Volcanoes and Amazonia

Arid flanks of Andes volcanoes and an exuberant Amazon rainforest.  A country of contrasts, a trip touched by that.  The Andes, Quito, Baños, indian markets and much more is part of this tour prepared for demanding trekkers.

HIGHLIGHTS • Trekking and cllimbing volcanoes over 4000m (13,123ft) • Andean Volcanoes and Amazon Rainforest • Climbing Cotopaxi 5897m (19,347ft) as an optional

Itinerary

D 1   Quito - City Tour - Cuicocha

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 lake 2 1/2 hours drive from Quito.

D 2   Peguche - 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 your way.  It is a mild walk, a good beginning to aclimatize for other treks. You will enjoy the views from the different points of the trail.  The highest altitude you reach today is 3486m (11,437ft).  Most indian communities of the area are dedicated to some form of craft work so, the afternoon is the opportunity for you to explore Cotacachi, popular for its  leather works and Peguche for its excellent weavers.  After a short drive to La Esperanza

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 sorroundings, indian communities, farmed fields and paramo grasslands, as well as for the views when reaching the summit.  Return to La Esperanza

D 4   Zuleta-San Pablo - Otavalo

A wonderful day to walk through indian rural communities.  You leave Otavalo and drive for 30 minutes to Zuleta, a traditional village popular for its embroidery.  Your hike begins here. and along the way you can enjoy the landscape of cultivated fields as well as the magnificence of mountains such as Cayambe, Imbabura and Cusin.  Night in Otavalo.

D 5 - Fuya Fuya - Lechero - 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.  In the afternoon a mild hike to Lechero (a very meaningful tree for indian people) where there is a 360º view around. 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 - Lasso

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 Lasso.

D 8   Quilotoa - Chugchilan

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.  Already there you start your trek to Chugchilan indian village.  Your walk will be by the crater first and then areas surrounding by hills and indian houses spread all over.  This trek will take you about 4 or 5 hours.  After that transfer to Chugchilan

D 9    Chugchilan

Today you will have a trek of 4 to 5 hours.  Insilivi, a small indian village will be the maiin highlight of the day, apart of the superb rural region popular for its artenasal cheese and its farmed fields.  Night in Chugchilan.

D 10   Chugchilan - Chaupi

You deserve a relaxing morning after the long walks of the previous days.  There is a possibility to just walk around to a viewpoint and the sorrounding areas or, just have a lazy day.  In the afternoon you will be driven to Chaupi, a small village by the foot of Ilinizas mountains.

D 11   North  Iliniza - Chaupi

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.  Those not going to the summit can stay there wandering about the area.  This rocky mountain does not represent any particular technical difficulty.  In the afternoon back to Chaupi.

D 12   Cotopaxi refuge - Lasso

Today you drive to Cotopaxi national Park where you can enjoy vegetation of different altitudinal ranges from 3200m (10499ft) to 4800m (15748ft), bird wildlife, wild horses, lava flows and the cotopaxi itself.  After driving through the park you reach the car park at 4600m (15092ft) from where you start a trek to the refuge and also to the glacier.  Depending on the time of the year you might have snow at this level.  The day finish with a visit to Limpiopungo lagoon at the foot of Rumiñahui Volcano.  A short drive to Lasso

D 13    Urbina

After breakfast you are driven for almost 3 hours to Urbina, the highest railway station which has been converted into a shelter for trekkers and climbers.  It is is a very privilaged location, between Chimborazo and Carihuairazo mountains.  It is a pleasant place to walk in the neighbourhoods through farmed fields and indian houses.

D 14   Chimborazo refuge - Baños

After an early rise you head to Mount Chimborazo 6310m (20702ft), 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 peak of Tungurahua, Altar and Sangay.  Finally you continue on to Baños

D 15   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 16 - Waterfalls - Amazon rainforest

It is time to head off. A long, downhill grind through the incredibly beautiful and waterfalldraped canyon of the Rio Pastaza brings you to the steamy Puyo and from here some more hours to the lodge in the jungle

D 17   Amazon Lodge

You spend the morning exploring part of the vast Amazonian basin on foot.  Your indigenous guide will explain the extraordinarily biodiversity of the rainforest by pointing the important plants.  With luck you may see some of the jungle bird species (kingfisher, parrots, oropendolas, hoatzin. etc,) though larger mamal are mostly dificult to see.  The activities of the afternoon will be according to the interests of the group, you can either visit the Amazoonico Rehabilitation Centre to see some of the region`s threatened wildlife species including coatimundi, tapir, capybara and several monkey species; visit an indian community,  walk to a waterfall or just bathe in the river.

D 18 - Amazon Lodge - Quito

You set off in the early morning and climbed to the highlands.  A long steep ascend brings you to Baeza and then, Papallacta Pass 4064m (1333ft),  On one of your stops you can bathe in the thermal springs of Papallacta.  After crossing Papallacta Pass you have another steep descent that brings you to Quito. 

PRICES

	3	4-5	6-7	8-10	11-15
Price per person (in US$)	2 900	2 120	1 890	1 680	1 525

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