Nestled just 30 kilometers south of Quito, the Pasochoa Wildlife Refuge (Refugio de Vida Silvestre Pasochoa) is an extraordinary natural sanctuary protecting one of the last remaining primary Andean cloud forests on Earth. Spanning 500 hectares and rising across a dramatic altitude range of 2,800 to 4,200 meters above sea level, the refuge is a haven of pristine biodiversity tucked away from the rapid urban sprawl of the capital.

Administered in partnership with Fundación Natura, the refuge serves as a vital center for the conservation of natural resources, environmental education, and scientific research, offering travelers, hikers, and researchers an immersive escape into ancient Andean ecology.

1. Geological Foundations & Preservation History

The origin of Pasochoa is a story of catastrophic geological transformation:

🌋 Eruption of Pasochoa Volcano (approx. 100,000 years ago)
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 ├── 💥 Massive collapse of the caldera and western slope
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 └── ⛰️ Semicircular, collapsed volcanic crater amphitheater
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      ├── 🌱 Fertile volcanic soils + thousands of years of evolution
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      ├── 🚫 Rugged topography & steep cliffs make it useless for agriculture
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      └── 🌲 Preservation of one of the world's last original Andean forests

The Volcanic Collapse

Approximately 100,000 years ago, a massive eruption of the now-extinct Pasochoa Volcano blew away its entire western slope and collapsed its core, transforming the majestic cone into a dramatic, semicircular crater amphitheater. Over subsequent millennia, the volcanic ash and lava weathered into exceptionally fertile soils. Due to the crater's extremely rugged, uneven topography and nearly vertical cliffs, the land was entirely unsuitable for agriculture. This natural barrier protected Pasochoa from deforestation and human colonization, leaving its ancient primary forest intact.

Conservation Status

Recognizing its immense biological value, the Ecuadorian state declared Pasochoa a Protected Area in 1982, later elevating its status to a Wildlife Refuge in 1996 under the National System of Protected Areas of Ecuador. Today, it stands as a living museum of pre-Columbian cloud forest ecosystems.

2. Flora, Fauna, & Endemic Species Directory

Despite its compact size, Pasochoa’s collapsed crater acts as a dense biological pocket, sheltering 232 species of flora, 127 species of birds, and 10 species of mammals.

The Botanical Roster (Flora)

The damp, misty microclimate of the crater nurtures a rich cloud forest vegetation: * Pumamaqui (Oreopanax): The iconic symbol of the high Andes, instantly recognizable by its thick, hand-shaped leaves resembling a puma’s paw (Pumamaqui translates to "puma paw" in Kichwa). * Aliso (Alnus): A rapid-growing colonizer tree that stabilizes the steep slopes. * Cedrillo: An exceptionally abundant tree species in the lower canopies. * Highland Giants: The canopies are filled with majestic Andean cedar, laurel, podocarpus, and massive ancient tree ferns (helechos). * Epiphytes & Parasites: The branches are heavily blanketed in colorful bromeliads (huaycundos), mosses, lichens, and endemic wild orchids. * Medicinal Plants: The forest floor serves as an ancestral pharmacy, containing important native species like Caballo chupa (horsetail), Yerba mora (black nightshade), and Culantrillo del pozo (maidenhair fern).

The Avian Haven (Fauna)

Pasochoa is a world-class hotspot for birdwatching, where visitors can spot: * The Huirac-churo: Famous for its incredibly beautiful, complex, and echoing song that rings through the forest canopy. * Endemic Hummingbirds: A massive variety of high-altitude hummingbirds (colibríes) feed on the forest's bromeliad flowers, acting as vital ecological pollinators. * Highland Forest Birds: Sightings frequently include blackbirds, nursery birds, nuns, colorful tangaras, plateros, turtledoves, and wild mountain turkey hens.

Mammals & Small Creatures

While mammals are elusive due to the dense vegetation, the refuge shelters wild mountain goats, rabbits, bats, rodents, and the stealthy Andean puma. Hiking through the trails, you will also encounter highly colorful butterflies, ladybugs (mariquitas), and endemic high-altitude frogs.

3. The Seven-Trail Hiking System

Pasochoa features a beautifully designed network of seven color-coded hiking trails of varying distances and difficulty levels. 

