Included: An experienced, local, English-speaking hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area & local guides Accommodation for 7 nights, double occupancy, day-by-day details in the itinerary Private and comfortable land transportation during the tour 8-day Avenue of the Volcanoes Tour Most meals (7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners) Activities as described in the itinerary Trekking poles Add-ons: Single occupancy room (available at checkout) Not included: Transportation to Ecuador Meals not mentioned in the itinerary (estimated budget $120) Guide gratuities — optional Travel and medical insurance — optional

How fit do I need to be?

While you don’t need to have any particular experience with hiking to join the Avenue of the Volcanoes trekking tour, you still need to have good fitness . You will be hiking for six days in a row while also carrying a daypack with things you might need throughout the day. Check out the itinerary to see day-by-day activities. If you’d love to explore Ecuador and Galapagos by trekking, cycling, rafting, snorkeling, and kayaking, check out these active holidays in Ecuador and Galapagos .

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Day pack large enough to carry all the items you might need throughout the day (around a 25-40L bag) Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity) Spare clothes for layering Light sweater or sweatshirt Lightweight trousers, shorts, skirts… T-shirts Underwear and socks Swimming suit Sport sandals Sneakers Comfy shoes Waterproof rain jacket Wide brim or long bill hat Cap Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.) Headlamp or flashlight Sunglasses Camera — optional (but recommended) Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

What’s the food like?

A big part of going on this Avenue of the Volcanoes trekking tour is getting to experience and taste the local cuisine. Your guide will give you terrific recommendations and suggest the best places to enjoy the food. Some meals are included in the price of the tour, but you also get enough free time and flexibility to pick out what suits you best. Ecuadorian cuisine blends the culinary traditions of Spain, the Andes, and the Amazon. The stars of the show are the fruit of the sea, though you will also find various meats readily available. If you have any allergies or food restrictions, please let us know upon booking! Your guides are happy to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free diets, and they will coordinate substitute meals with chefs and restaurants.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing For this Avenue of the Volcanoes trekking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 16:1. It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 16 participants. The price is based on double occupancy. If you’re traveling solo, you will be matched with another participant of the same sex. If you prefer to have a single room, you can add that at an additional cost upon booking at checkout. Avenue of the Volcanoes trekking tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to Quito, the starting point of your Avenue of the Volcanoes trekking tour, most people fly into Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport (UIO) . It will take you anywhere between an hour and an hour and a half to reach Quito city, depending on your mode of transfer. The cheapest way to reach the city is by taking the bus. The first day is all about reaching Quito and getting settled in. You will meet your guide and your team at a welcome briefing at 6 pm.

Safety measures in Ecuador

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection . To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible , simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner ! Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered. Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

QUITO | ECUADOR

Trekking the Avenue of the Volcanoes in Ecuador

5.00

Guided Avenue of the Volcanoes trekking tour

Suspension bridge and waterfall in Ecuador

Limpiopungo lagoon beneath the Ruminahui volcano

From $1,930 ()

Duration

8 days

Season

Year round

Accommodation

Standard, Comfort: Eco-lodges, three and five-star hotels

Book a call

Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Reviews
Things to know

Ecuador’s Avenue of the Volcanoes is so much more than just a trek with smokin’ views. It’s a week-long immersion into all things Ecuadorian, a cultural eruption in every sense of the word. We’ll stumble upon some hidden communities, get to know indigenous cultures, and venture deep into the heart of the Andean world. The trails used by the local mountain people feature spectacular views of Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, and Chimborazo volcanoes, not to mention a Quilotoa caldera lake, and thundering waterfalls. And–if we’re lucky–we’ll even spot some llamas, alpacas, deer, and vicuñas!

Adventure highlights

The 20,548-ft high Chimborazo

We’ll trek to the base camp of Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest peak and an inactive stratovolcano
Baños hot springs

With the Tungurahua volcano looming above, we’ll relax our muscles in invigorating hot springs
Quest for the Inca treasure

Legend has it that an Inca general hid a large sum of gold somewhere in the Llanganates mountains

Itinerary

Download itinerary

Journey to the vibrant Ecuador, where the Avenue of the Volcanoes will take us on an 8-day trekking adventure! With Quito as our starting point, we’ll make our way to several volcanoes, but also experience spectacular landscapes such as a piercing-blue caldera lake, a 365-foot tall waterfall, rolling lush hills, moonlike landscapes, and so much more. Our guide has arranged everything, making sure we get a worry-free, authentic Ecuadorian experience. All that’s left to do is to marvel at incredible natural gems we’ll see and to keep an eye out for wildlife!

