In the Avenue of the Volcanoes

Day 1: Arrive in Quito

Rendezvous at the group hotel in Quito ( is provided). KE Land Only package services begin with a single timed airport transfer to the hotel. After settling in we will take our dinner in one of the city’s many excellent restaurants and get a briefing from our guide on the week ahead. Meals included: Dinner (D)

Day 2: City tour and sightseeing

At 2,800 metres above sea level, Quito is the world's second highest capital city after La Paz in neighbouring Bolivia. Consequently we will take things easy today while we get used to the altitude. In the morning we have a walking tour of the 'Old City' which contains many beautiful churches and grand public buildings from the time of the Conquistadors. The afternoon is free for further independent sightseeing. One option is to take a bus or a taxi just outside the city to the 'Mitad del Mundo' where you can straddle the equator with a foot in each hemisphere. We join our guide again this evening for dinner and we spend a second night at the group hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Drive to Cuicocha, trek around the lake

After breakfast, we head north on the Panamerican Highway. We have a 3-hour drive to Cuicocha crater lake (3246m), a dormant volcano with water filled caldera. The lake, which is a stunning azure blue, has two islands in the centre – lava domes from its last major eruption. Now well acclimatised from our day in Quito, we will make a complete circuit of the lake, taking around 4 - 5 hours. If time permits, we will also visit the Peguche waterfall, before driving (30 minutes) to Otavalo where we check into our comfortable hotel base for our explorations in this region of Ecuador. Total Ascent/ Descent: 580 metres (B, L, D)

Day 4: Ascent of Cubilche

From the hotel we have short (30 – 40 minutes) transfer up to a height of around 3000 metres on the north side of the volcano, Cubilche. An easy trek on a clearly-defined trail takes between 3 and 4 hours to reach the wide grassy summit. There are extensive views over the surrounding countryside and to our next objective, Fuya Fuya. We take lunch at a small lake below the summit. We rejoin our transport and drive back to Otavalo. Total Ascent/ Descent: 1100m. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Trek in Zuleta Valley to San Pablo Lake

This morning we have a short drive to the village of Zuleta. From here we make a beautiful walk of 3 – 4 hours through a patchwork quilt of cultivated fields and forests of eucalyptus with superb views towards the volcano, Imbabura, to reach the lake of San Pablo. There is plenty of opportunity today to see rural life in the various Andean villages we encounter en-route. Distance: 11 miles. Ascent 380m. / Descent 480m. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Climb Fuya Fuya

Today we climb the third of the volcanoes, Fuya Fuya (4250m). From Otavalo we drive for about an hour to Laguna Mojanda, from where our objective is clearly visible. We skirt the lake on a steep and rocky trail to reach the open "paramo" grassland which form the slopes of this long-dead volcano. It will take 2 – 3 hours to reach the summit from where we have views of the volcanoes Cayambe, Cerro Cotacachi and Imbabura. We return to Otavalo for lunch and in the afternoon we will hike out through the town to visit the small, gnarled tree that is known locally as 'El Lechero’ and is reckoned to have magical healing powers. There are great views of the surrounding countryside, including the pretty lake of Laguna San Pablo. Ascent /Descent: 550m. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Otavalo Market and transfer to Quito

It is well worth setting the alarm for an early start today to visit the famous Otavalo Indian market. Today this small quiet town is transformed into a bustling place of trade. Just about everything is bought and sold here including pigs, sheep and cattle but the central ‘Poncho Plaza’ is the heart of the market where hundreds of handicraft stalls are set up. Almost every type of craftwork in Ecuador is represented here. Otavalo market is particularly famed for its colourful textiles and there are blankets, ponchos, jumpers, tapestries, hats, and hand bags in bewildering profusion and styles. This is also a very good place to buy locally made musical instruments such as charangos and zampona (pan pipes), or to buy ceramics and pottery. As much a spectacle as the market itself are the people of the area who flock here dressed in their finest. The men wear traditional white pants with dark coloured ponchos and have their hair braided in long pigtails. The women wear white blouses with black sashes and skirts and lots of gold necklaces. The action starts as early as 6.00am and the morning is the time to get that bargain. Having absorbed all the sights and sounds of this famous Andean market, after lunch we leave Otavalo and return to Quito (2 – 3 hours) where we check into the group hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Ascent of Pichincha and transfer to Lasso

