Avenue of Volcanoes

The long and picturesque valley between Quito and Cuenca is Ecuador’s indigenous heartland and features stunning scenery and a range of climates from the deep valleys up to snow capped tops of volcanoes.

Duration: 5 days/ 4 nights at a minimum. For those who want to include a full day hike in El Cajas National Park, we recommend adding another night.

Direction: Quito to Guayaquil OR Guayaquil to Quito

Driver Details: You will have a private vehicle and driver guide accompany you for the duration of your Avenue of the Volcanoes adventure. While your driver guide does speak English, the level may be slightly more basic than city based guides you will encounter on other guided tours. 

This is an amazing opportunity to interact with a local Ecuadorian who will be incredibly proud to show you their country on this unique road trip.

Day 1 Overview:
Quito - Cotopaxi National Park & Indigenous market - Baños

Description:

You will be picked up in your hotel in Quito and start the drive South along the Pan-American Highway known as "Avenue of the Volcanoes" towards one of the world´s highest active volcanoes, Cotopaxi (5,897 m). During the journey, we can enjoy the marvelous view of the Cotopaxi Volcano, one of the highest active snow-capped volcano in the world. But firstly, we will visit one of the local markets in this region, depending on the day of the week for understanding the local culture and even experience the barter process, and, why not, being able to taste some of the local and exotic flavors that Ecuador has to offer to us. After this introduction to the local culture, we will drive along the Pan-American Highway towards the Cotopaxi Volcano with 5,897 m (19,347 ft) high. Once we are here, we will reach the entrance of Cotopaxi National Park and drive on a third-class road through a pine forest to Limpiopungo lagoon, a glacial Andean lake located at 3,800 m (12467 ft). From this site, we can have a magnificent view of the impressive Cotopaxi volcano. Afterwards you will continue to Baños and check in to your hotel.

Featuring a restaurant and a garden, Hacienda La Cienega offers free Wi-Fi and American breakfast in Latacunga. Guests can enjoy a welcome cocktail upon arrival.

Providing a tranquil environment, the rooms in La Cienega feature private bathrooms. Room service is provided.Guests can order regional and international dishes at the restaurant, and laundry services are available. 

Day 2 Overview:
Baños - Waterfalls & Hot springs - Riobamba

Description:
After breakfast the day begins with a visit to Baños. This small city is located in a valley with many stunning waterfalls and hot springs. One of the main attractions is the Tungurahua volcano which offers a variety of adventure sports activities. The tour begins visiting the famous waterfalls“Manto de la Novia” and “Pailon del Diablo”. Next continue to a lookout point to see the Tungurahua active volcano.

In the afternoon, drive to Riobamba through “El Arenal”, an arid location on the slopes of Chimborazo Mountain. This gigantic mountain was a key part of the famous 1802 expedition led by the renowned German scientist Alexander Von Humboldt. If time and weather allow, this location offers amazing views of wild llamas, vicunas and alpacas. 

Check in to your hotel in Riobamba.

Mansion Santa Isabella offers stylish accommodation in the centre of Riobamba, in an Ecuadorian colonial-style house with an indoor fountain, just 300 m from the Cathedral of Riobamba. WiFi and parking are free.

With cream-coloured walls and rustic decorated bedspreads, the rooms are styled in full 4-star fashion. There are dark wood furnishings and some rooms feature baths and hydro-massage tubs. All of them include bathrobes and there is cable TV.

In the morning, guests can expect an American breakfast with coffee and regional products and at dinnertime they can treat themselves to gourmet dishes at the restaurant, or finish the day with a Pisco sour at upscale Cueva del Cura bar.

Day 3 Overview:
Devil's Nose Train Ride* - Ingapirca Ruins - Cuenca
*Note:This excursion operates Tuesday to Sunday. 

Description:
Very early in the morning after breakfast, the day starts with a drive to the town of Alausi. Here you will get ready for a famous train though this emblematic mountain named “The Devil’s Nose”. Due to the land topography, this portion is a masterpiece of railway engineering, commonly named “the most difficult railway in the world”. The descent is not an ordinary one; the train ride begins at an altitude of 2,346 meters and drops down to 1,860 meters in just 30 minutes on zigzag railway tracks.

After this extreme train ride, you will continue on to Tolte. Here you will have lunch in a local restaurant of the community, while enjoying a traditional dancing show. 

