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In the Avenue of the Volcanoes

In the Avenue of Volcanoes - Ecuador trekking

Ecuador`s finest 2-week trekking holiday
Trek to the top of four c.4000 metre summits
Discover the Avenue of the Volcanoes
Option to climb Cotopaxi (5895m)
Visit Banos and the refuge at Chimborazo

This tremendously varied trekking holiday showcases the best of Ecuador's breathtaking natural environment, as we explore amongst the country's towering volcanoes. After sightseeing in Quito we travel north to the area around Otavalo. Here, we complete a series of day-hikes, to the beautiful crater lake of Cuicocha and to the accessible viewpoint peaks, Cubilche (3826m) and Fuya Fuya (4263m). A cultural highlight of this part of the itinerary is the famous and colourful craft market of Otavalo. Heading south, we trek to the top of the active Gagua Pichincha (4794m) and visit the refuge Iliniza stunningly located between the twin peaks of Iliniza Norte and liniza Sur. We also hike up to the refuge on Chimborazo before heading for the utterly charming spa town of Banos in the shadow of the active volcano, Tungurahua. After a free day in this delightful town, we end this superb Ecuadorean experience with a day of hiking amongst the lagoons and glaciers of the Chillos Valley beneath the snowy flanks of Antizana, and a visit to the refuge high on Cotopaxi, one of the world's highest active volcanoes. For those with previous mountaineering experience there is also the option (at extra cost) to make a guided ascent of Cotopaxi peak. This classic, moderately paced walking holiday is a superb tour of the highlights of Andean Ecuador.

Trip Guide

During this trip we will make ascents of a number of Ecuador's volcanoes up to and beyond 4000 metres. For the most part this involves trekking on a mixture of terrain from local village tracks, along forest roads, through open grassland, and the occasional more rugged slope of scree or loose volcanic material. The average trekking time on each day's hike is between 5 and 7 hours. We have given the trip the grade of MODERATE but it should be borne in mind that trekking at even moderately high altitudes does make extra demands, and you should have a good level of fitness before embarking on this trip. The optional ascent of Cotopaxi involves climbing moderately angled snow slopes (30 - 40 degrees) and requires the use of crampons and ice axe. You should only attempt this climb if you have previous winter walking experience using crampons and are familiar with the techniques of self arrest with an ice axe. For anybody wishing to make this ascent there will be an opportunity to brush up on these skills on the afternoon prior to the ascent. In order to see as much as possible of Andean Ecuador there are several transfers involved in this holiday. However, Ecuador is the smallest of the Andean countries and these transfers are generally both short (1 - 3 hours) and highly scenic.