D3 COCHASQUI

Cochasqui is an archaeological site located at the foot of Mojanda mountains, some 2 hours north of Quito. It was an important millitary and religious center built by the Cara Indians before the arrival of the Incas. The ruins boast now of several large and some smaller pyramid shaped earth mounds, where in the old days major public buildings were situated. But none of those buildings are present now and only the foundations can be seen. There is also a small museum on the site and on clear days you have splendid views to the surrounding regions.

9.00 a.m.:     We leave in the morning and drive north on the Pan-American Highway to Guayllabamba and continue then on north to the entrance of Cochasqui, which is right at a toll booth and where we arrive after 1 and half hour. From there it is another half hour on a secondary road to the site at the foot of Mojanda mountain.

10.00 a.m.:     We explore this archaeological site with its many earth mounds where in old days, pyramids and buildings were located. A guide will explain in more details the purpose of this ruins and afterwards we enter the small on-site museum.

2.00 p.m.: We leave the old complex and continue on to Cayambe, where we will cross the equator line again. We will stop at the globe which marks this event.

2.30 p.m.:    Afterwards we drive on to the old hacienda Guachala which is very close by and considered the oldest existing hacienda in Ecuador. There we explore the old buildings, which were put up on an old Inca site. The church boasts of a small museum, where some artifacts are on display.

4.00 p.m.:     We drive back to Quito by way of the Guayallbamba with a stop at a viewing spot which is right across Mojanda and the ruins we visited in the morning. It gives us great views to the valley and on clear days we have splendid views to the snow covered peaks of Cayambe and Cotopaxi. We arrive in Quito at around 7 p.m.

4 - 10 persons

Price per person USD 75.-

PICTURES

D1 Colonial Quito

D2 Mitad del Mundo

D3 Cochasqui

D4 Otavalo

D5 Pahuma

D6 Papallacta

D7 Pujili

Day Trips

D8 Saquisali

D9 Toaza - Blanco

D10 Guayllabamba

D11 Pichincha

D12 Pasochoa

D13 Cotopaxi

D14 Mindo

PICTURES