Name: Tour 12 Days Hiking In Ecuador Highlands | Visit Ecuador
Price: 2095.00 USD
Rating: 3 (1 reviews)

Guide

Spanish and English-speaking guide

Others

•Entrances to all the activities listed on the itinerary

Accommodation

•10 nights of lodging

Transport

•Transfers from and to the airport with a private English-speaking driver •All transfers with a private English-speaking driver

Meals

•11 Breakfast

Not included:

Flights

•International flights

Insurance

Travel insurance

Others

•Meals not listed on the itinerary •Tips & Gratitues

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Welcome To Ecuador The Middle Of The World
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Welcome To Ecuador The Middle Of The World

Welcome to Quito, the capital of Ecuador!

Arrive at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), at 2,850 meters (9,350 ft) above sea level, Ecuador’s dramatic capital city is the second highest in the world after Bolivia’s La Paz. Built on the ashes of the northern Inca capital following the 1533 Spanish conquest, Quito is nestled in a valley surrounded by majestic Andean peaks, among them the restless Volcán Pichincha.

The entire city of Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, standing at an altitude of 9,350 feet (2,850 m). It welcomes visitors with its picturesque plazas situated between mountain peaks. The city has an abundance of market stands, shamanistic healers, and fourth-generation hat makers, as well as a vibrant and sophisticated culinary and nightlife scene.

Your private driver will meet you for an approximately 45-minute transfer to your accommodation in the city center. Along the way, you’ll get a short introduction to Quito´s history and a quick briefing on the next day’s activities.

Meals: -

Accommodation: Quito
Day 2 Colonial Quito City Tour & The Middle Of The World
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Colonial Quito City Tour & The Middle Of The World

Today, after breakfast, your English-speaking guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you on a walking city tour. The colonial center of Quito was already named world cultural heritage by UNESCO in 1978 and is home to many beautiful, historic buildings and squares. You will visit the Plaza Grande and the beautiful churches La Compañía and La Basílica and walk down the oldest street of Quito—La Ronda.

Afterward, you will visit the equatorial monument, Mitad del Mundo, located just 26 km (16 miles) north of Ecuador’s capital city, Quito where French scientists determined the position of the central line many years ago. Ecuador is the place to come to stand on the Equator line, nowhere else on the planet is it easier to visit the Equator line or strike a pose with one foot in each hemisphere. Even Ecuador’s name was born of its location at latitude zero. You will visit the museum exhibits including a planetarium, ethnographic museum, art exhibits, a small-scale model of Quito city, an old train station, a beer museum, cocoa & chocolate exhibits, and a small chapel, for an unforgettable experience today.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Quito
Day 3 Hiking La Mica Lagoon At Antisana National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hiking La Mica Lagoon At Antisana National Park

La Mica Lagoon is in the eastern mountain range of Ecuador, between the provinces of Pichincha and Napo, is at the foot of the Antisana Volcano and belongs to the Antisana National Park and has impressive and wonderful landscapes.

La Mica is a 700 meters long lagoon, being a glacial type of lagoon, its name is due to the phenomenon that happens on its coldest days, because when temperatures are extremely low a small layer of ice forms along the lagoon. This hike is ideal for beginners or people who want to venture into the world of hiking and get to appreciate a variety of wildlife such as rabbits, condors, and deer.

Late afternoon you will return to Quito.

Maximum Altitude: 3900 mt.

Difficulty level: Low

Hike Duration: 2-3 hours

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Quito
Day 4 Hiking The Extinct Pasochoa Volcano
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hiking The Extinct Pasochoa Volcano

After breakfast at the hotel in Quito, you will be picked up by transportation to travel toward Pasochoa Volcano.

The Pasochoa volcano is beautiful, you will be reaching an altitude of 4,199-meter (13,776 ft). The highlight of the Pasochoa hike will be its humid cloud forest, which lies inside an extinct volcanic crater near Quito. You will find over one hundred species of birds and fifty species of original Andean trees.

During the hike, which will be for approximately 5 to 6 hours, you will have the opportunity to see the stunning Andean wildlife, including bulls, horses, hummingbirds, the Viridian Metaltail, the Mountain- Tanager, the Red-crested Cotinga, and the occasional Andean Condor.

You will return to Quito for a well-earned rest.

Maximum Altitude: 4199 mt.

Difficulty level: Moderate-High.

Hike Duration: 5-6 hours

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Quito
Day 5 Hiking Rucu Pichincha Volcano
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hiking Rucu Pichincha Volcano

Today you will hike your first peak, the Rucu Pichincha volcano (4.690 m)!

In the morning you will take the cable car Teleferico to get up to approx. 4.000 m from where you will start the hike. Enjoy the great view over the city. The first part of the hike brings you through páramo (typical andean landscape), whereas the last part until the summit is a steeper climb.

On the summit, enjoy the feeling of having climbed this volcano, take some pictures and start your way back to the Teleferico, which brings you back down to the city. The complete hike takes about 6 hours.

Maximum Altitude: 4690 mt.

Difficulty level: Moderate- High.

Hike Duration: 6 hours

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Quito
Day 6 Hiking Day At Cotopaxi National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hiking Day At Cotopaxi National Park

You will wake up early, and after breakfast, you will say goodbye to the beautiful Hacienda and head to the Cotopaxi National Park, about 10 - 20 minutes’ driving distance.

Upon your arrival at Cotopaxi National Park, you will see the volcano towering at 5897 meters, whose peak boasts a perfectly symmetrical snow-capped cone, and picturesque surrounding parkland. Located south of Quito, the Cotopaxi volcano is the second highest summit in Ecuador (19,347 feet). But there is more than meets the eyes. It is one of the world’s most active volcanoes! Its dome, which form is almost perfect, is covered with eternal snow.

