Cajas Full Day Trip

from Cuenca

The Cajas National Park offers us a glimpse of the impressive cloud forests and Andean “páramo” landscapes and ecosystems. The mysterious mountainous silence invites us to explore its marvelous lakeside trails followed by the shores of the park’s 235 lakes. During the hike, we will observe many of the park’s endemic plantation and bird species. Enjoy a close-up of nature in this unique part of the Ecuadorian Andes.

Ecuador-map
Cajas
Tour Cajas

Full Day Trip to Baños

Pickups

  • We will make the pick-ups at several hotels located in the city.
  • If you want to be picked up from another point further away, we can do it with an additional payment, you have to write to us, and we will coordinate your boarding.
  • Pick-ups are always reconfirmed until the night before the tour departure, if one day before the departure of the tour if you have not received the confirmation, you can write to WhatsApp 0983359-796.

Three Crosses Zone

  • Transfer from Cuenca to Cajas National Park, directly to the Llaviuco zone in the lower part at 3,100 masl. The path is level and easy to navigate through the woods, the walk takes 45 minutes and an hour. Then, we continue to the higher region of the Park called Tres Cruces (Three Crosses) at approximately 4,160 masl. There we will enjoy a panoramic view of the Park and time to take photographs and listen to the information from our guide.

Toreadora Lake

  • After visiting Tres Cruces, we drive to Lake Toreadora, where we visit the Interpretation Center. Then we begin a walk of 2 ½ hours from an altitude of 3,900 to 3,600 masl. The hike crosses the Polylepis Forest called “San Luis” and continues toward the Lagunas Unidas (United Lakes), Totoras, and Patoquinuas. When we finish, we will return to Lake Toreadora, or if there are more than three participants, the tour will end at the parking area at Patoquinoas.

Tundra and Polylepis Forest

  • A magical place with short pastures and full of Polylepis, better known as the “paper tree” The Polylepis forest is described as a millenarian hierarchical forest, considered unique in its kind by the exclusivity of it specie, with an age between 2 and 4 million years.

Stop for lunch

  • Finally, we will make a stop for lunch in a restaurant in the area, with various options from tourist menus to typical dishes, we recommend you try the delicious trucha or tilapia, these fishes are very common in this area. (Lunch not included).

Return to Cuenca

  • Return to Cuenca for disembarkation in the same boarding places.
  • Note: The order of the visits may vary according to weather conditions.

It includes

  • Tourist Transport
  • Bilingual Guide (Spanish – English)
  • All Entrances
  • Lunch

Not included

  • Food
  • Tips
  • Unspecified details

Recommendations

  • Bring with you:
  • Cap/Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Trekking shoes
  • Sunscreen
  • Camera

