7 days tour

Peaks & Paths: Exploring The Heart Of The Ecuadorian Andes

$ 1,699 .00 USD

Total price per person

Reserve with $1,699.00

Peaks & Paths: Exploring The Heart Of The Ecuadorian Andes

This tour includes:

Accommodation

Accommodation in selected hotels (mid-range)

Guide

Private English-speaking guide and transportation from day 1 to day 7

Meals

6x breakfast; 2x lunch/boxlunch; 3x dinner

Transport

Airport transfers & transportation throughout the tour

Not included:

Flights

International and domestic flights

Others

Any other meals, drinks, or activities not specified in the itinerary

Insurance

(Travel-) Insurance

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Itinerary of your trip Peaks & Paths: Exploring The Heart Of The Ecuadorian Andes

  • Day 1 Arrival In Quito & City Tour
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Arrival In Quito & City Tour

      Take a glimpse out of the window while approaching Quito Airport and first look at the beautiful Andean scenery surrounding Ecuadorโ€™s capital. Upon arrival, your driver will welcome you and escort you to your hotel in the city center.

      In the afternoon, you will explore Quitoโ€™s historic city center. Quito lies at an altitude of 9350 ft/2850 m and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Stroll through the narrow streets and over the big plazas, and visit some of the most important churches, such as La Compaรฑรญa (its interior is covered in gold), a great example of the โ€žBaroque School of Quitoโ€œ. Walk down โ€žLa Rondaโ€œ, one of the oldest streets of Quito, and head to Panecillo Hill for spectacular 360ยฐ views.

  • Day 2 Pasochoa Volcano Trek
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Pasochoa Volcano Trek

      Spend the day hiking on a volcano near Quito. The Pasochoa Volcano is a beautiful 13,770 ft (4,199 m) high volcano, surrounded by a humid cloud forest. The highlight of the trek is the forest, which is home to over one hundred species of birds and fifty species of endemic plants. 

      This hike is also a good place to see the famous Andean Condor, and the climb up to the top offers wonderful views of the mighty Cotopaxi and other surrounding volcanoes.

      The hike to the top takes approximately 3-4 hours. You can hike up to all summits (there is a beautiful trail leading across three small summits in total), or just to the most prominent one. 

      After descending, you will travel a little bit southwards and spend the night close to the entrance to Cotopaxi National Park. 

  • Day 3 Explore Cotopaxi National Park
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Explore Cotopaxi National Park

      Wake up surrounded by mountains, and be prepared to head into Cotopaxi National Park today. Spend the day hiking at the foot of Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes on earth. The views of its perfectly shaped cone and the surrounding volcanoes are incredible. The park is also home to wild horses, which can sometimes be spotted. With a bit of luck, you might even spot an Andean Condor! During a walk around Limpiopungo Lagoon, your guide will explain to you the high altitude flora and fauna. Afterwards, if you are up for it, you can trek upwards to the refuge Jose Rivas at 4.800m - and even further to the base of the glacier.

      In the afternoon, leave the National Park and head westwards until reaching your cozy lodge for tonight, nestled in the Andes, in the small village of Isinlivรญ. 

  • Day 4 Hiking In Isinlivรญ
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Hiking In Isinlivรญ

      The area around Isinlivรญ is perfect for some hiking. You can choose quite spontaneously from many different hikes that vary in length and difficulty, depending on your preferences and activity level. 


      If you prefer a longer hike (4-6 hours), you could, for example, explore the Toachi Canyon. From the hotel, you can take transportation to the other side of the Toachi Canyon. There, the driver will drop you off at the entrance of the trail, which leads you down into the canyon to the small village of Itualo. On weekdays you might meet schoolchildren running up and down the mountain.

      After hiking to Itualo village, youโ€™ll follow the Toachi River all the way to a suspension bridge. The path then leads up the mountain toward the plateau where youโ€™ll be welcomed with one of the most impressive views over the Toachi Canyon.


      Alternatively, you can also do horseback riding or visit a local cheese factory - the options are countless. It is up to you! 

  • Day 5 Visit Quilotoa Lagoon
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Visit Quilotoa Lagoon

      Today, you will visit the stunning turquoise crater lake of Quilotoa, the pinnacle of the ecological reserve of Ilinizas and the most western volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes. The color of the lake changes depending on the sunlight, and you might seen different greenish and blueish colors - a beautiful spectacle! 


      You have the chance to hike down into the crater for approx. 45-60 minutes. At the bottom, there is the opportunity to hire a kayak to paddle into the middle of the lake and take another glimpse of the jaw-dropping 360-degree views. We will walk back up the trail to the edge of the crater after spending some time enjoying the view.


      Alternatively, if you donโ€™t want to head down to the lake, you can follow the path at the crater rim to various viewpoints.


      After this visit, you will travel further south along the so-called Avenue of the Volcanoes until reaching the foothills of the Chimborazo Volcano and Reserve, where you will spend the night.

  • Day 6 Chimborazo Volcano
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Chimborazo Volcano

      Today youโ€™ll visit the Chimborazo Reserve, home to Chimborazo, Ecuadorโ€™s highest volcano (the summit is actually the highest point of the earth, measured from the center of the earth). Keep an eye out for wild vicuรฑas, rabbits, or Andean foxes in the foothills of the volcano. If the altitude doesnโ€™t affect you, you can hike up to the refuge and enjoy the views from there. 

      After having visited Ecuadorโ€™s highest volcano, your guide will drive you safely back to Quito. 

  • Day 7 Teleferico Cable Car & Departure
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Teleferico Cable Car & Departure

      On your last day in Ecuador, there is still time for a last adventure! Ride a cable car up to Pichincha Volcano, located on the eastern side of Quito. Once youโ€™ve reached the top station, spend some time taking photos of the city as well as Pichinchaโ€™s peaks: Guagua Pichincha and Rucu Pichincha. On a clear day, you can even spot Cotopaxi Volcano, Cayambe Volcano, or Chimborazo Volcano. You can also go for a walk through the pรกramo high-altitude ecosystem. Simply follow the path that leads to the summit of Rucu Pichincha as far as youโ€™d like, and then return to the cable car station to get back down to Quito. 


      Now, it is already time to say goodbye. On time for your onward connection, your guide will bring you to Quito Airport. We hope that youโ€™ve had an unforgettable time in Ecuador and that youโ€™ll visit us again one day to explore the rest of the country!

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Personal

Youโ€™ll be just with your guide or pilot. Examples of these activities are paragliding, sky diving, personal mountain climbing, etc.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Average

There are several physical activities that last from 2 to 6 hours in easy terrains, low altitude flats, or water experiences. Please ask if youโ€™re not sure this applies to you.

Age range

Age range

Min: 7 / Max: 75

Age range allowed for this experience.

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