Are you a keen trekker and a lover of the oudoors? You have reached the right place!
Ecuador offers some of the best hikes in South America: rivers, mountains and the spectacular volcanoes. It is not a trip for the total beginner, but you could also pick and choose your favourite hike and add it on as a day activity from Quito. All our holidays our tailor made so we can create your bespoke adventure to Ecuador!
Private transfer from Quito Mariscal Sucre airport to your hotel.
Overnight at Illa Experience Hotel for 2 nights with breakfast.
Walk through the main plaza, the ‘Plaza de la Independencia’, where you will see the Government Palace, the Cathedral, and some of the most important churches built around the XVI and XVII centuries. Then go off the beaten path and discover the sights, sounds, and smells of Ecuador’s capital on a tour that takes you to visit to a traditional food market.
Then onto the cable car until to reach the top of the Cruz Loma hill close to the Rucu Pichincha Volcano. We’ll reach the top station, located on the summit of a hill locally known as Cruz Lima, offering access to hiking trails and stunning views of Quito and the surrounding Andes mountains.
Guagua Pichincha is located at northwest of the comm unity of Lloa, located in the south of Quito; from the hotel to start point it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes of driving.
Since this is our first chance to stretch our legs and hike at a high elevation, we will be starting at the Guagua Pichincha Refuge. Leaving the refuge we come to the edge of this active volcano’s crater, where we will be able to appreciate its vastness as we gaze down on its several geysers. Our hike continues along the rim until we reach the summit at 15.696ft.
This will be a good acclimatization day to prepare us for our coming adventures in the Andes, and if the weather is clear we will have world-class views of the famous “Avenue of Volcanoes”, a stretch of seven peaks above 17,000 feet in elevation.
5 overnights at Chilcabamba Lodge (Mountain View Room) with full board.
At 4,200 meters this is a challenge that will get our engines revving in anticipation of the second part of our adventure. Access is not difficult and our hike to the peak will take about 3 hours over grassland trails.
From here you will get a spectacular view of the mountains surrounding Quito, the inspiring scenery of the Pasochoa crater, as well as the impressive surrounding mountain crests: Antisana, Sincholagua, Quilindaña, Cotopaxi, Rumiñahui, Corazón and the twin Iliniza peaks. The second part of our day consists of the descent to the Pita River canyon, a downhill walk of about 3 hours through grasslands and low ‘Chaparro’ forests, ending at the Lodge, situated at about 3,200 meters above sea
Climbing the lowest peak of Rumiñahui, the climb is not difficult, and you do not need to be an experienced climber. This hike highlights the grandeur of the Andes, offering you views over the eastern side of Sincholagua as well as Cotopaxi, the lord of the brilliant grassy foothills that never cease to entrance hikers.
Today we will make a circuit of the mountain, hiking through the eastern foothills, passing by the ‘Machay’(an Inca refuge), arriving at the stone plains where we will take a southerly direction after climbing the central peak. On our descent we will pass through ‘the silent valley’ that follows the course of a number of small streams before opening out onto the stunning Limpiopungo lagoon.
From the lodge we will drive in our private vehicle to the parking area of the Cotopaxi Mountain Refuge. We will then walk for approximately an hour before reaching the mountaineers’ lodge, and hike from there to the edge of the glacier, a walk of approximately two hours.
From here, the northern side of the mountain offers a spectacular panorama. You will be able to identify (with the help of our guide) all the ground we have covered since the first day of our adventure: Quito, its valleys, the distant mountains in the north, and the road from Pasochoa, through the Pita canyon, to el Pedregal, Sincholagua, Rumiñahui and the magnificent Limpiopungo valley. The descent, which will take approximately 2 hours, takes the same route back to the parking lot and we head back to the lodge.
Today, our hike goes through the Pita River which provides essential drinking water to hundreds of thousands of Quiteños (as Ecuador’s capital city residents are known). Its source is the pristine glacial melt water of Mt. Cotopaxi. These rushing waters will accompany us throughout much of our adventure.
We return to the Cotopaxi National Park and we might see some of the wild horses, deer or llamas that make the park their home, as well as gorgeous seasonal mountain wildflowers and breathtaking scenery. During our adventure, we will stop to enjoy our box lunch in the crisp Andean environment.
The Illinizas are two peaks that are the 6th and 8th highest Ecuadorian Mountains, Illiniza Sur (5,263 m / 17,267 ft.) and Illiniza Norte (5,126 m / 16,818 ft.) respectively. They used to be one whole volcano featuring a crater, but eventually split up in two.
From La Virgen Parking Lot (3,900 m / 12,792), we will follow the trail that ends up at the mountain Refuge. After a quick rest, we will continue hiking up towards the saddle. From there, we’ll start our way straight up by the rocky ridge until reaching the summit.
Overnight in Quito at La Jimenita for 1 night with breakfast.
Private transfer from your Hotel to Quito Mariscal Sucre airport in order to take the flight back home
This itinerary costs from £2,990 per person and is based on two people sharing accommodation and services. The price includes all transfers, guided hikes and board basis as mentioned.
International flights tend to cost between £800 and £1,000 per person return if booked well in advance – do ask us for advice. Alternatively we can book the flights for you but a booking fee may apply.
PLEASE NOTE: Some of the hikes in this tour are challenging and require a certain level of fitness, as you will reach high altitudes. This itinerary is just an inspiration, you could choose to do only part of these hikes, or only one as a day trip from Quito if you don’t want to commit to several days of trekking. Get in touch to find out more.
Do you fancy having a chat about Trekking and adventure in Ecuador? Personally, it's one of our favourite things to talk about.
