Avenue of the Volcanoes Walking Tour
From $919 per person
A beautiful walking tour through the Ecuadorian Andes whilst journeying along the length of the Avenue of the Volcanoes. The tour begins in Quito and ends in Cuenca.
- Activity Level: Moderate
- Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
- Highlights: Cotopaxi National Park – Chimborazo Volcano - Devil's Nose Train – Ingaprica - Cajas National Park
Itinerary
Day 1 Cotopaxi National Park Hike (L,D)
This morning we travel south to the Cotopaxi region where we undertake a circular walk through the Pita Canyon, which offers spectacular views of the canyon itself, along with the Cotopaxi, Sincholagua & Rumiñahui Volcanoes.
The hike is classed as moderate, and takes place at an altitude of 3600m to 3800m.
The first part of the hike takes us along the Pita Canyon for around 1 hour, as we follow the course of the Pita River. It is a soft climb which brings us up into the Cotopaxi National Park.
We then continue past a number of immense volcanic mound formations and pieces of debris for an hour and a half of gentle ups and downs, to reach the “pucara” – an ancient ruin of an Incan fortress – located within the National Park.
Picnic lunch included.
From here we loop around for another hour and a half of more gentle ups and downs along the flanks of the Cotopaxi Volcano before reaching a local mountain lodge where our hike ends. (12km - 4 hours)
Dinner and overnight in a local hacienda.
Day 2 Chimborazo Faunistic Reserve Walk (B,L,D)
Continuing south this morning we arrive at the Chimborazo Faunistic Reserve.
Today’s trail takes us through the dry paramo landscapes of the Chimborazo Volcano, Ecuador's tallest mountain.
Walking for around 2 hours, highlights include impressive volcano views, the chance to see wild vicuña which are a common sight within this nature reserve along with the Chimborazo Hillstar hummingbird which is endemic to this area. (3km – 2 hours)
Lunch in a cosy mountain lodge.
Dinner and overnight in a local hacienda.
Day 3 Ingapirca Inca Ruins (B,L,D)
Our journey south continues today as we travel onto the little mountain town of Alausi with its colourful houses and Andean charm. We are at the heart of the Ecuadorian train system, Ecuador's most famous train line - the Devil's Nose - begins here. Even though the train is currently not running, the town still deserves a visit to enjoy the pretty station house and locomotives on display.
Lunch included in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon we continue our journey. En-route we visit the Ingapirca Ruins, Ecuador's largest and most intact Inca complex. a beautiful example of Incan architecture. At the end of the day we will arrive in the beautiful colonial city of Cuenca.
Dinner and overnight in a local hotel.
Day 4 Cajas National Park Hike (B,L)
This morning we head into the mountains outside of Cuenca to Cajas National Park. Beginning at the Toreadora Lake at 3920m we walk for around 3 hours passed stunning glacial formations and polylepis forests, down to the Garden of the Virgin at 3500m. This national park has over 200 paramo lakes and lagoons. (8km – 3 hours)
Box lunch included.
The tour finishes in Cuenca this afternoon.
Prices
- 2 people
- $1280 p/p
- 3 - 4 people
- $1063 p/p
- 5 - 6 people
- $919 p/p
- 2 people
- $1402 p/p
- 3 - 4 people
- $1181 p/p
- 5 - 6 people
- $1060 p/p
Price includes:
Private transportation, top English-speaking guide, accommodation as specified, meals as specified (B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner), Devil’s Nose train tickets, entry fees to Ingapirca.
Not included:
International flights, personal travel insurance, alcoholic and soft drinks, extra activities not specified, tips and personal expenses
Notes:
Prices are stated in US Dollars.
Prices are valid until 31st December 2024.
This tour begins in the city of Quito and ends in the city of Cuenca. We can help coordinating return flights to Quito or onward travel to Guayaquil, extra charges will apply.
