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Full Day Papallacta Hot Springs Tour

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Must Visit City
Quito
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ANTISANA RESERVE PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS This program offers you the possibility to be in Antisana which is one of the most famous places to see 'paramo' birds and especially the biggest bird in the world, . .
Country: Ecuador
City: Quito
Duration: 1 Day(s) - 0 Night(s)
Tour Category: Relaxing
Package Itinerary

ANTISANA RESERVE & PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS

This program offers you the possibility to be in Antisana which is one of the most famous places to see 'paramo' birds and especially the biggest bird in the world, the Andean Condor. Papallacta is located in Cayambe - Coca Ecological Reserve, this protected area has approximately an area of 400,000 hectares (1 million acres) composed mainly of páramo, primary forests, rivers, and lagoons. It is considered one of the greatest protected areas since it has a big diversity of animals and plants in Ecuador.

ITINERARY

Early in the morning our guide will pick you up and travel to Antisana Ecological Reserve (1 hour from Quito), this reserve is one of the most famous places to see 'paramo' birds and especially the biggest bird of the world, the Condor Andino. Here we will visit Mica Lake to see grebes, ducks, coots, and many small birds. Box lunch on route and departure to Termas de Papallacta

In Papallacta we can walk through the trails of the area or we can rest and enjoy the hot springs and the thermolytic area (SPA) that this place offers.

The SPA's hydrotherapy area consists of five hot thermal pools and one cold pool. The Thermoludic Area is the ideal place to experience a variety of different hydro massages using either water jets or air bubbles.

THE RATES INCLUDE: Private transportation, bilingual naturalist guide, Box Lunch, entrance fees to Antisana Reserve, Area thermolytic (SPA)

DOES NOT INCLUDE: Soft and alcoholic drinks, any kind of massage at SPA, tips, and personal expenses.

KNOW MORE ABOUT PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS BEFORE VISIT:

The best hot springs near Quito lie about an hour outside of the city in the small town of Papallacta. This rural village lies along the dramatic E20 highway, immediately next to trailheads into the Cayambe-Coca National Park. On sunny or partly cloudy days, the drive can be stunning.

When people hear about Papallacta Hot Springs, their minds immediately turn to the most popular and oft-visited destination, Las Termas de Papallacta. While there are other establishments offering access to mineral springs, Las Termas de Papallacta has a consistent reputation for providing clean pools, quality service, and an exclusive spa setting for customers willing to pay a little more than public pool prices. Even if you are on a budget, Las Termas can be affordable. If you want to go a little cheaper, feel free to explore the various options in town.

Most visitors to Las Termas will head to the most affordable pools, a set of four large swimming pools that are both deep and wide. Priced economically for middle-class Ecuadorians, expect to pay an affordable price per person. Accordingly, it means on most weekends, especially holidays, these pools are packed with city dwellers escaping the rat race.

That said, these larger pools can handle a large number of visitors before they are overly crowded. But they rarely provide a sense of calm. Children are often running around and playing. Families gather in reunions and take over entire sections at a time.

Hiking Around Papallacta

Las Termas de Papallacta is located above the main town. That means it has direct access to hiking trails in a lovely mountain setting. The trails eventually lead into the Cayambe-Coca National Park. Two trails of immediate note are readily accessible from the parking lot.

First is the river trail. The short trail is an introduction to a unique habitat full of secretive birds and wild orchids. Furthermore, when the clouds clear and the sky opens up, the views from parts of the trail are magnificent.

The second trail goes up the mountain towards the National Park. Christian cross-planted on the hillside. From there, it is easy to see Antisana on a clear day. The volcano lords over the region, its snow-covered peaks shining starkly white in the late afternoon sun.

Each mountain ridge is highly defined by the lengthening shadows, a reminder that Papallacta is tucked deep into the Andes and though high in altitude, is not anywhere near as high as the surrounding peaks. It seems that one can always climb higher.

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