Ecuador

Avenue of the Volcanoes
With Hacienda Stays

DAY 1: Drive from Quito to the Antisana volcano, the fourth highest mountain in the Ecuadorian Andes (5,750 m. / 18,860 ft.). Massive glaciers feed water to lakes and rivers of the reserve, which sustain the abundant wildlife of the region. Fifty percent of the Andean Condors (vultur gryphus) that live in Ecuador have chosen Antisana as their home, as well as many other species of highland birds. After visiting this magnificent moorland (páramo) full of wildlife and unmatched scenery, drive south to Lasso at the Foot of the Cotopaxi Volcano for an overnight stay at a typical hacienda. (CIENEGA OR SAN AGUSTIN DEL CALLO)

DAY 2: After an early departure, visit one of the Ecuador's first National Parks, where, the highest active volcano on earth the Cotopaxi (5,907 m / 19,400 feet), is the main attraction. You can explore the Andean moorlands (páramos) with highland birds, or hike up to the snow line (4,800m / 15,800 feet), drive around to enjoy the landscapes provided by other close volcanoes like Rumiñahui, Sincholagua and Quilindaña. Drive to Salcedo for overnight. (CIENEGA OR SAN AGUSTIN DEL CALLO)

DAY 3: After breakfast, leave your Hostería or Country Inn to go to a remote mountain place on the western side of the Cotopaxi province where indigenous populations keep crops over 4,000 m. (13,120 ft.), and where the famous Tigua paints were born. After a drive on a dirt road we arrive to the dark green Quilotoa Crater Lake inside an extinct Volcano (3,810 m. / 12,497 ft.), hike into the crater (optional), box lunch. Afterwards drive to the pleasant warm Patate valley close to the base of the Tungurahua volcano (5,016 m. / 16,453 ft.) surrounded by a cloud forest with the exotic vegetation of the Amazon. Accommodation in a typical hacienda or country inn to observe the Tungurahua Volcano activity. (HACIENDA LEITO OR LUNA RUNTUN)

DAY 4: Leave Patate, towards the highest snow capped mountain in Ecuador, the Chimborazo (6,310 m. / 20,697 ft.). This place has been declared a Natural Reserve for Production of Fauna and being one of the most beautiful mountains of the Andes, it is home for some species of "camelidae" like llamas, alpacas and the reintroduced vicuñas. If the weather allows, we will also have an impressive view to the neighboring snow capped mountain, the Carihuayrazo (5,020 m. / 16,466 ft.), and in the afternoon return to Quito for accommodation.

Price per person

These prices will include accommodation at the chosen haciendas, breakfast and dinner, private transportation and touring.