Quito is built on the slopes of the active Volcan Pichincha, which provides an excellent hike with magnificent views over the city. We make an early start to enjoy the clear morning weather. We first drive on a dirt road to around 4000 metres. This is not a long way but its slow going on rough roads and will take us around 2 hours from leaving the hotel. Then by foot to the refuge at 4600 metres. From here it is a straightforward ascent to reach the rim of Pichincha’s smouldering crater. We continue around the rim and up to the summit of Guagua Pichincha (4784m) which offers spectacular views along the ‘Avenue of the Volcanoes’ and across the city. Descending the peak, we return to Quito in one hour and continue for approximately one hour to Lasso where we check into our hostal accommodation. Ascent /Descent: 1000m. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Refuge of Iliniza, transfer to Riobamba

We have little under an hour’s drive to the roadhead where the trek begins at Virgen (4020m). From here we ascend to the refuge at 4750m. This 4 hour walk rewards us with splendid views of the ‘Avenue of the Volcaones’. The refuge is situated on the former volcanic crater and is the base for both Iliniza summits, the South (5260m) with its impressive glaciers and the rocky North summit (5116m). We walk through Polylepis forest, also known as the ‘tree of paper’ for its feather like leaves and multi-layered papery bark. It is one of the trees that grow at the highest altitudes in the Andes. After our walk we transfer (3hours) to the town of Riobamba where we check into our hotel. Ascent / Descent 750m. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Visit the refuge on Chimborazo and transfer to Baños

At 6310 metres, Chimborazo is the highest mountain in Ecuador and, due to the equatorial bulge, its summit has the distinction of being the furthest point from the centre of the Earth. Until the last century it was thought to be the tallest mountain on earth and Edward Whymper made the first recorded ascent under that mistaken belief. Today there is a mountaineers’ refuge named after this great alpinist, located high on the mountain at close to 5000m. We drive for 1.5 hours on a switch-back dirt road up to a parking area below the hut from where we make the short hike of around 45 minutes to the Whymper Refuge. If the weather is good it is also possible to make a return hike of around 2 hours to reach ‘Whymper Point’ for breathtaking views. Returning to our vehicle we descend the mountain and join the Panamerican Highway, travelling north-east for 2 – 3 hours to reach the charming spa town of Baños. We check into our comfortable hotel and enjoy the evening ambiance of this resort town with its mix of pavement cafes, restaurants, craft and book shops. Ascent / Descent: 660m. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Free morning in Baños then drive to Cotopaxi

We have a free morning to enjoy the amenities of this picturesque and laid-back town. Situated in the shadow of smoking Tungurahua, the town is famous for its thermal pools and is also known as ‘the Gateway to the Amazon’ due to its position, perched on the edge of the Andean plateau. Baños is a very relaxing place just to stroll around or it is possible to hire bikes. In the afternoon we drive (2 hour 30 minute) to the Cotopaxi National Park. Reaching the lakes at Limpiopungo, we climb another switch-back road up the side of Cotopaxi, the second highest mountain in Ecuador, and the World’s highest active volcano. The dirt track leads to a car park below the Jose Rivas refuge at 4800m. This alpine hut which is situated just below the level of the glaciated part of the mountain is the starting point for climbers wishing to scale the peak. We take a slow walk up to the hut which at this altitude takes around 45 minutes (it takes about 10 or 15 minutes to return). There are breathtaking views over the surrounding countryside. Returning to our vehicle we drive (1 hour 30 minutes) to our overnight accommodation close to the Antizana National Park. Anyone who has opted to attempt the climb of Cotopaxi (see 'Cotopaxi Climb' section below for details), will leave the group at the Jose Rivas refuge, spending the evening there before a midnight start for the climb. (B, L, D)

Day 12: Visit Antizana Ecological Reserve and return to Quito

After a short transfer we arrive in the very wild Antizana Ecological Reserve for a hike of around 4 - 5 hours. The snow capped Antizana Volcano (5753m) dominates our walk as we encounter 2 lagoon lakes (Micacocha and Papallacta) and the glaciated terrain of this snow giant. After the walk we drive for approximately 1.5 hours back to Quito where we check into our comfortable hotel close to the heart of the new city for our final evening in Ecuador. Those who opted for the Cotopaxi climb will make the ascent in the early morning of this day. Note that Cotopaxi climbers will not take part in the walk in the Antizana Park but will rendezvous with the main group in Quito. (B, L, D)

Day 13: Depart Ecuador

KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. Depending on flight schedules there will be time for some last minute shopping and souvenir buying before heading home. A single timed Airport transfer is provided. (B)