Ecuador Andes Adventure...Cotapaxi

Secret Garden Cotapaxi

We spent our last night in Quit at Secret Garden Hostel. Located near old town, this funky place with friendly staff and a great roof top pub is the place to be...also, they provide a shuttle to Cotapaxi Secret Garden hostel too.  http://secretgardencotopaxi.com/
This hotel is located a good hour drive from Quito and has a beautiful view of the Cotapaxi volcano ...at nearly 20,000 feet and still active..last activity was in 2015.

Cotapaxi

A few happy guys

Secret Garden offers an arrival hike to a local waterfall. The next day you can choose a hike to various volcanoes, horse back riding or mountain biking.

We hiked with a group up to the summit of Ruminahui Volcano at about 13,800 feet abs. Short of breath but we made it to the top.

There were even wild horses running around. Great views the whole time.

Secret Garden

Great volunteer staff, good food and a fine place to just chill.
Next stop...heading to Quilotoa. To get there, we take a bus to Latagunca. Taking the bus in Ecuador is an experience. No real bus stops..just wave down the bus and they will stop anywhere. Lot of vendors getting on and off selling pretty much anything. The main Pan America highway runs north to south..the bus to Latagunca doesn't actually go into the town bus station. You have to get off on the Pan American and catch a local bus into town.

We stayed at the Hostel Tiana which seemed to be the backpackers spot.
http://www.hostaltiana.com/

Next day off to Quilotoa!