Quito to Cuenca via Avenue of the Volcanos Tour

Private tour: starting any day

Duration: flexible 2 to 5 days 

Description:

The Avenue of the Volcanoes from Quito towards Cuenca is an unforgettable adventure that you can’t miss if you travel to Ecuador. On this tour, you’ll enjoy the highlights of the Andes. Mountain slopes in different shades of green and gold give way to snow-capped peaks.

 

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 the Andes 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:

 

Day 1: Quito - Quilotoa Lake - Indigenous Market

 

From Quito, we’ll travel south direction through the famous "Avenue of the Volcanos" to Quilotoa. On the drive, we'll 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. In order to get in touch with local communities, a visit to a local indigenous market will be arranged depending on the weekday. Please contact us for more details about market days. Overnight in Cotopaxi area

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Day 2: Cotopaxi National Park 

 

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, let the adventure begin! We will continue to the parking lot (4500 m. above sea level) in order to ascend the first refuge of the volcano (4810 m. a.s.l). You can rest and eat some hot soup at the refuge and/or continue the ascent to the Glaciers (depending on weather conditions). Drive to Baños and Overnight in Baños.

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Day 3: Baños, the swing of the treehouse and waterfalls route

 

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 Riobamba

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Day 4: Chimborazo Volcano excursion 

 

From Baños, we will drive for about two hours to visit Chimborazo Wildlife refuge, Chimborazo is the highest peak in Ecuador and the highest peak in the world measured from the center of the earth. There we have the chance to take a one-hour hour hike up to the second refuge, nearly 16,000 feet (4,875 m.a.s.l). This is 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

 

Day 5: Devil's Nose Train - Ingapirca - Cuenca 

 

From Riobamba, you’ll travel 60 miles south to the town of Alausi. There you'll experience one of the most exciting attractions in our country. At 11:00 am you'll board "The Devil’s Nose Train". In its day it was considered one of the greatest feats of railroad engineering that the world had seen. Then we will continue to 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. Then, we will drive to Cuenca