Explore the best of the Ecuador Andes on this guided hiking tour
Join this amazing guided tour and visit some of the best hiking in Ecuador. Departing from Quito, your tour will take you through the Avenue of the Volcanoes, where you’ll be surrounded by some of the biggest mountains in the Andes. Explore the mind-blowing Ecuadorian Andes on this guided hiking tour.
Along the way, you'll get the chance to experience the indigenous culture of locals and learn about their traditions. This guided hiking tour of The Avenue of Volcanoes is a tremendous experience for anyone who loves the outdoors.
Ecuador is still one of the top hidden gems of South America for all adventurers and nature lovers out there. Travellers from all over the world are starting to discover just why Ecuador is so special. This Ecuador tour gives you a rare opportunity to explore the wild and diverse nature of the Ecuadorian Andes and wildlife, while still enjoying comfortable accommodations at the end of the day.
Highlights of the Trekking Ecuador’s Volcanoes
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Trekking Ecuador’s Volcanoes Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Quito
Get met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. If you arrive early in the day, you can explore Quito on your own. Quito is the biggest, the largest and best-maintained colonial city of America - declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is viewed as the Cultural Capital of South America and is situated on the equator in a valley at the lower regions of the Pichincha Volcano. Depending on your arrival time, you can either explore the city and the old town of Quito or get a guided day tour. At night, one of our head guides will meet you at the reception for a briefing at 6 PM. You will be briefed about the Ecuador tour and will be able to ask questions regarding it. This day will also help you to acclimate to the new location.
Accommodation: Hotel in Quito
Trekking time: None
Meals: none
Day 2 Trekking in Cotopaxi National Park
You will start your hiking tour in Ecuador with a transfer from Quito. You’ll be hiking around the beautiful Limpiopungo lagoon (13000 ft/3800 m), in the foothills of the Rumiñahui volcano. You’ll get some of the best views of Cotopaxi today, it’s the highest active volcano on the planet. Keep an eye out for the opportunity to spot wild horses, wild bulls and native birds. Depending on the weather, the group may try to trek to the base camp at 16,000 ft. (4876 m), a big journey that will test your lungs! To end the day, drive to Isinlivi to your accommodation.
Accommodation: Hostel in Isinlivi
Trekking time: 2 hours around Limpiopungo lagoon, 8 km, 400 m of ascent elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Trekking through the Toachi canyon to Chugchilan
Your tour today is inspired by the elegant landscapes of Ecuador’s Andean mountains as you trek along the Toachi canyon for 13.5 km (8.4 mi). Todays’ hike will take you to stunning views and fascinating local villages and indigenous locals working in the fields. Follow the canyon of the Toachi River which will lead you to Chugchilán - a small town situated in the center of the Quilotoa Loop. Accommodations tonight are in an Eco-house, and the afternoon will be used to venture through the village with the marvelous opportunity to gain a special cultural experience.
Accommodation: Hostel in Chugchilan
Trekking time: 4 hrs, 13.5km, 400m elevation gain/loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Trekking to Quilotoa
Today's tour starts with an early breakfast, where an 11 km (6.9 miles) hike on a small trail used by generations to transport products and reach neighboring communities. While trekking on this trail you will often see the traditional custom of bartering goods with one another, which is still part of local culture today. Venture down into astonishing canyons and later climb back up to the top of the crater rim, where you will have magnificent views of the Quilotoa Lake. It is a really breathtaking image. Enjoy a scenic picnic with the best views from the volcano and then transfer 2,5 hours a magical hacienda in the foothills of Chimborazo volcano.
Accommodation: Hotel in Riobamba
Trekking time: 4-5 hrs, 11km, 1,000m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5 Trek to Chimborazo basecamp
Another early morning as you drive through valleys and farming villages to reach the incredible Chimborazo Volcano - the highest mountain in Ecuador at 6310 m (20702 ft). Visiting this spectacular national park includes a short hike for 0.9 km (0.57 mi) to reach the elevation of 5000 m (16404 ft) where the glacier starts. On this hike, you will see some of the native animals of this volcanic environment, such as the Andean Condor, caracara, wild Vicunas and hummingbirds. Enjoy a relaxing picnic at base camp before leaving.
Accommodation: Hotel in Baños
Trekking time: 2.5 hrs, 5km, 300m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 Trek in the Llanganates National Park
Today you’ll explore Llanganates National Park on a 6-hour hike. This park is famous for its amazing landscapes and one local legend that says that the Inca General Ruminahui had a large sum of gold hidden somewhere in the Tungurahua mountain range. The hike starts at 3,200m (10,498 ft) above sea level and travel upwards to 3,600m (12,024 ft). If the weather is good, you can expect beautiful views of the Tungurahua and the Sangay volcanoes. After this memorable trek, head back to spend the last night in the magical town of Baños, Ecuador. In Baños you can enjoy a nice massage, soak in the famous hot springs, or enjoy the thriving nightlife of this pretty town.
Accommodation: Hotel in Baños
Trekking time: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7 Hike to the road of waterfalls and return to Quito
Your guided adventure takes you to the waterfalls today. 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, hike down for one hour to the Pailon del Diablo waterfall, the second tallest in Ecuador and one of the tallest in the region. After a day full of adventures in the cloud forest, you will enjoy a scenic ride back to colonial Quito.
Accommodation: Hotel in Quito
Trekking time: 2 hours, 5km, 300m downhill
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Departure day - end of services
Wake up and enjoy your memories of this incredible guided trekking holiday in Ecuador while you are savoring your final breakfast. Many guests choose to stay a few extra days and explore the stunning city of Quito or move on to other parts of Ecuador. If you’re going home this day, you can book an airport transfer during the booking process.