Recent travelers reviews

Laura N
Laura N
2023-11-22
Verified
Lo pasamos genial! Tuvimos mucha suerte de tener a Mauro y Mauricio como nuestros guías!!! Lo pasamos realmente bien y tuvimos tiempo suficiente para subir al refugio de Cotopaxi y también se aseguraron de que fuéramos juntos!!! Había muy buena vibe! Nos gustó también mucho el sitio donde comimos y poder darle de comer a las Alpacas 🙂 muy recomendado!!!!
Christina
Christina
2023-09-26
Verified
i would strongly recommend this day tour! our guide was amazing!! i learned so much the entire day. i would strongly recommend this day tour!!
Edgar P
Edgar P
2023-09-20
Verified
Un viaje muy especial al Cotopaxi El tour fue muy completo e interesante, la ruta hacia el cotopaxi ofrece muchas vistas espectaculares y se consiguen excelentes fotos. La subida al cotopaxi es algo pesada pero nuestra guía Dany nos dió tips para que no fuera tan difícil y todo el tiempo nos esperaba si nos quedabamos atras, también nos contó mucha información sobre el Cotopaxi y los demás volcanes, además nos contó varias leyendas muy interesantes. Un tour muy recomendado sobre todo con Dany.
Sally M
Sally M
2023-08-26
Verified
Beautiful day Enjoyable day. Tour guide arrived in time to pick us up and made sure we had everything we needed during the day. The walk into the crater was beautiful but if you're older, you'll need to take your time and watch your footing. Hiking sticks helped. Unless you are in peak condition, be sure to reserve a horse for the ride up. Even the 20 something's were breathing hard and resting a lot. I would definitely recommend this tour. Great company and very organized.
Elainn
Elainn
2023-08-18
Verified
Una aventura El tour estuvo muy bien, con tiempo para adaptarse a la altura y demás. Lamentablemente el clima no ayudó ya que había mucho viento. Eso hizo que la subida al refugio fuera un poco más complicada. Igual, este hecho acrecentó el sentido de aventura (aunque no obtuve las mejores fotos del volcán). Al descenso nos encontramos con dos zorros. A la hora del almuerzo fuimos a un sitio donde uno podía alimentar a las llamas y a los patos. Muy completo todo.
Elainn
Elainn
2023-08-18
Verified
Un día perfecto Originalmente había contratado dos tours con la empresa, pero lo pasé tan bien que agregué uno nuevo. El tour a Quilotoa estuvo genial. Muy completo y bien organizado. Muy buena comunicación previa a la salida. Además me olvidé los lentes de sol en la combi y al otro día me los llevaron a la recepción del hostal. Jess, la guía, fue fantástica. ¡Gracias Mauricio también (él encontró mis lentes)! Hermosos paisajes y tuve la oportunidad de subir a una mula para ahorrarme la subida empinada de Quilotoa.
Lindy
Lindy
2023-08-11
Verified
Fun day on Cotopaxi! My family of 4 (youngest child 11) really enjoyed this tour. Josue was very enthusiastic and kind. The hike was definitely challenging due to altitude and cold wind, but the hot chocolate at the top was delicious and worth the hike. Lunch on the way home was also very good. Overall a great day.
QQQ99999
QQQ99999
2023-08-06
Verified
Great Tour to Cotopaxi National Park - Irene was a fantastic tour guide! We recently took a tour to Cotopaxi from Quito (booked thru Viator) offered by the Quito Tour Bus company with extended family (party of nine so we had the van to ourselves). Irene was a fantastic guide for our tour. She kept the entire trip both fun and educational! We made a stop inside Cotopaxi National Park that allowed us to pick up the necessary outerwear to make the hike to Refugio José Rivas (our luggage hadn't arrived with us in Quito so we didn't have appropriate clothing for the hike). Once we got to the trailhead, not all of us wanted to hike to the Cotopaxi base camp (Refugio José Rivas) using the same trail and she did a great job of keeping an eye on both groups as we ascended (Pro Tip: Ascend using the switchback trail and descend using the more direct but steeper and looser trail just below the hut). We made a stop at the lagoon on the way out and then stopped for lunch (there were a number of options that we could try on the menu) and some of us tried eating guinea pig while others settled for chicken plates, etc. Great time! So glad we did the tour.
Elysa D
Elysa D
2023-08-06
Verified
Exhilarating Hike to Cotopaxi Base Camp We had a beautiful day at Cotopaxi National Park, so that we were very fortunate in that. The views of Cotopaxi were stunning as we got closer. The hike to the Base Camp was challenging because of the high altitude. We began at the parking lot at 14,700' and reached the Refugio Jose Rivas at 15,953' to be exact. We are in our 60s and fit hikers and we were well acclimatized having been in Ecuador for 3 weeks before this tour. There were people who had just arrived in Ecuador who did not do well with the altitude and had to descend, so know yourself and be wise about the elevation. We wore hiking boots and used our poles, which helped a lot because much of the soil is soft and unstable. Otherwise, it was a short but exhilarating hike to the Camp - it took us 30 minutes. Others took longer and, as I said, some turned back. The weather was fabulous on our ascent but turned for the worse while we were at the Camp. The clouds came in and our descent was foggy and drizzly with little visibility. After the hike, we toured the museum and walked the lake and had a nice lunch. It was a great day and our guide, Josue, was fabulous and took great care of everyone.
Bhushan S
Bhushan S
2023-07-29
Verified
Amazing tour Cotapaxi is amazing and a must visit - one of the most beautiful volcanos/mountains you could see let alone climb. The guide, tour company and group were just fabulous. Such personalized attention to detail and I cannot complement them enough. Thanks to my guide Jessica and our driver Freddy

Cajas

Full Day Tour

Cajas National Park

The Cajas National Park offers us a glimpse of the impressive cloud forests and Andean “páramo” landscapes and ecosystems. The mysterious mountainous silence invites us to explore its marvelous lakeside trails followed by the shores of the park’s 235 lakes. During the hike, we will observe many of the park’s endemic plantation and bird species. Enjoy a close-up of nature in this unique part of the Ecuadorian Andes.

Laura N
Laura N
2023-11-22
Verified
Lo pasamos genial! Tuvimos mucha suerte de tener a Mauro y Mauricio como nuestros guías!!! Lo pasamos realmente bien y tuvimos tiempo suficiente para subir al refugio de Cotopaxi y también se aseguraron de que fuéramos juntos!!! Había muy buena vibe! Nos gustó también mucho el sitio donde comimos y poder darle de comer a las Alpacas 🙂 muy recomendado!!!!
Christina
Christina
2023-09-26
Verified
i would strongly recommend this day tour! our guide was amazing!! i learned so much the entire day. i would strongly recommend this day tour!!
Edgar P
Edgar P
2023-09-20
Verified
Un viaje muy especial al Cotopaxi El tour fue muy completo e interesante, la ruta hacia el cotopaxi ofrece muchas vistas espectaculares y se consiguen excelentes fotos. La subida al cotopaxi es algo pesada pero nuestra guía Dany nos dió tips para que no fuera tan difícil y todo el tiempo nos esperaba si nos quedabamos atras, también nos contó mucha información sobre el Cotopaxi y los demás volcanes, además nos contó varias leyendas muy interesantes. Un tour muy recomendado sobre todo con Dany.
Sally M
Sally M
2023-08-26
Verified
Beautiful day Enjoyable day. Tour guide arrived in time to pick us up and made sure we had everything we needed during the day. The walk into the crater was beautiful but if you're older, you'll need to take your time and watch your footing. Hiking sticks helped. Unless you are in peak condition, be sure to reserve a horse for the ride up. Even the 20 something's were breathing hard and resting a lot. I would definitely recommend this tour. Great company and very organized.
Elainn
Elainn
2023-08-18
Verified
Una aventura El tour estuvo muy bien, con tiempo para adaptarse a la altura y demás. Lamentablemente el clima no ayudó ya que había mucho viento. Eso hizo que la subida al refugio fuera un poco más complicada. Igual, este hecho acrecentó el sentido de aventura (aunque no obtuve las mejores fotos del volcán). Al descenso nos encontramos con dos zorros. A la hora del almuerzo fuimos a un sitio donde uno podía alimentar a las llamas y a los patos. Muy completo todo.
Elainn
Elainn
2023-08-18
Verified
Un día perfecto Originalmente había contratado dos tours con la empresa, pero lo pasé tan bien que agregué uno nuevo. El tour a Quilotoa estuvo genial. Muy completo y bien organizado. Muy buena comunicación previa a la salida. Además me olvidé los lentes de sol en la combi y al otro día me los llevaron a la recepción del hostal. Jess, la guía, fue fantástica. ¡Gracias Mauricio también (él encontró mis lentes)! Hermosos paisajes y tuve la oportunidad de subir a una mula para ahorrarme la subida empinada de Quilotoa.
Lindy
Lindy
2023-08-11
Verified
Fun day on Cotopaxi! My family of 4 (youngest child 11) really enjoyed this tour. Josue was very enthusiastic and kind. The hike was definitely challenging due to altitude and cold wind, but the hot chocolate at the top was delicious and worth the hike. Lunch on the way home was also very good. Overall a great day.
QQQ99999
QQQ99999
2023-08-06
Verified
Great Tour to Cotopaxi National Park - Irene was a fantastic tour guide! We recently took a tour to Cotopaxi from Quito (booked thru Viator) offered by the Quito Tour Bus company with extended family (party of nine so we had the van to ourselves). Irene was a fantastic guide for our tour. She kept the entire trip both fun and educational! We made a stop inside Cotopaxi National Park that allowed us to pick up the necessary outerwear to make the hike to Refugio José Rivas (our luggage hadn't arrived with us in Quito so we didn't have appropriate clothing for the hike). Once we got to the trailhead, not all of us wanted to hike to the Cotopaxi base camp (Refugio José Rivas) using the same trail and she did a great job of keeping an eye on both groups as we ascended (Pro Tip: Ascend using the switchback trail and descend using the more direct but steeper and looser trail just below the hut). We made a stop at the lagoon on the way out and then stopped for lunch (there were a number of options that we could try on the menu) and some of us tried eating guinea pig while others settled for chicken plates, etc. Great time! So glad we did the tour.
Elysa D
Elysa D
2023-08-06
Verified
Exhilarating Hike to Cotopaxi Base Camp We had a beautiful day at Cotopaxi National Park, so that we were very fortunate in that. The views of Cotopaxi were stunning as we got closer. The hike to the Base Camp was challenging because of the high altitude. We began at the parking lot at 14,700' and reached the Refugio Jose Rivas at 15,953' to be exact. We are in our 60s and fit hikers and we were well acclimatized having been in Ecuador for 3 weeks before this tour. There were people who had just arrived in Ecuador who did not do well with the altitude and had to descend, so know yourself and be wise about the elevation. We wore hiking boots and used our poles, which helped a lot because much of the soil is soft and unstable. Otherwise, it was a short but exhilarating hike to the Camp - it took us 30 minutes. Others took longer and, as I said, some turned back. The weather was fabulous on our ascent but turned for the worse while we were at the Camp. The clouds came in and our descent was foggy and drizzly with little visibility. After the hike, we toured the museum and walked the lake and had a nice lunch. It was a great day and our guide, Josue, was fabulous and took great care of everyone.
Bhushan S
Bhushan S
2023-07-29
Verified
Amazing tour Cotapaxi is amazing and a must visit - one of the most beautiful volcanos/mountains you could see let alone climb. The guide, tour company and group were just fabulous. Such personalized attention to detail and I cannot complement them enough. Thanks to my guide Jessica and our driver Freddy

