8 – DAY ECUADOR COTOPAXI CAMPING AND RELAX ADVENTURE

8 – DAY ECUADOR COTOPAXI CAMPING AND RELAX ADVENTURE

8 DAYS

FROM $2.178

Trip type

Private customized family friendly adventures; creating long-lasting memories and educational experiences for your loved ones that you care most about.
Family

Activity Level

Daily activities may include short hikes and drives on bumpy roads. Voyagers should be in good health and wear comfortable walking shoes to endure standing for prolonged periods of time.
Moderate to challenging

Service Level

Comfortable and appropriate accommodations, mostly local-won and with big personality, and mix of public and private transport especially with sea, train and flights.
Private

Small Group Departure

Max. 16 / Av. 10
Or call +001 305 2805599

TRIP OVERVIEW

The adventure of life is to learn – Camp in the slopes of Cotopaxi volcano, bike the hidden trails of the Incas, soak in volcanic hot springs surrounded by natural habitats, hike looking for toucans in the magical cloud forest and enjoy photographing Andean Condors by horse riding at luxury haciendas. One amazing adventure to enjoy with your family and friends by the expertise of our AJ guides.

Unique Experiences:

  • Camp in the heart of the Andes in Cotopaxi national park with the best view of Cotopaxi volcano.
  • Take a picture of Andean Condors the biggest symbol animal of Ecuador and explore its natural habitat at Zuleta hacienda.

TRIP ACTIVITIES

Biking
Culture
Hiking
Trekking
Wildlife
The adventure of life is to learn – Camp in the slopes of Cotopaxi volcano, bike the hidden trails of the Incas, soak in volcanic hot springs surrounded by natural habitats, hike looking for toucans in the magical cloud forest and enjoy photographing Andean Condors by horse riding at luxury haciendas. One amazing adventure to enjoy with your family and friends by the expertise of our AJ guides.

Unique Experiences:

  • Camp in the heart of the Andes in Cotopaxi national park with the best view of Cotopaxi volcano.
  • Take a picture of Andean Condors the biggest symbol animal of Ecuador and explore its natural habitat at Zuleta hacienda.
Biking
Culture
Hiking
Trekking
Wildlife

Welcome to Quito! The biggest, best-preserved colonial city of America was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and the second most important city of the old Inca Empire.

Depending on your arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. Adventure Journeys can help you to organize a day trip. In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel for a welcome briefing and there will be plenty of time to discuss details and answer any questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an informational and acclimation day.

Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar.

Meals included: none.

In the morning we will drive north of Quito into the dry valley of Guayllabamba, this area is full of plantations of avocados and chirimoya; a delicious fruit, we will have the chance to taste. Later we will continue and stop at the look out of Mira Lago, from here we will appreciate an amazing view of the San Pablo Lake and the Imbabura Volcano. After a few minutes, we finally will arrive at the Otavalo Indigenous market, which is very well-known for its Andean native people and the handicrafts they make from alpaca and sheep wool. In this town they also manufacture music instruments, and local men will be happy to share one or two songs with you! After enjoying a traditional lunch we will continue going to the nearby small village of Peguche so we can see and learn how the indigenous people use their skills for making the amazing tapestries and embroideries.

We will spend a couple of hours here and later we will go to Zuleta Hacienda.

Accommodation: Zuleta Hacienda or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Today we will explore the beautiful property of the Hacienda. Our local guide will lead us to the cheese factory, and later we will go for a short walk trying to spot a condor. This is one of the largest birds on earth and also Ecuador’s National bird, here the hacienda has been working for a long time to protect this endangered species.

In the afternoon, it is optional to ride a horse around the Hacienda or just relax reading a book in front of the fireplace.

Accommodation: Zuleta Hacienda or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

In the morning, after breakfast and taking the last pics of this beautiful hacienda, we will drive for 1 hour to the Equator line. Here you can stand on both hemispheres at the same time. This is a very interesting outdoor museum, where you will learn about the relationship between the Equator and the old Andean civilizations.

Later we will drive to Papallacta hot spring so you can relax soaking in the volcanic waters or taking a massage at the spa.

Accommodation: Termas Papallacta.

Meals included: Breakfast.

This is a fantastic morning because we will go to the nearby cloud forest reserve to view the most amazing hummingbird species while drinking hot chocolate. Later we will continue driving through the avenue of volcanoes till we will get to Cotopaxi National Park; in the park we will hike for 2 hours around the Limpiopungo lagoon to spot wild horses and bulls, some little birds and with some luck the majestic condor.

In the late afternoon we will tell stories in front of a bonfire.

Accommodation: Camping

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

In the morning we will enjoy breakfast with an amazing view of Cotopaxi Volcano. With over than 19.000 feet it is considered as the highest active volcano on earth. Later we will get on our mountain bikes and ride on flat terrain on a road and a single track, for about 15 km. You will have the most amazing landscape of the Andes and the ride will end in a very charming Hacienda where we will spend this night.

Accommodation: Santa Ana Hacienda or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

After a very healthy breakfast, we will drive to Santa Rita Cloud Forest reserve and hike to the first line of the canopy. Here we will learn from our guide about the flora and fauna that exists in this area while enjoying the zip line adventure.

Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

Today our trip will end and you will have your International departures. Take with you your memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a “buen viaje”!

Meals included: Breakfast.

What’s Included?

  • Transportation: Comfortable land transportation.
  • Accommodation based in double occupancy:  2 nights in 5* hotel in Quito, 1 night camping, 1 night at spa resort 3 nights in colonial haciendas.
  • Meals: 7 Breakfast, 5 Lunches and 4 Dinners.
  • Activities: Short hikes, easy biking, 2 hours horse-riding, camping.
  • Out-door gear: Trekking stick, Dry bags, Eureka tents, air mattresses, bathroom tent, portable toilet, social kitchen.
  • Trip Leader: Certified AJ expert English-speaking adventure trip leader and local guides.

What is not included?

  • My Own Room & Tent supplement – estimated budget $820.
  • International flights.
  • Airport transfers to/from Quito airport.
  • Travel insurance (mandatory)
  • Meals not described in the itinerary – Estimated budget $50
  • Personal expenses & Tips.
Please select listing to show.

ITINERARY

Welcome to Quito! The biggest, best-preserved colonial city of America was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and the second most important city of the old Inca Empire.

Depending on your arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. Adventure Journeys can help you to organize a day trip. In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel for a welcome briefing and there will be plenty of time to discuss details and answer any questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an informational and acclimation day.

Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar.

Meals included: none.

In the morning we will drive north of Quito into the dry valley of Guayllabamba, this area is full of plantations of avocados and chirimoya; a delicious fruit, we will have the chance to taste. Later we will continue and stop at the look out of Mira Lago, from here we will appreciate an amazing view of the San Pablo Lake and the Imbabura Volcano. After a few minutes, we finally will arrive at the Otavalo Indigenous market, which is very well-known for its Andean native people and the handicrafts they make from alpaca and sheep wool. In this town they also manufacture music instruments, and local men will be happy to share one or two songs with you! After enjoying a traditional lunch we will continue going to the nearby small village of Peguche so we can see and learn how the indigenous people use their skills for making the amazing tapestries and embroideries.

We will spend a couple of hours here and later we will go to Zuleta Hacienda.

Accommodation: Zuleta Hacienda or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Today we will explore the beautiful property of the Hacienda. Our local guide will lead us to the cheese factory, and later we will go for a short walk trying to spot a condor. This is one of the largest birds on earth and also Ecuador’s National bird, here the hacienda has been working for a long time to protect this endangered species.

In the afternoon, it is optional to ride a horse around the Hacienda or just relax reading a book in front of the fireplace.

Accommodation: Zuleta Hacienda or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

In the morning, after breakfast and taking the last pics of this beautiful hacienda, we will drive for 1 hour to the Equator line. Here you can stand on both hemispheres at the same time. This is a very interesting outdoor museum, where you will learn about the relationship between the Equator and the old Andean civilizations.

Later we will drive to Papallacta hot spring so you can relax soaking in the volcanic waters or taking a massage at the spa.

Accommodation: Termas Papallacta.

Meals included: Breakfast.

This is a fantastic morning because we will go to the nearby cloud forest reserve to view the most amazing hummingbird species while drinking hot chocolate. Later we will continue driving through the avenue of volcanoes till we will get to Cotopaxi National Park; in the park we will hike for 2 hours around the Limpiopungo lagoon to spot wild horses and bulls, some little birds and with some luck the majestic condor.

In the late afternoon we will tell stories in front of a bonfire.

Accommodation: Camping

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

In the morning we will enjoy breakfast with an amazing view of Cotopaxi Volcano. With over than 19.000 feet it is considered as the highest active volcano on earth. Later we will get on our mountain bikes and ride on flat terrain on a road and a single track, for about 15 km. You will have the most amazing landscape of the Andes and the ride will end in a very charming Hacienda where we will spend this night.

Accommodation: Santa Ana Hacienda or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

After a very healthy breakfast, we will drive to Santa Rita Cloud Forest reserve and hike to the first line of the canopy. Here we will learn from our guide about the flora and fauna that exists in this area while enjoying the zip line adventure.

Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

Today our trip will end and you will have your International departures. Take with you your memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a “buen viaje”!

Meals included: Breakfast.

PHOTOS FROM OUR GALLERY

What’s Included?

  • Transportation: Comfortable land transportation.
  • Accommodation based in double occupancy:  2 nights in 5* hotel in Quito, 1 night camping, 1 night at spa resort 3 nights in colonial haciendas.
  • Meals: 7 Breakfast, 5 Lunches and 4 Dinners.
  • Activities: Short hikes, easy biking, 2 hours horse-riding, camping.
  • Out-door gear: Trekking stick, Dry bags, Eureka tents, air mattresses, bathroom tent, portable toilet, social kitchen.
  • Trip Leader: Certified AJ expert English-speaking adventure trip leader and local guides.

What is not included?

  • My Own Room & Tent supplement – estimated budget $820.
  • International flights.
  • Airport transfers to/from Quito airport.
  • Travel insurance (mandatory)
  • Meals not described in the itinerary – Estimated budget $50
  • Personal expenses & Tips.

