09/09/2023
Cojitambo Loop - 20.5km/11.5km - 24/09/23 😃
Cojitambo Loop Adventure Hike including Inca Ruins: 20.5km/11.5km - 24/09/23
This is a 20.5 km hike with an elevation gain of 873 metres. For folks who work in feet, you can Google that. We take a bus from Cuenca bus terminal for around 35 minutes and we get off about 5 minutes before Azogues. Our hike starts off on the motorway between Cuenca and Azogues steadily goes up (well mostly) for roughly 9 km. Some of the gradient can be steep but only for short distances, a hundred meters or so. Most of the first 9 km is uphill and on dirt track, much of it walking trails.
At around 9 km we start going up Cojitambo Mountain where the altitude at the top of the Summit is 3,105 m. Just below the top of the mountain is the Inca ruins which formed part of the inca trail, not on the level of Ingapirca but reasonably impressive nonetheless. This ascent is just over 1 km long with an altitude gain of 140 m.
You will be astounded by tremendous views of Cajas, Cuenca and Azogues and even mountains further afield around Biblian and Paute. The hike isn't especially technical.
For those who do not want to do the full 20 km, you can stop after 11 km and get a bus to Azogues and then a 2nd one back to Cuenca bus terminal. My partner will guide you onto the bus.
For those who will do the whole hike, we have around 3 kilometers of walking downhill on an unbusy asphalted Road, with views of Deleg and Cajas to the right. Shortly after entering San Nicolas village, we go on a dirt track for roughly 3kms which winds itself down to a Creek going through communities dotted on the undulating hillsides with eucalyptus trees abounding. Upon finishing an ascent which has an elevation gain of around 140 meters, we have another three kilometres downhill to the end of our hike. I will then drive you to the bus pickup point and then it's another 35 minutes on the bus to Cuenca.
HIKE DETAILS
20.50km hike
Duration 4 hours 30 mins to 5 hours approx
Elevation gain 873 metres
11.5km hike
Duration 3 hours to 3 hours 30 approx
Elevation gain 739 metres
Technical level: 2/5
Physical fitness required: 3/5 For hikers with experience.
Meet time: 8am Cuenca Bus Terminal, in front of Guayaquil ticket purchase counter (please be punctual) Sept 24. Back in Cuenca bus terminal approx 16h.
Price: Only $20 per person, includes public transport, gluten free snack. Price the same whether you do the full hike or the 11.5km hike.
Does not include: Clothing, equipment, insurance, lunch, hydration.
Transport: By bus
Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any injury of any kind on this experience.
ABOUT YOUR GUIDE
Mark has lived in seven countries including the US and Canada and has been in Ecuador since 2011. From London, in the UK, he has a degree in international tourism management and he is a qualified guide and speaks four languages. He has been a tour guide in France and Spain before taking groups out hiking in Ecuador.
