Páramo El Angel Discovery
3- Day Itinerary
The Jurassic Park landscapes of the windswept Páramo del Angel, with their emerald lakes and surreal, eight-foot high frailejones plants, are accessed via the Andean train form Ibarra to Salinas. Two hours north of Cusin, they are near the dry Chota Valley. Explore this unique ecosystem at 12,000 feet by foot or horseback, spending one or two nights at another historic hacienda or lodge.
Overnight stay at:
Hacienda San Francisco | Paramo Lodge | Hacienda Piman
2-day, 3-seat taxi
From $150 pp
DAY 1
Take the Andean train, a restored, historic railway line from Ibarra to Salinas, passing through astounding ecosystems, the Chota desert and seven tunnels dug with pick and shovel, crossing bridges elevated across precipitous canyons. Once in the warm climate of Salinas, discover the colourful cuisine and culture of its Afro-Ecuadorian community.
Cusin transfer to the Páramo, a 40,000-acre ecological reserve where you can take the boardwalk to the shimmering, extinct crater lake.
Overnight stay at:
Hacienda San Francisco | Paramo Lodge | Hacienda Piman
DAY 2
A full day to continue to explore these dream-like landscapes, strolling or horseback riding among eight-foot high frailejones plants that look like the love child of a palm tree and a giant chrysanthemum. The spongey soil here retains a great deal of water, creating the unique conditions in which this strange flora flourishes.
OR set out across the northern highlands, discovering the historic haciendas, indigenous communities and agricultural and artisan skills of the locals.
Overnight stay at:
Hacienda San Francisco | Paramo Lodge | Hacienda Piman
DAY 3
Return to Hacienda Cusin, a two-hour drive via private transport.
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