Day 1.-

Arrival in Quito. Welcome reception at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Meals: -/-/-.

Day 2.-

The adventure starts early in the morning, as soon as our guides pick us up to take us to this natural paradise. Just 30 minutes from the Aloag town, on the road to the coastal region of Ecuador, you will find the Bombolí Private Reserve which will welcome us in giving out a feeling of peace and tranquility. This feeling of peace goes along with the pure contact with nature that you will find only in a place such as this one.

Once we have arrived to the refuge house, the local family will give us a warm welcome. You will receive an introduction briefing by Oswaldito, where you will hear about their life in the mountain and also their complete dedication to protecting the forest. After this briefing, all the guests will have the opportunity to taste some delicious local delicacies like cheese, jams and caramel flavored cream, all of these products are completely made by the local family.

Once we have enjoyed this warming welcome, we will begin our excursion by visiting the gardens that are full of local plants like orchids, ferns, begonias, alders and much more. This visit will be done by walking around the refuge house while the host gives us some great information about the botanical and scientific aspects of this forest, also about his efforts to conserve this beautiful natural paradise located at 3200 meters above sea level. On this walk we will also visit the Orchids Nursery, which was completely built by Oswaldito so these plants can have their own home, many of the orchids found here are in a peculiar miniature size which can only be found here.

We continue our excursion towards the highlands of the forest so we can have the opportunity to visit a small Polylepis forest where you can admire all three-species found in Ecuador regarding that type of fauna. Next to this part of the forest we will also visit the family’s organic orchard where we can take a look at this unique idea of reutilizing old car tires to make them into flowerpots, the combination of this idea with the microclimates that are found in this area, it creates a space that is great for the growth of different edible plants like: lettuce, onions, mint, chamomile, carrots, lemon balm, lemon, cilantro, parsley, babaco, etc.

Following this visit, we will continue towards the upper part of the private reserve, we will walk through a trail surrounded by lots of trees and native plants of this area, also a wide variety of orchids. During this walk, we will hear from our guide an explanation of all the natural health benefits each one of these plants can give as a gift to us, this until we finally arrive to the “Primary Forest of Millenary Ferns”; these giant ferns will be the highlight of the beautiful scenery we will find here, along with a small but majestic waterfall that can be found here during winter season.

The beautiful landscape, natural richness and wide variety of ecosystems are all product of hard work during many years to protect and conserve this forest by its owners. This walk is of easy-medium difficulty and takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete, it´s a perfect way to walk into nature and get away from the hectic city life.

After this beautiful experience, we will return to the reserves main house so we can have a delicious lunch, made by Marianita, with organic products that in their majority have been harvested in this same reserve. If time allows it, we can relax right by the chimney drinking some hot Bombolí coffee before having to head to our hotel hacienda in Cotopaxi. Meals: B/L/D.

Day 3.-

After a delicious breakfast we will enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Hato Verde, while we drive to the impressive active volcano Cotopaxi (5.897 m. High). Our first stop will be at the Limpiopungo Lake, and during our stay at the National Park, we can do a moderated level of trekking. Also, we can see from the lake the silhouette of the Cotopaxi volcano. In this place has been reported the presence of waterfowls, wading birds, as well as other 15 migrant birds, which are very rare in the country such as the mandolin (Black-faced Ibis) with 100 members or less of this species remaining in this area. Along the road, you can see flocks of llamas among others. After lunch, we will return to the Hacienda in the afternoon. Meals: B/L/D.

Day 4.-

After Breakfast we will return to Quito. We will transfer you to your hotel or the airport. Meals: B/-/-.