Walking The Avenue of the Volcanoes

Day 1 COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK (LB – D)

10 Km | 4 Hours | 3800 – 4000 Km

Our route today is located within the Cotopaxi National Park. Beginning at the Limpiopungo lake, our walk takes us through striking Andean landscapes, in the ever-present shadow of one of the world’s highest active volcanoes – the snow-capped, perfectly cone-shaped Cotopaxi. Lunch Box included. Dinner will be served at your accommodation. Accommodation: Hacienda La Cienega.

Day 2 QUILOTOA CRATER LAKE (B – LB – D)

5 Hours | 3800 m

An early start this morning to drive to Quilotoa Crater Lake from where we begin today’s walk. We follow the rim of this stunning lagoon with its incredible blue-green waters, one of Ecuador’s most beautiful and impressive spots. Lunch Box included. Dinner will be served at your accommodation. Accommodation: Posada de Tigua.

Day 3 SMUGGLER’S TRAIL & PAILON DEL DIABLO (B – LB – D)

7 Km | 2.5 Hours | 1800 m

This historical route, famously used in past times by rum smugglers, takes us along the dramatic Pastaza Canyon. We can enjoy great river views and vistas of the Llanganates – the remote mountains which hide, according to legend, the lost Inca gold of Atahualpa. We pass beautiful waterfalls including the breathtaking Manto de la Novia. Then continue on to visit the Pailon del Diablo waterfall with a lunch box. In the afternoon we have time to explore the pretty streets and basilica of the mountain spa town of Banos. Dinner will be served at your accommodation. Accommodation: Hacienda Leito.

Day 4 CHIMBORAZO VOLCANO (B – L – D)

3 Km | 2 Hours | 4000 m

Our path takes us through the dry landscapes of the Chimborazo Volcano, Ecuador’s tallest mountain. Highlights of our walk include impressive volcano views, the chance to see wild vicuna which are a common sight within this nature reserve along with the Chimborazo Hill-star hummingbird which is endemic to this area. Lunch in a cozy mountain lodge. Dinner will be served at your accommodation. Accommodation: Hacienda Abraspungo.

Day 5 DEVIL’s NOSE TRAIN RIDE (B – L – D)

Today we embark on Ecuador’s most famous rail journey, along the Devil’s Nose route, an exhilarating ride which zigzags along the steep sided mountains of the Andes. After lunch in a local restaurant, we continue on our journey to visit the Inca ruins at Ingapirca, before arriving in the beautiful city of Cuenca. Dinner will be served at your accommodation. Accommodation: Hotel Casa del Aguila.

Day 6 CAJAS NATIONAL PARK (B – LB – D)

8 Km | 3 Hours | 3500 – 3800 m

This morning we head into the mountains outside of Cuenca to Cajas National Park. Our walk takes us passed stunning glacial formations and through forests. This national park has over 200 paramo lakes and lagoons. Lunch Box included. In the afternoon enjoy a tour of the colonial city of Cuenca. Dinner will be served at your accommodation. Accommodation: Hotel Casa del Aguila.

Day 7 CUENCA (B)

The tour finishes in Cuenca this morning. Latino Holidays can help coordinate flights or extension programs to your onward destinations.

End of our services

Food Code = (B) – Breakfast, (LB) – Lunch Box, (L) – Lunch, (D) – Dinner.

LHOEWALK1 *Please note: prices based on twin share, per person, low season, informed accommodation and itinerary. The following items are not included in the price: domestic and international flights, extension tours, personal travel insurance, alcoholic and soft drinks, extra activities at the haciendas, tips and any personal expenses. Optional tours not included and are at extra cost. The itinerary & pricing can change at any time due to availability & of activities. Please check our website for full terms and conditions*

More information on Ecuador:

Ecuador – The State of the Andes has it’s name because of it’s location on the equator. Ecuador is situated in the Northwest of South America and borders in the north with Columbia, in the east and south with Peru and borders in the west with the Pacific Ocean. The Galapagos Islands, situated in the Pacific Ocean, with a distance to the continent of about 1000 km, also belongs to the national territory of Ecuador.

More information about “The Avenue of the Volcanoes”:

The Avenue of the Volcanoes – The central sierra of Ecuador is known as “The Avenue of the Volcanoes” (325 km long), a necklace of ‘snow-cones’ like Chimborazo, Antisana, Cayambe, Tungurahua and the mighty Cotopaxi – to name perhaps the most emblematic. They are all highly prized mountain-climbing destinations that rise well over 5000 meters above sea level and give the overall and incredible Andean landscape, viewable from large cities to small towns, a character of unsurpassed splendour.

More information on visa requirements:

Visas are not required for Australians when the maximum stay is 90 days.

For more information consult your nearest Ecuadorian embassy/consulate.