Polylepis Lodge Ecuador | 2 day Trip in the Moorlands

NOTE: The activities on Day 1 are optional. However we highly recommend this itinerary to maket the trip towards Polylepis Lodge smoother and more fulfilling.  

You will start the journey traveling north of Quito towards Carchi Province, where the lodge is located. The journey there take 5 hours, however you may make a stop at the Province of the Lakes for a full day tour to Otavalo or Cuichocha Lake.  The highway offers a lovely view passing through Calderón and Guayllabamba valleys. We will make short stop here to get a closer look to local culture. Passing through Cayambe we can get a sight of the snow-capped volcano (5,790 m.), the world highest point crossed by the Equator Line. Cayambe is also famous for its salt biscuits with “leaf cheese” and “manjar”, delicacy we can have a small taste of if you like to make stop. Taita Imbabura mount will welcomes us to its province where we will first head to the largest lake in Ecuador, the San Pablo. Afterwards, we will enter Otavalo City that holds the Indian Market every Wednesdays and Saturdays, an ancient tradition and cultural exchange site among the Otavalo community. We will then continue towards the peaceful Cotacachi Village, famous for its leather and meet the local craftsmen. After a last visit to the charming Cuicocha Crater Lake, we hit the road once more toward Polylepus Lodge in Carchi.

You will arrive to the lodge by nighttime, the perfect timing to settle in your room and go for a short guided night walk in the entrance of the forest. The road will be lighted by torches and this will be your first introduction to the ancient Polylepis forest.

After breakfast served with home-made bread at the table, get ready for your 1st hike through the the only Millennial Primary Polylepis Forest in the world. You will be provided with rubber boots for your walk and leaded by a local guide across the most striking Paramo location. This spot is home to the oldest Polylepis trees, which have glacial origin and can be from 2 to 4 million years old. After a walk across some lagoons and small cascades, you will shortly move on to a different ecosystem:  the Paramo of Frailejones, one of the most dream-like views of the Ecuadorian sierra. This forest is made up of Frailejones trees, an endemic species of the northern Andes that can grow up to 7 meters in height remain green all year round. The forest occupies 11.34 hectares; here you can find deer, wolves, reptiles, “curiquingues” (native birds to South America) and even condors. Immerse yourself in the mist of the sierra before heading back to the hotel for lunch, usually a fresh trout form the lodge’s fountain. Don’t forget to have a try of the unlimited warm Zunfo tea (moor energy drink) with or without liqueur before heading back to Quito.

NOTE: Polylepis Lodge also offers other amenities that you may choose and pay on site sucha as SPA services and native massage.