Baños Tours: Hiking and Trekking

We have 11 different Baños hiking tours and treks for you to choose from, ranging in difficultly levels of easy to difficult.

Luna Runtun Baños Hiking Tours:

1. La Cascada del Pailón del Diablo: EASY
Half-day. Depart from Luna Runtun by car.
Baños is the Golden Dor to the Amazon rainforest.
In about 17 km., we find the beautiful "Pailon del Diablo" waterfall, known as the most impressive waterfall in the area as well as for being the world's 10th highest water drops in the world.
You can enjoy the end of the world's longest balsalt "capes" which starts 30 km away at the union of the Chambo and Patate rivers. A short trail from Río Verde (Green River) leads downhill through scrubby vegetation to a hanging bridge over the river below the falls. Before the bridge there is a very short trail that leads to an overlook above the deep bowl into which the waterfalls pours - this is an excellent photo opportunity. Many might recognize the scenery as it was the setting of the Hollywood blockbuster "Proof of Life" directed by Taylor Hackford and starring Meg Ryan, Russell Crowe, and David Morse. Keep your eyes peeled for the face of the Devil on a stone located at the bottom of the waterfall!

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2. The Inca trail of Huayna Capac (down) - a very short half day walk: EASY
Day starts with a 45-minute walk from Luna Runtun to Baños, hiking down to town on the same path taken by the Inca Emperor Huayna Capac 500 hundreds years ago. Afterwards, we'll hike up to Luna Runtun "El Salto" trail or come back by car. Afternoon free for leisure (chance to enjoy our Spa facilities).

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3. "La Vía de los Contrabandistas" Hike- Full day: MEDIUM
Full day hike, including picnic. Depart from Luna Runtun by minivan before taking a world-class 7-km hike along the same trail used by the rum smugglers in the twenties. This trail was perhaps most often trodden by Mr. Fidel Fiallos, Carmen Luna de Currat's grandfather, who was known as the most famous smuggler of all times.

After crossing crystal clear rivers, hiking past banana and mandarine plantations, and taking a delicious picnic, we hike down to admire the "Manto de la Novia" Waterfall. Breathtaking views of the Llanganates National Park, the inaccessible mountains that hide the lost gold of Inca Emperor Atahualpa.

Afterwards, we cross a swinging bridge and hike up to la Merced, where transportation meets us to bring us back to the hotel. 80% of the hike is on flat ground.

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4. The Inca Trail of Huayna Capac (Rurual Tourism) - half- day: MEDIUM
Runtun is the name given to the area located at the base of the Tungurahua volcano. History tells us that before the discovery of America, the Inca Emperor Huayna Capac partook in voluptuous orgies in Luna Runtun at the shore of Lake Runtun (long since disappeared) with the most beautiful of his wives.

Enjoy a magnificent view of the active volcano, of Llanganates National Park, and of the entrance to the Amazon Rainforest. If you are lucky, you will see and hear the periodical steam explosions of the volcano: a truly natural show, free of risk. Discover a new style of life and meet local farmers living in the mountains with their cows, guiney pigs, chickens, and llamas. The hike is 50% uphill and 50% downhill.

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5. Hike to The Valley of the Butterflies - half day - MEDIUM
Includes lunch. Hiking tour of the beautiful Valley of Butterflies: the magic and biodiversity of The Pastaza Corridor gets condensed in this tour that takes you from the Bride's Veil waterfall to the Inca Waterfall, walking by a secret valley full of butterflies, humming-birds, bromelias, and orchids thriving in a protected forest that towering over the Pastaza River, between 2 National Parks - Sangay, a declared World Heritage Site, and Lllanganates. Refresh yourself and have a natural shower at the bottom of the Inca waterfall. On the way back, we will ride the longest TARABITA (cable car) in Ecuador (380 meters) - great photo opportunity. Afternoon free for leisure (chance to enjoy our Spa facilities).

