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Adventure Tours |
 P5 PICHINCHA LOOP On this roundtrip we get to know the whole province of Pichincha, which stretches from the Andes mountains down to the tropical coastal plains. This tour is ideal for people who do not have much time but like to experience the many geo-natural regions of Ecuador with its rich biodiversity and distinct people. After this one-week trip, where we visit high alpine paramo regions, lush Andean valleys, subtropical cloud forest and lower tropical rainforests, you have a very good idea about what Ecuador can offer you in regards of cultural and natural wonders. Day 1 We start our tour at the highest altitude driving up to Guagua Pichincha. The road leads right to the refuge at 4600m, from where it is a short hike to the crater rim. Looking into this impressive volcano, we can observe a constantly changing lava dome with fumaroles steaming out. Apart from this natural phenomenon this mountain also boasts of a varied and rich high alpine vegetation, which we get to know by hiking down the slopes. On our way back, we stop at Panecillo, the hill in the center of Quito, from where we have a great view over this city of 1.5 million inhabitants. Day 2 We continue our tour by driving northwest to visit the Inca ruins of Rumicucho and Mitad del Mundo, the Equator Line monument. After having lunch there, we continue on to the Pululahua crater. This volcanic crater is considered the largest in the world with a diameter of up to 6 km and one of two, where people actually live and farm. In the afternoon we explore this huge crater on foot and learn about the life of the Indian population there. Day 3 In the morning we start our exploration of the whole volcanic crater area on horseback or by jeep if you prefer so. We take the path by Pan de Azucar and ride behind Pondoņa, the huge lava hill in the middle of the crater. We leave then the crater and move down an impressive canyon along an forested trail, from where are great views into the river gorge. Later on we return to the crater and return on the other side of Pondoņa to the farm, where we spend the second night. Day 4 After breakfast we leave Pululahua and drive to Mindo, which lies around an altitude of 1600m in an sub-tropical cloud forest reserve. After lunch we visit an orchid garden right in the town, where hundreds of those beautiful flowers are on display. After exploring the garden we stop at a butterfly farm to learn more about these beautiful creatures. We spend the night in Mindo. Day 5 Early in the morning we hike through the sub-tropical cloud forest to observe birds and the lush sub-tropical vegetation of the area. With luck we see mountain toucans, cock-of-the-rocks and many other birds. Plants abound on the path with many kinds of bromeliads, heliconias and trees. Afternoons we drive to Puerto Quito, which is located at 200m above sea level and 1 1/2 hours from Mindo. Day 6 After breakfast we hike to the Laguna Azul, a beautiful lagoon with a waterfall. We spend the time swimming and exploring the surrounding area. Afternoons we visit a small farm, where we learn the art of making pure chocolate from the cocoa plants, which abound in this region. On the farm we also learn about other tropical fruits and plants, which are grown in that area. Day 7 Today we drive back to Quito by way of Santo Domingo- Aloag. The drive takes us through the rich agricultural plains with huge banana- and other fruit plantations. On the way we stop at La Perla, a 320 ha private reserve of primary tropical rainforest. There we get to know many tropical trees and plants with some huge trees up to 500 years old. We arrive in Quito later in the afternoon after a 4 hour drive, where we end our one-week long expedition.
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