Secret Garden Tours, Ecuador

Secret Garden Tours, Ecuador

The Secret garden, as well as a backpackers hostel in Quito and a mountain retreat near Machachi, also offers it's guests a selection of tours in the Cotopaxi area.

Tours can be arranged through the hostel in Quito or through direct contact with the Secret Garden by email or through their website listed below.

Cotopaxi Tour

The day begins with a scenic ride by jeep for an hour and a half to the start of the trek - for better views, guests can choose to sit on the roof.

At the national park entrance there's opportunity to buy gloves and hats to keep warm.

The jeep continues to zig zag up to the car park located at 4500 metres altitude from where the group will begin their climb. Look out for wild horses, llamas and even wolves which live in the lower slopes of the national park. During the steep but slow climb up to the refuge at 4810 metres, there are plenty of opportunities to to take photos of the surrounding landscape.

Once at the refuge, hot-drinks are available and a short break is taken before commencing the final climb up to the beginning of the glacier at 5000 metres. Once the group reaches the glacier, there's time to catch you breath, enjoy the views and play in the snow before returning to the refuge for a lunch of hot soup.

Upon reaching the car park after lunch, those who have opted for mountain biking begin their zig-zagging descent. This is suitable for riders of all abilities and ends at a lake where the bikes meet the jeep and those in the group who didn't choose the mountain-biking option.

This tour tour costs $25 per person, plus $10 national Park entrance fee. To include mountain biking, add another $10. The price includes all transport to and from the Secret Garden Cotopaxi, a guide and lunch.

Remember to bring the following: Warm clothing and sturdy shoes, drinking water and some money for snacks, a camera and sunscreen.

Other Tours

For those looking for an alternative day trip or activities, the Secret Garden organises a horse riding and trout fishing tour. The cost for this is $25 pp for 6 hours including lunch and guide.

For those who want to appreciate spectacular views without a strenuous climb, Zip lining excursions can be arranged at a nearby gorge. The zip-lines are roughly 46 metres high and the longest line measures about 400 metres. This activities costs $35 pp.

Note: Prices listed on this page DO NOT include taxes.

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