Cotopaxi National Park Hike: Pita Canyon Loop

From $111 per person

This beautiful Cotopaxi hike takes you off the beaten track through wide and stark paramo lands and grasses against the back drop of the stunning Cotopaxi Volcano.

  • Activity Level: Moderate
  • Tour Duration: 10 hours
  • Hike Duration: 4 hours (12km)
  • Highlights: Cotopaxi Volcano, Incan Fortress Ruin, Paramo Landscapes, Volcanic Mounds & Debris, Wild Ponies, Andean Fox & Condor (when lucky)
Two ladies and a man in hiking clothes and baseball hats smiling with volcanic mounds in background in Cotopaxi National Park

Itinerary

This morning we travel to the Cotopaxi region where we undertake a circular walk through the Pita Canyon, which offers spectacular views of the canyon itself, along with the Cotopaxi, Sincholagua & Rumiñahui Volcanoes.

The hike is classed as moderate, and takes place at an altitude of 3600m to 3800m.

The first part of the hike takes us along the Pita Canyon for around 1 hour, as we follow the course of the Pita River. It is a soft climb which brings us up into the Cotopaxi National Park.

We then continue past a number of immense volcanic mound formations and pieces of debris for an hour and a half of gentle ups and downs, to reach the “pucara” – an ancient ruin of an Incan fortress – located within the National Park.

From here we loop around for another hour and a half of more gentle ups and downs along the flanks of the Cotopaxi Volcano before reaching a local mountain lodge where our hike ends. Picnic Lunch included. (12km - 4 hours)

Prices

Prices 2024

2 people
$176 p/p
3 - 4 people
$131 p/p
5 - 6 people
$111 p/p

Price includes:
Private transportation, top English speaking naturalist hiking guide, box lunch.

Not included:
Tips and personal expenses

Notes:
Prices are stated in US Dollars.
Prices are valid until 31st December 2024.
This tour begins and ends in the city of Quito. For pick up / drop off in Quito airport extra charges will apply.

Pita Canyon Hike, Cotopaxi
Leaving the Inca Ruins on PIta Canyon Trail
Volcanic Mounds in Cotopaxi National Park
Andean Condor, Cotopaxi National Park
Pita Canyon Loop, Cotopaxi National Park
Wild ponies and Cotopaxi Volcano
Cotpaxi National Park Hike
White tailed deer, Cotopaxi National Park
Hiking group, Cotopaxi National Park