ECUADOR | EXPLORING THE ANDES

*WITH OPTIONAL ADD ON TO EXPLORE THE AMAZON

This trip will be ran through our partners at Vagabond Trails

**MAY 11th - 18th, 2024 *Cancelled**

This 8-day trail running trip to the high Andes of Ecuador is a short trip that gathers our favourites places in the North and Central Andes of this amazing country. We will be staying at two wonderful locations with great access to the routes we have chosen for this trip. You will experience high mountains, run around crater lakes, discover the paramo life, enjoy Ecuadorian food, culture and hospitality while you run and hike on amazing trails with breath-taking views. We will be partnering Vagabond Trails on this trip, who will provide amazing and knowledgable local guides.

**WE ALSO HAVE AN ADD ON PACKAGE TO EXPLORE THE AMAZON BASIN. EMAIL US FOR MORE DETAILS.

WHO CAN JOIN?

Anyone with some experience in trail running and hilly terrain can join. Pace is unimportant on our adventures, but for six days we will be out for 3 to 6 hours and switch between running, hiking and other activities. Most of the routes have been selected to give the runners the possibility to enjoy at their own pace, accompanied by a leader. The runs/hikes are at altitude and it will be challenging - the more prepared you are, the more fun you’ll have and the further you’ll be able to go. If for any reason you do not feel like running, there will always be alternatives to enjoy your day. For most of the runs, there will be a support vehicle with us in the case you need it.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

For this trip is recommended to arrive in Quito at least one day before. Take into consideration that you will be in the Andes at high altitude. We can organise your hotel and transportation for the earlier day/s. Once you have signed up to the trip, we will send you a detailed packing list.

**Covid-19 Guidelines (These guidelines may change before the trip): We will be following all the current guidelines for this trip (We will provide more exact detail on this as we get closer to the travel dates). Trail Run Adventures and the local government may also require proof of vaccine or negative Covid test as well as a health declaration form prior to arrival. Please be prepared to follow these guidelines. If you show symptoms of illness before the trip, you will not be allowed to join us. We highly recommend purchasing travelers insurance to cover your cost if you can not travel. We will not be able to offer refunds for those that have to cancel for any reason within 30 days of the trip. If you show symptoms during the trip, you will be quarantined from the rest of the group until we can determine the next course of action. Any additional charges for this will be your responsibility. Please let us know if you have any questions.

PRICE

US$2695
US$500 non refundable deposit required to secure place, deposit can be transferred to another adventure
Remaining balance due by February 1st, 2023. Registrations after that date must be paid in full

EXCLUDES

Flights (Please do NOT make travel arrangements until we notify you that the group size has met the minimum)
Personal travel and medical Insurance (required). We recommend: Global Rescue
Alcohol and other drinks
Additional snack foods, race food (gels, bars, electrolytes etc)
Personal spending - souvenirs etc.

INCLUDES

Airport transfers and all transportation
Accommodation
All meals. All dietary requirements can be met
Local guides
Tips

ITINERARY

Day 1, Saturday - May 11th | Quito (Tumbaco) – Arrival day. Arrival and acclimatisation day (Quito is at 2800 meters). We will arrange an organised airport pick-up and hotel check-in throughout the day, followed by a safe briefing and a welcome dinner at night.

Day 2, Sunday - May 12th | Quito – Mojanda – Fuya Fuya. We start our day early and drive towards Imbabura Province. We take this day easy and start our adventure for the day driving towards the pristine Mojanda lagoon, a volcano that has been extinct for more than 200,000 years. We will start hiking to the short but steep summit of Fuya Fuya, perfect for acclimatisation; from the top we can observe the beautiful paramo landscapes of the surrounding Andes • Route highest point at 4275m/14,000ft • Distance 4.5km/2.8mi • Elevation +/- 500m/1640ft • Estimated time 2 hours • Meals all included • Sleeping altitude 2800m/9186ft • Transfer to Mojanda Lagoon (1h50)

Day 3, Monday - May 13th | Mojanda – Cuicocha Lagoon. We begin our day with an Andean breakfast and then we will depart to Cotacachi volcano foothills where the beautiful Cuicocha lagoon is located. The lagoon is a large caldera of nearly 3 kilometres wide and is part of the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve. This is one of the most beautiful trail running routes in Ecuador. An undulating route at high altitude, with majestic views of different volcanos such as Cayambe, Imbabura and Cotacachi, and of course the crater’s sapphire-blue waters and vivid flora. After a well-deserved lunch we will enjoy the charm of Cotacachi town famous for its leather products. In the afternoon we return to our hacienda and enjoy of a relax afternoon and dinner. • Route highest point at 3485m/11433ft • Distance 13km/8mi • Elevation +/- 600m/1968ft • Estimated time 2.5 hours • Meals all included • Sleeping altitude 3100m/10170ft • Transfer to Cuicocha Lagoon (50 min)

