Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca

187 Reviews 4.96 out of 5 stars Based on 187 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Cuenca, Ecuador

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 16 (0) days in advance.

7 to 8 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Offered in: English
and 1 more
Spanish

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

What's Included

  • Lunch with trout option (IF SELECTED during the booking process)
  • All taxes, fees and handling charges
  • Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off
  • Gratuities (Optional)
See 2 moreSee 1 more

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

If your hotel or airbnb is not listed, please send that information after booking.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
Read more

Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free

Cuenca

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, recognized by UNESCO in 2013.
Read more

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Mirador Tres Cruces

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 toward the Amazon Basin or toward 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.
Read more

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Laguna La Toreadora

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.
Read more

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

El Cajas National Park

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.
Read more

3 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Bosque Mágico de Polylepis

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.
Read more

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Entrada Parque Nacional Cajas

After the hike, we will enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant near the park. Trout is the local specialty and a favorite 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.
Read more

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Cuenca

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.
Read more

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Show 6 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (-05).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-28838P17

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.96
187 reviews

Average 4.96 out of 5 stars based on 187 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
180
4 stars
7
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 16 (0) days in advance.

Similar Tours & Activities

Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory

Head through Cuenca historic district with a local expert that will show you the highlights including churches, beautiful historical buildings with wrought-iron balconies, and carved...

4 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
4 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
4 hours • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
4.9 (76)
from
$36.99

Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca

Discover the magic of Cajas National Park, one of the most beautiful places in South America, on a full day tour of approximately 7 hours....

7 to 8 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
7 to 8 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
7 to 8 hours • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
4.9 (224)
from
$48.89

Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca

Cajas National Park is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful natural places of Ecuador with more than 200 glacial lakes and a range of alternatives...

4 hours 20 minutesHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
4 hours 20 minutesHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
4 hours 20 minutes • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
5.0 (149)
from
$40.99

Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca

Discover the magic of Cajas National Park, one of the most beautiful places in South America, on a full day tour of approximately 7 hours....

7 to 8 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
7 to 8 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
7 to 8 hours • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
4.9 (224)
from
$48.89

Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca

Cajas National Park is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful natural places of Ecuador with more than 200 glacial lakes and a range of alternatives...

4 hours 20 minutesHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
4 hours 20 minutesHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
4 hours 20 minutes • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
5.0 (149)
from
$40.99

Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory

Head through Cuenca historic district with a local expert that will show you the highlights including churches, beautiful historical buildings with wrought-iron balconies, and carved...

4 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
4 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
4 hours • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
4.9 (76)
from
$36.99

What's Included

Activity name

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

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • 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 travelers.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
  • Operated by a business

Protecting you

Activity name

For your protection and stress-free bookings, use our secure platform to pay for bookings. Cuenca Bestours Tour Operator

Report Product Issue

Activity name

Language
Currency

Site Settings

Activity name

Currency

Activity name

Activity name

Free Cancellation

100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (-05).
  • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Sorting, ranking, and search results

Activity name

Cool Destinations wants to make your searches as relevant as possible. That's why we offer many ways to help you find the right experiences for you.

On some pages, you can select how to sort the results we display and also use filter options to see only those search results that meet your chosen preferences. You'll see explanations of what those sort options mean when you select them.

If you see a Badge of Excellence label, the award is based on average review ratings, share of bookings with a review, and number of bookings through Cool Destinations over a 12-month period.

The importance of any one factor over any other in a sort order varies, and the balance is constantly being reviewed and adjusted. We're always updating our systems and testing new ways to refine and improve your results to make them as relevant as possible to meet your needs.

Choose an option

Activity name

or

Cool Rewards Terms & Conditions

Activity name

Cool Rewards

  • Cool Rewards is a loyalty program operated by Cool Destinations. Rewards may be earned by any eligible person holding a Cool Destinations account, subject to the Cool Destinations customer Terms of Use.

Earning rewards

  • Rewards can be earned by making bookings on the Cool Destinations website. You will be able to see the value of the rewards you can earn during the booking process.
  • Earned rewards will be issued in a pending state and will move to a confirmed state 24 hours after the start time of the experience.
  • Earned rewards will be available to redeem once they are no longer in a pending state.
  • For bookings that are moved to a different travel date, the rewards will be redeemable after the amended travel date.
  • If a booking where rewards were issued is canceled, the earned rewards will not be redeemable and will be moved to a canceled state.

Redeeming rewards

  • To redeem rewards, you must be logged into your Cool Destinations account.
  • Any available rewards will be automatically applied the next time you make a booking, and their value will be deducted from your order at checkout, unless you choose not to apply them, which requires you to indicate this via the toggle switch. Bookings made using rewards are subject to the standard Cool Destinations Customer Terms of Use.
  • You will not be able to redeem only a portion of your available rewards at checkout. It is only possible to redeem all or none of your available rewards.
  • There is no minimum order value required to redeem your rewards. This means that you can pay for 100% of your order with rewards.
  • Rewards are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
  • If rewards are redeemed against a booking that is canceled or refunded, the rewards will be reissued to your account.

Miscellaneous

  • You can check your Cool Destinations account to see the rewards you have collected at any time. You are responsible for ensuring that your rewards balance is correct.
  • We reserve the right to modify these Cool Rewards Terms and Conditions at any time, with or without notice, including the rules for earning and redeeming rewards. Any changes will be reflected in the updated Terms and Conditions.
  • We reserve the right to terminate the Cool Rewards program and cease issuing any further rewards on future bookings. All pending and available rewards balances will be honored.
  • By earning and redeeming rewards, you agree to these Terms and Conditions, as well as any subsequent changes made to them.