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Ecuador🇪🇨 | national parksCayambe-Coca National ParkEquatorial snow, Papallacta pools, Oyacachi, cloud-forest descent | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Cayambe-Coca
👌 Worth visitingnational park ranked #9
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Cayambe-Coca National Park puts you at 4,000 meters within a couple of hours of Quito, so you can skip the long bus hauls that other Andean parks demand. It spreads across the eastern Andes in the north of Ecuador, dropping from páramo and glacial peaks around Volcán Cayambe into cloud forest toward the Amazon. Trails are open, wildlife is real (Andean condors, spectacled bears, if you’re lucky), and crowds are thin outside the Papallacta hot springs. Roads are rough, and weather swings fast, so experienced travelers start early and carry layers. In a Papallacta roadside shack I downed a mug of canelazo for US$1.50, sweet cane liquor and cinnamon steaming in the fog, and it beat any café coffee. Hikers who like empty highlands will love it; anyone wanting polished facilities and guaranteed views will not.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #9 national park in EcuadorWhat makes it a must-see national park

Cayambe-Coca National Park suits backpackers who prefer working things out alone, because the best of it sits along public roads and open páramo rather than behind tour desks. Buses between Quito and Baeza run along the southern edge, so you can hop off at a lagoon trailhead, walk, and flag another bus back. The second draw is variety. Within one park you can climb toward the refuge on Volcán Cayambe, which sits above 4,600 meters, then drop to Papallacta and soak sore legs in thermal pools the same evening. The third is altitude contrast: páramo grassland, polylepis woodland, and Amazon-facing cloud forest all appear within a day’s travel. Guides help for glacier routes, but lake and moorland walks are easy to do on your own with a map and a decent jacket.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. Volcán Cayambe: Ecuador’s third-highest volcano at 5,790 meters, and the only point on the equator with permanent snow. Most visitors go to the refuge area on the southern slope; the summit needs a guide and glacier gear.
  2. Papallacta Hot Springs: Thermal pools fed by volcanic water at the park’s southern edge, with mountain views. Soaking after a cold hike is the standard routine, and entry fees are modest.
  3. Laguna de Papallacta: A high lake beside the Quito to Baeza road, ringed by páramo and often wrapped in cloud. It makes an easy first stop for photos and a short stroll.
  4. Antisana views from the páramo: On clear mornings the glaciated cone of Antisana shows across the grasslands, with Andean gulls and sometimes condors overhead.
  5. Cloud forest toward Baeza: As the road descends east, vegetation
… read more 👉
  1. Volcán Cayambe: Ecuador’s third-highest volcano at 5,790 meters, and the only point on the equator with permanent snow. Most visitors go to the refuge area on the southern slope; the summit needs a guide and glacier gear.
  2. Papallacta Hot Springs: Thermal pools fed by volcanic water at the park’s southern edge, with mountain views. Soaking after a cold hike is the standard routine, and entry fees are modest.
  3. Laguna de Papallacta: A high lake beside the Quito to Baeza road, ringed by páramo and often wrapped in cloud. It makes an easy first stop for photos and a short stroll.
  4. Antisana views from the páramo: On clear mornings the glaciated cone of Antisana shows across the grasslands, with Andean gulls and sometimes condors overhead.
  5. Cloud forest toward Baeza: As the road descends east, vegetation turns to dripping moss-covered forest and waterfalls, a real contrast with the open highlands.
  6. Oyacachi: A remote Kichwa village reached by a long, winding road, known for its own thermal baths and quiet mountain trails.
  7. Spectacled bear and condor habitat: Patient hikers scanning high ridges and forest edges may spot Andean wildlife, though sightings are never guaranteed.
Start with Papallacta’s lake and páramo viewpoints early in the day, since the clouds usually roll in by midday and the hot springs make a perfect finish.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Cayambe-Coca National Park

Otavalo and its surroundings by bike

Otavalo and its surroundings by bike

5.0(8) 4h
From €64
per personViator
Private Free Flight in Hot Air Balloon for 2 in Ecuador

