Cuicocha Lake

Manolo Guerra

Cuicocha Lake, located at 10.170 ft / 3.100 m in Imbabura Province two hours north of Quito, is one of the most visited places of the northern highlands because of its scene beauty and all the tradition and culture of this beautiful spot of the Ecuadorian Andes.

This is a short but beautiful hike in one of the most gorgeous places of Imbabura, also known as the Lakes Province. Cuicocha Lake, is the ancient crater of Cotacachi Volcano, the highest point of Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve. The hike travel along the surrounding crater edge that shelters the lake getting to 3.500 m/11.480 ft at the highest point where we will have a beautiful view of the Yerovi and Wolf volcanic domes.

Once we finish the hike, we will visit Cotacachi to know the characteristic leather work of this small town,  and the Ponchos Plaza in Otavalo,  which is consider the largest artisans market in Latin America known for wonderful handmade arts and crafts. 

Distance: 13 km
$120.00 USD
Trekking
Fitness Level
Skill Level
Days

Servicio válido para 2023.

Tour Cuicocha Lake

INCLUDED

  • Transportation
  • Bilingual certified guide
  • Box Lunch for the hike
  • Supply of fresh, clean water
  • Cotacachi - Cayapas park fee and hiking permits 
  • Visit to Cotacachi and Plaza de Ponchos in Otavalo

 

NOT INCLUDED

  • Extra meals
  • Extra sports and alcoholic drinks
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips

REQUIRED

  • Day backpack (20 L)
  • Comfortable, warm clothing
  • Thermal gloves
  • Warm headwear
  • Waterproof hiking boots
  • Trekking poles
  • Rain jacket and pants
  • Cap, sunglasses and sun screen
  • Bottles or Camelbak to refill water for the hike
  • Change of clothes and shoes
  • Bathing suit, towel and sandals
  • Grooming kit

 

RECOMMENDED

  • Dry bag to protect electronic devices and personal stuff

 

CUICOCHA LAKE
DISTANCE TIME FITNESS LEVEL SKILL LEVEL HIGHEST ELEVATION LOWEST ELEVATION ELEVATION GAIN
13 km / 8.7 mi 5 hrs easy novice 3.460 m / 11.350 ft 3.100 m / 10.170 ft 550 m / 1.800 ft

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Before contracting services with TATOO EXPEDITIONS, please read our terms and conditions carefully:

CONTRACTING AND CANCELLATION POLICIES

DOCUMENTATION AND INFORMATION REQUIRED

When contracting a trip with TATOO EXPEDITIONS the following participant information and documentation is required:

REGISTRATION FORM:

After confirming the payment of the contracted services, you will receive an email with a link for the tour participant to complete the registration form. The registration form contains the participant’s personal, medical and emergency information, which must be filled out in order to participate in the tour with TATOO EXPEDITIONS.

If you want to save the registration form information for future events, you can register and create an account with TATOO EXPEDITIONS, otherwise you can do the whole process as a guest, but you must fill out the form with your data every time. If you created an account when paying for the services of TATOO EXPEDITIONS, enter it to fill out the registration form and register your data.

UNDERSTANDING OF RISK AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY

Together with the registration form you must read and accept the Understanding of Risk and Release of Liability document, which must be signed at the beginning of the tour.

PAYMENTS, RESERVATIONS AND CONFIRMATIONS

TOUR WITH FIXED DATES, PRIVATE TOURS OR CUSTOM TOURS

RESERVATIONS


A tour with a fixed date, private tour or custom tour can be booked up to 61 days before the start date of the tour with an advance payment of 50% of the total value quoted.

CONFIRMATIONS

To confirm a reservation for a tour with a fixed date, private tour or custom tour, the balance of 50% must be paid up to 60 days prior to the tour’s start date.

In case of contracting a tour with a fixed date, private tour or custom tour within 60 days prior to the start date of the same, 100% of the quoted value must be paid.

LAST MINUTE TOUR

A last-minute tour cannot be reserved, 100% of the quoted value must be paid.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS:

POLICY FOR CANCELLATION BY THE CUSTOMER

TOUR WITH FIXED DATES, PRIVATE TOURS OR CUSTOM TOURS

Any cancellation must be notified via email to info@tatooexpeditions.com. In case the client cancels the tour, a penalty of the tour price will be charged based on the following policies:

PENALTIES

A penalty will be charged if the tour has been canceled within:

  • 90 days or more: 15% of the total tour value
  • From 60 days to 89 days: 50% of the total tour value
  • From 30 days to 59 days: 75% of the total tour value
  • 30 days or less: 100% of the total tour value

LAST MINUTE TOUR

Any cancellation of a last-minute tour must be notified via email to info@tatooexpeditions.com. There is no return or exchange with other departures for cancellations of a last-minute tour.

TATOO EXPEDITIONS CANCELLATION POLICY:

All departures require a minimum of registrants to undertake the same, in case of not meeting the minimum or in case of cancellation due to force majeure by Tatoo Expeditions, the registration fees may be returned as a credit for future events or by bank transfer of according to what the client requests.

The tour will be reimbursed only and as long as TATOO EXPEDITIONS cancel the tour before its start due to unusual problems or external factors such as: adverse weather conditions, natural catastrophes, strikes, civil disorders, government restrictions or regulations, war, quarantine or others.

TATOO EXPEDITIONS acts directly as a Tour Operator and is responsible for the quality of the services that correspond to the logistics of the tour. However, there are third-party services that TATOO EXPEDITIONS contracts. From a wide range of tourist services, we have chosen the best quality and professional services, however, our responsibility is limited to the terms of the land transport companies, accommodation and food contracts.

TATOO EXPEDITIONS is not responsible for delays, inconveniences, accident expenses or mishaps of any kind, as a result of the total or partial negligence of third parties or causes beyond our control. All these expenses and losses must be borne by the passenger. We recommend that travelers obtain travel and personal insurance to cover these possible mishaps.

PARTIAL CHANGES OF ITINERARY AND CANCELLATION:

For TATOO EXPEDITIONS, safety and health are a priority in our programs. If the conditions of the climate, terrain, roads or other external factors that are under our control jeopardize the normal development of the planned activities, or if the clients are not in good health, physical or technical training; the guides and the agency reserve the right to modify the itinerary at any time in order to protect the integrity of the passengers. Likewise, the right is reserved, to replace the accommodation or means of transport and make changes to the itinerary when deemed necessary.

SURCHARGES

  • All of our multi-day tours include accommodations in double rooms, in case of requesting a single room a 30% surcharge will be made to the value of the tour.
  • Our guides are bilingual (Spanish and English), in case of requesting guides that speak German, Italian or French a 20% surcharge will be made to the value of the tour.

 

 

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