This part of the country offers some of the loveliest mountain sceneries in Ecuador, and was named "the avenue of the volcanoes" by the German Explorer Alexander Von Humboldt, and it is easy to see why. An impressive roll call of towering peaks lines the route south: Cotopaxi, the Illinizas, Tungurahua, Carihuairazo and Chimborazo, to name but a few. This area obviously attracts its fair share of trekkers and climbers, while the less active tourist can browse through the many colourful Indian markets and colonial towns that nestle among the high volcanic cones. This route also provides a taste of adventure when taking the train ride to the south on route to the famous Devil's nose, where travelers ride on the top of the wagon. After an awesome trip across cliffs, we arrive to Ingapirca and finally to Cuenca.

See:

Cotopaxi & Quilotoa excursion
Baños - Gateway to the Amazon
Devil´s Nose, Baños & Chimborazo
Avenue of the volcanoes

Cotopaxi & Quilotoa excursion

Private, Any Day, 2d/1n

This trip combines the highest active volcano in the world, Cotopaxi (5,897 mts) and it National park and a barely known collapsed crater, the Quilotoa volcano. We start early morning in Quito with a visit to an Indian market: Latacunga (tue & sat), Pujilí (wed & sun) Saquisilí (thu) or Zumbahua (sat) depending on the day of the week, each one unique in its kind.

Later on, we drive pass Zumbahua, to the very same border of Quilotoa crater, where we find an Indian community famous for the colourful Tigua paintings. We hike down to the crater to witness the color changing of the crater sulfur lake, from deep blue, to light blue, green and turquoise. After a box lunch, we will go up (mules available). We spend the night at a local hostal or hacienda in the area.

Next day we go to the Cotopaxi N.P, we do a short visit to el Boliche and then we go deep into the park, for hiking around the Limpiopungo lake in a moor land vegetation zone. If the weather permits, we will go climbing to the first shelter in the flanks of the volcano through a sandy hike. Have Lunch at a typical restaurant. & Return to Quito.

Visit also:

Baños - Gateway to the Amazon
Devil´s Nose, Baños & Chimborazo
Avenue of the volcanoes

Baños - Gateway to the Amazon

Private, Any Day, 2d/1n

Starting in Quito, we drive along the Pan-American Highway, enjoying some of the most amazing views of the so-called "Avenue of the Volcanoes". We pass by the indigenous village of Salasacas, great artisans in textiles. We then start our descent towards the Amazon basin following the side of the Tungurahua active volcano and witnessing the changes in the vegetation until we reach Baños.

This is one of Ecuador's most popular tourist destinations, being a great place to socialize and a center for adventure sports. Thermal baths, spa, hiking, biking, horse riding and many other adventure activities are possible here.

A part of our trip is to drive down and into the tropical forest along the Pastaza River following "the route of the waterfalls". On this journey we can hike down to the impressive Pailon del Diablo waterfall, cross the Pastaza canyon on cable car or visit some of the highlights near Puno such as the orchid farm, the Omaere ethno botanical park or Fatima zoological park. After midday we must return back to Quito.

Visit also:

Cotopaxi & Quilotoa excursion
Devil´s Nose, Baños & Chimborazo
Avenue of the volcanoes

Devil's Nose, Baños & Chimborazo

Private, Wed, Fri, Sun, 3d/2n

This trip leaves early morning from Cuenca, the first stop is in Alausi to experiment the famous Devil's Nose Train Ride. We then continue north along the Panamerican road enjoying the amazing Andean landscapes combined with cultural experiences such us Indian villages and other highlights on route. By the end of the day we reach Baños, where we spend the night.

The second day we spend in and around Baños, a great active town and a centre for adventure sports. Thermal baths, spa, hiking, horse riding, biking, and the amazing ride into the tropical forest along the route of the waterfalls following the Pastaza River, are among the highlights of this journey.

In the afternoon we leave back to the highlands, for overnight in one of the most beautiful lodges of Ecuador at the foothills of the Chimborazo moutain, considered the highest point on Earth to the space since it is located on the equator. Enjoy an outstanding view of this Andean giant from its very same flanks. On day 3 we enjoy the Chimborazo Natural Reserve, we do some interesting trekking and head the way back to Cuenca, stopping on the way for a short visit to Ingapirca ruins, the main Inca complex in the country.
       
Day 1: Cuenca - Devil's Nose - Baños
Day 2: Baños and surroundings - Estrella del Chimborazo
Day 2: Chimborazo - Ingapirca - Cuenca 

Visit also:

Cotopaxi & Quilotoa excursion
Baños - Gateway to the Amazon
Avenue of the volcanoes

Avenue of the volcanoes

Private, Mon, Wed, Fri, 3d/2n

This is with no doubt the most famous trip along the Inter Andean valley. It shows the best sites, combining snow caped mountains, indian markets, the active town of Banos, the famous Devil's Nose train ride, the Inca complex of Ingapirca ending in Cuenca.

Day 1: Quito - Cotopaxi - Baños
Day 2: The route of the waterfalls - Riobamba
Day 3: Andean train at Alausi - Devil's nose - Alausi - Ingapirca - Cuenca

Visit also:

Cotopaxi & Quilotoa excursion
Baños - Gateway to the Amazon
Devil´s Nose, Baños & Chimborazo