Eco Friendly Tiny House at Cotopaxi National Park

The famed Cotopaxi National Park is our neighbor! The North entrance is 10 min by vehicle or 20 min hike. The roads are dirt and/or stone and can be difficult for small vehicles. It's best to arrive in a 4x4 vehicle with some clearance (Suzuki Vitara e.g.).

The Rio Pita borders the property to the East and 4 volcanoes are available for hiking, mountain biking or trips for acclimatization (most are ~4775m).

Guides are available with notice and separate cost to separate vendors.

This is a rural community and there are few stand alone restaurants nearby. Best options: 1) bring food to cook there is a FULL Kitchen and outdoor Grill, or 2) bring prepared food to consume (there's a fridge, range, kitchen items).

Bring a camera or telescope for the views and a vehicle with clearance--the roads are difficult.

As we are recent arrivals, we strive to be as eco friendly as possible keeping in mind our respect for the paramo. In the Northern Andes "paramo" generally refers to the high altitude vegetation, characterized by tussock bunch grasses, colloquially known as "paja". The paja provides shelter for both flora and fauna--including the Andean Fox (el "zorro andino").

In recent decades this area has been dominated by the forestry companies or locals for agricultural/ranching purposes. We chose a different path. Our voluntary land use contract with Ecuador's FONAG administration sets a much different standard.

This agreement prohibits the introduction or perpetuation of non-native species of flora and/or fauna. Therefore, we agreed to a prohibition on the use of chemical fertilizers and other pesticides. For the horses, we have carved out 1 hectare for pasture and to limit the number of horses. To date we have zero horses (we permit temporary hosting of horses for cabalgatas). We strictly prohibit cattle or other livestock and the excessive harvesting of wild berries (Mortinos) during the fall harvest. We use a compost toilet, we recycle the compost for our gardens, treat our water with gravity assisted methods and will have transplanted over 1000 native species of plants on the land. We are off the electrical grid and rely on generators (converted from gasoline to propane).

With easy access to 4 volcanoes and the Cotopaxi National Park, the entire family can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and even summiting Cotopaxi! Dogs are welcome!

Guides are available for all activities (cost is extra with advance notice and payment is direct and in cash to each separate vendor).