Welcome to Quito! The largest and best-preserved colonial city in the Americas, Quito was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Often referred to as the Cultural Capital of South America, it was also the second most important city in the Inca Empire. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore Quito’s charming old town and surrounding areas—your guides can help organize a day trip if you wish. In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel for a welcome briefing, with plenty of time to go over trip details and answer any questions. This first day is designed for information and acclimation.

Accommodation: Hotel Wyndham La Quinta or similar
Begin the day with a hike through the Sierra climate around Limpiopungo Lagoon (13,000 ft / 3,800 m), located at the foothills of the Rumiñahui volcano. From this vantage point, you’ll enjoy some of the best views of Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world. Along the way, you may spot wild horses, bulls, and various bird species. To end the day, we’ll drive to Isinliví, where we’ll spend the night.

Accommodation: Llullu Llama Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Distance: 5 miles / 8 km
Elevation gain: 1,000 ft / 305 m
Walking time: Approximately 2 hours on flat terrain around Limpiopungo Lagoon
Total steps: 15,345
The charming Andean mountain landscapes will inspire us today as we trek 13.5 km (8.4 mi) along the Toachi Canyon. Enjoy stunning views of small villages and indigenous people working in the fields. We’ll hike down into the canyon of the Toachi River and then back up to the main road leading to Chugchilán, a small town nestled in the heart of the Quilotoa Loop. Here, we’ll settle into our eco-house accommodation, and in the afternoon, there’s time to explore the village and enjoy a unique cultural experience with the locals.

Accommodation: Hostal Mama Hilda or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Distance: 13.5 km / 8.4 miles
Elevation gain: 998 ft / 304 m
Elevation loss: 1,310 ft / 399 m
Walking time: 4 hours (2 downhill, 2 uphill)
Total steps: 25,481
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we’ll begin an 11-km (6.9 miles) hike along small trails carved by mountain people and still used by locals to transport goods and travel between neighboring communities. Along the way, you’ll witness the traditional custom of bartering, as locals exchange goods with one another. We’ll descend into impressive canyons before climbing back up to the crater rim, where spectacular views of Quilotoa Lake await you. The majesty of this place is truly breathtaking. Enjoy a beautiful picnic with the best views from the volcano, then transfer 2.5 hours to a magical hacienda nestled in the foothills of Chimborazo volcano.

Accommodation: Hostería Andaluza or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Distance: 11 km / 6.9 miles
Elevation gain: 3,200 ft / 975 m
Elevation loss: 698 ft / 213 m
Walking time: 5 hours (1 downhill, 2.5 uphill, 1.5 flat)
Total steps: 27,518
Early in the morning, we’ll drive through valleys and farming villages to reach Chimborazo Volcano, Ecuador’s highest peak at 6,310 m (20,702 ft), whose summit is the farthest point from the center of the Earth. On a clear day, this majestic mountain dominates the horizon for miles. Our visit to this spectacular national park includes a short 0.9 km (0.57 mi) hike up to 5,000 m (16,404 ft), where the glacier begins. Along the way, we’ll look out for native wildlife like the Andean condor, cara-cara, hummingbirds, and the shy wild vicuñas—once extinct in Ecuador but now reintroduced and protected. These beautiful animals are relatives of alpacas and llamas. A delicious picnic will be served at base camp before we depart.

Accommodation: Casa de Luis or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Elevation gain: 984 ft / 300 m
Walking time: 2 hours 15 minutes (1.5 uphill, 0.75 downhill)
Total steps: 14,974
Trek for 6 hours in Llanganates National Park, renowned for its stunning landscapes and intriguing mystery. Legend says the Inca General Ruminahui hid a large sum of gold somewhere in the Tungurahua mountain range. Begin the hike at 3,200 m (10,498 ft) and ascend to 3,600 m (12,024 ft), observing diverse vegetation as you climb. Enjoy breathtaking views of Tungurahua and Sangay Volcanoes (weather permitting). After the trek, return to Baños for your final night in this enchanting town. It’s a great chance to visit a nearby spa for a relaxing massage after your hike. In the evening, unwind in Baños’ famous hot springs and soak up the lively nightlife.

