Tropic’s sister company Waponi our business incubator aimed at providing small community-based tourism initiatives in Ecuador and Peru with the market access and skills to compete and thrive. These businesses have sustainability at their core, adhere to high standards of environmental and socio-cultural respect, and have tourist and local population involvement.
Waponi sign an agreement with the Ministry of Environment and launched its first restaurant inside a Protected Area Called Nuna.
We are so excited about this venture that are now sendin our clients to have lunch after the train ride from Quito.
We are also exploring trekking possibilities in the region. We recently walked from El Boliche to Limpiopungo at the Cotopaxi National Park. AMAZING!
Destination Ecuador Trekking Programs
El Boliche National Recreation Area
Part of the attraction of the ‘El Boliche’ National Recreation Area is getting there. A picturesque two-hour train journey along the spine of the Ecuadorian Andes, passing through the spectacular ‘Avenue of the Volcanoes’, will leave the traveler at the El Boliche National Recreation Area. And as will soon become evident, the Reserve is located next to Mt Cotopaxi, a spectacular snow capped conical volcano, which at a height of 5897m.is the highest active volcano in the world. The train leaves from Quito’s Chimbacalle station.
Historical and Environmental Interpretation Centers close to El Boliche station contain information about the region, and many trails criss-cross the forests and valleys, leading hikers past volcanoes, lakes and a variety of interesting wildlife.
For those interested in hiking this magnificent terrain there are a number of appealing routes, including the Quishuar Trail, which takes around 40 minutes and passes many of the main attractions, and the Sufana Trail, which leads visitors towards the Rumiñahui Volcano. There is space for camping at the Sufana lookout, which is a 30 minute walk from the entrance. Hikers will be rewarded with spectacular views across the forests and towards Mt. Cotopaxi. From here the trail continues for another two hours towards Mt. Rumiñahui volcano.
For bird watchers the pine and cypress forests surrounding the area’s lakes are full of varieties such as the variable hawk, the band tailed pigeon, the tawny antpitta, and the fawn breasted tanager. Plenty of mammals also inhabit the area, including white tailed deer, red brocket deer and the opossum. Rarer species include pumas and Andean foxes, which can grow to 1.2 meters long, including the tail.
This part of the mountains is known for being wet year round due to the mists that condense and fall as a form of permanent drizzle. Visitors should bring warm clothing as the temperature averages 8°C, and make sure they have food and water with them as these are not available once in the Recreation Area. Information about staying in the cabins is provided at the entrance. Warm sleeping bags are essential if staying the night.
Highlights:
The train ride to the Reserve through the Avenue of the Volcanoes is unique,
Birdwatching is one of the Reserve’s highlights, as well as the spectacular views of the surrounding volcanoes.
Climate:
The Park averages a chilly 8°C year round. August is the driest month, while March-May and October are the wettest.
What to bring:
Warm clothing.
Rain poncho or waterproof jacket.
Sun screen.
Waterproof shoes/boots.
Sunglasses.
Hat.
Binoculars for bird watching.
A warm sleeping bag and plenty of food and drinking water if planning an overnight stay.
How to get here:
From Quito, the El Boliche train leaves from the Chimbacalle station in the south centre of the capital. The Recreation Area station is next to the interpretation centre. El Boliche can also be reached by the Panamerican Highway between Quito and the city of Latacunga; a well maintained and sign posted secondary road leads directly into the area.
The area by numbers:
• 3,704: The highest point, in meters, of the Recreation Area.
• 1928: The year in which El Boliche ceased to form part of the Romerillos Hacienda, and became public land.
• 8: The average annual temperature in °C.
