Cotopaxi Trails: Lodge-to-Lodge
6 Days & 5 Nights 5 Read 1 reviews- Discover Cotopaxi National Park's extensive tracks and trails
- Hike through Andean volcano valleys to rustic mountain lodges
- Climb up to the snow line on Cotopaxi Volcano for stunning panoramic views
- Stargaze near wood-burning stoves and fire pits at the cozy Chilcabamba Lodge
- Explore Pedregal Valley, ranked by The New York Times as a top place to visit
Tour Style:
Private Guided | Alone or with your chosen companion(s), benefit from a private guide throughout most of your tour.
Activity:
Multi Center Walking | You will spend multiple nights in one or more of the locations on this walking tour
This trip is suitable for:
Avid Adventurers
Ideal if you have an interest in:
- Elegance & Unique Stays
- Mountains
Inspiration:
Activity Level & Terrain
This tour is graded moderate to challenging. Hiking is mostly on distinct dirt trails or double-track roads with moderate ascents and descents. On most days you will be walking between four to eight hours. To get the most from your trip, you should be in great physical condition and an experienced hiker accustomed to walking medium to long distances every day.
The Ecuadorian Highlands and Cotopaxi National Park are high-altitude regions, often above 8,000 feet. We have added extra time in Quito to help you acclimatize to this altitude and to minimize the likelihood of experiencing altitude sickness.
Navigation
The Macs Adventure Navigation App is a great tool when navigating daily hiking routes. All daily routes with GPX tracks are available to download for use offline. Along with this app, you will also receive route notes and turn-by-turn directions in your pre-departure information pack. You will be provided with 24/7 telephone support from us here at Macs Adventure as well as telephone support from our local, English-speaking representative should you require assistance.
Accommodations
This trip includes overnights at converted colonial homes or boutique hotels while in Quito and at cozy mountain lodges while in Cotopaxi National Park. We book standard rooms that provide comfort and modern amenities. While each overnight differs in style, each offers excellent food, individual character and unique charm.
Cotopaxi National Park is a year-round destination with a large volume of travelers. As such, we may at times have to accommodate you at alternative locations due to availability. We regularly use the following properties but will accommodate lodging of equal standard should any of the following be unavailable.
Solo Hikers & Single Rooms
This trip is based on two people sharing a room. If you’d like separate rooms, a single supplement is required. If you would like to request a twin room (same room with two separate beds), please notify us during booking so we can request this option.
This trip is not available for solo hikers.
Meals
Breakfast is included each morning and ranges from a set menu or a la carte. A typical breakfast includes juice, tea, coffee, yogurt, granola, breads, jams, eggs or a selection of hot dishes. Please notify us of dietary restrictions at the time of booking.
Three lunches are included in this trip and consist of two packed lunches for when you are hiking in the national park and one at the Chilcabamba lodge upon arrival. Dinners and all other lunches are not included in the trip so you can choose to dine at your hotel or mountain lodge.
Extra Nights
You can easily request to add extras nights during this itinerary. For further details, please ask us at the time of booking.
- 3 Nights in boutique hotels
- 2 Nights in mountain lodges
- 5 Breakfasts and 3 lunches
- Private transfer from Quito International Airport to downtown Quito
- Transfers to/from Cotopaxi National Park and guide
- Quito city tour and guide
- Door-to-door luggage drop-offs
- Pre-departure information pack
- Route notes
- Macs Adventures Navigation App with directions
- 24/7 telephone support from our office
- Telephone support from our local, English-speaking representative
- International flights
- All other meals, drinks and snacks
- Additional nights before, during or after the trip
- Personal equipment
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities and tips
- Extra Nights in Quito, Chilcabamba or Tambopaxi
- Room Upgrades (only where applicable)
- Private taxi from Quito to Quito International Airport
- Challenging hikes or extensions
- Twin Beds
When To Go
June to October are often the best times to go to Ecuador’s Northern Andes. This time period is during the dry season, where temperatures offer warmer weather and clearer skies.
