The Trails & Their History

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   This extinct volcano offers many trails that take you through different ecosystems from the panoramic, inter-Andean valley, to the rainy cloud forest.  Most of these trails have been established by the people that habituated this 2500 yr old crater.  It is very likely that the Yumbos were the first to travel through this land about 1000 years ago as commercialist between the coast and the highlands. The most important Yumbo site recently discovered in Tulipe is 29 km to the southwest of the Pululahua.  It is connected to this crater through trails that cross the Santa Lucia Reserve and the Maquipucuna Reserve. The Caranquis were also near this crater at 15 km to the north east with a pyramid in Alance, this pyramid is also connected to this crater through very old trails that cross the Rio Guallabamba. The Incas also used these trails is their infiltration into the Yumbo and Caranqui civilizations.  The Spanish used the same Yumbo trails in their multiple attempts to conquer the Yumbo country, and the province of Esmeraldas. Many of these trails are still used today but most of them have been destroyed by the construction of roads.

   There are many fortresses called Pucaras constructed around this area, these were used as strategic monitoring hills, some of them as ceremonial sites, and others as observatories especially for the sun. The closest one is Rumicucho at only 6.5 km to the north east; there is also the Portalanza fortress (identified by Ronald D. Lippi) at the boundaries of the Pululahua Reserve at 9 km to the north, and there are other fortresses such as La Marca, Trigoloma, Guallabamba (studied by A Fresco and Plaza) within a 10 km radius of the crater. 

   The most interesting archeological site near the Pululahua Crater is Catequilla Mountain which is next to the Rumicucho Fortress. This site of unknown origin, is the true Mitad del Mundo and was probably built by the Caranquis 1000 years ago.  The equatorial line crosses this site with exact precision that could only be confirmed lately with the aid of the Global Positioning Satellites.  More information about this subject is studied by the Quitsato Project.

   We have a trail map so you can guide yourself through most trails.

Water Trail

     This well maintained trail goes past El Chivo (The Goat), which is a lava dome, then continues to higher mountain where the fog meets the paramo to produce year round water run-offs that provide water to the crater valley.  Allow 2 hours. Click here to see more pictures.

Hot Water Springs

  This trail takes you around the Pondoña hill, a lava dome, and down to a small natural hot water springs surrounded by a rainy cloud forest.  There is also a small river nearby and abundant vegetation. Allow 4 hours. Click here to see more pictures.

Pailon Trail

  An extension of the Hot Water Springs trail which takes you deeper though the cloud forest to an area where the latest volcanic activity was seen about 35 years ago.  A great variety of orchids, bromeliads and wetland vegetation.  Allow 5 hours. Click here to see more pictures.

Pondoña Hill

  This trail takes you near the top of the Pondoña which is a lava dome formed 300 years after the eruption.  It is in the middle of the crater providing you a view of the crater valleys. Allow 3 hours. Click here to see more pictures.

Lulumbamba Trail

 A perfect nature hike for those who are looking for a challenge through the cloud forest.  There are great views, a great variety of orchids, bromeliads and fern trees.   Allow 6 hours. Click here to see more pictures.

RENT A GUIDE

We offer a guide to take you through the above trais for $6 per hour.

Rent a GPS with the Trails $15 per day with a Passport deposit.

 two Day History Review

After arrival and a welcome drink, we start our adventure with a four hour trek around the main central lava dome. The great diversity of this colapsed volcano becomes evident as we explore many microclimates as we do a complete circle. Upon our return lunch is served and an afternoon jacuzzi follows. A complete home style dinner awaits us for the evening. The next day we start early with a jeep ride of 10 km, which takes us to the back side of the pondoña hill and beyond the crater walls. We get dropped off near the old research station of Chaupisacha, where our walk begins. At this point the road turns into a trail in the midst of the cloud forest.  We descend slowly through the forest, where we can appreciate the richness of the soil, with its bounty of wild coffee plants, chirimoya trees, orchids, and avocado trees. At the distance, down a canyon and up a vertical wall, we see our final destination, which is a pre-Incan fortress (pucará). Later we descend 200 m through a steep and windy trail, which takes us to the Rio Blanco crossing.  After a short break, and a quick wash at the river bed, we begin our ascent, which magically takes us to an open field of tall grass. Here we see the details of this old fortress as we walk directly toward it. After a steep climb, we reach the magical top from where the indigenous people used to monitor any incoming enemies at great distances. The mountainous views are spectacular and free our imagination to ancient times.

After a quick rest and a nutritious lunch we begin our descent and head toward more cloud forest.  On our way we cross a large field of guayaba trees that suddenly open to a hidden and abandoned Spanish farm! The rock and limestone structure appears to be holding up well, while all of its wooden structures have rotted and disappeared.  A big oven at floor level seems very conspicuous. From the inside of the farm, we can see the indian fortress, as if this farm was built to guard over a graveyard of history.

We continue through the field of guayaba trees following a trail that leads to an oven ten times bigger than the one that had been built in the farm. The place is surrounded by avocado and orange trees.  The large structure built with rock and limestone also lines up with the old farm and with the pre-Incan fortress. We walk inside the oven and wonder what could such an evil thing do in a place so remote from civilization.  We explore deeper and find many strange rocks that have been cut for some mysterious purpose.  Further ahead we find the end of the walls of what appears to be a large building that continued through the back of the oven.  A few meters away we find the most spectacular rock bath - now we could almost see a big warrior being bathed by his concubines. 

We walk away from this mystery and climb out of the cloud forest wondering what really happened in this place.  The tiring climb is broken by the sight of our jeep that waits to take us back to the volcano.

