3-Day Cotopaxi Hacienda Adventure

We leave Quito early in the morning and reach Hacienda Santa Rita, a Private Ecological Reserve, located at 3200 meters (10,500 ft), where we will hike for about 3 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.

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hacienda El Porvenir

In the morning after a delicious, nutritious farm breakfast, we will receive 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 approximately 2 hours. Back in the farmhouse, a tasty local lunch will be ready on our arrival.

In the afternoon we will have our Cooking in the Clouds lessons. The class starts with cooking lessons or our famous cheese empanadas, followed by the elaboration of aji. Aji or chile sauce is a very important part of the Ecuadorian cuisine. The recipe varies from home to home. Here at Hacienda El Porvenir you will learn how to make it the traditional way, on a stone mortar and seasoned with various herbs and spices. At last we will learn how to prepare the delicious canelazo, a traditional hot drink that is served on celebrations on the Highlands of Ecuador. After the class the participants will enjoy their preparations next to a crackling fireplace.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hacienda El Porvenir

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. Near this spot there are some natural springs which rise with the icy water from underground rivers that come from the glaciers of Cotopaxi.

Our trip ends at El Porvenir, where a delicious hot chocolate will be served up before we finally return to Quito.

Meals included: Breakfast