5-Day Cuenca to Quito via Avenue of the Volcanos Tour

Day 1: Cuenca – Ingapirca – Alausi: From Cuenca we’ll travel 48 miles north direction to the Ingapirca archaeological site, it’s the largest Incan ruins in Ecuador which encapsulates the sophisticated Inca culture. You’ll discover how, the Incas merged their own community with the Cañaris, native indigenous. This is reflected in the two separate Temples of the Moon and Sun, dedicated to the beliefs of each culture. After a stop for lunch, you’ll continue to the Nizag community near Alausi. Here we will do a half a hour hike to enjoy the unique landscape.

DAY 2: Devil's Nose Train – Chimborazo – Riobamba: Experience two of the most interesting attractions in Ecuador. At 8:00am you'll board "The Devil’s Nose". In its day it was considered one of the greatest feats of railroad engineering that the world had seen. Then we will visit Chimborazo refuge, from where you can take a one-hour hour hike up to the second refuge nearly 16,000 feet (4,875 m.a.s.l) . It's also a great opportunity to do mountain bike activities down the slopes of Chimborazo to outings around rural villages along backroads, ranging from beginners to advance bikers (Optional activity with extra cost)

DAY 3: Baños – Waterfalls Route - Tree house: After a half an hour drive, we will take a short hike to visit the "Treehouse" where the National Geographic photo contest winner was taken.Then we will continue our drive for about 45 min, making several stops along the waterfalls route, before reaching “Pailon del Diablo” waterfall. After a two km hike we will reach this magical place, one of the top ten largest waterfalls found in Ecuador.

DAY 4: Baños - Quilotoa Lake - Latacunga area: In the morning we leave Baños and drive to Quilotoa, we will have the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular views of the Andes, Quilotoa lake and the colorful landscape of the moors that surround it. Upon arrival you can descend to the edge of the Crater Lake and return on horseback, or simply take a walk around the rim, and then get to know the lively local communities. In order to get in touch with local communities, a visit to a local indigenous market will be included depending on the week day. Contact us for more details about market days.

DAY 5: Cotopaxi - Drop off in Quito: Cotopaxi Volcano it's second highest peak in the country and adorns the Cordillera Real of the Ecuadorian Andes. We will enter the Cotopaxi National Park for a close encounter with the Paramo biodiversity and an ecological explanation of its importance. After a short hike around Limpiapungo lake, we let the adventure begin! We will continue to the parking lot (4500 m.a.s.l) in order to ascend the First Refugee of the volcano (4810 m.a.s.l). You can rest and eat some hot soup at the refugee or continue the ascent to the Glaciers (depending on weather conditions). After a long day, we head to Quito.