Budget Traveler Package includes one night stay including dinner and jacuzzi, guided tour with lunch, jeep transportation to and from the site. Other transportation by public bus not included in package.
3 or more people $ 70 p.p.
2 people $ 85 p.p.
1 person $ 150

Full Package includes one night stay, including dinner and jacuzzi, guided tour, jeep transportation to and from the site, transportation by taxi or private car from Quito.
3 or more people $ 105 p.p.
2 people $ p.p.135
1 person $ 220

 three day CRATER EXPLORATION

This package includes the one day history review plus an additional day of guided trekking through the north edge of the crater walls.

On the second day we begin by foot exploring the agricultural front side of the crater as we walk toward the Pondoña Hill. A slow climb takes us to the foothills of the lava dome from where we can observe the entire front of the crater. Soon we lose sight of the fields as we enter a narrow trail that takes us down and around the north side of Pondoña. This trail, in some places up to 2.5 meter deep probably dates to the pre-inca times, and are commonly known as Culuncos.  The trail walls and the brush above provide shelter as we catch a glimpse of the crater-walls on the right and the Pondoña Hill on the left.  The trail ends on an open field where a new trail in a red like earth begins to climb one of the crater walls to the north.  We ascend through this trail to find that again that we are traveling through a narrow culunco of ancient use.

As we climb we see a change in vegetation, as the likens and green moss start to cover the trees along the path.  The heavy vegetation opens from time to time to give us a glimpse of the crater geological structure that we are leaving behind.  As we get closer to the top (3000 m) the moss, the bromeliads, the lichens, and the orchids seem to have taken possession of the tress.  The most beautiful orquids (Cyrtochilum macranthum) appear hanging from the trees as to decorate them in return for their kindness.  We take a small detour to the right and walk through the thickets part of the forest surrounded by hanging moss and a mysterious fog.  The narrow path leads to an open dirt road following the crater walls to the east and overlooking to the mountains and valleys to the north.  From this high area we can see small valleys with large hills where the local people struggle to live from farming. At the distance we spot very large flower plantations which provide most of the jobs for this area.  After a lunch break overlooking this large agricultural area, we continue to the west in the search of a small trail that cuts through the thick forest that leads us back to the crater inside the volcano.

Budget Traveler Package includes two nights including dinner and jacuzzi, two days including lunch and breakfast, guided tours, jeep transportation to and from the site. Other transportation by public bus not included.
3 or more people $110 p.p.
2 people $135p.p.
1 person $225

Full Package includes two nights including dinner and jacuzzi, two days including lunch and breakfast, guided tours, jeep transportation to and from the site, transportation by taxi or private car from Quito.
3 or more people $145 p.p.
2 people $180 p.p.
1 person $300

 four day CRATER TREK

This package includes the one and two day treks plus an additional day of guided trekking through the south edge of the crater walls which end up on the mirador ready for your return trip.

On the third day we take the south walls of the crater and do a 4 hour trek climbing to the edge of the walls.  The trek begins at the hostal and goes towards the water trail passing by the old Hacienda Pululahua.  This old building was built by the Dominican Fathers who taught Catholicism and slaved the indigenous people for farming.

We continue through a small walking trail and climb to the foothill of El Chivo which is a small lava dome that can be quickly climbed to it’s top  overlooking the south side of the crater valley. On this foothill we find the  water supply tanks for the community of Pululahua.  This water is collected on the nearby hills and brought by underground hoses.  After a short break we continue up a very steep climb towards the east crater walls. As we get higher we see the change in vegetation which is typical of the crater Geobotanical Reserve. After some difficult terrain we reach the top of the first hill and find an old path that climbs slowly through the edge of the west crater wall.  This trail which follows the edge of the walls gives us a great opportunity to see the crater valley and many of it’s structures, we also encounter beautiful orchids such as the Odontoglossum hallii and large lichens.

Near the top of the trail we encounter a water tank and later we cross multiple hoses and smaller tanks.  This network of tanks and hoses collect the water from these hills for the community of Caspigasi. The trail starts to descend and narrows to a rock path cut on the hill. We go through heavy vegetation overlooking the crater valley to the north. The amazing trail follows the rugged terrain and takes us to the park entrance called el Mirador.

Budget Traveler Package includes three nights including dinner and jacuzzi, three days including lunch and breakfast, three guided tours, jeep transportation to and from the site. Other transportation by public bus not included in package.
3 or more people $155 p.p.
2 people $180 p.p.
1 person $300

Full Package includes three nights including dinner and jacuzzi, three days including lunch and breakfast, three guided tours, jeep transportation to and from the site, transportation by taxi or private car from Quito.
3 or more people $190 p.p.
2 people $230 p.p.
1 person $375.
 

 Five Day Pre-Inca Nature Trail

If you love nature and trekking we offer you the most spectacular five day and five night nature trail. On the first day we explore ancient trails, and a thermal springs on the north side of the crater. The second day we descend through the Pulullahua Reserve to an undiscovered archeological site at the outskirts of the Park Reserve. The third day we ascent from 1500 m to a 3000 m mountain top, where you can see most of the volcanos with a 360 degree breathtaking view.  The fourth day we descend through a protected primary cloud forest to 1200 m and stay at a birdwatcher´s paradise lodge.  The fifth day includes a visit to an orchidarium, a bath at a crystalline river, and return to Quito.

Budget Traveler Package include 13 meals, four nights, guide, transportation from Santa Lucia to Nanegalito, other transportation by public bus not included in package.
3 or more people $275 p.p.
2 people $315 p.p.
1 person $450

Full Package include 13 meals, four nights, guide, all transportation included in package.
3 or more people $300 p.p.
2 people $ 360 p.p.
1 person $535.