The Parque Nacional Cajas (Cajas National Park) is located in the Ecuadorian Andes, an approximate 30 — 45 minute drive from Cuenca, Ecuador, which makes it an easy day trip from the city. We decided to take the bus which leaves from the Transporte Occidental bus stop approximately every hour. Getting to the bus terminal is an easy cab ride costing about $2.50 US. The bus is an even better deal at $1.50 US for the 45 minute ride.
The roads are well maintained and you can get a good view of local lifestyle along the way. Closer to the city, new construction sits shoulder to shoulder with crumbling buildings and small farms in vary degrees of use. Further into the mountains, farms perch on steep inclines that look a little like ski slopes. As the bus made the grinding climb through the mountains, I was surprised to see farm animals grazing on the steep slopes. (Is that a goat? No, it’s a cow. How is it eating let alone hanging on?)
The bus dropped us at the ranger station where we were immediately greeted by a Llama. So far so good.
We checked in at the ranger station, and the ranger told us that there were 2 basic trails: the easy Trail #1 that loops around the lake, and the more challenging Trail #2 the climbs to the nearby summit. The ranger recommended Trail #1 for those that were not acclimated to the 11,500 feet in altitude, as it was the “facil” (easy) trail. Trail #2 reportedly takes you up a steep mountain and requires “technique” in order to make it up and then down the 60% grade. Feeling like our technique and acclimation were both in question we opted for trail #1.
The entire hike took us about three hours. There were some great views along the way, and I have to say that the ranger’s description of the trail as “easy” was true in most sections.
The parts that had us hopping rock to rock over streams, crashing through thickets and sliding down muddy steep trails lined with spiky plants were not so easy. Particularly when it began to rain. (All of this made me all the more impressed with the cows)
Despite that it was a lot of fun and we were rewarded with great views and justification for a big dinner when we made it back to Cuenca.
The return trip is accomplished by either sitting at the bus stop by the ranger station or just flagging down any bus that is happening by on the road. We were able to hop on a “luxury” bus that actually had a movie playing for our trip back — also costing $3 for the two of us.
In summary — great views, a cheap date, a sense of accomplishment, justification for a huge dinner, and llamas. What more do you need?
For more information about Cajas you can visit the National Park website here: Cajas National Park
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Amazing, wish it was me travelling around there!
I would recommend it if you get the chance!
What beautiful photos! Love reading about your experiences so far!
Thanks for the comment! Heading to Quito, Ecuador next . . .
Great photos! So relieved you chose Trail #1. In some cultures, it seems there is a tradition of minimizing things (times, distances, amounts). When we were in Costa Rica, we asked how long of a walk it was to the ATM. “10 minutes” turned out to be almost an hour. Good thing they were serving cold beer next door to the ATM. Love your website. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences.
Costa Rica is on our list! As long as most of our problems are small enough that they can be overcome with a cold beer we should all be in good shape.
Impressive! Thanks for sharing!
This looks like an amazing national park! Llama’s and a cool purple cactus. My kiddos would love this.
Great info and beautiful pics. I’m in Cuenca at the moment waiting for the weather to clear up so I can make it to Cajas.
Great photos! I love that you saw a random llama. It always amazes me what wildlife is just common in other countries.
Anytime you’re greeted with a llama you know it’s going to be a good trip!
You had me at Llama lol
Looks like a great little day trip 🙂
I adore the beautiful photo of the purple cactus-looking plants! The easy trail looked like it provided a wonderful experience! Thanks for sharing!
That’s a beautiful place. I’m surprised that it doesn’t look anything like the Peruvian Andes…except for the llama 🙂
That looks like a fun hike to do. We’re you affected much by the altitude?
The altitude wasn’t too bad, as long as we took it slow. We always talk about hiking in altitude being just like normal hiking, except you’re breathing through a straw. 🙂
Thanks for this! I will pass it on to a friend headed to Cuenca next week! He’s the outdoorsy one and will love Cajas!
It sounds like a great walk. The landscape looks amazing.