Cajas National Park Hike: Best One Day Trip from Cuenca, Ecuador
A day hike in Cajas National Park is one of the best things you can do while visiting UNESCO city Cuenca. Our Cajas National Park travel guide includes tips on how to get there from Cuenca, what to pack, how much things cost, or where to stay - we've got you covered.
When we arrived in Cuenca, on the first day we explored the beautiful UNESCO city (the city center is considerably small) and the next day we took a trip to ancient Canari and Inca ruins of Ingapirca.
As we were slowly getting ready to cross borders from Ecuador to Peru, we were undecided (and admittedly a bit lazy) on what to do on the third day of our stay.
As there are plenty of things to do in Cuenca, one of the options was to spend the day strolling around the town and enjoying a day off as the time on the road started to take a toll on us.
The better alternative was to experience the great Ecuadorian outdoors and take a trip to the Andes mountains, in particular to Cajas National Park.
As we are avid hikers, our outdoorsy souls did not allow us to rest and miss this opportunity, especially after hearing only words of praise for the Cajas National Park.
Hiking in Cajas National Park was, in the end, a great decision and one of the best places we visited in Ecuador.
Even though the weather forecast didn't look promising, we spent there a perfect day full of wonderful views, photogenic landscapes, away from the crowds.
Cajas National Park is one of the best day trips from Cuenca, but thanks to the high altitude, cooler and often rainy weather, and the vastness, it is still not that famous and frequently visited.
This is why we were not sure what to expect as, at the time of our visit, we could not find that much information that would provide us with answers we had before the one-day trip.
Ecuador has many stunning national parks, but keep on reading if this one is on your Ecuador travel itinerary. And even if it’s not yet, our blog post might change your mind.
Our Cajas National Park hiking guide includes all the practical tips on what to pack, how to register, how to get there from Cuenca, and overall, how to explore this tundra-like region featuring deep valleys and high mountains.
CAJAS NATIONAL PARK
Only about 30 kilometers from Cuenca or an hour ride by bus (surprisingly, we didn't stop many times along the way), you can find an absolute paradise featuring deep valleys, green hills, jagged peaks, lakes, unique flora and fauna, and this combination makes it a haven for hiking.
Cajas in Quechuan language means Cordillera, which probably says it all.
There are about 270 lakes and lagoons in Cajas National Park, and the altitude of the park reaches up to 4450 meters, so do not get surprised if it feels harder to breathe.
The lowest elevation in the park is actually 3100 meters, so you should be well-acclimated, but more about it later.
Hiking in Cajas NP became quickly one of our favorite things to do while visiting Ecuador, together with hiking around Cuicocha Lagoon near Otavalo and trekking Quilotoa Loop.
The high grassland ecosystem is dominant in this area, making the park so special. Make sure you'll follow only the official trails to keep this magical place in the world for future generations.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE HIKING IN CAJAS NATIONAL PARK
Cajas National Park is a special place. After seeing one photo from the park, you might get an instant urge to travel there immediately.
But do not rush into it.
High altitude, changeable weather conditions, or park rules are some of the important things you need to know and consider before your trip.
We've put together things we think you should know before visiting Cajas National Park - if we were you, we would not skip this part as good planning is a key to a successful trip.
ALTITUDE
One of the most important things to know is that the park lies at a high altitude. Before hiking in Cajas National Park, we had already known what to expect as we had on our itinerary Quilotoa Loop.
In Colombia, we were also hiking in Los Nevados National Park. No one knows how your body will react in the high altitude, but you can at least eliminate the danger of altitude sickness when you follow certain rules.
You will depart from Cuenca (2500m) and arrive at the visitor's center, a starting point for most hikes, at 3920m.
A proper acclimatization before hiking in the park is essential so you won't have headaches and will enjoy the day to the fullest. Staying hydrated is very important at this altitude as well.
Also, some people might get tired faster than others due to the fact that there is less oxygen to breathe.
Walk slowly, take your time, and most importantly, enjoy the beautiful scenery.
If you arrive at Cuenca from the Galapagos Islands, you might need an extra day for proper acclimatization.