Availability
This trip is available year-round. As these regions are popular destinations, with a large volume of travelers, we may at times have to substitute you with an alternative itinerary or location due to availability.
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalized to ensure availability for specific dates.
Getting to the Start
By Air
The best airport to arrive at is Quito International Airport, which has flights from international and national destinations.
By Private Taxi
Included in this trip is a private transfer from the airport to your overnight hotel in Quito. A private taxi will pick you up directly from Quito International Airport outside the arrivals exit, after passing through customs, baggage claim and security, and will drop you off at your overnight hotel (approx. 1 hour).
Getting from the End
By Air
The best airport to arrive at is Quito International Airport, which has flights from international and national destinations.
By Private Taxi
Depending on your travel plans at the end of your trip, you can add a private transfer from Quito back to the airport if desired (additional costs apply).
Luggage Transfer
We have arranged for your luggage to be transferred from your accommodation (as per your itinerary) and moved to your next overnight accommodation. Luggage will be picked up from the front desk or reception area around 10:00am each day and dropped off at that evening’s accommodation by 4:00pm. For consecutive overnights in the same accommodation, keep your luggage with you in your room. Please note that we have a luggage limit of 50 lbs. per person.
General Information
A private English-speaking guide is provided for the Quito city tour and when hiking from lodge-to-lodge through Otavalo and the Pedegral Valley. Join a guide on these days to gain in-depth local knowledge of significant sites, Ecuadorian culture and ecological features for a value-added experience.
All other hikes are self-guided and supported by the Macs Adventure Navigation App and route notes, so you can enjoy an independent, go-at-your-own-pace.
A daily guide is available to hike with you at all times if desired. Please let us know during the time of booking if you prefer this option.
Getting to/from the Highlands & Cotopaxi
Included in this trip is a transfer from downtown Quito to the Andean Highlands and to Cotopaxi National Park and back (approx. 2-3 hours). A private taxi will pick you up directly from your hotel and transfer you to your overnight hacienda and mountain lodge.
Getting Around
All transfers and vehicle services related to the itinerary are included in this trip. For additional transportation services outside the provided itinerary, such as a taxi to a specific restaurant or location, the host at your evening’s accommodation can help assist you in making the necessary arrangements.
Visas
Please check your visa requirements with the foreign office or the embassy in your country of residence before traveling to Ecuador.
For US and UK residents, proof of travel or health insurance and a valid passport for at least six months past the planned date of departure from Ecuador is required. Visas are not required unless you are planning to visit longer than 90 days. You may be asked about your reason for travel and provide evidence of a return or onward flight upon arrival.
Equipment
Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard hiking gear such as good hiking boots, lightweight clothes, warm layers, water bottles, hats, sunscreen, rain gear, camera and a day pack.
The Macs Way
-
Tried & Tested Adventures
-
Freedom
-
Book with Confidence
-
Expertise
-
Positive Impact
- Knowledgeable and helpful specialist trip planners
- Wide variety of tours to suit all interests and experience levels
- Start on any date that suits you
- Choose your ideal trip length and difficulty
- Range of accommodation comfort levels
- Choice of trip styles
- Choose your own travel companions
- Walk, cycle and explore at your own pace
- Make your own decisions
- Choose your own path
- Indulge your passions
- 15,000+ unbiased trip & service reviews
- Feefo Platinum Award 2022
- 25,000+ travelers trust us each year
- As featured in the Guardian, Times, Nat Geo Traveler
- Founder owned & operated since 2003
- 100+ passionate team members across the US, UK & Europe
- Carefully planned adventures
- Quality, hand-picked accommodations
- Seamless and reliable arrangements
- Comprehensive trip information & insider tips
- Detailed maps, route notes and mobile GPS app
- Helpful 24/7 support should you need it
- Travel responsibly
- Explore off the beaten track
- Support locally owned businesses
- Engage with local communities
- Minimize your impact
- Maximize the benefit of your travel
- Challenge yourself & grow