Discover the Majestic Paso del Inca

Getting There

• Car

  From the main entrance of Cotopaxi National Park, head south on the E28 road. Continue for approximately 15 kilometers until you reach the town of Machachi. Look for the signs towards Paso del Inca, which is located at GPS coordinates -0.5740021, -78.5158672. You will find a dirt road leading towards the attraction. The drive should take around 30 minutes, depending on road conditions. Make sure to have your entrance fee for the park ready, which is about $10 for foreign tourists.

• Public Transportation

  From Quito, take a bus to Machachi. Buses leave from the Quitumbe bus terminal and the journey takes around 1 hour. Once in Machachi, you can take a taxi or look for local transport options such as a shared van (known as a 'buseta') that goes to Cotopaxi National Park. Make sure to negotiate the fare with the taxi driver or check the buseta schedule. The taxi ride from Machachi to Paso del Inca will cost about $10-$15 and takes approximately 30 minutes.

• Hiking

  If you are already within Cotopaxi National Park, you can hike to Paso del Inca from various starting points. A popular route is from the Limpiopungo Lagoon. Begin your hike at the lagoon, following the marked trails. The hike is about 8 kilometers one way and can take around 2 to 3 hours depending on your pace. Ensure you have proper hiking gear and enough water. This option provides beautiful views of the surrounding landscape, including Cotopaxi volcano.