Day trip
·Baños de Agua Santa
Palmira Desert & Atillo Lagoons Excursion
From
€78.40
Best price online
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 2 days before for a full refund
Instant confirmation
Your booking is confirmed instantly by email
Duration 11h
Check availability to see start times
Live tour guide
es, en
Attention to all enthusiasts of the great outdoors! Join us on a remarkable journey to explore the contrasting landscapes of the Palmira Desert and the Altillo Lagoons. On this adventure, you'll experience two distinct ecosystems of Ecuador in a single day, where stunning springs meet expansive sand dunes!
Excursion to Palmira Desert & Atillo Lagoons
Your day begins at 7 am with a pickup from your accommodation in Baños de Agua Santa. From there, a minibus will transport us to the Palmira Desert, approximately a two and a half hour ride away.
Once we arrive, we will dedicate an hour to walking among the dunes of the Palmira Desert. This unique landscape is part of the Andean páramo, sitting at an elevation of 9,842 feet (3,000 meters) above sea level. Prepare to capture countless photographs and marvel at the myriad of pine trees that thrive here. Our guide will share insights into how the arrival of the Spanish colonizers led to the desertification of this region. If we’re fortunate, we might spot blackbirds, turtledoves, and carunculated caracaras during our explorations.
After our time in the desert, we will return to our transport and move onward to Sangay National Park, where the alluring Altillo Lagoons await. Here, we will embark on a hiking path along the shores of these springs, while immersing ourselves in the legends of the Puruhá Indigenous Peoples, the original inhabitants of this area. Interestingly, the name 'Altillo' translates to 'lagoon of punishment'.
Following our hike, you'll enjoy an hour of leisure to further investigate the surroundings and enjoy a delightful picnic featuring asandwich, some fruit, and juice.
Our adventure concludes at 6 pm, at which point we will return you to your hotel.
Hotel pickup and return transfer
Transport by minibus
English–speaking guide
Picnic lunch
This experience takes place in Baños de Agua Santa.
Plan about 11h for this activity.
A good fit for travellers visiting Baños de Agua Santa — solo, as a couple or with family.
Free cancellation is available on many dates (see the conditions below).
Reserve on Stayviax and receive instant confirmation by email.
Frequently asked questions
The activity lasts 11h.
Free cancellation is often available up to a few hours before the start. See the policy below.
No. A mobile ticket is accepted — show it on your phone on the day.
Palmira Desert & Atillo Lagoons Excursion
Attention to all enthusiasts of the great outdoors! Join us on a remarkable journey to explore the contrasting landscapes of the Palmira Desert and the Altillo Lagoons. On this adventure, you'll experience two distinct ecosystems of Ecuador in a single day, where stunning springs meet expansive sand dunes!
Excursion to Palmira Desert & Atillo Lagoons
Your day begins at 7 am with a pickup from your accommodation in Baños de Agua Santa. From there, a minibus will transport us to the Palmira Desert, approximately a two and a half hour ride away.
Once we arrive, we will dedicate an hour to walking among the dunes of the Palmira Desert. This unique landscape is part of the Andean páramo, sitting at an elevation of 9,842 feet (3,000 meters) above sea level. Prepare to capture countless photographs and marvel at the myriad of pine trees that thrive here. Our guide will share insights into how the arrival of the Spanish colonizers led to the desertification of this region. If we’re fortunate, we might spot blackbirds, turtledoves, and carunculated caracaras during our explorations.
After our time in the desert, we will return to our transport and move onward to Sangay National Park, where the alluring Altillo Lagoons await. Here, we will embark on a hiking path along the shores of these springs, while immersing ourselves in the legends of the Puruhá Indigenous Peoples, the original inhabitants of this area. Interestingly, the name 'Altillo' translates to 'lagoon of punishment'.
Following our hike, you'll enjoy an hour of leisure to further investigate the surroundings and enjoy a delightful picnic featuring asandwich, some fruit, and juice.
Our adventure concludes at 6 pm, at which point we will return you to your hotel.
This experience takes place in Baños de Agua Santa.
Plan about 11h for this activity.
A good fit for travellers visiting Baños de Agua Santa — solo, as a couple or with family.
Free cancellation is available on many dates (see the conditions below).
Reserve on Stayviax and receive instant confirmation by email.
Frequently asked questions
The activity lasts 11h.
Free cancellation is often available up to a few hours before the start. See the policy below.
No. A mobile ticket is accepted — show it on your phone on the day.