We have successfully run this tour for 8 years!
This tour will lead you through fascinating panorama which will
take your breath away: partly snow-capped volcanoes along the
"Avenue of the Volcanoes" as well as the "Pailón del Diablo" on
the "Road of the Waterfalls". Explore the ancient Inca ruins and
the beautiful colonial cities of Cuenca and Quito as well as the
coast city Guayaquil...
Highlights:
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Avenue of the
volcanoes
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Ecuador
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During your 7-day round trip you will enjoy a fascinating panorama of snow-capped Andean peaks along the
so-called "Avenue of the Volcanoes". On the "Road of
the Waterfalls" a breath-taking view is also guaranteed.
An exciting train-ride passing by the devil's nose as well
as the visit of inca ruins, the colonial cities Cuenca and
Quito and the coast city Guayaquil make this journey
an invaluable experience.
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Guided city tour through the colonial center of Quito (UNESCO World Heritage Site), among others,
including visits to these sites: the Parliament of Ecuador, the Independence Square, Cathedral (16th century), Basilica, Presidential Palace, the Baroque La
Compañía de Jesus Church, the church of San Francisco (16th century), Panecillo Hill
Excursion to Mitad del Mundo (“Center of the
Earth”) including visit to Solar Museum (“Museo Intiñan”)
Ride on the spectacular Andes Railway from Riobamba to Alausi (incl. the “Devil’s Nose”), still today the steepest train track in the world,
Ride up Mt. Cotopaxi until 4,500 m a. s. l., the
world’s highest active volcano; hike to the Rivas refuge at almost 5,000 m and Lake Limpiopungo
Hike through the marvelous Cajas National Park
(Paramo landscape with many lakes)
Road of Waterfalls near Baños, incl. Agoyan, Puerta
del Cielo, Manto de la Novia, La Merced, San Jorge,
Pailón del Diablo
Cuenca (UNESCO World Heritage Site) – guided and
unguided walks (El Turi Hill, New Cathedral, Flower
Market, Rotary Market (traditional handicrafts), factory of the famous Panama Hats, Tomebamba River,
etc.)
Walk through the historic Inca ruins of Ingapirca
City tour Guayaquil
Services Included:
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English-speaking guides from Quito to Guayaquil
All private transfers
Accommodation in good 2-3 star hotels & hostels
Meals as stated in tour description
Not included:
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Meals not listed and all drinks
National park fees and other entrance fees (approx.
30 USD) as well as international exit and airport tax
(approx. 45 USD)
Personal expenses and optional activities
Travel Dates:
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Please Note:
Number of participants:
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 Participants must have a valid international health insurance.
 We reserve the right to change the tour program due to force
majeure, weather or organizational reasons.
Upon request
Minimum: 2 Pax
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Quito – City Tour & Equator Monument
Welcome to the capital of Ecuador. Your
tour guide will meet you at the airport
and you will right away have a city tour
through Quito, introducing you to the
metropolis’s colonial neighborhoods. Quito’s historic center, 1978 declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered
the location with the largest accumulation
of art treasures in South America. You will
visit Plaza de la Independencia, view the
unique Jesuit Church La Compañía de
Jesús and the Cathedral. Those free of giddiness
among you will also have the opportunity to scale the basilica’s tower
over ladders – a braveness rewarded
with a legendary view over the entire city Quito! You meander
through the colorful Mercado Central market and also get a chance to
buy delicious tropical fruit there. The
tour continues to Quito’s landmark,
the Panecillo Hill, with its panoramic
view over the city. You will then
ride to Mitad del Mundo, the equator monument a few kilometers north of Quito. There you will also pay the
near-by Museo Intiñan a visit and then return to Quito. Overnight in Boutique Hotel Casa Foch*** (or similar). (B/-/-)
Day 2: Hike in the Cotopaxi National Park
Right after breakfast, you cross the fascinating landscape that leads us to
the Cotopaxi National Park (entrance fee is not included), which awaits
us with an overwhelming view of imposing mountain scenery. After
paying a visit to the National Park Museum, you will pass Lake Limpiopungo and ride up the active volcano. From the parking space at 4,500
m a. s. l. you will walk up to the José Rivas Refuge at 4,800 m, where,
weather allowing, you will enjoy a unique view. If you wish, you may
still undertake a short side trip to the volcano glacier. After enjoying
your packed lunch, you will head for your quarters at picturesque Baños,
situated at the foothill of smoking volcano Mt. Tungurahua. The town
has its name for its numerous local hot springs. Overnight in Hostel Volcano*** (or similar). (B/BL/-)
Day 3: Baños: Road of Waterfalls
Today’s program includes an
impressive bicycle tour along
the road of waterfalls. Certainly, the "Pailón del Diablo" will
catch your special attention:
large masses of water of Rio
Verde plunge to the depths;
you may even climb behind the waterfall. Your ride back to Baños
will be in a traditional Chiva or a light truck. You will spend the night
in the Hostel you already know from the previous day. (B/-/-)
Day 4: Alausi – “Nariz del Diablo” Train Ride – Ingapirca Ruins – Cuenca
You leave early in the morning (around 6:00 a.m.) for the railway station at Alausi. From there, you will undertake a thrilling ride with an old steam engine or a diesel railcar (or railway) crossing the spectacular land-
scape between the Sierra highlands and the coastal region,
passing the legendary "Devil’s Nose". There, at Nariz del Diablo, an adventurous zigzag will take you down to the valley!