What you will do

  • Three Crosses Zone
    Transfer from Cuenca to Cajas National Park, directly to the Llaviuco zone in the lower part at 3,100 masl. The path is level and easy to navigate through the woods, the walk takes between 45 minutes and an hour. Then, we continue to the higher region of the Park called Tres Cruces (Three Crosses) at approximately 4,160 masl. There we will enjoy a panoramic view of the Park, and time to take photographs and listen to the information from our guide.
  • Toreadora Lake
    After visiting Tres Cruces, we go by vehicle to Lake Toreadora, where we visit the Interpretation Center. Then we begin a walk of 2 ½ hours from an altitude of 3,900 to 3,600 masl. The hike crosses the Polylepis Forest called “San Luis” and then continues toward the Lagunas Unidas (United Lakes), named Totoras and Patoquinuas. When we finish, we will return to Lake Toreadora, or if there are more than three participants the tour will end at the parking area at Patoquinoas.
  • Tundra and Polylepis Forest
    A magical place with short pastures and full of Polylepis better known as the “paper tree” The Polylepis forest, is described as a millenarian hierarchical forest, considered unique in its kind by the exclusivity of it specie, with an age between 2 and 4 million years.
  • Lunch
    Lunch at the restaurant in the zone (drinks not included).

It includes

  • Tourist Transport
  • Bilingual Guide (Spanish – English)
  • All Entrances
  • Lunch

Not included

  • Other details not specified
  • Beverages
  • Tips

What to bring

  • Cap/Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Trekking shoes
  • Sunscreen
  • Camera
From $50

