Private tour: Starting any day

Duration: 2 to 7 days 

Description:

A great alternative that lets you enjoy the stunning scenery of the Andes while getting to your destination. Inca ruins, Indigenous markets, Volcanoes, country hacienda life, volcanic craters, and more. You can start this trip either in Quito or in Cuenca.

Highlights:

• Explore the Avenue of Volcanoes including Chimborazo and Cotopaxi volcanos.

• Immerse into the Ecuadorian Indigenous markets.

• Visit the largest Inca archaeological site in Ecuador. 

• Enjoy the Spectacular scenery & panoramic views of natural landscapes.

• Take a ride on one of the greatest railroad engineering feats, the famous Devil’s Nose Train.

• Stroll around Baños, its waterfalls route, and visit the swing of the end of the world.

 

Itinerary:

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Day 1: Cuenca – Ingapirca – Alausi

 

From Cuenca we’ll travel 48 miles north direction to the Ingapirca archaeological site, it’s the largest Incan ruins in Ecuador which encapsulates the sophisticated Inca design, architecture, and engineering. You’ll discover how, the Incas merged their own community with the Cañaris, native indigenous. This is reflected in the two separate Temples of the Moon and Sun, dedicated to the beliefs of each culture. After a stop for lunch, you’ll continue to the Nizag community near Alausi. Here we will do a half an hour hike to enjoy the charming landscape. Overnight in Alausi

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DAY 2: Devil's Nose Train – Chimborazo – Riobamba

 

Experience two of the most interesting attractions in our country. At 8:00 am you'll board "The Devil’s Nose". In its day it was considered one of the greatest feats of railroad engineering that the world had seen. Then we will visit Chimborazo refuge, from where you can take a one-hour hour hike up to the second refuge nearly 16,000 feet (4,875 m) above sea level. It's also a great opportunity to do mountain bike activities down the slopes of Chimborazo to outings around rural villages along backroads, ranging from beginners to advanced bikers. (Optional activity for an extra cost). Overnight in Riobamba

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DAY 3: Baños – Waterfalls Route - Treehouse

 

After a half an hour drive, we will take a short hike to visit the "Treehouse" where the National Geographic photo contest winner was taken.

 

Then we will continue our drive for about 45 minutes, making several stops along the waterfalls route, before reaching the “Pailon del Diablo” waterfall. After a two-kilometer hike we will reach this magical place, one of the top ten largest waterfalls found in Ecuador. Overnight in Baños

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DAY 4: Baños - Quilotoa Lake - Latacunga area

 

In the morning we leave Baños and drive to Quilotoa, we will have the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular views of the Andes, Quilotoa lake, and the colorful landscape of the moors that surround it. Upon arrival, you can descend to the edge of the Crater Lake and return on horseback, or simply take a walk around the rim, and then get to know the lively local communities. In order to get in touch with local communities, a visit to a local indigenous market will be included depending on the weekday. Please contact us for more details about market days. Overnight in Cotopaxi area

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DAY 5: Cotopaxi - Drop off in Quito

 

Cotopaxi Volcano is 5,897 meters high, it's the second-highest peak in the country, and elegantly adorns the Cordillera Real of the Ecuadorian Andes. We will enter the Cotopaxi National Park for a close encounter with the Paramo biodiversity and an ecological explanation of its importance.

 

After a short hike around Limpiapungo lake, we let the adventure begin! We will continue to the parking lot (4500 m.a.s.l) in order to ascend the First Refugee of the volcano (4810 m.a.s.l). You can rest and eat some hot soup at the refugee or continue the ascent to the Glaciers (depending on weather conditions). After a long day, we head to Quito.

 

Please notice

Ferrocarriles del Ecuador is not operating at the moment due to Covid. Instead we are doing a hike in the Devil's Nose area until they start operating again.