Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Cuenca

  Your Cajas National Park tour begins with a scenic drive from Cuenca into the western Andes. As the city gives way to mountain landscapes, your guide will introduce the park’s páramo ecosystem, its glacial lakes, and its importance as a protected water source for southern Ecuador. Cajas is part of the Macizo del Cajas Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO in 2013.

  1 hour • Admission ticket free
• 2

  Our first stop is Tres Cruces, one of the most impressive viewpoints in Cajas National Park. This area marks the continental water divide, where rainfall flows either toward the Amazon Basin or toward the Pacific Ocean. We will take a short walk nearby to enjoy the highland scenery, dramatic mountain views, and the fresh air of the Andean páramo.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 3
  Laguna La Toreadora

  We continue to the Toreadora Refuge, the main access point to Cajas National Park and one of its most visited areas. Located beside Toreadora Lake, this stop offers beautiful views of the surrounding wetlands, hills, and native vegetation. The area is also an ideal place to understand how the park’s lakes and sponge-like páramo help regulate water for Cuenca.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 4
  El Cajas National Park

  From Toreadora, we begin a guided hike along Route 1, a moderate 3-hour trail through páramo grasslands, wetlands, rocky paths, and high-altitude lagoons. The guide will adjust the pace to the group, making the experience comfortable while taking time to enjoy the views, observe unique native flora, and possibly spot local bird species such as the beautiful blue Tit-like Dacnis, highland hummingbirds, and other Andean birds. Unlike a simple sightseeing visit, this tour is designed to experience Cajas on foot, with meaningful stops along the route to appreciate the park’s geology, biodiversity, and quiet mountain landscapes.

  3 hours • Admission ticket included
• 5

  During the hike, we will visit the Polylepis Forest, one of the most unique environments in the park. These remarkable high-altitude trees, known for their thin, layered bark, create a rare and peaceful forest landscape surrounded by mountains and lagoons. Walking through this ancient-looking forest can feel like stepping into a scene from The Lord of the Rings, with twisted trees, soft moss, and misty Andean scenery. Your guide will explain why this ecosystem is so important for biodiversity and conservation in the Andes.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 6

  After the hike, we will enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant near the park. Trout is the local specialty and a favorite option after walking through the cool highlands, while vegetarian and vegan options are also available. This stop adds a warm cultural touch to the day and supports local businesses connected to the communities around Cajas National Park.

  1 hour • Admission ticket not included
• 7
  Cuenca

  After lunch, we return comfortably to Cuenca, completing a full-day experience that goes beyond a quick viewpoint stop. With guided hiking, scenic landscapes, local insight, and time to connect with the park’s ecosystems, this tour offers a deeper and more active way to experience Cajas National Park.

  45 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• A minimum of 2 people is required to operate shared tours. We reserve the right to cancel the tour if there are not at least 2 participants.
• Bookings made 48 hours prior to the tour are subject to guide availability.

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