You will enjoy a truly unique panorama. Back again at Alausi
(in private vehicle) you ride on to Cuenca, one of the most
beautiful colonial cities of Ecuador. En route, you will visit the
country’s only well-preserved Inca ruins of Ingapirca (entrance
fee not included), situated on the Ecuadorian part of the Inca
trail. In the Cañari language, Ingapirca means “stone walls of
Incas”. They are the most important monument of preHispanic cultures in Ecuador. After another two hours of travel, you will arrive at Cuenca. Overnight in Hotel
Carvallo*** (or similar). (B/-/-)
Day 5: City Tour Cuenca
Today, you will discover the historic colonial center of Cuenca. Also called the “Ecuadorian Athens”, Cuenca is the southernmost Andes city and located in a basin at 2,500 m a. s. l.
Cuenca is Ecuador’s third-largest city (a World Heritage Site)
and the “metropolis of Panama hats”, which originally actually came from Ecuador. The many magnificent colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, houses with enchanting, elegant, cast
iron balcony grilles and the blossom-filled squares probably
make Cuenca Ecuador’s most beautiful city. During the city
tour, you will learn interesting details about the history of this important trading town and visit some of its
imposing buildings, such as for example its Cathedral at Calderon Park; and you will stroll along the nice riverside walk, the so-called Barranco. After that, you will visit a Panama hat factory, where you will have the opportunity to get yourself such a fancy piece of hat. Overnight in the same hotel as the night before. (B/-/-)
Day 6: National Park Cajas – Ride to Guayaquil, City Tour
After breakfast, together with your guide you will ride to the Cajas National Park. This tundra-like highland
reserve is mostly situated above the timberline and includes a topographically very irregular area of 29,000
hectares and around 240 mysterious dark lakes. The
Cajas’s highest elevation is Mt. Arquitectos, topping
4,450 m a. s. l., while its lowest point is Lake Llaviuco
with an altitude of 3,150 m. You will undertake a 2hour hike in the Cajas National Park and subsequently
cross the marvelous highland Paramo reaching a lagoon
and admiring and enjoying the endemic flora and fauna. Subsequently, you will ride on to Guayaquil. With
her 3 million inhabitants, the city is the country’s economic and financial heart and lies on the western bank
of Río Guayas. The river, on which the giant liners from
the Pacific Ocean come in to the harbor from the Gulf
of Guayaquil, is the shipment point for 90% of all Ecuadorian imports and half of its exports, a fact that
makes Guayaquil the largest commercial and export harbor of the South American Pacific coast. From here you
start a discovery tour on foot with your guide. Explore the Malecón 2000, a unique former pier that in the
meantime has become a riverside promenade. Today it is a gigantic ensemble of restaurants, museums, galleries,
shopping malls, movie theaters and, last but not least, offers a romantic river view. You will also visit the picturesque Cerro Santa Ana neighborhood, the beautiful Cemetery, Centenario Park and Seminario Park with its
numerous freely living iguanas. Overnight in Hotel Macaw*** (or similar) in Guayaquil. (B/BL/-)
Day 7: Departure
The time has come to say good-bye to a wonderful country and great experiences. Transfer to the airport,
where your guide will still assist you. (B/-/-)