We discover the scenic beauties of the Ecuadorian Andes on leisurely day hikes through the most beautiful regions of the country. But culture is not neglected either: the magnificent colonial old town of Quito, the beautiful and welcoming Cuenca and finally the modern port city of Guayaquil with a lot of tropical charm. We stay in well-kept hotels and haciendas that are typical of the country and we can let ourselves be pampered in the comfortable Papallacta spa. We explore the stunning national parks along the Volcano Route and follow the footprints of an ancient Inca trail to the Inca fortress of Ingapirca.
Itinerary
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Day 1
Transfer in Quito
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Day 2
Middle of the World – Papallacta
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Day 3
Cayambe Coca Natural Reserve
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Day 4
Otavalo Market and Cuicocha Lagoon
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Day 5
Quito Historic Center, Cable Car and Rucu Pichincha
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Day 6
Cotopaxi National Park
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Day 7
Pastaza Canyon – Baños – Patate
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Day 8
Guamote Market – Riobamba
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Day 9
Chimborazo Fauna Production Reserve
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Day 10
On the Inca trail to Ingapirca
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Day 11
Cuenca and surroundings
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Day 12
Cajas National Park
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Day 13
Cuenca – Cajas – Guayaquil
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Day 14
Transfer to the airport and continuation of the trip
Day 1
Arrival at the UIO
Transfer from the airport to the Grand Mercure Alameda Hotel
Day 2
Middle of the World – Papallacta
In the morning drive to the middle of the world, including a visit to the museum. Then he goes to the Andean highlands. At an altitude of 3,300 meters are the wonderful Papallacta hot springs in a bizarre environment. In good weather, you can see the snow-capped Antisana (5,753 m). In the afternoon you can enjoy the comfortable spa of the thermal hotel or take a walk through the mystical landscape along the wild and romantic mountain stream Papallacta River.
Trees covered in orchids, bromeliads, mosses and lichens line the path. Night at Termas de Papallacta Resort & Spa hotel.
Day 3
Cayambe Coca Natural Reserve
Today you will discover the Cayambe Coca natural reserve. The trail passes through lush highland vegetation, passing by some picturesque lakes.
We take an impressive panoramic walk through the Cayambe Coca natural reserve. The starting point is at about 4,300 m altitude and the destination at about 3,600 m. Walking time around 4 hours. At night we finish the day in the comfortable spa of the Hotel Termas Papallacta Resort & Spa.
Day 4
Otavalo Market and Cuicocha Lagoon
Today you will visit the famous South America’s most important craft market in Otavalo. Saturday is a big market day here! Then you will visit Cuicocha Crater Lake (also called Guinea Pig Lagoon). You can take a hike along the crater lake and, if you want, you can also take a boat tour. If you have time, you can make a detour to the Cochasquí Pyramids on the way back to Quito. Accommodation at the Mercure Alameda Hotel.
Day 5
Quito Historic Center, Cable Car and Rucu Pichincha
In the morning visit to the historic center of Quito. The capital of Ecuador is located 2,850 meters above sea level at the foot of the Pichincha volcano, embedded in a green Andean valley. Quito, one of the oldest cities in South America, is also one of the few cities that was able to preserve numerous monuments and artistic treasures from the Spanish colonial era.
The old town was listed as a world monument by UNESCO in 1978. Then you take the world’s highest cable car, the Teleférico, to the foothills of the local mountain Rucu Pichincha (4,698 m).
The cable car reaches a height of 3,900 m, from here, in good weather, we can enjoy a fantastic view of the city and the snow-capped volcanoes of Cotopaxi, Antisana and Cayambe. Our walk takes us to Rucu Pichincha (4,690 m). The cable car will take you back to the valley. Accommodation again at the Mercure Alameda Hotel
Day 6
Cotopaxi National Park
In the morning you will go to Cotopaxi, on the Limpiopungo plateau (3,830 m) you will acclimatize and take a short walk through the area to learn about the diverse high Andean flora and observe birds. By car we will reach an altitude of 4,500 m, from here we will walk to the José Ribas refuge (4,800 m) and the nearby glacier. Then we will descend along the flanks of the volcano. On this walk we will get to know the diverse flora of the high Andes. Accommodation at Chilcabamba Lodge.
Day 7
Pastaza Canyon Baños Patate
After the extreme highs of the last few days, today we head to the tropics. In the morning we head through the Pastaza Canyon with its spectacular falls and numerous waterfalls. This innovative valley is also known as the gateway to the Amazon rainforest. In this beautiful valley we take a peaceful walk and also visit the roaring waterfall “Pailón del Diablo”. In the afternoon we visit the small and lively town of Baños, which is located at the foot of the active volcano Tungurahua (5,016 m). In the afternoon you will arrive at Hacienda Leito in a beautiful green mountain landscape near Patate. From here you have a beautiful view of the active volcano Tungurahua.
Day 8
Guamote Riobamba Market
In the morning we visit the famous Guamote market, one of the most beautiful, original and colorful markets in the Ecuadorian Andes. In the afternoon we drive through beautiful cultural landscapes to Riobamba, at the foot of the Chimborazo volcano. You will spend the night at the beautiful Hacienda Abraspungo.
Day 9
Chimborazo Fauna Production Reserve
Today we go to Chimborazo National Park, the highest volcano in the country (6,310 m). In Arenal, a desert landscape, you can see vicuñas. With the vehicle you reach a height of 4800 m, from there you walk to the Edward Whymper refuge at 5000 m. Return to Hacienda Abraspungo for your accommodation.
Day 10
On the Inca trail to Ingapirca
Today we have to start early (around 6 a.m.). After a three-hour drive we arrived at the mountain lake Laguna Culebrilla, starting point for our 5-6 hour hike, partly along an ancient Inca trail, to Ecuador’s most important Inca fortress, Ingapirca. The path leads mainly downhill: highest point approximately 4,000 m, destination at 3,200 m. On the way we passed through small mountain towns with a predominantly indigenous population. We spent the night at the rustic Posada Ingapirca.
Day 11
Cuenca and surroundings
Today we arrive in the beautiful colonial city of Cuenca, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. A leisurely city tour awaits you. We will visit the famous toquilla straw hats and learn about their production process. Then you can visit the surrounding towns such as Gualaceo, Sigsig or Chordeleg. Accommodation at the Santa Lucía Hotel.
Day 12
Cajas National Park
We leave for the famous Cajas National Park. Our approximately four-hour hike begins at about 4,100 m. The path passes several mountain lakes. Finally we walked along an ancient Inca trail.
There are only a few climbs, mostly downhill or straight. In the afternoon return to Cuenca and another night of accommodation at the Hotel Santa Lucía.
Day 13
Cuenca Cajas Guayaquil
We will drive again through Cajas National Park. We cross the 4,200m high pass and drive through a beautiful area of mountain lakes. Through different climatic and vegetation zones we enter the tropical lowlands passing through banana, cocoa and rice plantations until we finally reach the port city of Guayaquil. We stroll along the El Malecón promenade to the historic district of Las Peñas and enjoy the panoramic view from Cerro Santa Ana. Accommodation at the Unipark Hotel.
Day 14
Transfer to the airport and continuation of the trip
The guide will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the airport to take the flight to your next destination.
First Class Hotels
- Hotel Mercure Alameda
- Termas de Papallacta
- Chilcabamba Lodge
- Hacienda Leito
- Hacienda Abraspungo
- Posada Ingapirca
- Hotel Santa Lucía
- Hotel Unipark Guayaquil
- Private transportation and certified bilingual Spanish/English national guide, accommodation in a double room, meals as indicated (B=breakfast, L=lunch or BL=box lunch, C=dinner), entrance fees to the places to visit.
- Meals, activities, tickets and services not mentioned, drinks, tips, personal expenses, travel insurance, national and international air tickets.