Accommodation: Casa de Luis or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Elevation gain: 1,315 ft / 400 m
Walking time: 6 hours
Baños is a town famous for its stunning location at the foothills of the active Tungurahua volcano and offers a wide range of outdoor activities like horseback riding, canyoning, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and rafting. It’s one of Ecuador’s top tourist destinations, popular with many local families on vacation. One glance at this lush, green mountain town reveals its charm—pleasant and unspoiled. This morning, we’ll explore the road of waterfalls, starting at the Bride’s Veil waterfall where we’ll cross the Pastaza River on the Tarabita (cable car). Next, we’ll hike down for about an hour to the Pailon del Diablo waterfall, Ecuador’s second highest. After a day packed with cloud forest adventures, we’ll enjoy a scenic drive back to Quito City.

Accommodation: Hotel Wyndham La Quinta or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Elevation gain: 299 ft / 91 m
Walking time: 1 hour 45 minutes (45 minutes downhill, 1 hour uphill)
Total steps: 13,000
The trip has come to an end, but if you’d like to stay longer and explore Ecuador, just ask your guides for some recommendations!

Meals: Breakfast
Your guides will do their best to adhere to the itinerary described. However, it may be necessary to make small changes due to weather conditions and unpredictable local circumstances. Also keep in mind that any mention of specific wildlife in the itinerary is not a guarantee that it will be seen during the trip.

Trekking the Avenue of the Volcanoes in Ecuador

Adventure Brochure

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If you have questions or need help with planning a trip, schedule a call with one of our adventure experts.

Meet your guides

5.00

Dagmar Vacas

Born and raised in Santa Cruz in Galapagos, Dagmar has loved the outdoors and nature since she was a child. She feels lucky to be a guide in the tropical paradise of Galapagos and Ecuador, and every day is a new experience. Dagmar is passionate about introducing other people from all over the world to this enchanting archipelago, and teaching them all about it.

5.00

Gabriel Salas

Having grown up in Santa Cruz of the Galapagos Islands, Gabriel realized that his true calling was to be in the outdoors and share his knowledge with other people. He is proud to say he works as a naturalist guide in his home, showing guests all the beauties and interesting things about Galapagos. Gabriel always focuses on guests having a terrific experience, but also teaching them the importance of conservation of nature.

5.00

Adventure Journeys

Adventure Journeys is a lead adventure travel company based in Ecuador’s Quiot and the Galapagos Islands. Founded by Henry Sisa, a very knowledgeable expert National Geographic expedition leader and naturalist guide, the company focuses on offering life-changing adventure experiences and tailor-made expeditions. Adventure Journeys’ mission is to always achieve customer satisfaction, as the client’s happiness, enjoyment, and education are the company’s pillars.

5.00(7 reviews)

Mary M.

|June 2024

Our adventure surpassed our expectations by a whole lot! Each morning, we had a hearty breakfast, a good night’s sleep & we were well- informed on what the day’s itinerary held for us. Every day was a NEW & challenging hike. The food & food choices were excellent!!

Vitaly F

In December 2023, my wife and I bought the tour “ECUADOR TREKKING THE AVENUE OF VOLCANOES”. We really love hiking and unusual tracks. And so we arrived in Quito, a gift from the organizers was already waiting for us at the hotel, it was nice to receive souvenirs. Our guide Rafael was with us the whole tour. Very educated, experienced, tactful. He told us a lot about Ecuador, helped us with advice everywhere. He is also a very good driver. On this tour we saw volcanoes, lagoons, and a variety of flora and fauna of Ecuador. Rafael explained to us all the subtleties of life in Ecuador. The routes are very well designed. Unforgettable landscapes. Very cozy hotels were waiting for us every day, as if from a fairy tale. The organization of the entire tour is at the highest level. We thank the entire team that worked on this. We recommend it.

bklecyngier

Amazing trip. Our guide David and Julio(our driver) were simply wonderful. David paid close attention to all details of our adventure. He was very supportive and encouraging in our time of struggle. The accommodations were superb and we had dined on authentic Ecuadorian cuisine.

