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Holidays

Ecuador Walking Highlights

Ecuador
5 reviews
Available Departures: May, Aug, Sep, Oct

14 days from

US$2,925

without flights
Walk & Trek
Guided Group
MODERATE MODERATE

Experience Ecuador from Andes to Amazon on this adventurous walking holiday

Trip Code: ECV
Holiday Grades
          

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

 1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Ecuador Walking Highlights

Highlights
  • Enjoy some of the best day walks in Ecuador
  • Haggle in the famous local markets of Otavalo and Saquisili
  • Visit the high mountain refuges on Cotopaxi, Illiniza and Chimborazo 
  • Experience the Amazon Rainforest on a day trip from Banos
  • See the sights of Quito's Old Town, little known cloud forest reserve, and stand astride the equator at ‘Mitad del Mundo’

At a Glance
  • Group Size 4 to 15
  • 9 days walking
  • Caldera Lakes & Volcanoes
  • Markets & Culture
  • Max altitude - 5000 metres
  • Join In Quito

Accommodation & Meals
  • 13 Breakfasts
  • 11 Lunches
  • 7 Dinners
  • 9 nights Hotel
  • 2 nights Guesthouse
  • 2 nights Lodge
Overview

This walking highlights adventure showcases the very best of Ecuador; from its high-altitude volcanoes, unique paramo and cloud forest, vibrant culture and jungle lowlands. During the course of our two week holiday, we explore these highlights with a series of days walks, picturesque transfers and a collection of interesting sightseeing and adventurous experiences along the way.

After visiting the colonial old town of the capital, Quito, we start our journey to the north in the famous market town of Otavalo. As well as exploring its famously colourful textiles market, we complete two stunning day walks to Laguna San Pablo and around the impressive crater rim of Laguna Cuicocha. After this we continue our journey of culture and adventure visiting another renowned market of Saquisili before hiking to the extremely photogenic caldera lake of Quilotoa.

Continuing South we also visit the high refuges on three of Ecuador’s volcanic giants: Cotopaxi, Illiniza and Chimborazo. Cotopaxi (5,897m), recognisable due to its iconic conical shape, is the highest active volcano in the world and the summit of Chimborazo (6,268m), due to the equatorial bulge, has the distinction of being the furthest point from the centre of the Earth!

We end with a unique Amazon experience, heading into the jungle by road and river to learn about the local populations and traditions as well as the abundant flora and fauna of the jungle. We have additional time to relax in the spa town of Banos before heading back to the capital. Here we end the trip with a hidden gem; a day walk through the cloud forest of the Choco Andino Biosphere Reserve - a little known oasis of wildlife and rare flora.

Expect charming accommodation throughout, including incredibly located lodges with outrageous volcanic views, traditional family-run guesthouses and well-located hotels. This is a classic walking holiday and a superb introduction to one of the most awe-inspiring environments on Earth.

Why not combine this trip with a Galapagos Holiday? 

Is this holiday for you?

During this holiday we will enjoy a total of 9 day walks, spanning the diverse landscapes Ecuador has to offer. We will visit the high mountain refuges on 3 of Ecuador’s most impressive volcanoes, Cotopaxi, Illiniza and the mighty Chimborazo, reaching a top altitude of 5000m. We also trek to volcanic caldera lagoons, through cloud forest reserves and unique Andean Paramo, as well as experienc …

During this holiday we will enjoy a total of 9 day walks, spanning the diverse landscapes Ecuador has to offer. We will visit the high mountain refuges on 3 of Ecuador’s most impressive volcanoes, Cotopaxi, Illiniza and the mighty Chimborazo, reaching a top altitude of 5000m. We also trek to volcanic caldera lagoons, through cloud forest reserves and unique Andean Paramo, as well as experiencing the jungle environment of the Amazon. The average walking time each day will be between 3 and 5hrs, but we will be walking at high altitudes, which will of course make things a little more challenging. However, the itinerary is designed with your acclimatisation in mind. We will encounter village tracks, forest roads, Andean Paramo, the occasional rugged slope of scree or loose volcanic material.

Between our walks we’ll have time to relax, explore, soak up the Andean ambience and visit some of the country’s most famous towns, sights and markets. There are several transfers involved in this holiday. However, Ecuador is the smallest of the Andean countries and these transfers are generally short (1 - 3 hours) and very scenic.

Please note that there is an element of driving on this holiday to enable us to experience the diversity of landscape in this wonderful country. 

Why KE?

Our great value Ecuador Walking Highlights holiday offers a perfect blend of walking amongst towering volcanoes, stunning lakes and a rich variety of wildlife. We use a variety of accommodation, from comfortable hotels to mountain lodges with panoramic vistas, to give you a true flavour of Ecuadorian hospitality. To help us see another side of this impressive country we have included an Amazon experience and a stay in Banos.

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