Arrive at the airport in Quito and make your way to your hotel. You'll be met at the hotel by one of Adventure Journeys' expert trip leaders to discuss details and answer any questions you may have about the adventure. Depending on when your flight arrives, you can spend your time relaxing or exploring Quito. Feel free to contact Adventure Journeys directly if you wish to book any activities or excursions in Quito.

About Quito: Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage site and Ecuador’s capital. It’s considered the cultural capital of South America and the second most important city of the old Inca Empire. Because of its strategic location in the middle of the Andes, you can organize fantastic day trips, such as: Quito city tour, a trip to the equator line, Mindo Cloud forest, Cotopaxi National Park, Quilotoa Crater Lake, Otavalo Indian market, Papallacta hot springs, Pululahua crater, and more.

Overnight: Hotel

Begin the day heading south from Quito to visit Cotopaxi National Park. Take a first acclimation hike around Limpiopungo Lake at 13,000 feet (3800 m) above sea level and see wild horses, wild bulls, and local bird species. From here you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Cotopaxi volcano. The day will end with a drive into Isinlivi where you'll spend the night.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Overnight: Hostel
Total trekking time: 3 hours

Trek along Toachi Canyon through stony landscapes interspersed by small villages and local people working in the fields. Hike down into the Toachi river canyon, and then back up to reach the main road that will take you to Chugchilan, a small town located in the middle of the Quilotoa loop. Here you'll find your eco-house accommodations, and in the afternoon, feel free to explore the village and share a bit of cultural experience with locals.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Overnight: Hostel
Total trekking time: 5 hours

After a nice breakfast early in the morning, start today's hike on the centuries-old mountain trails. These trails are still used by locals for commerce and trading as they travel across canyons to reach other small communities. While trekking on this trail, you'll often see traders bartering for goods in the traditional manner. Hike down across impressive canyons before climbing up to the rim of Quilotoa Crater, where you'll be rewarded with beautiful views of Quilotoa Lake. The magic of this place will take your breath away. Spend the night in Quilotoa village and enjoy the local cuisine.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Overnight: Hostel
Total trekking time: 4-5 hours

Quilotoa Crater Lake is your main objective today. After breakfast, hike down to the base of the caldera, on a beautiful and steep trail considered sacred to all the local communities that live around Quilotoa. The lake is over 800 feet deep and vibrantly colored due to dissolved minerals in the water, lined by travertine limestone deposits on the shoreline. Though the volcano last erupted in AD 1280, this is still a very geologically active place, with hot springs and fumaroles under the lake surface. Take some time to explore the crater of this magical place and go for a swim in volcanic waters if you wish.

On the way back up from the crater, if you find yourself a bit tired there is a unique opportunity to rent a horse and ride the very challenging, steep trail. In the afternoon, you'll be transferred to Riobamba City, located in the heart of the Ecuadorian highlands.

Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Lodge
Total trekking time: 2-3 hours

Early in the morning, you'll depart for Chimborazo Volcano. Standing at an impressive 20,702 feet above sea level, this is the highest volcano in Ecuador and last erupted around AD 550. In Pre-Columbian times it was considered a major deity to Andean cultures. Chimborazo's location along the equatorial bulge makes its summit the farthest terrestrial point from the Earth's center. Drive until 15,748 feet where you'll reach the first base camp for serious climbers. Your high altitude hike starts here and will take about 1 or 2 hours to reach the glaciers that cover the peak of the volcano. The second camp farther on is over 16,400 feet. The Chimborazo reserve is well known for the wild vicuñas and alpacas that live here, so chances are good you'll spot these beautiful animals.

Enjoy a delicious picnic at base camp before heading down to a more tropical climate in the city of Baños. In the evening, go for a nice hot spring soak and, if you wish, experience the Baños night life.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Overnight: Hotel
Total trekking time: 2-3 hours

Baños is one of the most popular destinations for travelers in the country, and you'll find many Ecuadorian families vacationing here. One look at this delightfully green mountain town and you'll know why. This pleasant, unspoiled town is the perfect setting for outdoor adventure. Activities include horseback riding, canyoning, hiking, mountain biking, climbing and rafting in the surrounding mountains and on the River Pastaza.

This morning, explore Llanganates National Park down to the Pastaza River Canyon where you'll see the beautiful scenery of the cloud forest and travel around the Road of the Waterfalls. Your first stop is Bride's Veil waterfall, where you can cross the Pastaza River by taking the tarabita (cable car). Later, an hour hike takes you to the Pailon del Diablo waterfall, the second highest in Ecuador. Return to Quito in the afternoon.

Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Hotel
Total trekking time: 2 hours

Transfer to the Quito airport as needed for your flight departure back home.

Meals included: Breakfast