Ecuador Cloud Forest 5-Day Hiking Tour
Highlights
Quito
nature, rural, trekking
Private Tour
5 Days
Medium
English, Spanish
Description
The Cloud Forest in Ecuador has many birds, waterfalls, and unique orchids that you will love to explore and discover on this tour. Our program is being set to have another nice opportunity to admire this exuberant Forest. Get ready to explore and hike with us the hidden natural jewels close to Quito.
Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrival to Quito
Transfer on International Flight to Quito, Ecuador. Once you clear customs, you’ll meet one of our Guides, and then you´ll be taken to the hotel in Quito. The hotel is located in the heart of Quito´s business district, and it has many facilities to make your stay very pleasant.
Accommodation: Overnight at Ibis Hotel ***
Meals: Not included
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Day 2: Pululahua Hike - Yunguilla
Early in the morning, we will drive towards Pululahua Ecological Reserve to start our hike (8 miles) through one of the active volcano calderas of Ecuador; you will enjoy the views and the Andean flora as we hike. Then, we will continue our tour by car to a community known as Yunguilla, where we will have lunch in a local restaurant, and later, we will visit all their projects in the village.
Finally, we will stay overnight at a family house (homestay); this is a unique experience for you and also a nice opportunity to learn more about Ecuadorian culture. You could practice your Spanish with the families or also teach them some English!!!
This First hike goes from 11550 ft. until 8500 ft. HIKING TIME: 3 HOURS
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Day 3: Santa Lucia Hike
After breakfast on this day, we will visit a nice viewpoint known as El Chochal, where you will see some of the highest volcanoes of Ecuador, such as Pichincha, Cayambe, Cotacachi, Antisana, and Pululahua, as well as a beautiful view of the cloud forest. Then it is time to start our hike through the cliffs, trails and magical paths surrounded by forest. Los Culuncos trail was originally used as a route to exchange products between the mountain people and the coastal natives. It was also used illegally to transport brandy from Nanegal village to Calacalí near Quito, but now it is only used for tourism. Along the way, we will enjoy lunch and rest a bit before we continue to Santa Lucia Eco Lodge. The second hike goes from 8500 ft. down to 6500 ft. HIKING TIME: 6 to 7 HOURS
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Day 4: Cock of the Rock - Maquipucuna Hike
Early hike to visit the fantastic Andean Cock of the Rock (this is the most representative bird from the cloud forest). This is a 1 hour to get to the lek's location, but this 5:00 am effort is really worth it. A sight you will never forget as the spectacular bird men perform their dance to attract women, it will be one the highlights of this trip. Breakfast is going to be at the Bird Lek. Then we return to Santa Lucia to have lunch and then prepare to go down to Maquipucuna. This hike is mainly in the cloud forest, so if we are lucky, we might see some other colorful birds and, for sure, a lot of orchids along the way. In Maquipucuna Eco Lodge, we will have dinner, and then we will do a night walk near the lodge. The second hike goes from 6500 ft. down to 4500 ft. HIKING TIME: 5 to 7 HOURS
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Day 5: Quito City Tour / Cable Car
Early in the morning, we will enjoy a birding tour around the lodge; then, we will have breakfast. Finally, we will return back to Quito to start our city tour at Panecillo viewpoint to admire Quito's wonders from above, and we will walk around for two hours, visiting the highlights of the old city such as San Francisco Church, Compañia de Jesús Church and Sagrario Church located on “Calle de la Siete Cruces” or Garcia Moreno Street. Then, we will visit the Presidential Palace lobby at Quito's main Square.
Finally, we will visit the first Gothic Church of Ecuador, considered the highest one in the city. This is another beautiful viewpoint to observe, “The Avenue of the Volcanoes”. Then we will drive towards the Teleferico or cable Car for another viewpoint of the Andes. Our guide will drive you back to Quito's International Airport for your flight home.
END OF THE SERVICES
NOTICE: AFTER THE CITY TOUR YOU COULD TAKE YOUR FLIGHT HOME BY THE END OF THE AFTERNOON OR AT NIGHT.
What's Included
What's Excluded
Meeting Point
Cancellation Policy
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For cancellations within 24 hours before the tour -
Refund of 50% of the tour price.
Price
Adult | |
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1 to 10 | /person |
Child | |
1 to 2 | /person |
This is a private tour |