THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Spend a day above Cuenca walking between high Andean lakes, Polylepis woodlands and the Tres Cruces viewpoint. This guided tour covers photography stops, a 2.5–3.5 hour hike at ~3,900–4,160 m, and a local lunch at Hosteria Dos Chorreras.
Spend a day above Cuenca walking between high Andean lakes, Polylepis woodlands and the Tres Cruces viewpoint. This guided tour covers photography stops, a 2.5–3.5 hour hike at ~3,900–4,160 m, and a local lunch at Hosteria Dos Chorreras.
A cool wind pushes across the high grass as your minivan climbs out of Cuenca and into the páramo. By the time you step at Tres Cruces (around 4,160 m) the sky has a hard clarity; rock and peat look sharp, and the markers for ancient pathways seem to point the way. The guide sets the pace here — camera-ready stops, a short history of local use, then down to Laguna Toreadora.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Turibus Cuenca / Cuenca City Tour · Cuenca, Azuay
A cool wind pushes across the high grass as your minivan climbs out of Cuenca and into the páramo. By the time you step at Tres Cruces (around 4,160 m) the sky has a hard clarity; rock and peat look sharp, and the markers for ancient pathways seem to point the way. The guide sets the pace here — camera-ready stops, a short history of local use, then down to Laguna Toreadora.
Cajas is carved from glacial action: rounded ridges, shallow basins and hundreds of small lakes that gather on impermeable bedrock. Polylepis groves, those gnarled, papery-barked trees, hold moisture and birds where the open páramo does not. Indigenous communities and colonial-era mule tracks shaped many of the trails you follow today, and local hamlets still run small restaurants serving soups and stews warmed by fire.
Expect 2.5–3.5 hours of walking on uneven, often wet ground at roughly 3,900 m elevation — breath comes quicker, steps come slower. The route mixes peat boardwalks, rocky switchbacks and lakeside paths that demand steady footwear and layered clothing. Bring sun protection and water; afternoon cloud build-up is common, so plan for changing weather.
On a good day the lagoons mirror peaks; on a windy day the wind seems to try the soles of your boots. This is a day of wide light, compact ecosystems and clear, high-altitude hiking — practical, vivid, and decidedly different from coastal Ecuador.
The guided walk is typically 2.5–3.5 hours, spread around Laguna Toreadora, Polylepis forest and Lagunas Unidas within a 6–8 hour tour.
The route is rated easy-to-moderate, but the altitude can affect young children and older adults; consult your guide and consider acclimatization time.
Yes — the tour includes hotel or airport pickup, transport within the park and lunch at a local restaurant (Hosteria Dos Chorreras or similar).
Cajas can switch from sun to cloud and rain quickly; guides continue in light rain but tours may shorten in severe weather — bring rain gear and expect muddy trails.
Turibus Cuenca / Cuenca City Tour operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A cool wind pushes across the high grass as your minivan climbs out of Cuenca and into the páramo. By the time you step at Tres Cruces (around 4,160 m) the sky has a hard clarity; rock and peat look sharp, and the markers for ancient pathways seem to point the way. The guide sets the pace here — camera-ready stops, a short history of local use, then down to Laguna Toreadora.
A cool wind pushes across the high grass as your minivan climbs out of Cuenca and into the páramo. By the time you step at Tres Cruces (around 4,160 m) the sky has a hard clarity; rock and peat look sharp, and the markers for ancient pathways seem to point the way. The guide sets the pace here — camera-ready stops, a short history of local use, then down to Laguna Toreadora.
Cajas is carved from glacial action: rounded ridges, shallow basins and hundreds of small lakes that gather on impermeable bedrock. Polylepis groves, those gnarled, papery-barked trees, hold moisture and birds where the open páramo does not. Indigenous communities and colonial-era mule tracks shaped many of the trails you follow today, and local hamlets still run small restaurants serving soups and stews warmed by fire.
Expect 2.5–3.5 hours of walking on uneven, often wet ground at roughly 3,900 m elevation — breath comes quicker, steps come slower. The route mixes peat boardwalks, rocky switchbacks and lakeside paths that demand steady footwear and layered clothing. Bring sun protection and water; afternoon cloud build-up is common, so plan for changing weather.
On a good day the lagoons mirror peaks; on a windy day the wind seems to try the soles of your boots. This is a day of wide light, compact ecosystems and clear, high-altitude hiking — practical, vivid, and decidedly different from coastal Ecuador.