School Trek - Volcanoes of Ecuador
- A great challenge, to the top of three c.4000 metre volcanoes
- A community project-day at a rural school
- An active adventure for school groups in the land of the Equator
- Historic Quito and the Avenue of the Volcanoes
- Visit the high refuges of Iliniza, Chimborazo and Cotopaxi
This tremendously varied school adventure showcases the best of Ecuador's breathtaking natural environment, as we explore amongst the country's towering volcanoes. After sightseeing in Quito and visiting the Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World), we travel north to the area around Otavalo. Here, we complete a series of day-hikes, to the beautiful crater lake of Cuicocha and climb the accessible viewpoint peaks, Cubilche (3826m) and Fuya Fuya (4263m). A cultural highlight of this part of the trip will be our interactions with the indigenous Quechua people and the famous and colourful craft market at Otavalo. Heading south, we trek to the top of the active Gagua Pichincha (4794m) overlooking the capital and visit the refuge Iliniza stunningly located between the twin peaks of Iliniza Norte and liniza Sur. We also hike up to the refuges on Chimborazo and Cotopaxi which offer stunning views over the Avenue of Volcanoes. There is also some relaxation time in the utterly charming spa town of Banos in the shadow of the active volcano, Tungurahua before we take part in a community project in a rural school. We return to Quito for a final night before flying home after a memorable adventure in the land of the Equator. This tried and tested KE Schools itinerary can be adjusted to better fit the needs of your group - please call and speak to a KE School Groups Coordinator or email schools@keadventure.com
Is this holiday for you?
During this school adventure 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 walking time on each of these hikes is between 5 and 7 hours. These hikes are not strenuous but it should be borne in mind that walking at even moderately high altitudes does make extra demands, and you should aim to have a reasonable level of fitness before embarking on the trip. In order to see as much as possible of Andean Ecuador, there are several transfers involved in this trip. However, Ecuador is the smallest of the Andean countries and these transfers are generally both short (1 - 3 hours) and highly scenic. Mostly the roads we use are very good highways but there is some travel on smaller roads and the refuges on Chimborazo and Cotopaxi are accessed by dirt tracks in 4x4 vehicles.
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