In the Avenue of the Volcanoes
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Quito. A timed group airport transfer is provided. KE Land Only package services begin with the overnight at the group hotel in Quito.
Day 2: We have a walking tour of Quito's 'Old City' where there are many beautiful churches and public buildings from the Spanish Colonial period. The afternoon is free for further independent sight-seeing. Overnight in the group hotel.
Day 3: We drive north along the Pan American Highway to Cuicocha lake, today we walk around this spectacular crater lake and visit the waterfall at Peguche. Overnight in Otavalo
Day 4: Today we climb our first volcano of the trip, Cubilche (3832m / 12,572ft). The trail passes through farmland to reach the open grassland known as Paramo. We have the second night at our hotel in Otavalo.
Day 5: After a short drive to the village of Zuleta, we enjoy a beautiful walk of 3 - 4 hours through a patchwork quilt of cultivated fields and forests of eucalyptus with superb views towards the volcano, Imbabura, to reach the lake of San Pablo. Overnight in Otavalo.
Day 6: Transfer to Laguna Mojanda, where we climb the second of the volcanoes, Fuya Fuya (4250m / 13,986ft). After lunch we walk out from the town to the sacred tree known as 'El Llechero'. Overnight in Otavalo
Day 7: We have a free morning in Otavalo to experience the colourful Saturday market for which the town is famous. After lunch we leave Otavalo and return to Quito. Overnight in a hotel or hostal.
Day 8: Today, we climb Guagua Pichincha (4784m / 15,696ft). It takes around 3 hours to reach the active crater at the summit. We then transfer to the overnight accommodation in Lasso.
Day 9: From Lasso we travel to the road head and begin our trek to the Refuge of Iliniza (4750m), with its spectacular views of the Iliniza summits and glaciers, and the full panorama of the 'Avune of the Volcanoes'. We then transfer to Riobamba for our overnight in a hotel.
Day 10: We drive on a switchback mountain road to just below the Whymper Refuge on Chimborazo. We hike up to the refuge for great views then drive to Banos, a spa town beneath smoking Tungaruhua volcano. We check into our hotel and have some free time to wander around this charming town.
Day 11: A free morning to further enjoy Banos. In the afternoon we drive (2.5 hours) to Cotopaxi and hike (30 - 45 minutes) to the Jose Rivas Refuge (4800m) where we enjoy breathtaking views before returning to the bus and driving (1.5 hours) to our accommodation near the Antizana National Park. Those opting to climb Cotopaxi stay at the refuge tonight.
Day 12: A short transfer takes us to the wild park of Antizana Volcano. This volcano dominates the landsape for our final hike as we encounter beautiful lagons, glaciers and other volcanic features. After a walk of 4 - 5 hours we have a 1.5 hour drive back to Quito where we check into our hotel. Those opting for the climb of Cotopaxi will leave early in the morning and meet the group in Quito.
Day 13: KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. A complimentary group transfer to the airport is provided.
