we may have to make changes.
2024 Fix Departure Prices*
2 pax - USD 2.490 per person in double occupancy
3 pax - USD 2.200 per person
4+ pax - USD 1.980 per person
Single Room Suplement - USD 620
* Private departure prices under request
Trip Cost Includes
- All transport by private vehicles during the program
- Support vehicle to transport bags
- One English speaking guide
- All accomodation: in double basis (depending on availability)
- All the food on the trek
- Permits and park fees
- Train fee
Trip Cost Does Not Include
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Airport transfers
- Accomodation in Quito
- Meals while in Quito
- Alcoholic drinks
- Extras, laundry, tips
WHY TAKE THIS TRIP WITH US?
It is a unique opportunity to discover the beautiful Ecuadorian countryside. Our team is formed by the best Ecuadorian hiking guides. Our guides are an integral part of Andeanface because they understand and share our principles. The quality of our guiding staff is what makes us stand out from other companies. The accomodation used during this expedition gives it an added value, some nights are spent in Haciendas, which are traditional fams houses converted into mountain lodges.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
We stronglly recommend spending in Quito one day at 2.800 m / 9,000 ft before the start of the trek, as the frst nights of the program are spent at CotopaxiPungo at 3.200 m / 10.496 ft. During this trek our large bags get transported in a 4x4 jeep, so our clients will only need to walk with a day pack. We try to limit the use of a 4x4 jeep on the trek, however there will be some driving involved on some days.
Because of Ecuador’s location on the equator, weather patterns do not change very much during the year, Cotopaxi has the larfest number of clear days amongst the high peaks of Ecuador.
We enjoyed our Hacienda trek with Andeanface over the last two weeks. The windy day on Cotopaxi was a disappointment but the rest of the trip was enjoyable and a great adventure. Please tell Diego again, when you see him, that we really appreciate his professionalism throughout the trip.
John and Michele Wertelet
USA
Hi Javier Overall the itinerary was great and the trek was everything we were hoping for. Benno, our guide, was an excellent and we enjoyed his company throughout
Richard Bradbury & Team
Australia
Traveling with Andean Face doing the Hacienda Trek was a fantastic way to visit Ecuador and some of its treasures. Pablo was a exceptional guide. He was not only a wealth of history and culture but I always felt safe while hiking. Ecuador is an unpretentious country of beautiful people and landscapes. The hiking was fantastic and safe. Our trip was varied and interesting every day. We discovered authentic Haciendas and guest houses where we were served fantastic local fare and warm hospitality.
Allison Hooper
USA Hacienda Trek
Hi Javier In November my wife and I took the Hacienda-to-Hacenda trek with Andean Face. It is a well though out trek though an absolutely beautiful Country. The trek takes you though some of the best parts of the Andean Highlands and is an amazing blend of culture and adventure. Our Guide Joaquin was fantastic, he has a deep knowledge of the culture, history and ecology of his native country. Javier of Andean Face was excellent with the booking and logistics of the trip. I would highly recommend this trek and Andean Face in general to anyone wanting to experience Ecuador.
Kevin Birk
Hacienda Trek
