• Cuicocha Lake - Today, you will have an early pick up from your hotel to enjoy a marvelous trekking in the Andes mountains. We will leave the charming city of Quito (2 and half hours driving approx.) to head to Cuicocha Crater Lake located inside Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve. Our adventure will take us on a trek around this still active volcano, your guide will present many beautiful flowers to you along the trail. Enjoy the landscape and observe the activity of this volcano, witness bubbles coming up from the center of the caldera.

Trekking Activity Level – Moderate, the trekking trail is on dirt, sand and gravel, located in the Paramo Ecosystem at high elevation.
Trekking Time: 5 hours
Trekking Distance: 7.5 miles (12.07 km)
Elevation Gain: 2500 feet (762 meters)
Minimum Elevation while trekking: 10000 feet (3048 meters)
Maximum Elevation while trekking: 11470 feet (3496 meters)

• Otavalo - For lunch, we will head to Pijal, a small village located in the heart of the Andes to visit one of the Inspiring Ecuador sustainable projects called Sacha WarmiKuna (women from the mountain), with the main purpose to support their families and encourage the position of the women in the local society, providing them an alternative side work beside housekeeping, as a new option for an in-come. Once at the project you will experience an unforgettable cultural encounter, immersing yourself in the true spirit of the South-American woman and their skills for textiles and a deep culinary knowledge coming from the past generations. You will be part of the preparation of “Aji”, a local spicy salsa which is part of their identity, you will also share precious time with them and a tasty traditional lunch in which local women have used the fresh products harvested the same day from the surrounding organic fields.We will arrive back in Quito in the late afternoon (2 hours driving approx.)

• Private transportation
• Certified English-speaking national guide
• Local lunch with Sachawarmikuna
• Visit to Sachawarmikuna local women project
• Trekking in Cuicocha Crater Lake

• Airport pick up and drop off extra charge USD 30 per person/ per way

Lake Cuicocha is a centuries-old caldera located on the south-eastern slopes of Mama Cotacachi, situated at an elevation of 3.06S meters above sea level. This ‘stratovolcano’, a term referring to its formation through layers of lava and other volcanic materials discharged during historical eruptions. The last eruption at this site took place between 2,000 to 3,000 years ago.

The Sacha WarmiKuna women’s project, a shining achievement by Inspiring Ecuador, stands out as a valuable cultural experience. This initiative was crafted in collaboration with the local women and Inspiring Ecuador, aimed at ensuring financial assistance to families, elevating the status of women in local community, and offering them an alternative source of income beyond their home chores.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.