CUICOCHA LOOP
Difficulty:
Altitude: 3481m/11420ft
Distance: 12km/7.5mi
Duration: 1 day
Date: All year
The Cuicocha Lagoon is located within the Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve, being the caldera of an inactive volcano. The caldera was formed by a massive eruption approximately 3,100 years ago generating a persistent 20 cm layer of volcanic ash on its surface. The volcano has remained inactive ever since. On a clear day we can see inside the islets ‘Theodore Wolf’ and ‘Yerovi’ and next to it, the great Cotacachi Volcano. On this trek you can find a great variety of flora and fauna, perfect for photography lovers. This hike is one of the most popular trekking routes in Ecuador, perfect for people who are starting out in mountaineering and trekking. This trek is normally done in one day and every four passengers will have an ASEGUIM/UIAGM certified guide. If you travel alone, the trek will be carried out only by the certified guide with the passenger. Come to live this incredible experience touring the Andes of Ecuador and join us on this beautiful adventure.
DAY 1: Cuicocha Loop
Altitude: 3481m/114201ft
We will pick you up from your hotel or place of preference at 06:00 where we will have a trip of approximately 2 hours towards Otavalo. Then, we will advance to the Cotacachi Cayapas Reserve where we will complete the registration and give some brief safety instructions before starting. We will begin our trek of approximately 5 hours until we complete the loop of the crater where we can enjoy the incredible landscapes that surround us and we will see the neighboring giant volcanoes such as Cotacachi, Imbabura, Cayambe and many more. At the end of our trek we will return to our transport that will be waiting for us to return to the city of Quito. The return journey takes 2 hours, so we will make a stop for lunch before leaving you again at the starting point at your hotel or place of preference.
CLOTHING REQUIRED (NOT INCLUDED):
Three layers of clothing for the legs and torso:
• Base layer: Thermal clothing for body and pants (usually made of synthetic material).
• Second layer: Warm jacket and pants, preferably water repellent (goose down, fleece or polar type).
• Third layer: Waterproof jacket and pants (in case of rain).
• An extra thermal or jacket (in case of extreme cold).
• Backpack between 25L and 35L.
• Gloves.
• Factor 4 sunglasses (with UV protection).
• Buff.
• Thick socks.
• Sunscreen.
In case you do not have something from the list of personal clothing, Mauna Expeditions can provide you with the rental or sale of said accessories.
The services included in the cost of the trek are:
✓ Registration and preparation for the best experience of your life.
✓ Guidance for the trek with certified guides (ASEGUIM/UIAGM), one guide for every 4 people.
✓ Private door to door transportation for the entire day of the tour.
✓ Entry Permits.
✓ Adventure video about the experience in the trek.
✓ First aid service.
✓ Lunch on the way down on the day of the trek.
✓ Thermo of Mauna Expeditions.
✓ Buff of Mauna Expeditions.
✓ Lunch Box and hydration for the trek.
The following services are NOT included in the cost of the trek:
X Clothing and personal equipment.
X Airplane tickets.
X Hotel or hostel in Quito or place of preference.
X Life insurance or against some type of accident.
X Other expenses NOT specified in our program.
X Tips.
1 person: CONTACT US.
2 people: CONTACT US.
3-5 people: CONTACT US.
6-10 people: CONTACT US.
11-24 people: CONTACT US.
PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION OF THE PROGRAM
To book the tour, Mauna Expeditions requires a payment of 25% of the cost of the program. Full payment must be made up to a maximum of two weeks before the start date of the tour. We do not send vouchers or confirmation messages until full payment for the program is made. Our team reserves the right to cancel the tour if the full payment is not made until the start date of the program.
The Mauna Expeditions team has put a lot of effort into organizing your program. Therefore, any cancellation must be made at least 21 days in advance. After 21 days, Mauna Expeditions may make a 50% refund depending on the cause of cancellation. Any cancellation notified less than 21 days from the start date of the program will be charged a penalty of 100% of the value of the program.
COSTS
Costs vary depending on the size of the group. A minimum of 1 person and a maximum of 24 people are required to make the trek. For costs information please CONTACT US.
RECOMENDATIONS
Mountaineering is a high-risk sport, where we are exposed to conditions on extreme occasions. We do not recommend doing this activity for people with asthma or some kind of heart condition. The level of difficulty of this program is demanding and there is nothing that interests us more than your safety and that you enjoy our program without any external problem.
