Ecuador Volcano Treks

Upon your arrival at Quito International Airport, you will be greeted by our transfer partners who will transport you to the hotel in our private shuttle. Your LHO Team Leader will be waiting for you at the hotel. Once you’re settled in, your gear will be checked to ensure you have everything you need.

If you arrive early, you can explore the lively town of Quito, nestled amidst the towering Andes mountains. The town boasts an abundance of coffee shops, bars, and markets. Notably, the old town is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its centuries-old architectural history. Your LHO Team Leader will provide additional recommendations closer to your trip date.

On your first evening, we will gather for a team briefing and dinner at a trendy Quito restaurant. Occasionally, we may host dinners at our hotel to allow everyone more time to prepare and rest before the upcoming adventure. This will be your first opportunity to meet fellow participants and interact with your lead local guides, as well as to learn about the exciting experiences we’ve prepared for you and ask any questions. The first round of drinks is on us!

Distance: 6.2 KM | Ascent 383 M | Descent: 383 M | Max Altitude: 3,864 M

Our adventure through Ecuador starts and ends in Quito. Over the course of the week, we will follow an anti-clockwise route around the country, beginning in the Andes and descending to the low hills and the Amazon before eventually returning to the Andes and Quito. Our first full adventure day begins with a southbound journey on the Pan-American Highway. After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and board our private bus, heading towards the world-famous Cotopaxi, an active stratovolcano just south of the capital. The views along the way are spectacular, with the possibility of seeing other volcanoes such as Cayambe, Antisana, Pichincha, Illinizas, Pasochoa, and Corazon. These giants, ranging from 4,500 meters to the towering Cotopaxi at 5,897 meters, offer breathtaking vistas. This day is dedicated to remarkable views, and our chosen hiking trail is the icing on the cake. Our destination is the Limpiopungo lagoon, sitting at 3,800 meters on the foothills of the Rumiñahui volcano, within the Cotopaxi National Park, not far from its slopes. Cotopaxi being an active volcano, we may need to adjust our trek to maintain a safe distance when there is volcanic activity. The views during the trek, especially of Cotopaxi, are stunning. We begin with a walk around the lake and then follow a gradual ascent through high grass vegetation until we reach a plateau, the day’s high point, a great warm-up for the adventures ahead. Along the way, there’s a chance to spot wild horses, wild bulls, and various native bird species. After capturing memories and enjoying the view, we’ll descend to the lake and continue by bus to our lunch spot. Lunch will be served hot at a local restaurant inside the national park. The day will end with a drive to Isinlivi where we’ll be spending the night.

Distance: 12.1 KM | Ascent: 759 M | Descent: 496 M | Max Altitude: 3,183 M

It’s all about diverse Andean landscapes on our second day of trekking, offering a very different experience from the Cotopaxi region. Here, we’ll navigate our way between canyons and farms as we trek along the world-famous Quilotoa loop in the direction of one of South America’s most iconic natural wonders: the Quilotoa Lake. After breakfast, we’ll pack our belongings and load them into our van, which will transport our things directly to the next accommodation. Ensure you have what you need for the day in your daypack. Your LHO Team Leader will provide guidance on what to pack during the briefing the night before. We’ll depart immediately from our accommodation, heading south as we exit the village, and join a series of farming roads that ascend and descend the rolling hills towards the Toachi Canyon. Along this trail, we’ll pass through tiny villages, catching a glimpse of indigenous life in these regions. We’ll also have the chance to stop and explore as we make our way along the trail. Eventually, we’ll begin the descent into the deep canyon characterized by the Rio Toachi River. The natural environment here exhibits thick and lush greenery as the trail crisscrosses the river and gradually climbs. Lunch will be a picnic on the trail before we start our ascent out of the Canyon toward Chugchilan. We typically arrive in the village early, providing opportunities to visit and take a tour, learning about local customs and traditions. Our evening residence is an Eco-house offering showers and an exceptional local meal!

