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A calm lake with a tree reflection, surrounded by mountains and clear skies. 1
A lake surrounded by mountains and grassy terrain. 2
A group of llamas near a lake with mountains in the background. 3
Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca 4
Cajas National Park tour - Toreadora Lake 5

Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca

By Cuenca Bestours Tour Operator
10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
Free cancellation available
Price is AU$69 per adult
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 8h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Selective hotel pickup
  • Multiple languages

Overview

Explore the wild beauty of Cajas National Park, one of Ecuador’s most remarkable Andean landscapes. Located just outside Cuenca, this protected area is home to glacial lakes, páramo grasslands, primary cloud forest, and the rare Polylepis Forest, creating an ideal setting for nature lovers, hikers, and photographers. This full-day experience includes a guided hike along scenic trails shaped by mist, mountains, and crystal-clear lagoons, plus time for lunch along the route. Learn about the park’s fragile ecosystems and its importance as a major water source for Cuenca and southern Ecuador while enjoying fresh mountain air, biodiversity, and breathtaking views in a responsible way.

  • Real hiking experience through cloud forest, páramo, lagoons, and Polylepis Forest
  • More immersive than a simple viewpoint stop or short roadside walk
  • Chance to observe llamas, hummingbirds, and unique highland birdlife
  • Optional lunch featuring fresh trout farmed in the surrounding area

Activity location

  • Cuenca
    • Cuenca, Ecuador

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Cuenca
    • Cuenca, Ecuador

Check availability

Full Day Private tour

  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • English

Duration: 8 hours
Lunch included
Pickup included

Price details
AU$199.35 x 1 AdultAU$199.35
Total
Price is AU$199.35

What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    Lunch with trout option (IF SELECTED during the booking process)
  • Inclusions
    All taxes, fees and handling charges
  • Inclusions
    Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off
  • Inclusions
    Naturalist Tour Guide
  • Inclusions
    Transport by private vehicle
  • Exclusions
    Service charge (Optional)

Know before you book

    • Not recommended for travellers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Public transport options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Travellers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • A minimum of 2 people is required to operate shared tours. We reserve the right to cancel the tour if there are not at least 2 participants.
    • Bookings made 48 hours prior to the tour are subject to guide availability.
    • For Shared Tours hotel pickups commence prior to this time, exact pickup time will be advised on reconfirmation.
    • Vegetarian/Vegan/Gluten-Free/Lactose-Free options are available, please advise at the time of booking if required.
    • For 1 to 6 passengers, a bilingual guide will also be the driver. For more than 6 passengers, a driver and a bilingual guide will be provided. Max group size 15 travellers.

Activity itinerary

Cuenca

  • 1h
Your Cajas National Park tour begins with a scenic drive from Cuenca into the western Andes. As the city gives way to mountain landscapes, your guide will introduce the park’s páramo ecosystem, its glacial lakes, and its importance as a protected water source for southern Ecuador. Cajas is part of the Macizo del Cajas Biosphere Reserve, recognised by UNESCO in 2013.

Mirador Tres Cruces

  • 30m
  • Admission ticket included
Our first stop is Tres Cruces, one of the most impressive viewpoints in Cajas National Park. This area marks the continental water divide, where rainfall flows either towards the Amazon Basin or towards the Pacific Ocean. We will take a short walk nearby to enjoy the highland scenery, dramatic mountain views, and the fresh air of the Andean páramo.

Laguna La Toreadora

  • 30m
  • Admission ticket included
We continue to the Toreadora Refuge, the main access point to Cajas National Park and one of its most visited areas. Located beside Toreadora Lake, this stop offers beautiful views of the surrounding wetlands, hills, and native vegetation. The area is also an ideal place to understand how the park’s lakes and sponge-like páramo help regulate water for Cuenca.

El Cajas National Park

  • 3h
  • Admission ticket included
From Toreadora, we begin a guided hike along Route 1, a moderate 3-hour trail through páramo grasslands, wetlands, rocky paths, and high-altitude lagoons. The guide will adjust the pace to the group, making the experience comfortable while taking time to enjoy the views, observe unique native flora, and possibly spot local bird species such as the beautiful blue Tit-like Dacnis, highland hummingbirds, and other Andean birds. Unlike a simple sightseeing visit, this tour is designed to experience Cajas on foot, with meaningful stops along the route to appreciate the park’s geology, biodiversity, and quiet mountain landscapes.

Bosque Mágico de Polylepis

  • 20m
During the hike, we will visit the Polylepis Forest, one of the most unique environments in the park. These remarkable high-altitude trees, known for their thin, layered bark, create a rare and peaceful forest landscape surrounded by mountains and lagoons. Walking through this ancient-looking forest can feel like stepping into a scene from The Lord of the Rings, with twisted trees, soft moss, and misty Andean scenery. Your guide will explain why this ecosystem is so important for biodiversity and conservation in the Andes.

Entrada Parque Nacional Cajas

  • 1h
  • Admission ticket not included
After the hike, we will enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant near the park. Trout is the local speciality and a favourite option after walking through the cool highlands, while vegetarian and vegan options are also available. This stop adds a warm cultural touch to the day and supports local businesses connected to the communities around Cajas National Park.

Cuenca

  • 45m
After lunch, we return comfortably to Cuenca, completing a full-day experience that goes beyond a quick viewpoint stop. With guided hiking, scenic landscapes, local insight, and time to connect with the park’s ecosystems, this tour offers a deeper and more active way to experience Cajas National Park.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Cuenca
    • Cuenca, Ecuador

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Cuenca
    • Cuenca, Ecuador

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