2-day camping tour Cajas National Park from Cuenca

Walk the Andes' high-altitude trails and camp among glacial lakes

A 2-day camping tour from Cuenca into Cajas National Park with a professional guide, private transportation and meals. You trek through historical Andean trails for roughly five hours each day, encountering unique alpine flora and fauna while testing your endurance at elevation. Hotel pickup and drop-off, camping equipment and all meals are included.

The experience

The tour starts with hotel pickup in Cuenca and heads into Cajas National Park, one of Ecuador's most biodiverse protected areas. Your guide leads you through established trails that wind through the park's distinctive high-altitude landscape: grasslands, glacial lakes and rocky terrain that shift with the weather. The walking averages around five hours per day, which means you're moving steadily but with time to observe the Andean ecosystem: the plants adapted to thin air, the birds and wildlife that inhabit this zone, and the geological formations shaped by glaciers. This is not a casual stroll. The elevation and terrain demand steady effort.

You camp overnight inside the park with equipment provided (or available to rent if you prefer your own). Meals follow the itinerary (breakfast, lunch and dinner), so you're eating without needing to plan or carry a full pack of food. The guide handles navigation, safety and the logistics of moving through the park's backcountry. Private transportation means no crowded vans or fixed group schedules. The pace and stops are yours with the guide.

On the final day, after the morning trek, you return to Cuenca by afternoon. The tour operates in all weather, so bring layers and rain gear. The Andes can shift quickly. A guide speaks English or Spanish depending on your preference. Camping equipment rental is available if you don't have your own, and vegetarian meals can be arranged when you book.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cuenca.
• private guide in English or Spanish.
• private transportation to and from the park.
• camping equipment.
• all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) for both days.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 to 55 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Polylepis Tours

Is this one for you?The two-day format and five-hour daily walking pace suit trekkers with moderate fitness who want to move through the park's high-altitude terrain without rushing. If you prefer shorter day hikes or lower-elevation walks, a one-day option may fit better. If you want to spend more time in the park, a longer tour is available.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

How much walking happens each day on this Cajas camping tour?

You walk an average of five hours per day across the park's high-altitude trails, moving through Andean terrain at elevation. The pace is steady and the terrain is uneven, so moderate fitness is required.

What's included in the meals during the two days?

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided each day according to the itinerary. Vegetarian options are available if you let the operator know when booking.

Do I need to bring my own camping gear?

Camping equipment is included with the tour. If you prefer to use your own tent, sleeping bag or other gear, you can arrange that at booking.

What is the Cajas National Park like as a trekking destination?

Cajas is a high-altitude national park in the Andes known for its glacial lakes, unique alpine vegetation and dramatic weather shifts. The trails are historical routes through the park's most beautiful sections, passing through grasslands and rocky terrain where you'll encounter Andean flora and fauna adapted to the elevation.

What time does the tour start and end?

Hotel pickup in Cuenca marks the start of the tour. You return to your hotel by afternoon on day two after the final morning trek.