📍 Main Information Center (All trails branch from here)
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 ├── 🟩 Short Scenic Loops (Easy, 1 to 2 hours)
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 ├── 🟨 Intermediate Cloud Forest Walks (Moderate, 3 to 4 hours)
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 └── 🟥 Pasochoa Volcano Summit Trail
      ├── Distance: 9 Kilometers (Round-trip)
      ├── Altitude: 2,800m up to 3,950m
      └── Terrain: Uneven volcanic ridges & alpine paramo

Navigating the Paths

Every trail originates directly behind the main information center, marked with distinct colored signs to ensure hikers can explore safely without the risk of getting lost. * The Volcano Summit Trail: The most celebrated and physically challenging trek in the reserve. It is a 9-kilometer climb that begins at the 2,800m station and ascends sharply to the volcano’s summit ridge at 3,950 meters. The trail crosses the dense cloud forest before emerging into the wind-swept alpine grasslands (paramo). * Best Hiking Season: To guarantee clear, sunny views over the surrounding volcanoes, plan your trek during the Andean summer, from July to September. * Expat Hiking Gear & Preparation: * Technical mountaineering gear is not required. Simply wear sturdy, comfortable trekking shoes or rubber boots. * Bring layered clothing, a warm sweater, and a high-quality windbreaker/waterproof jacket to handle sudden high-altitude rainstorms or temperature drops. * Vital Tip: There are no food kiosks or water stations inside the reserve. You must bring your own lunchbox, snacks, and a plentiful supply of drinking water.

4. Lodging, Amenities, & Hosting Facilities

For travelers wishing to spend the night under the starry Andean sky or groups conducting educational workshops, Pasochoa offers excellent, well-maintained facilities:

  • The Small Lodges: A rustic, cozy cabin facility with a capacity for 20 people. It is equipped with comfortable folding beds, clean private bathrooms, a fully functional kitchen-dining area, and basic utilities.
  • The Camping Area: A beautifully flat, dedicated meadow with space to pitch up to 30 tents, supported by adjacent communal bathroom and shower facilities.
  • Day-Use & Barbecue Huts: Scattered near the entrance are 10 rustic barbecue huts (cabañas para asados), perfect for family gatherings or post-hike meals.
  • The Dining Room: A large communal dining hall with a hosting capacity for up to 50 people.
  • The Conference Room: An educational space with a capacity for 40 people, fully equipped with a television, audio-visual systems, and digital projectors. This facility makes Pasochoa highly popular for school trips, academic internships, and field research.

5. Detailed Transportation & Arrival Directory

The Pasochoa Wildlife Refuge is situated approximately 50 minutes south of Quito and is accessible via both budget-friendly public buses and private vehicles:

Option A: By Public Bus (Budget Route)

  1. Step 1: Head to the Marín Bus Station in central Quito and board any bus operated by the Amaguaña cooperative bound for the town of Amaguaña.
    • Cost: $0.45 USD.
    • Travel Time: Approximately 1 hour.
  2. Step 2: Upon arriving in Amaguaña's central square, locate the pickup truck stand. Hire a 4x4 pickup truck (camioneta) to drive you directly to the entrance gate of the refuge.
    • Cost: $8.00 USD per trip.
    • Travel Time: Approximately 40 minutes on secondary unpaved roads.

Option B: By Private Vehicle / Taxi

  • The Route: From Quito, take the Autopista General Rumiñahui south toward the Chillos Valley, following the signs toward Amaguaña. Upon entering Amaguaña, locate the town’s main church. Turn onto the secondary unpaved road positioned directly to the left of the church. Follow the unpaved signs uphill for approximately 30 minutes (a 4WD vehicle is highly recommended) until you reach the main refuge gate.

6. Access Fees & Essential Contact Information

To coordinate group tours, reserve the cabins, or register for student internships, utilize the official administrative channels:

  • Entrance Fees:
    • Standard adult admission is listed as $10.00 USD.
    • Note on Dual-Pricing: Some municipal and park registries list a dual-pricing model of $2.00 USD for Ecuadorian national tourists and $7.00 USD for international foreign visitors.
  • Physical Address: Comuna de El Ejido sector, Parish of Amaguaña, Pichincha Province, Ecuador.
  • Official Telephone: +593 (02) 287-7835.

Verified References & Sources

  1. Refuge Creation & Geological History: Extinct volcanic crater collapsions, 500-hectare area parameters, 1982/1996 reservation decrees, and Fundación Natura administrations (F1 Pasochoa, Passage 125).
  2. Flora, Fauna, & Medicinal Directories: Pumamaqui hand-leaves, bird species rosters, and medicinal herbal species (F1 Pasochoa, Passage 125).
  3. Refuge Lodging, Classrooms, and Huts: Cabin capacities, tent limits, conference halls, and barbecue huts (F1 Pasochoa, Passage 126).
  4. Transit Routes & Coordinate Fees: Marín bus steps, pickup truck hire costs, driving directions via Rumiñahui/Amaguaña church, and the $10 admission brackets (F1 Pasochoa, Passage 127).
  5. Trail Networks & Acclimatization Seasons: 9km volcano summit trail details, July–September seasonality, and sign-guided trails (G3 Trekking and Hiking, Passage 186).

Last Updated: August 2026