What you get on this adventure: An experienced, local, English-speaking hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area & local guides Private and comfortable land transportation during the tour Accommodation based on double occupancy Five-star hotel in Quito Eco-lodges in the Andes Three-star hotel in Baños 8-day Avenue of the Volcanoes Tour Most meals (7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners) Activities as described in the itinerary (trekking in Cotopaxi, trekking to Chugchilan, trekking to Quilotoa, Chimborazo base camp) Hiking sticks What’s not included: Transportation to Ecuador Single room supplement (available to add upon checkout) 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 5:1. That’s also the maximum group size. It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. 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 emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans. We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. Yellow fever, Hepatitis B vaccination and Malaria Medication are recommended when traveling to the tropics. Please ask your doctor for advice. If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

Guided Avenue of the Volcanoes trekking tour

Suspension bridge and waterfall in Ecuador

Limpiopungo lagoon beneath the Ruminahui volcano

QUITO | ECUADOR

Trekking the Avenue of the Volcanoes in Ecuador

5.00 ()

Season

Year round

Duration

8 days

Accommodation

Eco-lodges, three and five-star hotels

Difficulty

Guides

Dagmar Vacas, Gabriel Salas, Adventure Journeys

Questions, additional dates, private groups

Book a call

From $1,595 () / 8 days

Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
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

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 of America! Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, the city is considered to be the Cultural Capital of South America. Depending on your arrival time, you can spend the day exploring the old town of Quito and its surrounding area.

Your guides can help you organize a day trip—make sure to ask in advance. In the evening, your guide will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 6 pm, which is when you’ll go through the details of the adventure ahead. Get some rest, as tomorrow the adventure begins!

Accommodation: Dann Carlton Hotel or similar
Begin by hiking through the Sierra climate, the mid Andes highlands climate, around the Limpiopungo lagoon (13,000 ft / 3,800 m) on the foothills of the Rumiñahui volcano. From here, you will have the best views of Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world.

There is also the possibility to see wild horses, wild bulls, and some bird species. Your guides will then drive you to Isinlivi, a small settlement in Ecuador’s central highlands, where you will spend the night.

Accommodation: Llullu Llama Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
The charming Andean mountain landscapes will inspire you today on a trek along the Toachi canyon. You will experience stunning views of small villages and see indigenous people working in the fields.

Hike down to the canyon of the Toachi River and then back up to the main road that will take you to Chugchilán, a small town located in the middle of the Quilotoa loop. Here is where you will find your eco-house accommodation, and in the afternoon, you can explore the village and gain a bit of cultural experience with the locals.

Accommodation: Hostal Mama Hilda or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Distance: 13.5 km / 8.4 miles
Start hiking early in the morning after breakfast. Walk along small trails blazed by the mountain people, still used by locals to transport products and to travel across the canyons to reach neighboring communities. While trekking on this trail, it is common to see the traditional custom of exchanging goods with one another, with bartering still being utilized today.

You will venture down into impressive canyons to later climb back up to the top of the crater rim, where you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Quilotoa Lake. The majesty of this place will take your breath away. Enjoy a beautiful picnic with the best views from the volcano and transfer for 2.5 hours to a lodge in 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
Early in the morning, you will drive through valleys and farming villages to reach the Chimborazo Volcano, the highest mountain in Ecuador at 6,310 m (20702 ft) above sea level. Its summit is the furthest point from the center of the earth on the entire planet! On a clear day, the majestic peak of Chimborazo dominates the view for many kilometers.

Visiting this spectacular national park includes a short hike of 0.9 km (0.57 miles) to reach the elevation of 5,000 m (16404 ft) where the glacier begins. Try to spot a few of the animals that inhabit this volcanic climate such as the Andean condor, cara-cara, hummingbirds, and the timid wild Vicuñas. Once extinct in Ecuador, they were reintroduced into the wild and are now protected; this beautiful animal is related to the alpacas and llamas. A delicious picnic will be organized at the base camp before you leave.

Accommodation: Casa de Luis or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Today you’ll be trekking through Llanganates National Park for 6 hours, famous for its amazing landscapes and storied mystery. Legend has it that the Inca General Ruminahui has a large sum of gold hidden somewhere in the Llanganates mountain range!

Start the hike at 3,200 m (10,498 ft) above sea level and travel upwards to 3,600m (12,024 ft). See a variety of changes in vegetation while trekking to higher elevations. Expect stunning views of the Tungurahua Volcano and the Sangay Volcano (if visibility is good). After this beautiful trek, return to Baños to spend the last night in this magical town. You’ll have the chance to visit a spa and get a nice massage after a day of trekking through the moon-like landscape of Chimborazo. In the evening, you can soak in the famous hot springs of Baños and experience the vibrant nightlife of this town!

Accommodation: Casa de Luis or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Baños is a town well known for its spectacular location right at the foothills of the active Tungurahua volcano and it’s an excellent place for outdoor activities like horseback riding, canyoning, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and rafting. It’s one of the most popular spots in the country, and you will find many Ecuadorian families vacationing here. Just one look at this delightfully green mountain town and you will know why.

Surprisingly, it is still pleasant and unspoiled. This morning you will hit the Road of the Waterfalls. The first stop will be at the Bride’s Veil waterfall, where you will take the Tarabita (cable car) to get across the Pastaza River. Then, you will hike down for one hour to the Pailon del Diablo waterfall, the second highest in Ecuador. After a day full of adventures in the cloud forest, you will enjoy the scenic ride back to Quito City.

Accommodation: Dann Carlton Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
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.

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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 Matossian

We had several guides, all from ECUADOR Our guide, Alfonso, escorted us to the highest parts of the Andes Mountains. WOW! We felt safe, the hiking was very well-planned & the VIEWS were stunning. Alfonso spoke excellent English & he answered ALL our questions. He was cheerful & charming.

Vitaly F (source: Trip Advisor)

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 (source: Trip Advisor)

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.

Kaitlyn K (source: Trip Advisor)

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 (source: Trip Advisor)

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 (source: Trip Advisor)

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 (source: Trip Advisor)

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

Things to know

What you get on this adventure:
- - An experienced, local, English-speaking hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area & local guides
  - Private and comfortable land transportation during the tour
  - Accommodation based on double occupancy
    
    Five-star hotel in Quito
    
    Eco-lodges in the Andes
    
    Three-star hotel in Baños
  - 8-day Avenue of the Volcanoes Tour
  - Most meals (7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners)
  - Activities as described in the itinerary (trekking in Cotopaxi, trekking to Chugchilan, trekking to Quilotoa, Chimborazo base camp)
  - Hiking sticks
What’s not included:
- - Transportation to Ecuador
  - Single room supplement (available to add upon checkout)
  - 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 5:1. That’s also the maximum group size.
  - It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate.
  - 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 emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.

Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. Yellow fever, Hepatitis B vaccination and Malaria Medication are recommended when traveling to the tropics. Please ask your doctor for advice.

If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, 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.