Day 4, Tuesday - May 14th | Mojanda – Imbabura. Today we enjoy an early breakfast and we get ready to hike up to El Imbabura. We drive to the small village of La Esperanza – Chirihuasi where the trail starts. The long trekking to the summit will be one of the best souvenirs of the trip. It is a challenging route traversing polylepis forest and páramo terrain, if the weather allows the hike will offer fantastic views of the Imbabura province, Cayambe and Cotacahi volcanoes. Once we are back at Chirihuasi we have a well-deserved packed lunch and the the North Andes are over with this challenging hike. We will drive towards the Central Andes to a small cosy hacienda privileged located on the Avenue of the Volcanoes our next base camp. • Route highest point at 4572m/15000ft • Distance 10km/6mi • Elevation +/- 1250m/4101ft • Estimated time 5-6 hours • Meals all included • Sleeping altitude 3100m/10170ft • Transfer to La Esperanza (1h10 min) • Transfer to the Central Andes from La Esperanza (3h40)

Day 5, Wednesday - May 15th | Machachi – Pasochoa. After breakfast, we drive towards Pasochoa. The zone is part of Ecuador's National System of Protected Areas. It has an extraordinary biological value as it holds several vegetation zones, but much of the plant-life is Andean forest with approximately 240 plant species, it is home to some 10 mammal species like deer, rabbits, pumas, skunks and bats, and 127 bird species, among them 16 hummingbird species, condors, huirac-churos, and more. The special shape of Pasochoa is the result of the eruption of the volcano some 100 000 years ago, creating as a consequence the large crater; as the mountain was difficult to access and is not suitable for agriculture the forest is relatively untouched and is one of the few remaining native forests of the Ecuadorian Andes. After the run, we drive back to our base camp for a deserved rest and dinner • Route highest point at 4352m/11,000ft • Distance 10km/6mi • Elevation +/- 500m/1640ft • Estimated time 3 hours • Meals all included • Sleeping altitude 3100m/10170ft • Transfer to Pasochoa (1h20)

Day 6, Thursday - May 16th | Machachi – Quilotoa Lagoon. After some early breakfast we head towards the Quilotoa lagoon at 3800m/12467ft. One of the most beautiful and impressive lagoons in Ecuador, an azure-coloured crater lake surrounded by steep shadowy mountains and (most likely) deep blue skies overhead. • Route highest point at 3932m/12900ft • Distance 10km/6.2mi • Elevation +/- 465m/1526ft • Estimated time 3 hours • Meals all included • Sleeping altitude 3100m/10170ft • Transfer to Quilotoa Lagoon (2h45)

Day 7, Friday - May 17th | Machachi – Limpiopungo Lagoon (Rumiñahui Central). After having spent some days at altitude, we are ready to run/hike el Rumiñahui. This is one of our favorite routes, it offers a panoramic view of the Cotopaxi National Park, an encounter with Cotopaxi one of the highest active volcanoes in the planet. Close to reach the summit the sand becomes heavy on our feet and the Rumiñahui gets imposing. If we are lucky, we will be able to observe Andean Condors that live in the area. On the way down the sand makes you fly with an incredible feeling of joy. After the run, we will have a well-deserved lunch and drive towards Quito. • Route highest point at 4620m/15157ft • Distance 11.5km/7.2mi • Elevation +/- 800m/2674ft • Estimated time 3-4hours • Meals all included • Sleeping altitude 3100m/10170ft • Transfer to Limpiopungo Lake Lagoon (1h) • Transfer to Quito (Tumbaco) (2h)

Day 8, Saturday - May 18th | Quito (Tumbaco) – Mariscal Sucre International Airport. We enjoy a last breakfast together and then time to pack all the memories back home. • Breakfast included • Transfer to Quito International Airport (20 min). **Option to continue on to the Amazon

Ecuador Exploring the Andes

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Waiver

Waiver I, hereby, undertake to indemnify Trail Run Adventures against all claims arising out of any death, injury, damage, loss, illness suffered or caused in the course of participation on the adventure, including all costs and expenses incurred as a result of such claims. REFUND POLICY: A $500 deposit is required to hold the spot. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred towards another trip. The remaining balance (minus the deposit) is 100% refundable if it is more than 120 days before the start of the trip. 50% is refundable if it is from 60-120 days before the start of the trip. 25% is refundable if it is from 30-60 days before the start of the trip. No refunds will be given 30 days or less from the start date of the trip.

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