THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Drive from Quito into the high Andes to Antisana Ecological Reserve, search for condors at a scenic mirador, stroll Laguna de la Mica, then sink into the mineral-rich Papallacta hot springs. This full-day blend of wildlife viewing and restorative bathing suits travelers seeking both nature and relaxation.
Drive from Quito into the high Andes to Antisana Ecological Reserve, search for condors at a scenic mirador, stroll Laguna de la Mica, then sink into the mineral-rich Papallacta hot springs. This full-day blend of wildlife viewing and restorative bathing suits travelers seeking both nature and relaxation.
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Operated by Juan Andrés · Papallacta, Pichincha
A thin, cold light spreads across the páramo as the van peels away from Quito and climbs toward Antisana. Wind scours the high grass; volcanic shoulders loom and the road threads between them. Condors wheel like punctuation in the sky; peat-stained lagoons reflect a high, merciless blue. By midmorning you stand at a mirador where Antisana’s glaciated flanks watch over the valley, and the Andean air feels like a dare to keep moving.
easy.
10–11 hours.
Light fitness—suitable for walkers comfortable with short, uneven trails and long vehicle transfers
Expect about 10–11 hours total including transfers, photo stops, a short stroll at Laguna de la Mica, and time at the Papallacta thermal complex.
Condors are often visible from miradors; spectacled bears are secretive and rare but possible—wildlife sightings are unpredictable and not guaranteed.
Yes—the tour lists Papallacta general entrance as included, but restaurants or optional services at the spa may be extra.
Children can join, but the tour notes it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health due to altitude and thermal water temperatures.
Antisana and the surrounding páramo were critical water sources for pre-Columbian Andean communities; later, colonial routes linked Quito to eastern valleys and hot-spring locales such as Papallacta.
The Antisana Reserve protects fragile páramo vegetation that captures water for the Amazon basin; visitors are asked to stay on trails, pack out litter, and respect restricted areas to preserve sensitive habitats.
Juan Andrés operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Book with Juan Andrés
Book directly with Juan Andrés for the best rates and real-time scheduling.
Reserve Now