The tallest of the 18 waterfalls on the River Pita, Condor Machay (Condor’s Nest) Waterfall stands a towering 80 m. And there’s another waterfall here too, Cascada Vilatuña (15 m).
The peaceful flow of the River Pita is broken up by several impressive waterfalls, but none taller than Condor Machay. This beautiful cascade falls from a height of 80 m, but with the serenity of a smaller waterfall rather than the roar of a torrenting giant.
Condor Machay sits at the end of a lush green canyon and getting here on foot is easy thanks to a well-maintained hiking trail. In the opposite direction lies Vilatuña Waterfall, a smaller cascade which is more challenging to reach along a technical trail.
In this guide, I’ll tell you exactly how to reach the waterfalls, what the conditions of the trails are like, and some practical tips to make the most of your visit.
Where are Condor Machay and Vilatuña waterfalls
The waterfalls are located about 2 h 30 min south-east of Quito, Ecuador’s capital city in Rumiñahui, a country within the province of Pichincha.
How to get to the falls
You can drive to the car park near Condor Machay Waterfall in roughly 1 h 30 min from Quito city centre. Here’s the fastest route according to Google Maps.
The road gets bumpy after San Fernando, the last neighbourhood before the waterfall car park, so I recommend going slowly over this stretch.
Public transport
It’s pretty easy to get to Condor Machay by public transport too. First you need to hop on a bus from El Playon de La Marin Terminal near Quito city centre to El Monumento (Monument), also called Plaza Cívica Rumiñahui.
Here there’s a huge statue, hence the name Monument. The bus company is Marco Polo, the journey takes around 1 h, and a ticket costs $0.55 US.
Get off at Monumento and wait right where you get off for the next bus you need to take. This is operated by a company called Calligraphy and you need to take it to San Fernando. The journey should take another 45 min-ish and cost $0.35 US.
A quick tip for when you change buses at Monumento on your way back to Quito is to ask for the direct bus that goes via the highway. Otherwise, you might get on the bus that goes through all the neighbourhoods and takes ages. You can ask the driver: ¿Va Este bus hacia Quito directo por la caratera? / Does this bus go directly to Quito via the highway?
Stay on the Calligraphy bus from Monumento until the final stop in San Fernando. A few metres up the road you’ll see pickup truck taxis parked opposite a shop. You need to take one of these to the Condor Machay car park.
The taxi costs between $12-$14 US return and you need to agree a pick up time with your driver as there’s no phone signal beyond San Fernando.
Here’s a number for Señor Raul Chumaña, a driver who works this route. If there are no taxis waiting in San Fernando when you arrive, you can call him.
Where to stay in Quito
My accommodation recommendations based on personal experience or excellent ratings across major booking platforms.
- Community Hostel: a budget hostel with a fun vibe. There are great views from the rooftop terrace.
- Apartamento 32 Juana de Arco: a holiday apartment with all amenities in the historic centre.
- Friends Hotel & Rooftop: A mid-range hotel in the historic centre offering veggie and vegan meals.
- Hotel La Basílica: A centrally-located, higher-end hotel with beautiful rooms and church views.
What time should you be picked up?
You’ll need at least 3 h to explore Condor Machay and another 3 h to check out Vilatuña. Condor Machay is roughly a 1 h 30 min walk from the car park and, in the opposite direction, it’s 1 h or so to Vilatuña.
If it’s boggy and slippery – which it will be during the rainy season – or you like going slowly, then give yourself at least another hour for each waterfall to be safe. If you are planning on seeing both falls, then I recommend getting to the car park no later than 10:00.
Condor Machay trail conditions
To get to Condor Machay, you want to take the trail to the left-hand side of the security guard hut. From here it’s 3.5 km to the waterfall. You don’t need a guide nor a map as the route is obvious the whole way and it’s pretty well maintained dirt underfoot.
You’ll crisscross the River Pita with quaint wooden bridges and pass two smaller falls on the way: Cascada Las Gemelas and Cascada Piedra del Corazon. Honestly, Cascada La Piedra del Corazon can hardly be called a waterfall as it’s more like a large rapid.
Cascada Vilatuña trail conditions
The trail to Vilatuña starts at the opposite end of the car park from the Condor Machay trail. This trail is also roughly 3.5 km but is way more technical and a bit sketchy in parts.
It’s really fun, especially if you like more challenging routes, but be prepared to get your feet wet and cross some rickety old bridges that are in bad shape.
There are also a couple of ladders to climb and when it’s wet these can be slippery. Also, there are rocky sections that you need to get low down to pass over so that you don’t slip.
At one point the trail forks and if you bear left uphill you eventually come to a section where you need to climb. I don’t recommend this if you’re not comfortable taking a risk – bear right at the fork instead.
The wire fence and warning sign
At the end of the Vilatuña trail, past the waterfall, there’s a wire fence warning you to stop. However, this has been crushed and you can continue. I ignored the sign and went further, but it only brings you to a cliff above the Great Pita Waterfall.
You can’t see the Great Pita Falls from the cliff, so you may as well heed the sign. The fence was put up because it’s believed a family of three actually fell to their deaths from the cliff, which is another reason I recommend not crossing it.
What to bring to Vlatuña and Condor Machay
You’ll definitely want to bring waterproofs and wear decent shoes whatever the weather.
If you plan on going in the water, bring gear for that too. You can’t swim at Vilatuña, but at Condor Machay you can wade. The water isn’t deep enough to properly swim.
I also recommend bringing a packed lunch. There’s only a small hut at the car park selling food, but I don’t know what they serve. Also, make sure to have cash to pay for the taxi and buses.
Cover your back
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When to explore the waterfalls
I recommend visiting on a weekday. Condor Machay in particular is really well known and on weekends families flock here.
If you want to see the waterfalls at their most powerful, then come during the rainy season (October – May), but be prepared for muddy, slippery, and wet conditions.
If you only have time to see one waterfall along the Pita River and want to avoid the crowds, then I’d skip Condor Machay and head to the Great Pita Waterfall. This 60 m beast is shorter but way more powerful.
More Quito guides on A World Over
Exploring Condor Machay and Vilatuña waterfalls is a great day trip from Quito. The falls are impressive and trails are a good mix of technical and easy. Plus, you can choose to see just one, the other, or both.
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