An excursion to 10 volcanoes

An 18 days hiking at the foot of volcanoes.  Slopes of ashes, flooded volcanic craters, paramo grasslands, farmed fields, ethnic groups of Ecuador and mountains over 4000ms (13123ft) are part of an unforgettable tour.

Highlights • Excursion to 10 volcanoes. • The andean highlands. • Meeting different ethnic groups along the trip.

Itinerary

D 1   Colonial Quito - Cuicocha lake

Quito lies in a long narrow plateau of Pichincha Volcano.  A city rich in colonial art and architecture.  A UNESCO world cultural heritage site is a delightful place to explore.  You visit today the main plaza, the cathedral, La Compañia church, San Francisco Plaza and Panecillo hill (a viewpoint).  You will enjoy a tour of the rich colonial heart before heading out to Cuicocha,  2  1/2 hours drive from Quito.

D 2   Cuicocha - Lechero - La Esperanza

This morning you will hike by a flooded volcanic crater of Cuicocha.  The trail offers you a variety of Orchids, flora and birds, you might also meet some lizards on the walk.  You have magnificent sights of the Imbabura Volcano, Otavalo and surroundings.  The highest point you reach during the trek is 3486ms (11437ft).  In the afternoon a mild hike to Lechero (a very meaninful tree for indian people) where there is a 360º view around. After the visits drive to La Esperanza for the night.

D 3   Cubilche - La Esperanza

Rising early to start an awsome trek to Cubilche Volcano, just on one side of the magnificent Imbabura.  A trek charachterized for its surroundings, indian communities, farmed fields and paramo grasslands, as well as for the views when reaching the summit.  Return to La Esperanza

D 4 - Imbabura volcano - Otavalo

After breakfast and 20 minutes drive from Otavalo you will find yourself at the foot of Imbabura volcano.  A love story will be unwrap  for you, by the guide, about Imbabura and Cotacachi.  Mama Cotacachi rule the west of Otavalo and Taita Imbabura takes care of the Province.  Local people believe that Imbabura visits Cotacachi every night and from this love a baby-volcano was born, Yana Urcu.  The trek today is uphill up to the summit of Imbabura at 4630ms (15190ft) and, for about 6 hours.  Transfer to Otavalo known as the sunrise valley.

D 5   Fuya Fuya - Peguche - Otavalo

An early rise to head up to Mojanda Mountain.  You trek up for 2 hours (approximately) to one of the peaks known as Fuya Fuya 4263m (13986ft), the summit offers you a spectacular view of Cayambe volcano, the lakes of Mojanda crater and other hills.  After lunch in town you have the afternoon to visit the area.  Most indian communities here are dedicated to some form of craft work so, it is the opportunity for you to explore Peguche popular for its excellent weavers and if time allows San Antonio de Ibarra famous for the wood carvings.  Return to Otavalo.

D 6   Otavalo market - Quito

Today you spend the morning browsing the busy Otavalo market.  Throughout the hiistory of the region there has been trade between regions, but the market now sells almost as many handicrafts as they produce.  Although the market is on everyday the big day is saturday and you find crafts from all over the country. In the afternoon you rejoin the bus to go to Quito.

D 7   Guagua Pichincha volcano - Los Chillos valley

An early start to leave for Guagua Pichincha 4784m (15,695ft) volcano.  1 1/2 hours drive before you start the climbing from an altitude of 3750m (12,303ft).  This is one of the active volcanoes of the country with a crater of 1,5km of diameter, 700m (2296ft) of depth and releasing a permanent smoke. The walk is moderate with a very steep trail.  The summit offers you a spectacular view of other volcanoes and some snow-capped ones.  After a long day you are driven to Los Chillos Valley

D 8   Iliniza (Camp)

In the morning you will be in Chaupi, the last village at the foot of ilinizas, and from where you will start a walk up to paramo grassland, 3700ms (12139ft), where your camp will be set up. 

D 9   North Iliniza (optional climbing) - Lasso

Rising early to climb North Iliniza 5116m (16,784ft),  The first part of your ascension will take you to a coil between the two ilinizas and where the refuge 4750m (15,584ft) is located.  The second part is going up to the summit of north Iliniza at 5116ms (16784ft).  This rocky mountain does not represent any particular technical difficulty but it is one of the stages in your accllimatization.  For those who does not wish to climb can stay at the refuge and surroundings.   After that you will be walking down to join the transport to Lasso.

D 10   Cotopaxi trek - Limpiopungo (Camp)

After 2 hours drive to Cotopaxi National Park you will start your trek starting at Pita River, which cross through the Park.  5 to 6 hours walk enjoying the herds of wild horses on the way and a vegetation common in volcanic valleys.  You reach Limpiopungo lake where you will set out your tents to camp.