Private Free Flight in Hot Air Balloon for 2 in Ecuador

5.0(2)
From €354
per personViator
The best of Ibarra walking tour

The best of Ibarra walking tour

4.5(2) 2h
From €409
per personViator
Private Full Day Tour of the Indigenous Culture of Ecuador

Private Full Day Tour of the Indigenous Culture of Ecuador

5.0(1)
From €81
per personViator
Romantic tour in Ibarra

Romantic tour in Ibarra

0.0(0) 2h
From €409
per personViator
Hike Around the Crater Lake Cuicocha

Hike Around the Crater Lake Cuicocha

0.0(0) 7h
From €54
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

  • Dry Season (June to September): The most reliable window for the high páramo and the Papallacta side. Days reach 10 to 16°C (50 to 61°F), nights drop to 0 to 4°C (32 to 39°F), and lodges and guides cost a bit more on weekends.
  • Shoulder Months (December to February): Drier spells appear between showers, with similar temperatures and fewer visitors. Daylight is close to 12 hours all year, so plan to be off the trail by late afternoon.
  • Wet Season (March to May, October to November): Expect drizzle, fog and muddy tracks, with temperatures of 6 to 14°C (43 to 57°F). Views of Volcán Cayambe and Antisana often vanish, but crowds and prices are lowest.
  • Eastern Lowlands (year-round): The Amazon side near Baeza stays humid and rainy at 18 to 26°C (64 to 79°F).
Book thermal pools and guides midweek, since Ecuadorian holidays and weekends fill up fast.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
ecuador-national-park-cayambe-coca-national-park
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

There are no hotels inside Cayambe-Coca National Park, so most backpackers sleep in nearby towns or at a handful of basic refuges and campsites. Papallacta, on the Quito to Baeza road, is the easiest base: hostels and cabins run US$15 to 40 a night, and thermal pools are a short walk away. Termas de Papallacta resort sits higher up with pricier rooms from about US$100. Cayambe town, on the western side, has simple hostales for US$12 to 25 and is the jumping-off point for the Ruales-Oleas-Berge refuge on Volcán Cayambe, where bunks cost around US$25 to 40 for climbers. Oyacachi, a small village … read more 👉
There are no hotels inside Cayambe-Coca National Park, so most backpackers sleep in nearby towns or at a handful of basic refuges and campsites. Papallacta, on the Quito to Baeza road, is the easiest base: hostels and cabins run US$15 to 40 a night, and thermal pools are a short walk away. Termas de Papallacta resort sits higher up with pricier rooms from about US$100. Cayambe town, on the western side, has simple hostales for US$12 to 25 and is the jumping-off point for the Ruales-Oleas-Berge refuge on Volcán Cayambe, where bunks cost around US$25 to 40 for climbers. Oyacachi, a small village inside the park boundary, offers family guesthouses for US$10 to 20 and its own hot springs. Quito, roughly two hours away by road, works for travelers who prefer city hostels from US$10 and day trips.
Best hostels in Ecuador


Best quality hotels in Ecuador

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

Expect to spend roughly US$28 to 60 a day in Cayambe-Coca National Park, with a high-season total of US$50 including a modest guesthouse.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feesUS$0 to 2Most park areas are free, though some sectors and hot springs charge small fees.
Accommodation (high season)US$12 to 25Basic hostales in Papallacta, Cayambe or Oyacachi; camping is cheaper.
Local transportUS$3 to 8Buses from Quito to Papallacta or Cayambe cost a few dollars; pickup rides to trailheads cost more.
Food and suppliesUS$8 to 15Set lunches cost US$3 to 5 in village restaurants; stock up in Cayambe or Quito.
Hot springs and activitiesUS$5 to 10Public thermal pools in Papallacta and Oyacachi cost a few dollars.
Total Daily BudgetUS$28 to 60About US$50 for a typical day, guides excluded.


source: ambiente.gob.ec
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsScenic routes and wildlife spotting in Cayambe-Coca

