This trekking adventure through Ecuador's Lake District take you through the country's most diverse protected area: the Cayambe- Coca Ecological Reserve.  This area is an important watershed for the forests on both the Pacific and Amazon sides of the Andes.

The highest point within this reserve is the Cayambe volcano at 5,790m (18,997 feet).  Melt waters from its ice caps descend through ten different ecological zones within the reserve and down to the Amazon rainforest.   Keeping one eye open for condors, you will spend three days trekking in Ecuador's Lake District in the paramo, and explore the world's highest forests: the Polylepis.   Your trek ends with a relaxing stay at a first class resort at the therapeutically relaxing Papallacta mineral hot springs.

Day 1 Depart Quito and travel by road to Hacienda Rancho Alto.  After a short briefing and time to prepare, we start our hike from San Lorenzo at approximately 3,000m following a small stream into a majestic valley featuring impressive granite walls where condors, eagles and falcons can often be seen.
We start gaining altitude as we hike through trails through highland paramo vegetation until we reach a pass at 3,600m.  He we will find a a small forest of endemic highland trees before descending to the Nunalbiro valley where we will find lakes and lagoons stocked with trout.  We will set our campsite next to the lake and relax before enjoying a hearty dinner.
(L,D)

Day 2 We begin our walking through some very photogenic scenery looking out for Condorsm eagkles and caracaras as we pass between mountain lakes. We descend into an obsidian valley and go up again to Corrales, which are impressive granite formation with waterfalls and native vegetation. On a clear day we can observe the peaks of Antisana and Puntas volcanoes. Our campsite will be set up near a fresh water river.
(B,L,D)

Day 3 Today we walk mainly downhill, through an obsidian valley that some 5,000 to 10,000 years ago was mined by the Incas.  As we continue to descend we can hope for excellent views of the Avenue of Volcanoes whilst we explore the gnarled forms of Polylepis forest - the world's highest growing trees.  We will complete our circuit by hiking through local farmland where we can see quinoa, potato crops and cattle ranches. Our support vehicle will transfer us to Papallacta, where we will close this magnificent journey with a soothing and therapeutically relaxing day in the mineral, sulphate and alkaline rich waters of the Papallacta Hot springs resort.
(B,L,D)

Day 4 Today we have the morning to relax in this first class resort. Return to Quito after lunch. (B, L)

Price £595 per person sharing (minimum 2 persons) Price includes Accommodation and camping arrangements. Private transportation. Refreshments. Expert guidance. All meals outside of Quito. Price excludes Entry fee to the Coca-Cayambe Reserve $5  (correct at time of writing). Timing Throughout the year. Activity Level Moderate to High. Altitude 3,000 m to 4,000m Temperatures in Coca-Cayambe Reserve: 5oC to 20oC Trekking time 3 to 4 hours per day. Standard of Accommodation 2 nights camping and 1 night in the comfortable hot springs resort. Suggested clothing Warm layered clothing; sun block; gloves; torch; rain gear; trekking boots; binoculars.

Photographs kindly provided by Marcelo Meneses, Ralph Pannell, Rainforest Concern