South America and the Andes represent a whole new world because they really offer a lot of variety to even the most experienced adventurers. A handful of lakes, volcanoes, high mountains, but also historical heritage and smiling hosts. On this tour, you will have the opportunity to experience so much in about fifteen days that will surely give you energy for the whole year, as well as the desire to return to these parts again. We tour the beautiful mountains and capital cities of Colombia and Ecuador. We will constantly be at altitudes of 3000+ meters, so these treks are not very easy and require a good hiking condition, but the pleasure you will experience is priceless. During the trek, you will have the opportunity to climb the El Cocuy mountains in Colombia and the Cayambe & Chomborazo volcanoes in Ecuador, as well as visit the most attractive locations in these two countries.
Itinerary
Arrival in BOGOTA
Arrival in Bogota at 7:00 p.m., transfer to the hotel. Overnight.
BOGOTA
Breakfast. Full day sightseeing of the capital of Colombia. The historical part of the city center, museums, botanical gardens, as well as a tour of the Monserrate monastery. In the evening, transfer from the hotel to the BUS terminal and at 9 pm departure for El Cocuy.
EL COCUY
Arrival in El Cocuy in the early morning. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation, followed immediately by breakfast. After breakfast, registration in El Cocuy National Park and discussion with the National Park administration. Guided tour of the town of El Cocuy. Lunch. Transportation by 4×4 vehicles up to a height of 3600 m.a.s.l. A 6km walk for acclimatization. Return to El Cocuy. Dinner. Overnight stay.
Note: On all treks in NP El Cocuy you have 1 guide for every 2 of our members.
EL PULPITO DEL DIABLO TREK
Early breakfast at 5:00 a.m. 4×4 transportation to the entrance to the National Park. Start of the hike (3900 m) towards the Púlpito del Diablo area. Arrival at the border of the glacier (4900 m.a.s.l.). Lunch in the open air in the mountain and the beginning of the hike back to 3900m above sea level.Transportation by 4×4 vehicles to El Cocuy. Dinner. Overnight stay.
LAGUNA GRANDE DEL LA SIERRA TREK
Early breakfast at 5.00 am. Transfer to the beginning of the trail “Laguna Grande de La Sierra” (3900 m.a.s.l.). Trek to the border of the glacier (4900 m.a.s.l.). Lunch outdoors in the mountains and the start of the hike back to the entrance to the National Park. Transfer to El Cocuy. Departure for Bogota at 19h.
BOGOTA
Arrival in Bogotá at 05:00. Transfer to the hotel. The breakfast. Accommodation in a hotel (living room). Afternoon transfer to the airport. At 17:00 flight to Quito (flight lasts 1 hour 30 minutes). Arrival in Quito, transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.
PICHINCHA (4784m)
Breakfast. Transfer to the gondola, then ride up to the height of 3947m. The gondola is 2.5 km long. This is followed by a trek to the Pichincha volcano (4784m). Return to the gondola and descent to the foot of the mountain, then transfer to the hotel in Quito. Overnight stay.
CAYAMBE/CHIMBORAZO
Breakfast. We split into two groups. One group goes to the top of Cayambe (5780m) and the other to the top of Chimborazo (6263m). Transfer to the foot of the volcano Chimborazo/Cayambe. For both groups, the service includes all transfers, accommodation in a mountain lodge, three meals a day, complete technical equipment and 1 guide for every 2 members of our group.
CAYAMBE/CHIMBORAZO
Get up at midnight, and start the ascent at 01:00. After returning to the home, lunch follows, and then you go down to the parking lot where you will be transferred to Quito. Arrival at the hotel. Overnight stay.
MINDO NAMBILIO CLOUD FOREST RESERVE
Breakfast. After climbing Chimborazo/Cayambe, a relaxing day follows. With a great variety of birds, the Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve attracts ornithologists from all over the world. In Mindo, we can visit a butterfly farm, an orchid farm, hike to a waterfall and try chocolate and coffee made by the locals. Anyone who wants can rent a horse and go through a small riding school in the beautiful countryside. In the afternoon, transfer to Quito. Overnight stay.
QUILOTOA
Breakfast. Transfer to Laguna Quilotoa. We tour the blue-green volcanic crater lake located in the rugged Andean countryside south of Quito. We walk to two viewpoints on the edge of the crater from which we can see Lake Quilotoa. After visiting the lake, we will spend some time in the artisan workshops in Tigua and La Victoria. We will visit two artisan workshops known for their colorful paintings and pottery. Transfer to Banos. Accommodation at the hotel. Overnight stay.
BANOS
Breakfast. There are so many possibilities for various adventures in Banos that it is difficult to list them all: Zip line, canyoning, rafting, hiking, the craziest swing in the world… First we visit the town of Machachi, La Casa del Arbol and the Devil’s Cauldron waterfall. We finish the whole day’s adventure in the afternoon when we leave for Quito. Arrival at the hotel. Overnight stay.
QUITO – BOGOTA
Breakfast. City tour. Transfer to the airport in the evening. Flight Quito – Bogota at 7:50 p.m. Arrival in Bogotá. Overnight stay.
BOGOTA
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Flight Quito – Bogota. Arrival in Bogotá. Free time to tour the city and buy souvenirs. In the evening, transfer to the airport. Departure.