Cayambe-Coca National Park offers hiking that ranges from gentle páramo strolls to serious glacier climbs, with most routes starting near the road between Quito and Baeza. The terrain is high, wet, and open, so expect mud, wind, and sudden fog.
  • Laguna de Papallacta loop: Short, easy walk of one to two hours on grass and dirt tracks. Good for acclimatizing, with lakeside birds and views of cloud-draped slopes.
  • Cayambe refuge approach: A steady uphill walk on volcanic gravel from the road to the refuge, usually two to three hours up, at over 4,500 meters. Moderate to hard because of altitude.
  • Cayambe
… read more 👉
Cayambe-Coca National Park offers hiking that ranges from gentle páramo strolls to serious glacier climbs, with most routes starting near the road between Quito and Baeza. The terrain is high, wet, and open, so expect mud, wind, and sudden fog.
  • Laguna de Papallacta loop: Short, easy walk of one to two hours on grass and dirt tracks. Good for acclimatizing, with lakeside birds and views of cloud-draped slopes.
  • Cayambe refuge approach: A steady uphill walk on volcanic gravel from the road to the refuge, usually two to three hours up, at over 4,500 meters. Moderate to hard because of altitude.
  • Cayambe summit: A hard, guided glacier climb of roughly 8 to 12 hours round trip from the refuge, needing crampons, ice axe, and acclimatization.
  • Oyacachi valley walks: Moderate day hikes through cloud forest and river valleys around the village, with muddy paths and chances for birds and hot springs.
  • Páramo ridge walks near Papallacta: Open-ended routes across tussock grass at 3,500 to 4,000 meters, easy underfoot but cold and exposed.
Public buses from Quito run along the southern road toward Baeza and will drop you at Papallacta or nearby trailheads. Oyacachi and Cayambe’s refuge are harder to reach without a private ride or local transport. Crowds stay light on most trails, though weekends bring Quito day-trippers to the hot springs. Entry rules vary by sector, and some areas charge a small fee, so carry cash.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Cayambe-Coca is straightforward for prepared hikers, and the main risks are cold, altitude and weather. Much of the park sits above 3,500 meters (11,500 feet), and Volcán Cayambe reaches 5,790 meters (19,000 feet), so spend a night or two in Quito or Papallacta first and walk slowly. Fog and rain arrive fast in the páramo, which makes navigation tricky on unmarked paths; download offline maps and carry a waterproof shell, warm layers and sun protection, since UV is intense. Trails to Oyacachi are muddy and slippery, and river crossings swell after rain. Wildlife is mostly shy: Andean condors, spectacled bears and wild horses rarely cause problems, so keep your distance and store food properly. Glacier climbing needs a certified guide.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Two to three days is enough for Cayambe-Coca National Park if you focus on one sector, such as the Papallacta lagoons and hot springs or the Oyacachi trail. Climbing Volcán Cayambe takes two to three days plus acclimatization. Add a night in Quito or Papallacta beforehand to adjust to altitude above 3,000 meters.
Yes, you can reach Cayambe-Coca National Park by bus without a car. Buses from Quito’s Carcelén terminal reach Papallacta in roughly 1.5 to 2 hours for about US$2 to 3, and Cayambe town is around 1.5 hours away. Reaching Oyacachi or remote trailheads usually needs a local pickup or a hired truck for US$20 to 50.
Entrance to most of Cayambe-Coca National Park is free or very cheap, usually US$0 to 2 at control points. Hot springs in Papallacta and Oyacachi charge separately, generally US$5 to 10. Climbing Volcán Cayambe requires a certified guide, and guided climbs cost roughly US$250 to 400 per person.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Ecuadorian national parks near Cayambe-Coca

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Many travelers rush to Cayambe-Coca National Park, hop out at 4,000 meters, and hike hard on day one, then spend the night with a headache. Spend a night at Papallacta first, keep the pace slow, and save the refuge for later. I would also bring rain gear, because the weather turns fast.

✈️ When did I visit Ecuador?
Ecuador I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Ecuador, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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