Overview

Enjoy a full-day trip to Cajas National Park, located just 30 minutes to the north-west of Cuenca city. Its landscape of wetlands has glacial origins and the park boasts over 200 lakes. Your hike begins at the lower part of the park known as Llaviuco.

Hike at an easy pace for about an hour at an altitude of 9,842 feet above sea level. Reach a point known as Tres Cruces, at 13,566 feet, which forms the continental divide between the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans. After a short walk to explore the area you’ll descend to an altitude of 12,795 feet to continue hiking for approximately 3 hours.

The difficulty of the hike at this point is moderate, as you pass through the beautiful primary forest. Afterwards have lunch before returning to Cuenca.