This tour is suitable for people who enjoy:
* mountains
* volcanoes
* hiking / trekking
* adventure
This is a private group tour, in other words your group will be traveling privately without other passengers. Prices depend on the total size of your group.
TOUR SUMMARY
The peaks have intrigued and enticed many famous explorers over Ecuador's history and it easy to see why as sublime views and immense snow-capped summits dominate Ecuador's Andean range.
This week-long trip visits 6 different volcanoes, both active and dormant, giving a fascinating insight into Ecuador's destructive past history and it's present beauty and calm:
Rucu Pichincha (4680m) - overshadowing the city of Quito.
Cotopaxi (5897m) - with picture-perfect snow-capped dome.
Corazon (4788m) - an easily-accessible volcanic summit trek.
Quilotoa (3854m) - stunning emerald-coloured volcanic crater-lake.
Chimborazo (6310m) - furthest point from the centre of the earth.
Tungurahua (5016m) - currently Ecuador's most active volcano.
To climb all peaks in a week would be impossible so instead we combine a range of gentler activities to get to know each volcano, and to polish the trip off you will also stay at some fine historic colonial haciendas in the valley of the volcanoes.
PAST CLIENT FEEDBACK
"A charming little tour that went at a perfect relaxed pace and was very well organized. Being in our older years we took the trekking option at the Cotopaxi Park instead of biking which I would recommend, other than that every visit as listed was just as we liked it. Our photos throughout are among the best of our entire 6-month trip, and the comfortable hacienda stays were perfect after the days of activity. Recommended!" (Donald and Vera Little, UK)
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: (no meals included). Arrival Quito - our driver will meet you in airport arrivals and transport you to Hotel Santa Barbara - a charming colonial-style hotel close to the newtown part of the city. Free time to relax and acclimatise to your new surroundings.
Day 2: (B included). Rucu Pichincha - a gentle start to the tour with a ride on the teleferico cable car to the top of Cruz Loma, before a 3-hour trek to the crater of the dormant Rucu Pichincha volcano. On a clear day there are spectacular views of the city of Quito below as well as the peak of active Guagua Pichincha which last erupted in 1999 sending an 18km ash cloud high above the city. The afternoon is free to rest at Hotel Santa Barbara.
Day 3: (B,L included). Cotopaxi - a memorable day in the National Park surrounding Ecuador's most picture-perfect volcano. Cotopaxi boasts an extremely violent past but has been quiet for many decades now, nonetheless it remains an awe-inspiring sight and the andean grassland scenery in the surrounding parkland make for a beautiful daytrip. This day is flexible to your desires - there are excellent biking, trekking or horse-riding opportunities available. Overnight at the elegant La Cienega Hacienda on the border of the National Park where an open-fire and centuries of history await your arrival.
Day 4: (B included). Corazon - a memorable day of trekking on one of the most easily-accessible peak climbs in the Ecuadorian Andes. It is a strenuous but non-technical trek to the top of this extinct volcano. Overnight at La Cienega hacienda.
Day 5: (B,D included). Quilotoa - the crater lake is a real highlight of the tour that will literally take your breath away! An emerald green laguna inside the crater of an extinct volcano with steep jagged cliffs and views straight down the entire valley of volcanoes. It is possible to trek into the crater to the lake shore (with optional mule ride out for those with tired limbs), and there are also many other fine trekking opportunities in the local area sometimes referred to as the Grand Canyon of Ecuador, as well as a chance to buy local handicrafts. Overnight in a simple hostel in the local village of Chugchilan.
Day 6: (B included). Chimborazo - this old, giant peak is famed as both the highest peak in Ecuador and the furthest point from the centre of the earth (due to the equatorial bulge). Visiting options include hiking up to the second refuge at 5000m, or visit to the nature reserve where over 800 wild vicuņa roam (the vicuņa is a small relative of the llama). Overnight in the attractive Abraspungo Hacienda.
Day 7: (B included). Tungurahua - today we begin the return journey north to Quito, but the trip would not be complete without a glimpse of Ecuador's most currently active volcano, Tungurahua. This volcano, meaning "little hell" in local tongue, has been on almost constant orange alert since 1999 since when it has caused many evacuations of local towns as well as its fair share of destruction. Our driver will try to find you some of the best views of it's smoldering peak during the drive. Overnight at Hotel Santa Barbara in Quito.
Day 8: (B included). Tour end - after breakfast our driver will transfer you to the airport for your flight out.
This tour is designed to run starting on any day of the week.
We also offer a full range of add-on trips and activities that we would be happy to help with.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
INCLUSIONS:
* Accommodation in double rooms, or triple for odd-numbered groups who prefer not to pay a single supplement
* Transport with local driver throughout tour
* Meals as listed in itinerary
* Activities as listed in itinerary
* English-speaking guide at Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Corazon and Chimborazo
EXCLUSIONS:
* International flights
* Tips
* Meals and activities not listed as part of itinerary
* Local entry fees (Cotopaxi National Park $10, Chimborazo National Park $10, Quilotoa village $1.50)
* Single supplement $125
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Ecuador
Volcano Tours
Hiking & Trekking
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