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Tour Itinerary

Day One:
Pick up from Quito at 8am, arriving at the trailhead at 10.30am. Two hour guided hike through the forest to the lodge. You will climb 500 metres in altitude and be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views.  After lunch you can relax or choose between hiking to three waterfalls through beautiful primary forest (three hours round trip,) or a shorter circular hike taking in the orchid garden, giant tree swing with an explanation of Santa Lucía's conservation and sustainability projects. After dinner there is the option of a night walk to see and hear the sounds of nocturnal animals and birds of prey.

Day Two:
Options include:

• early morning hike to the Andean Cock of The Rock lek (mating ritual) leaving at 4am, returning to lodge at 9.30am
• full day hike to the highest point in the reserve
• hike to panela (sugar) making workshop (not always in production) - 90 minutes
• hike through primary forest to three mountain waterfalls (three to four hour round trip)
• circular hike taking in the orchid garden, giant tree swing and explanation of Santa Lucía's projects - 90 minutes
• relaxing in the hammocks and enjoying the spectacular panoramic views

Day Three:
After breakfast hike down through the forest passing through the banana plantation with shade grown coffee trees, to the Umachaca River where you can walk upstream to a waterfall which cascades into a beautiful pool (seasonal option depending on the flow of the river.) A good spot for your box lunch. Then take the pre-Inca trail, used by the Yumbo people as a trade route, through an area of pristine primary forest, passing by two more waterfalls and an area of gorgeous tree ferns (helechos gigantes ). Much of the trail is in the form of a deep trench called a "culunco,'' made by the Yumbo people - look out for tracks of wild pigs and the elusive Puma. The trail opens out into lush meadow with fantastic views of the river below. A car will be waiting for you at 2pm to take you back to Quito.