Show all reviews

Mary M.

|June 2024

Vitaly F

bklecyngier

Kaitlyn K

I had an incredible experience on the Avenue of Volcanos trip, and our guide Jorge was amazing! He was very professional and made genuine effort to make sure every person in our group was well cared for and felt included in the treks, dinners, Banos fun & activities… Ask for him when you book!! We were a group of six, and one guest in particular seemed very underprepared physically for the hikes. Our guide made sure to monitor the pace of the group to allow them to catch up and feel safe. He was very respectful to everyone’s abilities and pace. I have been on other trekking tours, and in comparison to previous experiences, he was the most contentious towards everyone’s physical abilities, making sure no one was left out or left behind. This trip is a perfect mix of jaw dropping diverse scenery, challenging hikes that pushed your mind and body, delicious food, gorgeous hotels and hostels, rest and relaxing (spas, massages, you name it), and adventure activities in Banos. Our guide helped us find great activities to close out the trip like hot springs, zip lining, cable cars; all very fun. Looking forward to going back to Ecuador one day and exploring more regions through Adventure Journeys. P.s. Lobito our driver was amazing, felt safe the whole time driving between destinations, and never met someone who smiles so much!

Renske S

Had an amazing time in Ecuador with our tourguide Diego and our driver Armando! They took care of everthing and made us feel welcome. We had such good experiences with them guiding us through the country and activities. It was nice Diego gave us all kind of information about the country and the place we would visit that day.

Dion S

Amazing country, amazing views and amazing tourguide. Took the time for us and had a lot of knowledge about the visits, and is the most funny ecuadorian

Paul H

Thanks to Jorge for expertly guiding us through this spectacular scenery and making this a trip of a lifetime .

Things to know

Included:
- - An experienced, local, English-speaking hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area & local guides
  - Accommodation for 7 nights, double occupancy, day-by-day details in the itinerary
  - Private and comfortable land transportation during the tour
  - 8-day Avenue of the Volcanoes Tour
  - Most meals (7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners)
  - Activities as described in the itinerary
  - Trekking poles
Add-ons:
- - Single occupancy room (available at checkout)
Not included:
- - Transportation to Ecuador
  - Meals not mentioned in the itinerary (estimated budget $120)
  - Guide gratuities — optional
  - Travel and medical insurance — optional
While you don’t need to have any particular experience with hiking to join the Avenue of the Volcanoes trekking tour, you still need to have good fitness. You will be hiking for six days in a row while also carrying a daypack with things you might need throughout the day. Check out the itinerary to see day-by-day activities.

If you’d love to explore Ecuador and Galapagos by trekking, cycling, rafting, snorkeling, and kayaking, check out these active holidays in Ecuador and Galapagos.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
- - Day pack large enough to carry all the items you might need throughout the day (around a 25-40L bag)
  - Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  - Spare clothes for layering
  - Light sweater or sweatshirt
  - Lightweight trousers, shorts, skirts…
  - T-shirts
  - Underwear and socks
  - Swimming suit
  - Sport sandals
  - Sneakers
  - Comfy shoes
  - Waterproof rain jacket
  - Wide brim or long bill hat
  - Cap
  - Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  - Headlamp or flashlight
  - Sunglasses
  - Camera — optional (but recommended)
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
A big part of going on this Avenue of the Volcanoes trekking tour is getting to experience and taste the local cuisine. Your guide will give you terrific recommendations and suggest the best places to enjoy the food. Some meals are included in the price of the tour, but you also get enough free time and flexibility to pick out what suits you best. Ecuadorian cuisine blends the culinary traditions of Spain, the Andes, and the Amazon. The stars of the show are the fruit of the sea, though you will also find various meats readily available.

If you have any allergies or food restrictions, please let us know upon booking! Your guides are happy to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free diets, and they will coordinate substitute meals with chefs and restaurants.
Group sizes and pricing
- - For this Avenue of the Volcanoes trekking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 16:1.
  - It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 16 participants.
  - The price is based on double occupancy. If you’re traveling solo, you will be matched with another participant of the same sex. If you prefer to have a single room, you can add that at an additional cost upon booking at checkout.
Avenue of the Volcanoes trekking tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Quito, the starting point of your Avenue of the Volcanoes trekking tour, most people fly into Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport (UIO). It will take you anywhere between an hour and an hour and a half to reach Quito city, depending on your mode of transfer. The cheapest way to reach the city is by taking the bus.

The first day is all about reaching Quito and getting settled in. You will meet your guide and your team at a welcome briefing at 6 pm.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
- - If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to thirty (30) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total trip cost.
  - After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund.