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Day 1 Salto Canyon Canopy tour
We depart early in the morning from Quito to arrive to the Santa Rita hacienda where specialize guides will welcome us. After, we’ll visit the interpretation center and we’ll get ready for our spectacular canopy tour which consists on 5 cables along the El Santo river canyon. It’s an activity of low environment impact but great adventure; it allows people of low or no previous technical knowledge in climbing to enjoy an unmatchable experience.
The site has 5 cables of 180 and 420 meter long and is design to support heavy weights. We give our visitors the best equipment to climb and nails especially design for iron cables. Our guides are certified and trained as well. We’ll have a delicious lunch box and in the afternoon where we’ll visit the Pita River falls with a 90 meter fall. In the evening will return to Quito.
Day 2 Bicycle
Heart stopping rides down the hill from the parking lot of the Cotopaxi volcano located
4500 m (14760 feet) towards the Limpiopungo valley and the surrounding areas where some cross-country let us experience overwhelming views filled with natural beauty. Going through valleys of volcanic nature, we go to an Inca fortress and the Pucara Del Salitre where we’ll rest and enjoy our wonderful lunch box.
We continue our down trip to El Porvenir hacienda where the exuberant flora and lava formation give a magic touch to our mountain bicycle experience. We will rest and have dinner in El Porvenir.
Day 3 Ruminahua Climb
Our main objective for the day is to climb to the peak of the Ruminahua extinct volcano 4516 m (15141 feet). We start our climb very early in the morning and go through extensive high lands. The scenery is overwhelming and we can admirer the Cotopaxi in its magnificent beauty, the Andean valleys, mountains, and volcanoes from the main Ecuadorian cordillera such us Ilinizas, Corazon, Pichincha, Cayambe, Antisana among others.
This activity is ideal for climate adaptation programs. The hike goes from 3600 to 4615 m and the approximate time is 7 hours round trip to the hacienda. The difficulty level is low to moderate.
Day 4 Horse back riding
In the morning we enjoy a delicious and nutritious breakfast in the hacienda. Followed by a lecture on horse back riding taught by our guides before the ride. Wearing the typical outfit of a Cowboy or Ecuadorian Andes we start our ride at the skirt of the Rumiñahui volcano. We’ll be joined by a legendary cowboy from the region who will share life stories and knowledge. The horse back ride will be approximately 4 hours. At the hacienda house a succulent lunch will be waiting for us. In the afternoon we hike to Manto Blanco falls. Dinner. Lodging
Day 5 National Park Cotopaxi
Breakfast in the hacienda El Porvenir and departure to the National Park Cotopaxi
(PNC). We leave to the park where we’ll park at the refuge parking lot where we start our climb to Padre Jose F. Ribas refuge at 4800 m (15744 feet). After our returned to the car we continued our trip to Limpiopungo Lake where we’ll enjoy a delicious box lunch.
If weather permits, we’ll visit the Interpretation Center that has interesting description about local flora and fauna and information on previous eruptions from Cotopaxi volcano. After crossing rocky valleys we arrive to Pucara Del Salitre an ancient Inca fortress in the way to the Amazon forest. Close by the opening we have natural pools and natural waters coming directly from the glaciers of the Cotopaxi through the underground rivers. Our journey ends at El Porvenir Hacienda where a hot chocolate will be waiting for us. Return to Quito.
Tour includes:
- Lodging (double occupancy)
- Food (13 meals)
- Previously detail activities
- Guides (bilingual mountain climbers and local guides according with the activity)
- Necessary equipment for each activity (xamarro, rain coat, bicycle and protection, boots, crampones, mittens, picks, Arnes and sunglasses)
- Round trip transportation from Quito (during the tour days)
Tour does not include:
- Entrance fee to Cotopaxi National Park (foreigners $10 US)
- Personal equipment for trekking and mountain climbing
- Bar and bazaar
- Tips