12-day adventure on Ecuador's Avenue of Volcanoes

Quito Airport - Quito

Day 1: Touchdown in Ecuador

Once you've arrived, you'll receive a warm welcome at the airport from your English-speaking guide.

Then, take a private transfer to your hotel in Quito and relax after the journey. 

Quito

Day 2: Tour the city

After breakfast this morning, you'll get a chance to fully appreciate the beauty of Quito’s historic centre. One of Latin America's largest and best preserved cities, there is nothing like exploring the capital on foot. Admire the wonders of this UNESCO World Heritage Site on a private guided walking tour through Quito's old town. See the lively Plaza de la Independencia with its imposing Metropolitan Cathedral and the impressive Church of La Compañía de Jesús. You’ll also take in the majesty of the cathedral and several other monuments and museums as you explore with your English-speaking local guide.

Afterwards, it's time to relax: the rest of the day is free to spend however you please. 

Quito - Cuicocha Lake - Otavalo

Day 3: Journey into the Andes

It's time to leave the city after breakfast, heading into the Andes mountains: you’ll be travelling by private car with an English-speaking local guide.

The road to our next destination leads through a region famous for cultivating Ecuadorian roses, with beautiful landscapes backed by the summits of the northern Andes. Along the way we visit the lovely Cuicocha Lake, a crater lake surrounded by lush vegetation where orchids thrive. The next stop is at the lively indigenous market of Otavalo, the most famous Ecuadorian handicraft market in the Andes. Here, you'll meet the indigenous Otavaleños wearing espadrilles, brown felt hats and traditional blue ponchos. They are the most prosperous indigenous people in Ecuador and are formidable traders. The market, busy with locals and visitors, is one of the country's must-sees.

Later, check in to your new hotel in Otavalo and settle in. 

Otavalo - Cayambe - Cotopaxi Mountain

Day 4: The Equator & volcano riding

Set off after breakfast for Quitsato, where a giant sundial marks the line of the Equator. Your guide will tell you all about this special place, explaining its importance to Ecuador’s past civilizations and present inhabitants.

Later, continue your journey towards Cotopaxi Volcano, where you’ll embark on a horse-riding excursion into the mountains. Meet your horse, and run through a riding and safety briefing before setting off across the dormant slopes of the Rumiñahui Volcano. The trail takes us through breathtaking Andean landscapes, weaving through the foothills of over a dozen volcanoes.

In the late afternoon, check in at your new hotel and relax for the evening, after a full day of Andean adventure.

Cotopaxi Mountain - Quilotoa

Day 5: Volcano hiking

After this morning's breakfast, get ready to visit the beautiful Cotopaxi National Park, home to Ecuador's second-highest summit at 5897m. It's also the highest active volcano in the world, with steamy fumaroles drifting up from its ice-covered crater. After driving up to the car park at 4600m, we continue on foot to the José Rivas hut, around 200m higher; there’s also the option to continue hiking to reach the snowline. 

Afterwards, we take a gentle walk around Limpiopungo Lagoon, enjoying stunning views of Cotopaxi above. Appreciate the flora and fauna typical of the páramo, these wide plains swept by the cold winds of the Andes. Later, arrive in the Tigua region and check in at your new hotel, where an evening meal is included.

Quilotoa - Riobamba

Day 6: Glorious crater lake

Set off from Tigua to the Quilotoa Lagoon crater lake after breakfast today, making a short stop to visit a local artisan studio, discovering the naive painting techniques typical of the region.

You'll then arrive in the village close to Quilotoa Lagoon, undoubtedly the most spectacular in the country. The deep emerald green of the lake almost glows and reflects the clouds sailing by above. If you wish, hike to the bottom of the crater and the edge of the lagoon, about a two-hour round trip. If you're feeling more energetic, hike the trail around the lagoon, which takes five to six hours.

Later, continue to Riobamba and settle in at your hotel.

Chimborazo - Banos

Day 7: The High Andes

After today's breakfast in the mountains, you'll visit the Chimborazo Natural Reserve, an incredible landscape of high Andean plateaus with grassy plains grazed by herds of vicuñas. Drive up to the first refuge at an altitude of 4800m: you have the option to hike from here up to a second refuge at 5100m.

Back on the road, we head to Baños, a lovely town to wander through and perhaps enjoy the waters of the local thermal baths, perfect after a hike. Then it's time to settle in to your new hotel for a good night's rest.

Banos - Guamote

Day 8: The Devil's waterfall

After breakfast, visit La Casa del Arbol above the town of Baños, a special place known for its giant swing, which flies out over a dramatic void.

Next, we'll visit the Pailón del Diablo Waterfalls – probably the most famous in the country. This powerful waterfall is made up of three sections, with the highest cascading down from a height of 80m. Visitors can climb to a viewing point adjacent and try to make out the shape of the devil’s face that the waterfall is named after. There are some lovely walking trails nearby leading to other waterfalls and viewpoints.

After your visit, continue south to Guamote, your home for the night, with a few interesting stops along the way.

Guamote - Ingapirca - Cuenca

Day 9: Incredible Inca ruins

If your visit falls on a Thursday, then don’t miss a trip to Guamote Market after breakfast this morning. This is a truly authentic and traditional Ecuadorian market with people coming from miles around to barter over farm animals and produce.

We'll then continue along the Avenue of Volcanoes, winding through the central Andes with magnificent panoramas of patchwork fields and farmland. Our next destination is Ingapirca, the most important Inca site in Ecuador, and a place full of history and legends. Ingapirca was built by the Inca Huayna Capac in the 15th century and was an imposing fortress housing a temple, warehouses and an observatory made of stones assembled without mortar.

The road continues through the last high volcanoes of southern Ecuador and on to the grand city of Cuenca, where you'll check into your hotel and enjoy a free evening.

Cuenca

Day 10: Exploring colonial cobbled streets

Fill up at breakfast this morning and get ready to explore the magnificent colonial city of Cuenca on a private guided tour.

The historic centre has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and is full of magnificent churches and monuments built by the Spanish but incorporating remnants of structures built by the Cañari and Inca cultures. Cuenca’s cobbled streets are lined with pretty houses and flower-filled balconies, and are a delight to stroll along. We’ll be walking through flower markets and streets lined with specialist craft workshops as we explore.

In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the secrets of the pre-Columbian cultures represented in the Pumapungo Museum and visit a fascinating Panama hat factory.  

The rest of the day is free for you to spend as you please, heading out to explore some more or just taking time to unwind at the hotel.

Cuenca - Gualaceo - Cuenca

Day 11: Arts & crafts around Cuenca

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, then spend a relaxing day visiting several traditional villages in the Cuenca region. Make a short stop at the covered market at Gualaceo, a typical village of the region, before moving on to the Casa de la Makana. This is where the Makana or Ikat, an ancestral weaving technique, is made. Next, visit Chordeleg, a small town dedicated to crafting silver and gold filigree jewellery, where you can discover a workshop and unravel the mysteries of these techniques passed down from generation to generation.

Then, head back to Cuenca to enjoy your last evening in Ecuador, perhaps celebrating at a special restaurant.

Cuenca - Cajas - Guayaquil

Day 12: Airport run with a view

This morning have a final Ecuadorian breakfast, then set off for the airport in Guayaquil, a three to four hour journey through the Western cordillera to Cajas Park. Enjoy stunning views over the many lakes of this protected area and, if there's time, stop for some hiking along the way. Arrive at the airport in good time for your homeward flight.