Cajas National Park hiking tour from Cuenca: 200 lakes

Eight hours crossing two ecosystems in a park of 200 glacial lakes

A full-day guided hike through Cajas National Park, 30km west of Cuenca, takes you from the continental watershed at 3 Cruces viewpoint down through high-altitude Toreadora forest and moor to the lower Llaviuco valley. The tour includes hotel pickup, a professional guide in English or Spanish, a three-hour trek through Polylepis forest and paramo, lunch with local Ecuadorian soup and main course, and a second visit to native Andean mountain forest where your guide explains medicinal plants and shows you where the Tomebamba River begins. The park sits between 3,150 and 4,450 meters above sea level. You'll hike at the middle altitude of 3,960 meters, then descend to 3,200 meters in the afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day hiking tour in Cajas Park

• Pick up from hotel in Cuenca
• Drive 1 hour to 3 Cruces viewpoint
• Learn about watershed and religious importance
• Take photos of Cajas Park landscape
• Hike 3 hours in Toreadora area
• Enjoy Polylepis Forest and Paramo scenery
• Lunch with local Ecuadorian food
• Visit Llaviuco valley and learn about plants
• See origin of Tomebamba River
• Drive 1 hour back to Cuenca
• Drop off at hotel

The experience

The day starts with a one-hour drive from your hotel to the 3 Cruces viewpoint, where your guide explains the continental watershed and the religious significance of the place for travelers. When weather allows, this is where photography works best: the park's different viewpoints open up across the landscape. From there you head into the park itself, located in the paramo ecosystem, a high-altitude moor-like terrain that dominates the 28,544-hectare reserve.

The core of the tour is a three-hour walk through the Toreadora area at 3,960 meters, where you move through Polylepis forest and open paramo. Your guide points out the flora and fauna as you go, and the terrain itself is the draw: this is where the park's system of more than 200 glacial lakes sits, and the landscape shifts as you walk. After lunch (a local Ecuadorian soup, main course, and vegetarian option if you need it), you move to the lower part of the park, the Llaviuco valley at 3,200 meters, where native Andean mountain forest replaces the high moor. Here your guide shows you medicinal and representative plants of this ecosystem and takes you to the origin point of the Tomebamba River, the most important river in Cuenca itself. The return drive to your hotel takes about an hour.

The tour runs approximately eight hours total. You'll need at least a moderate level of physical fitness for the three-hour trek. The hike is steady but not technical. Children from age 5 can join, though the altitude and duration mean younger kids should be comfortable with sustained walking. The tour is subject to weather. If conditions are poor enough to cancel, no refund is given, so flexibility on dates helps.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cuenca.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• three-hour guided hike through Toreadora forest and paramo.
• visit to 3 Cruces viewpoint and Llaviuco valley.
• lunch with local Ecuadorian soup, main course and vegetarian option (on lunch options).
• all activities and transport by private vehicle.

Options for this experience

3 options

Group tour, lunch not includedGuide in English or Spanish · 08:00Tour without lunch: Well suited to travellers who would rather bring their own food. Includes pickup

Group tour that includes a local lunchGuide in English or Spanish · 08:00Tour with a traditional lunch: Suited to those keen on sampling regional cuisine, with vegetarian choices available if needed. Pickup is included

Private tourGuide in English or Spanish · 08:00Private tour: Tailored to your requirements. Pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

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 effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Polylepis Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the group tour if you're comfortable sharing the experience and want a lower price. Pick the private tour if you prefer a custom pace and a guide focused only on your group. The morning departure from your hotel means you reach the high altitude early in the day when weather is most stable for photography and hiking.

Traveler reviews

4.93★★★★★★★★★★

14 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What's the Toreadora area like during the three-hour hike?

The Toreadora trek moves through Polylepis forest and open paramo at 3,960 meters, the middle altitude zone of the park. You walk through high-altitude moor-like terrain where the park's glacial lakes sit, and your guide explains the flora and fauna as you move through the landscape. The walk depends on the group's pace.

Can I see wildlife in Cajas National Park?

Yes. The park is home to llamas, alpacas, and a range of bird species. Your guide will point out what's present during the day, though sightings depend on conditions and timing.

What happens at the Llaviuco valley in the afternoon?

Llaviuco is a shorter complementary visit in the lower part of the park at 3,200 meters, where native Andean mountain forest grows instead of paramo. Your guide explains medicinal and representative plants of this ecosystem and shows you the origin of the Tomebamba River, which is Cuenca's most important river.

Is lunch included, and what are the options?

Lunch is included on two of the three purchase options (group tour with local lunch and private tour). The meal features a traditional Ecuadorian soup, a main course, and a vegetarian option. The group tour without lunch does not include this meal.

How much altitude will I gain, and is it difficult to breathe?

The park ranges from 3,150 to 4,450 meters above sea level. You'll hike at 3,960 meters in the Toreadora area, then descend to 3,200 meters in the afternoon. At this altitude, most people notice the thinner air. Your guide is accustomed to the elevation and can adjust pace. Moderate cardiovascular fitness is recommended. The tour is not suitable for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.