Activity Level: Challenging
Trip Length: 6 days
Private Tours: Available for any date upon request
Season: Year round
Activities: Hiking, Trekking, Wildlife
Minimum Age: 10 years old
Begins/Ends: Quito, Ecuador / Quito, Ecuador
Nearest Airports: Mariscal Sucre, Quito, Ecuador (UIO)
Note: All transfers and all activities are done with your own private English speaking tour guide
The 6-day Avenue of Volcanoes tour is a challenging trekking experience that explores the Ecuadorian Andes. As you hike through breathtaking landscapes, you'll discover an enchanting world of massive volcanoes, hidden villages in the countryside, and local indigenous communities. You will also have plenty of opportunities to explore the wildlife of Ecuador's Sierra highlands. The narrow trails you will traverse were blazed by the locals and take you into the heart of the unique Andean culture, giving you an up close look at the local way of life! We offer group tours and also private tours, inquire our local and expert travel consultants about the best option for you.
Today we start with your Ecuador Trekking adventure, south of Quito in Cotopaxi National park. Here we will do the first acclimatization hike at 13,000 feet above sea level around Limpiopungo Lagoon, where you might see wild horses and some native bird species.
A two-hour hike is followed by a 45-minute ascent to the Cotopaxi Volcano Refuge. To finish our day, we will drive to a comfortable historic Hacienda in the area to spend the night.
Accommodation: Historic Hacienda at Cotopaxi area
Meals included: DinnerToday, after a drive through scenic roads you will hike 8.4 miles along the Toachi Canyon starting at Isinlivi, here you will pass through small villages and see rural farmers tending the fields. The main road takes us to the small town of Chugchilan on the renowned Quilotoa Loop.
Chugchilan is a small village where the indigenous markets are alive and the traditions are well kept.
Accommodation: Hotel at Chugchilan
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
After breakfast and early in the morning, we will begin our hiking adventure in the Avenue of the Volcanoes for 11 km (6.9 miles) on small trails blazed by the mountain folks and still used by locals to transport products and to travel across canyons to reach neighboring communities.
We will hike down across impressive canyons to later climb back up to the top of the crater rim, where you will be rewarded with beautiful views of the Quilotoa Lake. We will spend the night in the village of Quilotoa and enjoy the local cuisine.
Accommodation: Hotel in Quilotoa area
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
After waking up to a warm breakfast, we will make our way to Quilotoa Crater Lake, hiking 1.2 km (0.75 miles) to the base of the crater. Along the way, be sure to snap some pictures of the turquoise waters that fill this ancient caldera. If you want to swim or kayak in the volcanic waters, you will have time before heading back.
Later, if you want to hike or ride a mule up the steep trail to the rim, it offers a unique way to explore an active volcano.
The afternoon takes us to Riobamba, in Ecuador's central highlands, right in the heart of awe-inspiring landscapes.
Accommodation: Hotel in Chimborazo area
Meals included: BreakfastIn the morning, depart towards the mighty Chimborazo Volcano, proudly standing at 6,310 meters above sea level, thus making it Ecuador's highest mountain and the summit farthest from the earth's center. A short hike will take you to 5,000 meters above sea level, where you'll be right on the edge of the glacier. Keep an eye out for the elusive Andean condor, hummingbirds, and Vicunas.
After a picnic lunch, it's on to the town of Banos, where you will have the chance to melt your worries away in the hot springs and enjoy the buzzing nightlife.
Accommodation: Hotel in Banos
Meals included: Breakfast
The last day of your tour is spent in scenic Baños in the shadow of the active Tungurahua Volcano. This is considered the adventure capital of Ecuador, with opportunities to go horseback riding, canyoning, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and rafting.
Before returning to Quito and concluding an unforgettable hiking trip, you will have the chance to explore several of the waterfalls that highlight Banos, including Bride's Veil Falls and the powerful Pailon del Diablo falls.
Meals included: Breakfast
Discounts available for larger groups on selected months
