Volcano Trail
Guide 1 Arrival Quito - our driver will meet you in airport arrivals and transport you to your Hotel. Free time to relax and acclimatise to your new surroundings. - 2 Rucu Pichincha - a gentle start to the tour with a ride on the teleferico cable car to the top of Cruz Loma for spectacular views of the city of Quito below - here we are very close to the peak of the recently active Guagua Pichincha Volcano which last erupted in 1999 sending an 18km ash cloud high above the city. The afternoon is free to rest or explore Quito. 3 Cotopaxi - a memorable day in the National Park surrounding Ecuador's most picture-perfect volcano. Cotopaxi boasts an extremely violent past but has been quiet for many decades now, nonetheless it remains an awe-inspiring sight and the Andean grassland scenery in the surrounding parkland make for a beautiful daytrip. This day is all about exhilarating downhill mountain-biking action, whilst of course enjoying the views as you go. Overnight an elegant hacienda on the border of the National Park where an open-fire and centuries of history await your arrival.
Guide 4 Corazon - a memorable day of trekking on one of the most easilyaccessible peak climbs in the Ecuadorian Andes. It is a strenuous but non-technical trek to the top of this extinct volcano. Overnight at the hacienda. 5 Quilotoa - the crater lake is a real highlight of the tour that will literally take your breath away! An emerald green laguna inside the crater of an extinct volcano with steep jagged cliffs and views straight down the entire valley of volcanoes. It is possible to trek into the crater to the lake shore (with optional mule ride out for those with tired limbs), and there are also many other fine trekking opportunities in the local area sometimes referred to as the Grand Canyon of Ecuador, as well as a chance to buy local handicrafts. Overnight in Riobamba. 6 Chimborazo - this old, giant peak is famed as both the highest peak in Ecuador and the furthest point from the centre of the earth (due to the equatorial bulge). Visiting options include hiking up to the second refuge at 5000m, or visit to the nature reserve where over 800 wild vicuña roam (the vicuña is a small relative of the llama). Overnight in años.
Guide 7 Tungurahua - today we begin the return journey north to Quito, but the trip would not be complete without a glimpse of Ecuador's most currently active volcano, Tungurahua. This volcano, meaning "little hell" in local tongue, has been on almost constant orange alert since 1999 since when it has caused many evacuations of local towns as well as its fair share of destruction. Our driver will try to find you some of the best views of its smouldering peak during the drive. Overnight at Quito. 8 Tour end - after breakfast our driver will transfer you to the airport for your flight out.
VOLCANO TRAIL / INCLUSIONS - EXCLUSIONS Inclusions: Accommodation in double rooms, or triple for odd-numbered groups who prefer not to pay a single supplement Driver/ Guide as listed in itinerary Meals as listed in itinerary Activities as listed in itinerary -speaking guide at Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Corazon and Chimborazo Exclusions: International flights Tips Meals and activities not listed as part of itinerary Local entry fees Single supplement (applies for a single room for somebody travelling within a group). If you are travelling alone then please ask our staff for a solo traveller price quote. This program can be adapted to your personal needs - just let us if you would like to make any changes, we ll be happy to help! NOTE: Licensed -speaking guides are more expensive per day than -speaking drivers. For that reason this tour has a mix of both included, in order to balance trip cost with service level for you. Of course the mix is flexible, so if you would like to make changes then just let us know.