We spent a few days in Riobamba and acclimatized while biking and hiking Chimborazo, home to the highest peak of Ecuador.
WEATHER IN CAJAS NATIONAL PARK
Remember that the weather in the park is unpredictable, and it's better to come prepared - it rains a lot in Cajas National Park.
This is something no traveler likes to hear, but to us, it just seemed that the moody weather perfectly fits the landscape, and the constant game of light and shadows was stunning. And at the end of the day, there's no bad weather, but bad clothing and attitude.
We had sun, blue skies, and dark clouds while in the park for a few hours, and rain and thunderstorm on the way back to Cuenca, but by that time, we sat on the bus and did not mind.
Due to the high altitude, Cajas National Park's weather is often cold, not freezing though, wet, muddy, and the clouds often roll over hills.
It is always worth it to check the weather forecast before the trip and dress accordingly.
The dry season in Ecuador lasts from June to September, but it can rain any time of the year.
TRAILS
Cajas National Park is a hikers' paradise. There were eight well-signposted trails at the time of our visit, but the number grows every year thanks to park rangers' efforts, and travelers now can choose from 15 hikes.
Some of them are very short, only several hundred meters, which is great for visitors who want to be in nature, but their physical ability does not allow them more challenging hikes.
On the other hand, one of the longest trails have almost 20 kilometers, but it requires camping along the way.
If in doubt which trail is the best for you, ask the guy in the visitor's center; he will help you decide which track to choose. Always consider your level of fitness, how much time you have, and current weather conditions.
We didn't get any paper map, but there is a big map hanging on the office's wall, and you are free to take a photo of it. We have opted for trail number 2 that was marked with green markers and green paint on the rocks along the way.
It's almost impossible to get lost. As a matter of fact, the park even developed its own mobile app that is well-designed, and you can find there maps and all up-to-date information for your upcoming trip.
The app is called Parque Nacional Cajas.
PARK RULES, REGISTRATION, AND ID
One of the most important things to know before visiting Cajas National Park?
You should register and present a valid ID upon your check-in at the visitor's center. This is where the bus from Cuenca stops, so no worries that you would miss it.
We didn't know about this rule and arrived at the park without any personal documents (it was not a problem at the end, but you never know who will be sitting behind the desk).
Registration is required before entering the park for your safety. You also have to inform the park ranger which trail you will take and how long you'll approximately stay in the park.
You don't need a naturalist guide if your group is smaller than seven people.
It is better to arrive in the park in the morning to have enough time for hiking.
Not only the weather is usually more stable than in the afternoon, but there is also a daily limit on the number of visitors, so it is possible that you won't be allowed to enter the park later in the afternoon.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
The park is open every day from 8 AM till 4:30 PM, and if you plan on camping in the park, you should not start later than at 4 PM.
At the moment, there's no entrance fee, which means that visiting Cajas National Park is a great budget-friendly activity. Overnight camping costs $4.
Near the visitors center is also a restaurant, cafe, and toilets. We found the restaurant quite overpriced. They ask around $10 for a simple local meal, so it is good to pack a snack.
The restaurant complex is also a place where you can wait for the bus back to Cuenca.
CAJAS NATIONAL PARK HIKE
We took the bus from Cuenca, and the bus dropped us off at the visitors center, where we registered, though we did not know we need to bring our ID with us (a photocopy will do).
Fortunately, the ranger was tolerant (also, we remembered our passport numbers), and we did not have to turn back to Cuenca.
We decided to hike number 2, and if you're looking for a great moderately hard half-day hike with stunning views, this is your best option, and we highly recommend it to you.
The only catch of this trail is that you have to walk about 1.5km along the main road (Guayaquil direction) with the traffic, which was not heavy, though. Approximately after 20 minutes, you will find a small green marker on the roadside, and this is the place where you turn right.
From this point, we started climbing slowly through the fascinating paramo landscape and made several stops to catch our breath.
The scenery was literally breath-taking, and after some time, the trail became steeper and sharply turned uphill.
Then we made it to the top, where the other side of the valley opened, and we could see even more lakes and tarns. We carried on the trail along the ridge.
We didn't meet many people along the way, but we have a funny story to share despite this fact.
Martin wanted to take a picture of me from above, so he went ahead, and I waited on the rock on the lower viewpoint.
When he finished, I followed him and when I got to the place where we could view both sides of the valley I came to a very unusual scene: a naked man sitting on the rock and Martin taking pictures of him. He turned out to be a guy from Israel who takes his nude photos from all places he visits (he doesn't share them online, though).
The word you are looking for is anyway.
Finally, we reached the highest point, Cerro San Luis, at the altitude of 4267m and then started to descend back to the lake, and from there, we walked straight to the visitor's center.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
When visiting Cajas National Park, make sure your travel insurance also covers high altitude hiking.
Travel smarter and safer!
HOW TO GET TO CAJAS NATIONAL PARK FROM CUENCA
The easiest way to get to the Cajas National Park is by bus, assuming you plan on traveling independently.
First, you need to get to the terminal from Cuenca's center, where your hotel is most likely located. The walk takes anything between fifteen or twenty minutes, but you can take a cab that saves a lot of time.
From the bus terminal Terrestre in Cuenca, catch an Occidental bus - you can buy your ticket at booth number 40.
Buses leave every morning at 7:00, 8:00, 9:15, and so on; they are quite frequent. It's always better to ask at the station as the departure times might change. There was a helpful lady in the info center who spoke English well, and she provided us with all information needed.
The ticket costs $2, and the bus will drop you off at the visitors center in Cajas National Park. The ride took less than an hour, and it was an enjoyable ride.
If you do not feel like traveling alone, do not want to travel by public transport, or simply want to get to know the area better with a knowledgeable guide, check out this well-rated Cajas National Park Full-Day Tour from Cuenca.
HOW TO GET BACK TO CUENCA
Getting back from Cajas National Park to Cuenca is easy, even though there's no proper bus terminal. First of all, you can't buy a return ticket at the bus station in Cuenca because you cannot in advance know which bus will take you back.
There is only one official bus stop in the park on the main road in front of the visitors center. All you need to do is wave at the bus going in the Cuenca direction, and it will take you back to the bus terminal.
The price of the ticket is the same, $2.
Buses pass the bus station quite regularly; we waited less than 10 minutes at the bus stop.
WHAT TO PACK
As we've already mentioned, Cajas National Park is known for the extreme weather that can literally change every second. If you plan on hiking here, do not underestimate your clothing, the key to success lies in layers.
Wear sturdy hiking boots, as trails can often be muddy and wet.
Bringing a rain jacket, rain poncho, and any extra warm layer such as a fleece jacket is necessary. We also wore leggings and outdoor hiking pants.
If the weather on the day of your visit is nice and warm, we would still have these items safely stored in the backpack.
Ensure you have strong sunscreen even if the sky is cloudy and lip balm to protect your lips from sun and wind.
A reusable water bottle should already be a standard for hiking in the mountains.
If you are not sure what to pack for South America travels, check out our South America Packing List.
ACCOMMODATION IN CUENCA
It is a great idea to make Cuenca your base for exploring Cajas National Park because the city is beautiful and there are plenty of things to do.
The best option is to find a hotel in the historic center - you'll be close to the best sights, and the bus terminal for one-day trips will always be within walking distance.
We've handpicked the three best hotels for every budget with great reviews to ensure your stay in Cuenca will be unforgettable.
Budget | Check Inn Bed and Breakfast - Close to the city center, this cheap hostel offers basic but clean rooms, fully equipped kitchen, breakfast every morning and great views from the rooftop.
Mid-range | Siena Hotel - Reasonably priced hotel which offers the best value for your money in Cuenca. Comfortable beds, excellent breakfast, and a great atmosphere are the main reasons why to stay here.
Luxury | Hotel Boutique Santa Lucia - Colonial boutique hotel set in the heart of Cuenca offers beautifully decorated rooms, superb breakfast, and exceptional service. If you want to enjoy your stay in Cuenca to the fullest, this is the place to stay.
We loved hiking in Cajas NP and would appreciate if you let us know in the comments below, when anything changes, so the article will stay up to date for other readers and avid hikers.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
