We suggest taking our shuttle from Quito at 10am,
which passes through Machachi at about 11am and reaches the hostel about midday,
in time for lunch and the afternoon waterfall walk.
This is included in the package deal, or for guests staying only one night it costs $5pp.
Alternatively, we can arrange a private transport at any time for $50 per vehicle from Quito to SG Cotopaxi,
or $20 per vehicle for the 1 hour journey from Machachi (on the Panamericana) to SG Cotopaxi.

Other places:

Airport $60

Otavalo $100

Mindo $100

Papallacta $80

Mitad del Mundo $70

Latacunga $50

Sigchos $70

Quilotoa $100

Baños $100

Driving…

From Machachi:

Take the road to Pedregal and follow all the signs that say “Santa Ana” until you reach the Y.
At the Y turn left and you will see the Secret Garden signs on your left side (don’t turn just yet – still 200 metres to go).
The first entrance is another hacienda. Drive a little further and you will see the entrance to our path, it is a green door 🙂
The last leg of the trip to the hostel is a little rocky, so drive carefully/slowly.
When it rains, be extra careful. If you prefer, the other option is to leave your car in Machachi
where our driver lives, and he can bring you  from there to the hostel for $20 (up to 4 pax) or $5 per person (6 or more).

From Sangolquí:

This road is usually good during dry season, but it is a bit more adventurous than coming through Machachi.
If you like 4×4 this is your way, especially in the rainy season.

Take the road to Selvalegre, San Fernando, Vallecito until you reach the Potable Water control.
Then take the road to Loreto del Pedregal. From here you follow the signs that say Chilcabamba,
and once you get there you continue for about 2 km until you see the sign to our entrance on your right side.

Shuttle From Quito…

This shuttle departs from The Secret Garden Quito at 10am every day
(included in the package deal, or $5 for people staying only one night).
The address is Antepara E4-60 y Los Rios, San Blas, Quito (tel +593 991980027).

Please try to be there by 9.45am, and don’t hesitate to call if you have any problems.
If you arrive early you are welcome to head up to our rooftop terrace to enjoy spectacular views of Quito Old Town,
a free cup of tea (or cheap, but good coffee) and use our free high speed wifi.

We also serve some great breakfast options at very reasonable prices.

Do you need a reservation at The Secret Garden Quito? Book online with no deposit at rooms and prices.

Shuttle From Machachi…

The shuttle passes through Machachi at approx 11am
 (included in the package deal, or $5 for people staying only one night).

In Machachi, one of our drivers will meet you at “The Horse Statue” (Estatua del Caballo).
This is a statue of a horse and rider in a small plaza with a fountain/water feature, next to a bus stop.

Click on THIS LINK to see Estatua del caballo on google maps.

Coming up from Baños or Latacunga or anywhere South, you must catch a bus going to Quito,
but tell them you will be getting off in Machachi.
Do not catch a bus going to central Machachi as this will not go past the horse statue.
As you approach Machachi the bus will stop at a toll booth.
Approx 3-4 minutes later you will see a Red/Orange “X-Primax” Petrol Station/Gasolinera on your right hand side
and a big pedestrian footbridge going over the highway.
There are traffic lights just past the footbridge.
Get off at these traffic lights and you will see the Horse Statue on your right.

Getting To Your Next Destination…

All our day trips return by around 2pm, so you can do any activity on your last day.
Lunch on your last day is always included in the price.
Guests often prefer to do the Pasochoa trek on their last day, but regardless of what you are doing, you are welcome to have a shower, enjoy lunch etc, before heading off.
Most guests leave at around 3pm – this enables you to reach Quito, Baños or even Quilotoa by around dinner time that evening.

When you leave the hostel, you have several options, for example private transport to Machachi (approx. 1 hr).

In Machachi, the driver will help you catch the correct bus
to your next destination – e.g. Quito or Latacunga – $1/1hr, Baños – approx. $3-$4 – 2 /½ hrs.

Private transport to Machachi costs $20 (total, not per person) and can be arranged at any time.

The drivers also offer a one-way shuttle to Quito ($10pp) , Latacunga ($10pp) or Baños ($20pp) leaving at 3pm.

Daily Service – no minimum numbers.

The shuttles seat up to 10 guests, so it is often quite cheap to share a shuttle all the way,
door-to-door, to your next destination.

During snack time (5pm-6pm every evening), the managers will organise/coordinate transport for people who are leaving the next day.
Guests decide amongst themselves if they want to share shuttles just to Machachi or all the way to their next destination.
These fares are paid directly to the drivers.