After lunch you will be able to choose among different activities during your visit to the community. You can descend 330 stairs to a viewpoint, which is a perfect place to appreciate the zig-zag from Devil’s Nose and take fabulous pictures; you may choose between horse-back riding or a biking tour in the surrounding areas of the community, and you are also able visit an organic local farm to see how the community develops agro-tourism.

After this visit, the next stop is the Ingapirca Ruins where a walk through the ruins feels like you are walking back to the past. These are the best preserved and most unique Inca ruins in Ecuador. 

Afterwards, you will drive to Cuenca and check in at your hotel.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING DEVIL'S NOSE TRAIN: The Ecuadorian Railways Company informs that in case operation is not available, the train portions will be operated by van or bus, or in case it is not possible, an alternate visit will be offered. Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice due to local laws from National Parks authorities.

Boasting a colonial-style central courtyard, draped curtains and canopy beds, this luxurious hotel is right in Cuenca’s historical district. Wi-Fi is free and Hotel Carvallo is 1 block from Calderon Park. 

Hotel Carvallo is set in a renovated house dating from the 19th century. Guests can enjoy 4-star décor and services.

Rooms at Carvallo are styled with elegant furniture and a jewel toned palette of lush fabrics. Ceilings feature elaborate decorations and some rooms include separate living rooms and fireplaces. All rooms have baths, cable TV and minibars.

A buffet breakfast with fresh juices, jams and cheese is served daily at the restaurant. Room service is available.

Day 4 Overview:
Cuenca - Cajas National Park - Guayaquil

Description:
After breakfast, the tour begins with a visit to Cuenca's Historic Center. Here you will visit the church in San Sebastian, a picturesque and traditional neighborhood of Cuenca, the Modern Art Museum, where the famous International Biennial of Painting takes place permanently, the Calderon Park (central park), the Flower Plaza, the Iglesia del Carmen, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, best known as the “New Cathedral” considered one of the biggest churches in Latin America. There will also be a visit to the Cathedral “El Sagrario,” commonly known as the “Old Cathedral”, the city’s first Cathedral. Afterwards, you will stop at “El Paja Toquilla” hat factory where you can observe the process for making some of the finest hats. 

The route continues with the visit to the “El Barranco del río Tomebamba,” which is an amazing communion between architecture and the natural environment. The houses are attached to the incline, displaying their majesty and charm. The tour will finish at the “Mirador de Turi” (scenic viewpoint) where the landscape of a valley full of red roofs and church domes is framed by imposing mountains.

In the afternoon, only 30 minutes away from Cuenca, you will arrive to El Cajas National Park which consists of over 200 lagoons and has a surface of 28.544 hectares. It is a very important water resource for Cuenca and all of Ecuador. Thus achieving the international Ramsar wetland categories in 2002, area of international importance for bird conservation IBA 2003 and Candidate Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO. The rivers and tributaries that originate here flow into the Pacific and Amazon. Also, we can find the “Intercontinental Water Division” in this area. We visit the highest part of the park at 4.000 m.a.s.l. approximately, and have a 45 minute walk. 

After exploring the park, you will drive to the city of Guayaquil and check in to your hotel. 

Note: If you prefer to have a shorter city tour in Cuenca and spend more time walking in the national park, be sure to let your guide know so they can adjust the itinerary accordingly. 

Featuring a swimming pool and a fitness centre, Wyndham Hotel Guayaquil offers rooms with free WiFi and plasma TVs in Guayaquil. 

Rooms at Wyndham Hotel Guayaquil have large windows. All of them have heating, air conditioning and private bathrooms. Some rooms offer panoramic river views. International dishes can be ordered at the property’s restaurant, whereas drinks and snacks can be enjoyed at the bar.

Day 5 Overview:
Guayaquil City Tour - Transfer to Airport

Description:
After breakfast, you will have a city tour of Guayaquil that takes place in the downtown area beginning with a nice overview of the old city by visiting Las Peñas district, located at the slopes of Santa Ana Hill. From this point, it is possible to enjoy an excellent view of the modern Malecon 2000, located in the shores of Guayas River, as well as a fine example of original architecture in Guayaquil. At the Malecon, you will visit La Rotonda, an important monument that immortalizes the meeting between generals Simon Bolivar and San Martin, The Moorish Clock Tower and many other attractive sights. Afterwards, walk in the old town through 9 de Octubre Avenue, to visit the Seminario Park, also known as the Iguanas and Centenario Park.

In the afternoon transfer out to the airport, this the end of your Avenue of the Volcanoes tour.