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6. Hike to the 2 Hanging Bridges MODERATE - MEDIUM
Half day hike, seventy percent of which is along flat ground. Includes a snack. We cross two hanging bridges located over the Pastaza River. Beautiful views of Volcano Tungurahua, Baños, Runtun Mountain, and the Pastaza Corridor, A Gift to the Earth.

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7. Hike to the Princess Pacha waterfall MODERATE - MEDIUM
Half day tour, with snack included. Depart from Luna Runtun by minivan. Twenty five kilometers later, we hike downhill for approx. 30 minutes to the Pastaza River where we will spend the rest of the morning and the early afternoon on a splendid stone sculpted by Mother Nature. Take a bath in the naturally sculpted swimming pools and enjoy a natural massage under a little waterfall located 20 meters away. The water is crystal clear and fresh.

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8. Hike to El Sendero de los Dioses - DIFFICULT
Full day, with picnic included. Depart from Luna Runtun by minivan. Forty minutes later, we hike up towards Llanganates National Park. Discover a succession of 6 beautiful waterfalls. On the way up, enjoy the company of a large variety of birds, butterflies, and orchids in a natural setting. The 7th and final waterfall to which we come, reaching 80 meters in height, is just around the corner for those that seek greater adventure and will make you feel like Indiana Jones.... Enjoy the atmosphere of the cloud forest and its soothing sound.

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9. Hike to The "Ojos del Volcán" - DIFFICULT
Full day, with picnic included. Day starts with a 45-minute walk to warm up our legs. Then we start a 3-hour hike uphill. Enjoy the beautiful views overlooking the Patate River Valley, the Runtun area, Tungurahua, and much more. Reach "Las Antenas" and learn about the fascinating and dramatic story of the evacuation of Baños. Picnic. Observe the crater of the volcano, just 10 miles away, and listen to its natural music... After the picnic continue by foot, by car, or by bike to the Little Switzerland, so called for the similarity of this area to the countryside of the Alps. Return by car or by bike.

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10. Hike to The Top of the World - DIFFICULT
Full day, picnic included. Depart from Luna Runtun. We hike up the side of the Bascun Valley. Observe, on one side, the 1000-meter deep valley, on the other side the majestic Tungurahua Volcano (5016mts or 16452 ft). Continue hiking to "La Cordillera", where the Runtun area joins the flanks of the Volcano. You will be so close to the Nevado of Tungurahua (less than 3 miles) that you'll almost be able to touch it. Enjoy the great views and beautiful birds. Discover new vegetation never seen before. Picnic. On the way back, we hike down through little trails on the side of the Ulba Valley. Understand why the area is called Runtun, which means fortress in Quechua.

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11. Hike to El Refugio del Volcán Tungurahua (3800 meters - 12464 feet): DIFFICULT
(2 D/1N) Meals included. Depart from Luna Runtun by car. We hike uphill for 2-3 hours before arriving at the refuge. On the way up, admire Tungurahua and Cotopaxi, Cerro Hermoso, and Llanganates National Park. See orchids, primary forests, and beautiful birds. Once at the refuge, enjoy a lunar landscape full of ashes and volcanic stones. The next day you hike 200 more meters (656 feet) and reach 4000 meters (13120 feet) above sea level. Collect ashes and volcanic stone to offer to your friends. Listen to the sound of the Volcano and imagine the crater just 2 miles away. Overnight at the refuge. Return the next day, on foot and by car.

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Luna Runtun's Ecuador Tours
	Hiking and Trekking in Ecuador (Baños tours)
	Ecuador Amazon Rainforest Adventure (Ecuador tour)
	Canoeing and Rafting Adventures (Baños tour)
	Baños Mountain Biking Trips (Banos tours)
	Horseback Riding Tours (Banos tour)
	Traveling Through the Ecuadorian Countryside (Ecuador tours)

Note: Luna Runtun reserves the right to alter, change, or omit part of the explorations itinerary, without prior notice, should it be deemed necessary or advisable for the well-being of its guests.