Once there, you will start at Lake Limpiopungo, here you may find a variety of birds, and occasionally even wild horses. A short walk around the lake will allow you to admire the Andean plant and animal life along the way.

You will explore the rugged surroundings and stunning scenery of Cotopaxi National Park and Cotopaxi Volcano and enjoy heading ever-higher into this sky-high region, stopping at the 15,800-foot (4864-meter) Padre Rivas Refuge, here, you will have a spectacular view of Cotopaxi Volcano’s gigantic cone, The distance is short, and the hike presents no technical difficulty. but make sure to stay hydrated to avoid the effects of altitude, and bring warm clothes (hat, scarf, gloves, warm upper layers, wind/rainproof jacket). This will be an excellent way to discover the mythical Andean landscapes in a truly unique way.

Jose Ribas Refuge Altitude: 4864 mt.

Difficulty Level: Low- Moderate.

Hike duration: 1- 2 hours approx.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Cotopaxi
Day 7 Alpaca Encounter At Quilotoa Lagoon
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Alpaca Encounter At Quilotoa Lagoon

Today you will visit the picturesque volcano lagoon Quilotoa. You have the option to walk along the crater’s rim to enjoy the splendid view or hike down a path to the crater lake. The return can become a bit longer, so you have the option to rent a mule for the uphill hike. In the afternoon, you return to Quito.

Altitude: 3878 mt.

Difficulty Level: Moderate.

Hike Duration: 1 hour down/ 2 hours going up Approx.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Quito
Day 8 Hiking Fuya Fuya Volcano- Otavalo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hiking Fuya Fuya Volcano- Otavalo

Today, you will climb the beautiful Fuya Fuya Volcano, located not far from Otavalo! You will start the hike at Laguna Mojanda, from there the trail leads up through knee-high grass vegetation and achupallas (andean tall pineapples). The climb gradually becomes steeper as you gain altitude. It takes around 2-3 hours to get to the top. Once on top of the summit, you can enjoy the view of surrounding mountains (if the weather permits). After descending the volcano, you will head back to the hotel in Otavalo.

Altitude: 4290 mt.

Difficulty Level: Low-Moderate.

Hike Duration: 2-3 hours.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Otavalo
Day 9 Cuicocha Lagoon Hike
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Cuicocha Lagoon Hike

After a delicious breakfast, you will head to the famous Cuicocha Lagoon, a little bit North of Otavalo. On the trail around the crater lagoon, your guide will explain to you the high-altitude flora and fauna and the history of the once-active volcano (duration of hike: approx. 5 hours). Alternatively, if you don’t feel like hiking, you can just take a short walk and take some pictures, or ride in a boat around the two islands.

In the afternoon, you can make a stopover in the leather town of Cotacachi - maybe you find some souvenirs.

Altitude: 4944 mt.

Difficulty Level: Low- moderate

Hike Duration: 4-5 hours.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Otavalo
Day 10 Otavalo Market- Peguche- Quito
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Otavalo Market- Peguche- Quito

Today, you will visit the market of Otavalo. Otavalo features one of the most important traditional markets of South America. Here, the indigenous people of the surrounding areas gather to trade anything from animals over handicrafts to fresh vegetables and fruits. Take a stroll through the streets and maybe try some of the local street food such as salted mango or fritada con mote, and fried pork with cooked corn.

Afterward, you will head to the small waterfall Peguche, formed by the river of the same name. This waterfall is considered as an indigenous ceremonial site. After visiting the waterfall, you could also stop by the local artisans who live and work in this area. For your overnight stay, you return to Quito.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Quito
Day 11 Hotsprings In Termas De Papallacta
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hotsprings In Termas De Papallacta

What better way is there to wrap up a long trip than a relaxing visit to a hot spring to unwind? Today, head to Papallacta, home of the Termas de Papallacta, a spa made up of eight natural geothermal pools. Take a dip in the warm water and let any stress from your travels melt away as you admire the views of polylepis trees and the Antisana Volcano in the distance.

Papallacta Hotsprings is a popular tourist destination in Ecuador. The hotsprings, which are located in a mountain valley near the Andes, boast of therapeutic and healing powers due to their high mineral content. Visitors can enjoy a range of activities including soaking in the hot pools, steam baths and Jacuzzis, as well as a variety of treatments such as massages and mud baths. The resort also offers a number of other amenities such as a spa, restaurants, a pool, and a variety of lodging options. Papallacta Hotsprings is a great destination for anyone looking for a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Quito
Day 12 Transfer To Quito Airport For Departure
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Transfer To Quito Airport For Departure

It is time to say goodbye to Ecuador and continue to your next adventure. A representative will pick you up at your accommodation and take you to the airport in Quito for your flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: -

12 days tour

12 Days Hiking In Ecuador Highlands

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip 12 Days Hiking In Ecuador Highlands

Welcome To Ecuador The Middle Of The World

Colonial Quito City Tour & The Middle Of The World

Hiking La Mica Lagoon At Antisana National Park

Hiking The Extinct Pasochoa Volcano

Hiking Rucu Pichincha Volcano

Hiking Day At Cotopaxi National Park

Alpaca Encounter At Quilotoa Lagoon

Hiking Fuya Fuya Volcano- Otavalo

Cuicocha Lagoon Hike

Otavalo Market- Peguche- Quito

Hotsprings In Termas De Papallacta

Transfer To Quito Airport For Departure

Experience Style

Accomodation level

Experience Type

Physical Rating

Age range

Who talk about us:

Best cities to travel to

America

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania