Cuenca to Quito 4 or 5 Day Tour with Chimborazo, Quilotoa, Baños and Cotopaxi.

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Cuenca – Ingapirca – Alausi⌄

   From Cuenca we’ll travel 48 miles north direction to the Ingapirca archaeological site, it’s the largest Incan ruins in Ecuador which encapsulates the sophisticated Inca design, architecture, and engineering. You’ll discover how, the Incas merged their own community with the native indigenous called Cañaris. This is reflected in the two separate Temples of the Moon and Sun, dedicated to the beliefs of each culture. Please notice the Ingapirca Ruins are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. We can still visit the site from the outside or we can propose an alternative activity instead.

   Explore one of the most interesting areas in our country. "The Devil’s Nose Mountain". On this mountain the famous Devil's Nose Train was built. In its day it was considered one of the greatest feats of railroad engineering that the world had seen. Even-though the train is not operating at the moment, we will be able to enjoy the charming landscape on a half an hour hike in Pistishi community.

   Overnight: Overnight in Riobamba Standard: Casa 1881 or Superior: Abraspungo

2. 2Devil's Nose Hike - Chimborazo - Riobamba⌄

   We will visit Chimborazo Wildlife Refuge, this volcano is the highest peak in Ecuador and the highest peak in the world measured from the center of the earth. Here we can take a one-hour hour hike up to the second refuge nearly 16,000 feet (4,875 m) above sea level. It's also a great opportunity to do mountain bike activities down the slopes of Chimborazo to outings around rural villages along backroads, ranging from beginners to advanced bikers. (Optional activity for an extra cost, please contact us for more details). These activities are flexible and based to your interests and fitness.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Overnight in Riobamba or Baños

3. 3Baños - Waterfalls Route - Treehouse⌄

   After a half an hour drive from Riobamba, we will take a short hike to visit the "Treehouse" where the National Geographic photo contest winner was taken.

   Then we will continue our drive for about 45 minutes, making several stops along the waterfalls route, before reaching the “Pailon del Diablo” waterfall. After a two-kilometer hike we will reach this magical place, one of the top ten largest waterfalls found in Ecuador.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch: At a local restaurant with a river view. The specialty is trout

   Overnight: Overnight in Baños at category of hotel selected

4. 4Baños - Quilotoa Lake - Latacunga⌄

   We leave Baños and drive to Quilotoa on the Panamerican Highway, we will have the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular views of the Andes, Quilotoa lake, and the colorful landscape of the moors that surround it. Upon arrival, you can descend to the edge of the Crater Lake and return on horseback, or simply take a walk around the rim, and then get to know the lively local communities. In order to get in touch with local communities, a visit to a local indigenous market will be included depending on the weekday (Saquisili, Pujili, Sumbahua, etc.) Then we will visit a local family of painters and also the Toachi canyon.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch: At a local restaurant in Quilotoa

   Overnight: Overnight in Latacunga, exclusively included on the 5-day tour option.

5. 5Cotopaxi - Drop off in Quito⌄

   Cotopaxi Volcano is 5,897 meters high, it's the second-highest peak in the country, and elegantly adorns the Cordillera Real of the Ecuadorian Andes. We will enter the Cotopaxi National Park for a close encounter with the Paramo biodiversity and an ecological explanation of its importance. After a short hike around Limpiapungo lake, we let the adventure begin! We will continue to the parking lot (4500 m.a.s.l) in order to ascend the First Refugee of the volcano (4810 m.a.s.l). You can rest and eat some hot soup at the refugee or continue the ascent to the Glaciers (depending on weather conditions). After a long day, we head to Quito.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch: At local restaurant