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Finca Colibri
Pululahua Crater
Geo-botanical Park
Flora & Fauna
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Hiking Excursions
Our Hiking programs (click
for map) are put together for everybody and last from less than 1 hour to a whole
day. They are planned in such a way that you get to know the spectacular scenery
and experience the rich natural diversity of the Pululahua
geo-botanical reserve. This is also your best opportunity to take photos of this unique region,
one of its kind in the world.
What follows are descriptions of Hiking trails:
H1: Ventanilla
This hike of less of one hour takes you from the
popular view point, called Ventanilla down into the crater and to our farm Finca
Colibri.
For many, this hike gives them the first impression of the volcano and
its rich biodiversity and great opportunities of taking their first pictures.
H2:
Colibri
This short hike leads us into the area of
the forested crater walls behind our farm. It is a hike through shrubbery and bushes and semi-open area, where
you have a great chance of observing birds as many nest there. From long-tailed hummingbirds to the flashy
mountain tanagers you might encounter various birds, especially early in the
morning and late afternoons.
H3:
Pondoņa
Pondoņa is the hill in the middle of the crater,
formed by the volcanic activity of Pululahua, thousands of years ago. This hike
up to the peak of 3000m and back to the farm lasts around 3 hours and gives us
great views of the entire crater area. After crossing the agricultural part of
the crater we reach the base of the hill, where we begin our ascent. First we
move in a de-forested grassland area till we reach the last part to the peak,
which is covered by shrubs and smaller trees. On top a unique vegetation awaits
us with many orchids and bromeliads. After enjoying great views on top, we head
the same way back to the farm.
H4: El Bucal
El Bucal is an area in the back part of
the crater, behind Pondoņa hill and where the gorge starts. This area is rich
in orchids and therefore a perfect walk for lovers of this exquisite flowers.
Depending on the time of the year various orchids are in bloom and can be
admired. The hike takes around 2 hours and leads us down to the gorge on a small
path through the cloud forest.
H5: Niebli
Another hike down the gorge but on
the other side of the canyon. A small and steep path leads down to the river,
where many orchids to be seen among many other plants. This
hike is a 2 hour excursion and takes a little bit of an effort because of the
more strenuous climb to get out of the canyon again.
H6:
Chaupisacha
A very popular nature hike through the cloud
forest region above the gorge offering some great views into the canyon. Apart
from the views, it offers a great variety of plants among them orchids,
bromeliads, ferns and trees laden with epiphytes. This hike of 5 hours is also
excellent for bird watching and butterflies. The monarch butterfly is widely
found there as the Asclepia flower on which its caterpillar feeds are in
numerous numbers found there.
H7:
Guayllabamba
This trail leads out of the reserve to the Guayllabambe
river, a larger river draining the Quito valley. Rio Blanco, the river in the
gorge flows into this river, which ends up eventually in the Pacific ocean. The
hike lasts 4 hours and leads through a much drier area without forest cover but
more agricultural fields and pastures. This region is great to see larger birds,
like buzzards, falcons and vultures , which have their nests in the steep walls of the
gorge.
H8:
Moraspungo
Moraspungo is a recreation area at the road entrance
of the park with picnic tables and cabins. It also offers great views into the
crater bottom and short hikes around the crater walls.
H9: El Chivo
This hike starts at Ventanilla and leads along the crater
walls to
El Chivo, the smaller lava dome present in the caldera. This walk is
only for the strong hearted as the drops are spectacular and the trail is not
well maintained.
H10: Lulumbamba
good nature hike through the cloud
forest region above the gorge offering some great views. Apart
from the views, it offers a great variety of plants among them orchids,
bromeliads and fern trees.
The trail is in parts steep and good physical
conditions on your part is a must for mastering this hike of several hours.
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Pululahua nature reserve
is a geological and biological
paradise with many attractions.
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