Applies for people over 12 years old and under 65 years old

Laura N
Laura N
2023-11-22
Verified
Lo pasamos genial! Tuvimos mucha suerte de tener a Mauro y Mauricio como nuestros guías!!! Lo pasamos realmente bien y tuvimos tiempo suficiente para subir al refugio de Cotopaxi y también se aseguraron de que fuéramos juntos!!! Había muy buena vibe! Nos gustó también mucho el sitio donde comimos y poder darle de comer a las Alpacas 🙂 muy recomendado!!!!
Christina
Christina
2023-09-26
Verified
i would strongly recommend this day tour! our guide was amazing!! i learned so much the entire day. i would strongly recommend this day tour!!
Edgar P
Edgar P
2023-09-20
Verified
Un viaje muy especial al Cotopaxi El tour fue muy completo e interesante, la ruta hacia el cotopaxi ofrece muchas vistas espectaculares y se consiguen excelentes fotos. La subida al cotopaxi es algo pesada pero nuestra guía Dany nos dió tips para que no fuera tan difícil y todo el tiempo nos esperaba si nos quedabamos atras, también nos contó mucha información sobre el Cotopaxi y los demás volcanes, además nos contó varias leyendas muy interesantes. Un tour muy recomendado sobre todo con Dany.
Sally M
Sally M
2023-08-26
Verified
Beautiful day Enjoyable day. Tour guide arrived in time to pick us up and made sure we had everything we needed during the day. The walk into the crater was beautiful but if you're older, you'll need to take your time and watch your footing. Hiking sticks helped. Unless you are in peak condition, be sure to reserve a horse for the ride up. Even the 20 something's were breathing hard and resting a lot. I would definitely recommend this tour. Great company and very organized.
Elainn
Elainn
2023-08-18
Verified
Una aventura El tour estuvo muy bien, con tiempo para adaptarse a la altura y demás. Lamentablemente el clima no ayudó ya que había mucho viento. Eso hizo que la subida al refugio fuera un poco más complicada. Igual, este hecho acrecentó el sentido de aventura (aunque no obtuve las mejores fotos del volcán). Al descenso nos encontramos con dos zorros. A la hora del almuerzo fuimos a un sitio donde uno podía alimentar a las llamas y a los patos. Muy completo todo.
Elainn
Elainn
2023-08-18
Verified
Un día perfecto Originalmente había contratado dos tours con la empresa, pero lo pasé tan bien que agregué uno nuevo. El tour a Quilotoa estuvo genial. Muy completo y bien organizado. Muy buena comunicación previa a la salida. Además me olvidé los lentes de sol en la combi y al otro día me los llevaron a la recepción del hostal. Jess, la guía, fue fantástica. ¡Gracias Mauricio también (él encontró mis lentes)! Hermosos paisajes y tuve la oportunidad de subir a una mula para ahorrarme la subida empinada de Quilotoa.
Lindy
Lindy
2023-08-11
Verified
Fun day on Cotopaxi! My family of 4 (youngest child 11) really enjoyed this tour. Josue was very enthusiastic and kind. The hike was definitely challenging due to altitude and cold wind, but the hot chocolate at the top was delicious and worth the hike. Lunch on the way home was also very good. Overall a great day.
QQQ99999
QQQ99999
2023-08-06
Verified
Great Tour to Cotopaxi National Park - Irene was a fantastic tour guide! We recently took a tour to Cotopaxi from Quito (booked thru Viator) offered by the Quito Tour Bus company with extended family (party of nine so we had the van to ourselves). Irene was a fantastic guide for our tour. She kept the entire trip both fun and educational! We made a stop inside Cotopaxi National Park that allowed us to pick up the necessary outerwear to make the hike to Refugio José Rivas (our luggage hadn't arrived with us in Quito so we didn't have appropriate clothing for the hike). Once we got to the trailhead, not all of us wanted to hike to the Cotopaxi base camp (Refugio José Rivas) using the same trail and she did a great job of keeping an eye on both groups as we ascended (Pro Tip: Ascend using the switchback trail and descend using the more direct but steeper and looser trail just below the hut). We made a stop at the lagoon on the way out and then stopped for lunch (there were a number of options that we could try on the menu) and some of us tried eating guinea pig while others settled for chicken plates, etc. Great time! So glad we did the tour.
Elysa D
Elysa D
2023-08-06
Verified
Exhilarating Hike to Cotopaxi Base Camp We had a beautiful day at Cotopaxi National Park, so that we were very fortunate in that. The views of Cotopaxi were stunning as we got closer. The hike to the Base Camp was challenging because of the high altitude. We began at the parking lot at 14,700' and reached the Refugio Jose Rivas at 15,953' to be exact. We are in our 60s and fit hikers and we were well acclimatized having been in Ecuador for 3 weeks before this tour. There were people who had just arrived in Ecuador who did not do well with the altitude and had to descend, so know yourself and be wise about the elevation. We wore hiking boots and used our poles, which helped a lot because much of the soil is soft and unstable. Otherwise, it was a short but exhilarating hike to the Camp - it took us 30 minutes. Others took longer and, as I said, some turned back. The weather was fabulous on our ascent but turned for the worse while we were at the Camp. The clouds came in and our descent was foggy and drizzly with little visibility. After the hike, we toured the museum and walked the lake and had a nice lunch. It was a great day and our guide, Josue, was fabulous and took great care of everyone.
Bhushan S
Bhushan S
2023-07-29
Verified
Amazing tour Cotapaxi is amazing and a must visit - one of the most beautiful volcanos/mountains you could see let alone climb. The guide, tour company and group were just fabulous. Such personalized attention to detail and I cannot complement them enough. Thanks to my guide Jessica and our driver Freddy

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