Distance: 15.7 KM | Ascent: 1,362 M | Descent: 819 M | Max Altitude: 3,914 M

Quilotoa is an active volcano with a gigantic crater lake at its center, standing as one of the most spectacular natural wonders in South America, enriching our Ecuador Volcano Treks experience. After breakfast, we’ll load our van with our bags, don our backpacks, and continue southward, exiting the village along the trail. The northern slopes of the volcano are visible as we start, yet what it conceals behind its ridges remains a mystery until we reach the crater rim. The initial part of the day involves a descending trail to the valley floor, crossing the river Sigue, before beginning a gradual ascent toward the volcano. The ascending trail starts somewhat steep but levels out into a manageable, gradual climb as we gain elevation. Your LHO Team Leader will pace this section to be very manageable. The path crosses a series of farms and small trails used by locals to move goods between villages near the village of Guayama. We might witness local producers engaging in bartering here. From Guayama, the trail follows a gradual slope leading to the four switchbacks. The fourth switchback marks the crater rim of Quilotoa! We’ll take our time to savor the incredible view. Fortunately, the trail follows the rim of the crater, providing various angles of the breathtaking scenery. Descending to the lakeside, we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch by the water, a surreal experience of being on a beach by a lake inside an active volcano’s crater! After our meal and absorbing the views, we’ll board our waiting van for a ride to our Hacienda near Rio Bamba, at the foot of Chimborazo. The Hacienda is a luxurious ranch, serving as a comfortable contrast to our mountain experience, featuring a spa, garden, restaurant, bar, and fireplace area. This will be our home for at least two nights. Dinner will be at our accommodation’s restaurant.

Distance: 5.4 KM | Ascent: 673 M | Descent: 673 M | Max Altitude: 5,592 M

After breakfast, we’ll ride in our van to the entrance of Chimborazo National Park, leading directly to the parking lot at the mountain’s west face. Typically, our goal for the day is to ascend from the parking lot to high camp and return, granting us a close encounter with the furthest point on Earth. The specific trail selection will depend on conditions, as heavy snowfall could affect the path to high camp.

The route to high camp starts with a long traverse over the flat sandy area below the west face of Chimborazo, with the mountain summit visible from the trail’s start. As we cross the flat area, a series of switchbacks ascend between the rocks, continuing until we reach the ridge. From this point onward, the trail is usually covered in snow. The gradual nature of the trail and the ease of stepping in the snow make technical gear unnecessary for this section. Following the snowy ridge, which becomes slightly steeper, we’ll finally reach a plateau at 5,100 meters, where three fixed tents comprise Chimborazo high camp. Lunch and warm tea will be enjoyed here. It might be possible to witness climbers descending from Chimborazo, perhaps sparking an interest in future experiences! After capturing photos and savoring the views, we’ll retrace our steps using the same trail we ascended, with attention to the snow during the descent. Your LHO Team Leader will guide you on the proper techniques for the descent. Both ascending and descending trails offer opportunities to see wild Vicuñas and the Andean condor. Upon returning to the parking area, we’ll board our van for the journey to Banos, our home for the next two nights. Dinner will be provided at our accommodation.

Distance: 11 KM | Ascent: 400 M | Descent: 400 M | Max Altitude: 3,700 M

Legend has it that the Inca General Rumiñahui hid a large sum of gold somewhere in the Tungurahua mountain range. Today, we set out to uncover this legend, delving into a diverse environment and exploring the trails of a distinct type of stratovolcano. After breakfast, we’ll ride in our van toward Llanganates National Park, situated between the higher altitude environment and the deep forest of lower elevations, creating a mystical fog in the cloud forest. Our trek leads to a viewpoint showcasing the Tungurahua and Sangay volcanoes, maintaining an altitude of around 3600 meters. The day’s trek offers flexibility to adjust based on mountain conditions and group energy levels, allowing time to explore Banos. This vibrant resort town with its cafes, bars, restaurants, and market streets is always a highlight for our teams. Banos offers numerous activities, from visiting hot springs to bungee jumping or indulging in a well-earned massage at a spa. Dinner will be at our accommodation.

Distance: 2 KM | Ascent: 100 M | Descent 100 M | Max Altitude: 2,800 M

Our final trekking day begins after breakfast at our accommodation, bidding farewell to our wonderful hosts. We’ll embark on a short van ride deeper into the rainforest, where the mountains meet the Amazon. Our first stop is the Bride’s Veil waterfall, a 30-minute drive away, offering a zip-line across the Pastaza River and a return journey via the Tarabita (cable car). The unique zip-line spans a considerable distance over a deep gorge, with volcanic rocks forming distinctive black, ridged cube-like edges on the cliffs. After returning via the cable car, we’ll proceed by bus to the trailhead leading to the Pailon del Diablo waterfall, Ecuador’s second-highest waterfall, and the gateway to the Llanganates National Park within the jungle. The descent follows bridges and well-marked walkways, allowing us to reach right up to the waterfall. Your LHO Team Leader knows the best spots for photo opportunities. We’ll retrace our steps back to the starting point, where a small food market awaits before we board the bus for the scenic journey back to Quito, stopping for lunch on the way. Upon our return to the accommodation in the town center, your LHO Team Leader will inform you of the dinner plans, with the last round of drinks on us!

The final day is devoted to airport transfers, and breakfast is included at our hotel. Team members will be shuttled to the airport based on their flight times. Please ensure you provide accurate flight times when completing your Team Details Form before the experience. Notify your LHO Team Leader of any changes as early as possible to make the necessary arrangements.