Ecuador trekking holiday, Mt Cotopaxi and Mt Chimborazo
| country: | Ecuador |
| location: | Mount Cotopaxi, Ecuador Highlands |
| trip type: | High altitude, very challenging trekking holidays |
| departures: | This trip can be run at any time on a tailormade basis. Small group departures also available. 2009: 13 May, 08 Aug, 09 Sep, 11 Nov. 2010: 12 May |
| price: | From US $2706 (17 days) excluding flights based on minimum group size of four people. We can arrange flights from the UK. We are a UK based company and prices are also available in GB pounds |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
This adventure trekking tour encompasses some of Ecuador's most stunning scenery. We get close to the conical, snow-capped peaks of Cotopaxi and Chimborazo on this active tour through the Ecuadorian highlands.
You will travel from the vibrant colonial capital of Quito north towards the famous market town of Otavalo to take a very beautiful hike around Laguna Cuicocha. This offers wonderful views of beautiful volcanic landscapes – crater lakes, streams and high paramos and possibly the chance of glimpsing the impressive Condor, the ‘King of the Andes’.
After this trek you will head south to visit the beautiful Pasochoa Biological Reserve and on to the famous Cotopaxi National Park. From your hacienda base you will embark on a series of day treks around the base of the smoking, snow-capped Cotopaxi Volcano. There will also be the opportunity to go horse-riding and mountain-biking here.
You then set out on a great trek passing Carihuairazo (5020 m) with stunning backdrops of glaciers, moraines and lakes to the world famous Whymper Hut (5000m) on the slopes of Chimborazo (6310m), the highest volcano in Ecuador whose summit is the closest place on earth to the sun. This is a spectacular trek and a truly unique way to experience these impressive ranges close up. You will then travel to Riobamba and take the breathtaking Devil’s Nose rail ride, negotiating a series of switchbacks.
Commence your second trekking expedition, this time with an historical context as you follow a 35km portion of the old Inca Royal Highway that ran from Quito to Cusco. Trek through untouched landscapes of lagoons, rivers, natural rock arches and mountain passes to the Ingapirca ruins, the most significant site in Ecuador.
Finish your visit at the colonial city of Cuenca, home of the Panama hat and handicrafts of every kind before returning to Quito. You will receive a warm welcome from the colourful native Indians, witness the inspiring colonial architecture of the cities, experience the vibrant culture of the Hispanic villages and be constantly surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of green mountains patch-worked with corn fields and stark majestic snow-capped volcanoes that reach out to the crystal sky.
Note:This tour can be followed by a cruise in the Galapagos Islands or a trip to Ecuador's wildlife rich cloud forest or Amazon jungle.
You will travel from the vibrant colonial capital of Quito north towards the famous market town of Otavalo to take a very beautiful hike around Laguna Cuicocha. This offers wonderful views of beautiful volcanic landscapes – crater lakes, streams and high paramos and possibly the chance of glimpsing the impressive Condor, the ‘King of the Andes’.
After this trek you will head south to visit the beautiful Pasochoa Biological Reserve and on to the famous Cotopaxi National Park. From your hacienda base you will embark on a series of day treks around the base of the smoking, snow-capped Cotopaxi Volcano. There will also be the opportunity to go horse-riding and mountain-biking here.
You then set out on a great trek passing Carihuairazo (5020 m) with stunning backdrops of glaciers, moraines and lakes to the world famous Whymper Hut (5000m) on the slopes of Chimborazo (6310m), the highest volcano in Ecuador whose summit is the closest place on earth to the sun. This is a spectacular trek and a truly unique way to experience these impressive ranges close up. You will then travel to Riobamba and take the breathtaking Devil’s Nose rail ride, negotiating a series of switchbacks.
Commence your second trekking expedition, this time with an historical context as you follow a 35km portion of the old Inca Royal Highway that ran from Quito to Cusco. Trek through untouched landscapes of lagoons, rivers, natural rock arches and mountain passes to the Ingapirca ruins, the most significant site in Ecuador.
Finish your visit at the colonial city of Cuenca, home of the Panama hat and handicrafts of every kind before returning to Quito. You will receive a warm welcome from the colourful native Indians, witness the inspiring colonial architecture of the cities, experience the vibrant culture of the Hispanic villages and be constantly surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of green mountains patch-worked with corn fields and stark majestic snow-capped volcanoes that reach out to the crystal sky.
Note:This tour can be followed by a cruise in the Galapagos Islands or a trip to Ecuador's wildlife rich cloud forest or Amazon jungle.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrival in Quito. Hotel in Quito. |
| Day 2: | Tour Quito, visit the equator. Hotel in Quito. |
| Day 3: | Walk (4 hours) on the edge of the Cuicocha Lake. Hotel in Otavalo. |
| Day 4: | Market day. Hotel in Otavalo. |
| Day 5: | Panamerican highway and visit to Pasochoa Biological Reserve. Hacienda, nr Cotopaxi National Park |
| Day 6 - 7: | Cotopaxi National Park. Hacienda, Cotopaxi National Park |
| Day 8-11: | Chimborazo volcano trek. Camp, Chimborazo National Park, and Hacienda, nr Riobamba. |
| Day 12: | Devil’s Nose Train from Riobamba to Sibambe and camp in Achupallas. |
| Day 13-14: | Trek from Achupallas to Tres Cruces, and from Tres Cruces to Paredones. Camp, Tres Cruces/Paredones. |
| Day 15: | Trekking from Paredones to the Incan ruins of Ingapirca. Continue to the beautiful city of Cuenca. Hotel, Cuenca. |
| Day 16: | Morning tour of Cuenca. Fly back to Quito in the afternoon. Hotel, Quito. |
| Day 17: | Transfer to the airport to depart. |
how this holiday makes a difference
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On our trek we use locally produced fresh produce, buying from villages where appropriate. In preference we choose local over imported goods, and encourage the use of Andean products in all our cooking. We pack out all non-organic waste and minimize this by using products with minimum packaging, leaving no litter and keeping all water sources clean, leaving camp-sites cleaner than we find them. We bury organic waste at a suitable depth.
When out on tour we encourage learning about Ecuador, the local culture of the teams we work with and the areas we pass through. Our guides hold informal talks with groups to inform about and discuss with them all aspects of local life. This helps understanding of the area and appreciation of the people who live there. We support a childrens health care project in Quito. Please bring with you and second hand or new warm clothes and shoes, which we will distribute to children in the Quito area through suitable organizations. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |