Cajas National Park
Located only a short drive from the city of Cuenca covers a vast area of beautiful mountain scenery, glacial valleys decorated with hundreds of lakes and unique species of flora and fauna.
The Cajas National Park Area is located in the southern mountains of Ecuador, 30 km west of Cuenca, and covers an area of 28,000 hectars. The main feature of the park is the high number of glacial lakes, over 280, that were formed after the last Ice Age. At an average altitude of 3,800 m, the predominant vegetation lies in the “Paramo” life zone.
Our 3 day trip combines an important historical path with the magnificent scenery of the Andean “Paramo”. The area of Cajas has been since ancient times considered a sacred and magical place. The Inca trail through Cajas connected the Andean empires with the richness of the Pacific coast through one of the closest places of the continental divide in South America.
After working many years in the area, this has proven to be the best and richest itinerary. On our journey we will cross extensive Polylepis forest and a cloud forest with high biological diversity that includes Andean toucans and parakeets on its bird list. We will be camping each night by one of the many lakes of Cajas and one of the nights in an important archaeological site. Our staff includes local knowledgeable people of the area who share their stories and tradition and gourmet chefs who will nourish and comfort your soul with the finest food.
