Trekking the Avenue of the Volcanoes in Ecuador

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
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 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
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

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
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, 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
Elevation gain: 984 ft / 300 m
Walking time: 2 hours 15 minutes (1.5 uphill, 0.75 downhill)
Total steps: 14,974

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
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