GTGC – 84 – QUITO HACIENDA HATO VERDE

GTGC – 84 – QUITO –
HACIENDA HATO VERDE
Two Days / One Night – Private Services

Daily

DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1: Quito / Hacienda Hato Verde

Departure from your hotel in Quito through The Panamericana South Highway, enjoying the beautiful landscapes of the place, we drive to the impressive active volcano Cotopaxi (5.897 m. High).

Our first stop will be at the Limpiopungo Lake, and during our stay at the National Park, we can do a moderated level of trekking. Also, we can see from the lake the silhouette of the Cotopaxi volcano. We will have our lunch in Hato Verde Hacienda, then in the afternoon we will go to a typical activity in the place, with our our herd dairy cows graze peacefully year around on the Hacienda some of them are being milked daily and produce over a thousand five hundred liters of milk that supply the Quito market. The average per day is 14 liters per cow and the milk has a high 4.3% of fat and high protein (3.2%) due to the good management, genetics and organic fertilization. Every year Hato Verde is required to obtain a health certification of the herd as free of Brucellosis and Tuberculosis. Calve feeding is one of the most gracious activity specially for children, the calves grown next door to the hacienda and they are kept outside on the pasture and are fed 4 liters of milk every day.
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Overnight accommodations Hacienda Hato Verde.

DAY 2: Hacienda Hato Verde

Departure from Hato Verde Hacienda, enjoying the beautiful landscapes of the place, where our destination will be visit Quilotoa Lake (key-low-toe-ha) with a high crater inside, a water- filled 3 kilometer (2 miles) wide caldera. This caldera was formed by the collapse of the volcano in an eruption that took place approximately 800 years ago. The caldera has since accumulated a 250 m (820 feet) deep crater lake, which has an extraordinary turquoise color because of its dissolved minerals. It will take you a half hour hike down to the lake. Fumaroles are found on the lake floor and hot springs occur on the eastern flank of the volcano.

The return hike takes one hour, or there is an option of renting a mule. (Optional and at expense of the passenger) We will stop for a well-deserved lunch in the area. During our trip we might have the possibility to see a naïf artist. Naïf art is a strong characteristic of this region and it is well known throughout the world. If the artist stand is open, you could have the opportunity to purchase one of these unique paintings. Return to Quito and hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch