Ecuador's paramo, a complex ecosystem of rolling alpine grassland, protects precious fresh water and endemic species. It is stunning in itself, but when combined with Ecuador's legendary Avenue of Volcanos - including the mighty Cotopaxi - makes this unique area of Ecuador is a steadfast crowd-pleaser. Here are a few of my favorites trips to explore and experience this beautiful region of Ecuador.
Cotopaxi Trekking
Hike in the shadows of the Cotopaxi Volcano and follow the ancient roads of the Incas during our 5 day/4 night trekking trip. Experience the hacienda culture of the Andean highlands and explore Inca sites during an active trekking circuit near the Cotopaxi National Park and in the Condor Biosphere. This trip is fully-supported trip (you just carry a daypack, and we carry the rest)! Want to go?
Ecuador Adventure
An active trip that combines adventures in the paramo with high altitude Andean forest, cloud forest, and glaciers on Cotopaxi Volcano. Jump right into the action with a fast-paced mountain bike descent down Pichincha Volcano to begin your Ecuador travel. Then settle into your lodge perched above the cloud forest canopy. Continue the adventure with an exhilarating whitewater rafting trip before we set off to explore the high Andes near the Cotopaxi Volcano on foot, horseback, and soaring over the forest canopy by zipline. Want to go?
Cotopaxi Service Projects
Trip that combines some great adventure with the opportunity to give back to the people and places that provide such amazing memories. In other words, a simple way to say thanks. Ride, hike and bike for a little multisport adventure in Cotopaxi National Park. Then roll up your sleeves to help park rangers with trail maintenance, and assist with an ongoing reforestation initiative to help regenerate forests that were adversely affected by wildfire and outdated practices of clear-cutting. Want to go?
This video from our local partner, Tierra del Volcan, further helps illustrate how special this region of Ecuador truly is. See below.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGWMJVDu7pg&w=650&h=366]
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.