D 11   Rumiñahui volcano - Limpiopungo (Camp)

Today you will climb this beautiful rocky peak that dominates Limpiopungo lake.  Part of the trek is on paramo grasslands until you get to the foot of Rumiñahui mountain where you start climbing its peaks.  If the weather allows you will have a magnificent view of the avenue of the volcanoes and Cotopaxi.  Back to the camp in the afternoon.

D 12   Cotopaxi  refuge - Limpiopungo (Camp)

An early rise to trek up to Cotopaxi car park at 4600m (15092ft) and then continue to José Rivas refuge 4800ms (15748ft), a short distance but rather stiff trail.  You will have the opportunity to enjoy the glacier since it is of easy access.  For those not climbing will go back to the camp and those going to the summit will have the night at the refuge. 

D 13   Limpiopungo - Chugchilan

A bit of a lazy morning in Limpiopungo plain.  You will gather and keep the camping to hit off the road again to go to Chugchilan (approximately 4 hours drive).  Your staying will be in a family Inn.  For those having the climbing to Cotopaxi summit will be transferred to Chugchilan after that.

D 14   Quilotoa - Urbina

After breakfast you head off this time to Quilotoa lake 3900m (12795ft).  2 hours drive through stunning hills, paramo grasslands, farmed fields, indian communities, furrowed large canyons to get to this volcano.  You have this morning 2 to 3 hours walk.  The scenery here is fantastic.  In the afternoon transfer to Urbina

D 15   Chimborazo trek (Camp)

The trek this morning will take yout through Chimborazo 6310ms (20702ft) and Carihuairazo 5020ms (16469ft).  Eventhough this last mountain is not as high as Chimborazo, it is still a spectacular peak with many glaciers.  You will reach during the walk 4250ms (13943ft), the highest point of the day.  Llamas and Vicuñas will welcome you along the walk.  Your guide will tell you about the friendship of these two mountains, untill Carihuairazo had an affair with Tungurahua mountain and Chimborazo did not like that because she was his wife.  Local people even say that Tungurahua was married to the two of them.  Anyway love stories will be part of the day.  Your will camp at 3900ms (12795ft) 

D 16   Chimborazo  refuge (Whymper) - Baños

After an early rise you are transferred to Chimborazo, the highest mountain in Ecuador, which sits over the entire Valley.  The aim today is to trek on the mountain's upper slopes near the refuges.  Amidst the lava fields you may see wild flowers, vicuñas, a variety of birdlife and a variety of volcanic rocks.  You will have magnificent views of the perpetually ice-crowned peak glistening in the sun, and fine panoramas of the distant peakd of Tungurahua, Altar and Sangay.   In the afternoon drive to Baños.

D 17   Baños

Baños is a pleasant spa town that attracts not only foreigners but ecuadoreans, who are drawn by its balmy climate and curative waters. There is no better way to start your day than rising early for an invigorating soak (optional).  The baths are fed by thermal springs at the base of Tungurahua active volcano, and the brown water (a result of mineral content) is reputedly good for one´s health.  After breakffast you have a morning trek of 3 to 4 hours on one of the slopes of the fascinating mountains sorrounding Baños.  A walk through sugar cane plantations, tangerines tries and blackberries.  In the afternoon you can explore downtown with its cathedral’s miraculous Virgin which supposedly protects the inhabitants from the active volcano of Tungurahua 5023m (16,479ft) which overlooks it and shops of tagua (vegetable ivory) traditonal in the place,  If you like having a drink there plenty of places open in the evening and some with live music.

D 18   Baños - Saquisili - Quito

In the morning you join the bus to go to Saquisili, where every thursday the village is converted into a busy market, after having a look around and life here you continue back to Quito.

PRICES

	2	3	4-5	6-7	8-10	11-15
Price per person (in US$)	2 500	2 100	1 950	1 790	1 540	1 1385

 Price includes
— Private transport
— 4 stars hotels (economic hotels if you requiered).  Price based in double rooms with private bathrooms.
— meals
— Entrance fees to Cotopaxi, Ilinizas, Quilotoa, Chimborazo and Cuicocha.
— English speaking guide the whole trip

— four nights in a hotel, four nights in a hostal with shared bathrooms, two nights in hostals with private bathroom and two nights in a mountain refuge

Price does not include:
— International flight to Quito
— Airport exit tax $40,70 per person
— Any travel insurance
— Tips for guides and drivers
— Anything not mentioned in the tour

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