RELATED TOURS

17 DAYS
FROM $9.561

was 

Trip Type:

Active Adventure

Activity Level:

Moderate

Service Level:

Standard

Small Group:

Max. 8 / Av. 10
10 DAYS
FROM $1.954

was 

Trip Type:

Classic

Activity Level:

Light moderate

Service Level:

Standard

Small Group:

Max. 16 / Av. 10
17 DAYS
FROM $4.998

was 

Trip Type:

Active Adventure

Activity Level:

Moderate

Service Level:

Standard

Small Group:

Max. 16 / Av. 10
9 DAYS
FROM $10.826

was 

Trip Type:

Active Adventure

Activity Level:

Moderate to challenging

Service Level:

Standard

Small Group:

Max. 16 / Av. 10
6 DAYS
FROM $1301

was 

Trip Type:

Active Adventure

Activity Level:

Moderate

Service Level:

Standard

Small Group:

Max. 6 / Av. 4
7 DAYS
FROM $1.493

was 

Trip Type:

Classic

Activity Level:

Light moderate

Service Level:

Standard

Small Group:

Max. 16 / Av. 10
7 DAYS
FROM $1.499

was 

1490

Trip Type:

Classic

Activity Level:

Light moderate

Service Level:

Standard

Small Group:

Max. 16 / Av. 10
14 DAYS
FROM $4.350

was 

Trip Type:

Active Adventure

Activity Level:

Moderate

Service Level:

Standard

Small Group:

Max. 16 / Av. 10
16 DAYS
FROM $4.998

was 

Trip Type:

Active Adventure

Activity Level:

Moderate

Service Level:

Standard

Small Group:

Max. 16 / Av. 10
13 DAYS
FROM $2.999

was 

Trip Type:

Active Adventure

Activity Level:

Moderate to challenging

Service Level:

Casual

Small Group:

Max. 16 / Av. 10
About YOUR ADVENTURE

TRIP DETAILS

ITINERARY DISCLAIMER: It is our intention to adhere to the itinerary described; however, due to our travel style, on occasions it may be necessary or desirable to make small changes. Weather conditions and unpredictable local circumstances may lead us to make alterations to the route and/or travel times. Hotels and flight schedules might change according to availability. Any mention to specific wildlife in the itinerary or trip details is not a guarantee that it will be seen during the trip.

DRIVING TIME: 2 to 3  hours driving in a couple of days.

SEASON: All year.

PROVINCE: Pichincha, Cotopaxi, imbabura.

TERRITORY: Cotopaxi nacional Park, Antisana ecológica Reserve, Zuleta valley.

ALTITUDE: 

From Campsite 3843m (13000 ft).

To hacienda 2700m (88000 ft)

AVG. TEMP.: Day 14-22ºC  - Night 5-10ºC

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Easy to moderate. This program goes in the beautiful areas of the Andes to the green valleys and tropical cloud forest easy where we will do easy walk along national parks, biking in mostly flat wide trails in Cotopaxi park and  with commercial horse riding by open roads and fields

ADVENTURE GEAR: Mountain bikes, helmets, gloves, tents (EUREKA & HANNAN) air mattresses, portable bathroom and social kitchen tent, hiking sticks.

ACCOMODATION: All prices are based on double-occupancy. If you are travelling solo, you will be matched with another participant of your same sex. If you prefer to have a single tent or room, please contact AJ prior to your departure to arrange your accommodation at an extra cost.

MEALS: We bring the majority of our food, including drinking water, from the city of Quito. Our staff freshly prepares gourmet meals for you. Breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, yogurt, granola, fresh fruits, cereal, bread, marmalade, butter and fresh coffee or tea. Picnic includes ham and chesses sandwiches, tuna sandwiches, fresh and fruits and vegetables, fresh fruits, soda and juices. Dinner includes fresh salads and soups, pop-corn, pasta, beef, chicken, fish, rice, potatoes, yucca, beans, vegetables, to drink soda, soda, juice, beer, water, and wine.

YOUR TRIP LEADERS AND GUIDES: All AJ guides and trip leaders are highly experienced, licensed to operate in Ecuador and certified as Wilderness Adventure First Aid responders. We always carry a complete first aid kit in our trips.

In some location and for some activities, local guides join the trip leaders to provide an added service. In the Galapagos Islands, minimum 4 participants for the AJ trip leader service are required.

SUSTAINABLE ECO AND CULTURAL TOURISM: Clients receive interpretation and education about the ecology and conservation of the Andes, Amazon Rainforest and Galapagos Islands, and learn about the factors that threaten it. We aim to promote long-term conservation of both local people cultural identity and the environment. We transport out and recycle all non-organic garbage and we prefer to work with local suppliers. Your visit will encourage the local communities to support responsible eco-tourism as a sustainable alternative for their living.

HEALTH INFORMATION: Please inform AJ of any existing medical conditions (i.e. pregnancy, diabetes, etc). Yellow fever, Hepatitis B vaccination and Malaria Medication are recommended when traveling to the tropics. Please ask your doctor for advice.

×