Trekking time: None
Accommodation: None
Meals: Breakfast
Trekking Ecuador's Volcanoes Tour
Pricing for this guided trekking tour depends on the number of guests and whether you want a private tour for your group or to join a group tour. The prices below are per person sharing a double or a triple room.
Prices of Private Tour:
- Guided group of 2-3: $1,825 USD per person
- Guided groups of 4: $1,495 USD per person
- Guided groups of 6: $1,350 USD per person
- Guided groups of 7+: on request
Accommodation on Trekking Ecuador’s Volcanoes tour
This guided tour provides 3 or 4 star Hotel accommodation, which allows guests to comfortably rest in-between the adventures. There will be a couple of days during this adventure tour where due to the location hotels are not available and guests will stay in the best ecological haciendas and hostals instead.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private room as a solo travelers. In some cases, there may be other solo travelers, and we can match you with participants of the same sex.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel Wyndham Garden in Quito ★★★★
Located in the heart of bustling downtown, this hotel is a 2019 TripAdvisor Travellers Choice award winner.
Hostel Llullu Llama ★★★★★
Set in the small village of Isinlivi, Llullu Llama Mountain Lodge is a small eco-friendly lodge situated right on Ecuador’s most famous trekking route, the Quilotoa Loop. Built in local style and in harmony with the community & environment, they offer cozy dorms, private rooms and comfortable garden cottages for the adventurous nature lover.
Hostel Mama Hilda ★★★★★
Hostel Mama Hilda is a family run hostel in the small town of Chugchilan on the Quilotoa Loop. They are ideally situated half way around the loop and have been welcoming guests to our hostel for many years.
Hosteria La Andaluza ★★★★★
Hosteria La Andaluza, Hacienda Chuquipogio and its century mansion that has been declared as part of the Cultural Heritage of Ecuador, as a unique site which houses centuries of history. The Andean landscapes, the beauty of its architecture with conjugated service excellence make Hosteria La Andaluza ideal for rest, relaxation, social and corporate events in direct contact with nature.
La Casa De Luis ★★★★
La Casa De Luis is located In The City Of Holy Water - Baños - and it has a family orientated and relaxing environment. Their philosophy is based on guaranteeing their customers an unforgettable vacation and they strive for the whole world to feel at home in this paradise of Ecuador.
Hotel Wyndham Garden in Quito ★★★★
Located in the heart of bustling downtown, this hotel is a 2019 TripAdvisor Travellers Choice award winner.
What's included on Trekking Ecuador’s Volcanoes Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners. Budget $120 USD for meals not included.
Guiding
Fully licensed, certified English-speaking adventure leader and local guides on all days.
Travel
All travel from Quito is included.
Also Included
- Accommodation based on double occupancy: 3 or 4-star hotel in Quito, 3 or 4-stars eco-hotel in Isinlivi, hostel in Chugchilan, hostel in Quilotoa, 5-star Andean lodge in Chimborazo, 3 or 4-star hotel in Baños. Activities: Biking in Cotopaxi NP, Biking in Cayambe Coca ER,
- Trekking in Isinlivi, 3-day trekking to Chugchilan and Quilotoa, hiking to the glaciers of Chimborazo highest volcano in Ecuador, watch vicuñas (camel similar to llama or alpaca), trek the Llanganates National Park, hiking the road of waterfall in Baños, soak in volcanic hot springs, cable-car ride in Baños, hike to Pailon del Diablo waterfall, salsa lesson, cultural experience with the local people, Pujili indigenous authentic market.
- Gear: Hiking sticks
- Transfers to and from the airport
Not Included
- International flights to Quito
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Required Immunizations (mandatory and done in your home country)
- Meals not described in the itinerary - estimated budget $120 USD
- Tips for guides and drivers - estimated budget $100 USD
Optional Extras
- One airport transfer per group is included. If you require a 2nd transfer the price is $65 USD per taxi, up to 2 people, each way.
Frequently Asked Questions about Trekking Ecuador’s Volcanoes
Adventure Journeys is a Quito-based boutique tour operator, creating tailor-made adventure experiences to connect their guests with all that Ecuador offers. They strive to personalize each trip to offer the most incredible experience possible with upscale delivery.
Run by locals with a love for their country, Adventure Journeys aims to highlight the beauty, environmental significance, and cultural diversity of Ecuador. They create each experience with the word “life” in mind, knowing that their adventures have the power to change their client’s lives, give them new perspectives, and add purpose to their journeys.
From the Ecuadorian mainland to the Galapagos Islands, Adventure Journeys has client happiness at the core of their mission.
Trekking Ecuador’s Volcanoes Map
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Local Guide
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Paul is a certified guide with Adventure Journeys. He coordinates and leads most tours, and with 14 years of experience, he is confident in his ability to show the best of Ecuador. Paul loves having the chance to share his homeland with visitors and encouraging them to try things that they can only do in Ecuador. Paul loves Volcano Avenue more than any other place he guides in and never gets tired of sharing it with new people.
- Q: What is one thing that any visitor to Ecuador should do?
- A: Visit Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the country. Also, Banos de Agua Santa is a great town with the iconic Swing to the End of the World.
- Q: What has been your most unforgettable moment while guiding?
- A: Once with a group, we were trekking in the mountains when an Andean condor flew right over us. It was amazing. It was so close that we were able to get some incredible photos. I will never forget it.
- Q: What is one local dish or drink that visitors absolutely have to try?
- A: They have to try the potato soup (locro) because it’s a traditional dish that comes with a great story. I can’t spoil the story, but it’s a must.