Explore Ecuador's remarkable natural wonders on this day trip to Cajas National Park and Cacao de la Loma, departing from Cuenca and concluding in Guayaquil.
Description
We'll kick off the adventure by picking you up at your hotel in Cuenca at the scheduled time. Brace yourself as we set forth on this excursion to Cajas National Park and Cacao de la Loma. Ready? Let's get started!
Our first stop is Cajas National Park, a designated World Heritage Site. Prepare for a hike through the Polylepis forest—an essential protected area in southern Ecuador and the primary water source for Cuenca.
During our journey, we'll traverse the continental divide, progressing towards the lowlands with intermittent stops to revel in the surrounding natural beauty. A highlight awaits at an area offering the most breathtaking panoramic view of the park's 200-plus glacial lakes. A midday break is planned at a restaurant for a well-deserved lunch.
The adventure continues with a visit to a vibrant market, an ideal locale to immerse yourself in the daily life of the locals. Indulge your taste buds with exotic fruits like bananas, tangerines, coconuts, dragon fruit, and passion fruit.
We'll then proceed to Cacao de la Loma, a family farm cultivating cocoa beans. Ever sampled fresh cocoa bean pulp? Here, we'll delve into the intricacies of cocoa—the primary ingredient for crafting chocolate.
Before concluding the tour, savor a trout dish paired with rice or salad and a refreshing beverage. 7 to 8 hours after the tour's start, we'll drop you off at your hotel or designated point in Guayaquil.