Altitude: 3481m/11420ft
Distance: 12km/7.5mi
Duration: 1 day
Date: All year
The Cuicocha Lagoon is located within the Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve, being the caldera of an inactive volcano. The caldera was formed by a massive eruption approximately 3,100 years ago generating a persistent 20 cm layer of volcanic ash on its surface. The volcano has remained inactive ever since. On a clear day we can see inside the islets ‘Theodore Wolf’ and ‘Yerovi’ and next to it, the great Cotacachi Volcano. On this trek you can find a great variety of flora and fauna, perfect for photography lovers. This hike is one of the most popular trekking routes in Ecuador, perfect for people who are starting out in mountaineering and trekking. This trek is normally done in one day and every four passengers will have an ASEGUIM/UIAGM certified guide. If you travel alone, the trek will be carried out only by the certified guide with the passenger. Come to live this incredible experience touring the Andes of Ecuador and join us on this beautiful adventure.
DAY 1: Cuicocha Loop
Altitude: 3481m/114201ft
We will pick you up from your hotel or place of preference at 06:00 where we will have a trip of approximately 2 hours towards Otavalo. Then, we will advance to the Cotacachi Cayapas Reserve where we will complete the registration and give some brief safety instructions before starting. We will begin our trek of approximately 5 hours until we complete the loop of the crater where we can enjoy the incredible landscapes that surround us and we will see the neighboring giant volcanoes such as Cotacachi, Imbabura, Cayambe and many more. At the end of our trek we will return to our transport that will be waiting for us to return to the city of Quito. The return journey takes 2 hours, so we will make a stop for lunch before leaving you again at the starting point at your hotel or place of preference.
CLOTHING REQUIRED (NOT INCLUDED):
Three layers of clothing for the legs and torso:
• Base layer: Thermal clothing for body and pants (usually made of synthetic material).
• Second layer: Warm jacket and pants, preferably water repellent (goose down, fleece or polar type).
• Third layer: Waterproof jacket and pants (in case of rain).
• An extra thermal or jacket (in case of extreme cold).
• Backpack between 25L and 35L.
• Gloves.
• Factor 4 sunglasses (with UV protection).
• Buff.
• Thick socks.
• Sunscreen.
In case you do not have something from the list of personal clothing, Mauna Expeditions can provide you with the rental or sale of said accessories.
The services included in the cost of the trek are:
✓ Registration and preparation for the best experience of your life.
✓ Guidance for the trek with certified guides (ASEGUIM/UIAGM), one guide for every 4 people.
✓ Private door to door transportation for the entire day of the tour.
✓ Entry Permits.
✓ Adventure video about the experience in the trek.
✓ First aid service.
✓ Lunch on the way down on the day of the trek.
✓ Thermo of Mauna Expeditions.
✓ Buff of Mauna Expeditions.
✓ Lunch Box and hydration for the trek.
The following services are NOT included in the cost of the trek:
X Clothing and personal equipment.
X Airplane tickets.
X Hotel or hostel in Quito or place of preference.
X Life insurance or against some type of accident.
X Other expenses NOT specified in our program.
X Tips.
1 person: CONTACT US.
2 people: CONTACT US.
3-5 people: CONTACT US.
6-10 people: CONTACT US.
11-24 people: CONTACT US.
PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION OF THE PROGRAM
To book the tour, Mauna Expeditions requires a payment of 25% of the cost of the program. Full payment must be made up to a maximum of two weeks before the start date of the tour. We do not send vouchers or confirmation messages until full payment for the program is made. Our team reserves the right to cancel the tour if the full payment is not made until the start date of the program.
The Mauna Expeditions team has put a lot of effort into organizing your program. Therefore, any cancellation must be made at least 21 days in advance. After 21 days, Mauna Expeditions may make a 50% refund depending on the cause of cancellation. Any cancellation notified less than 21 days from the start date of the program will be charged a penalty of 100% of the value of the program.
COSTS
Costs vary depending on the size of the group. A minimum of 1 person and a maximum of 24 people are required to make the trek. For costs information please CONTACT US.
RECOMENDATIONS
Mountaineering is a high-risk sport, where we are exposed to conditions on extreme occasions. We do not recommend doing this activity for people with asthma or some kind of heart condition. The level of difficulty of this program is demanding and there is nothing that interests us more than your safety and that you enjoy our program without any external problem.
BOOK YOUR TREK
Choose and reserve the date, then our team will contact you to confirm all the details.
