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Overview

Trekking and discovery in Ecuador

A series of surprising contrasts and discoveries are waiting for you on this trekking journey through Ecuador. Throughout this exceptional expedition, Uniktour offers non-stop thrills in a country that is still protected from the effects of mass tourism. From the mystifying Amazon forest to 5000-meter-high mountainous peaks covered in ice to exotic beaches on the Pacific coast, Ecuador’s varied landscape never fails to impress visitors. Travel to small villages perched high on mountainsides, surrounded by a patchwork of cultivated fields, or at the foot of volcanoes – wherever you go, you’ll be greeted by the friendly smiles of the local inhabitants. Perfectly adapted to their environment, their lifestyle will allow you to catch a glimpse of an authentically Ecuadorian way of life. On this trekking tour of Ecuador, you climb some high mountains (Fuya Fuya, Cubilche, Pasochoa, Guagua Pichincha) and easily accessible volcanoes (both extinct and active) from which you’ll have access to the most beautiful scenery in the country, including views of the great volcanic glaciers. On top of all this, this trip includes a magnificent hike around the lakes of the Otavalo region: Mojanda, Cuicocha, and San Pablo. Climb Higher still, beyond the 5000m mark, and flirt with the glaciers on the slopes of the Cotopaxi and Chimborazo: culminating at an altitude of 6310 meters, this is Ecuador’s highest peak. An unforgettable experience follows: the autoferro, a picturesque bus on rails that twists and turns through the mountains and across plunging gorges. Your journey ends with a few days spent discovering the heart of Ecuadorian culture and relaxing in Otavalo’s lovely market and Quito’s superb colonial center. Aimed at nature lovers, hiking enthusiasts, and anyone else who loves to explore breathtaking scenery on foot, this exceptional 14-day trekking tour through Ecuador offers unique insights into this rich and varied culture, on top of dramatic mountainous peaks and the altiplano’s breathtaking scenery.
Contact Uniktour’s South America expert today for more information on this customized trekking tour of Ecuador!

Itinerary

Day 1| Arrival in Quito
Arrival at Quito’s Mariscal Sucre airport late in the afternoon or early in the evening. Customs formalities. Airport welcome by your English-speaking guide. Transfer to your downtown hotel. Dinner at own expense and overnight in hotel.

Day 2| Quito – City tour - Cuicocha
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before going on a city tour. Surrounded by verdant hills, the climate in Quito is simply delicious. Bursting with life, it’s easily one of South America’ most beautiful cities. Its many churches and colonial palaces are a living reminder of this city’s rich past. We head to the Panecillo, a small hill overlooking the city, where stands an immense religious statue. The views here are gorgeous. Then, we visit Quito’s colonial city center, and discover its beautiful baroque masterpieces: the cathedral and the Sacred Heart, the church of the Company of Jesus Christ and the church of San Francisco, with its lovely cloisters. There might be more gold and silver here than you can handle!
Lunch in the city, at own expense. In the afternoon you will be taken to Cuicocha, in the Otavalo region (2-3 hours on the road). Dinner and overnight at an inn.

Day 3| Cuicocha lagoon - Cotacachi - Peguche
Enjoy breakfast. The lagoon (lake) is lying at the bottom of the crater (caldera) of a volcano after which it was named, which emerged from the flanks of Cotacashi volcano (4936m). Lying at the bottom of Cuicocha volcano’s crater, two islands surge from the surface of this lovely lake. The crater’s edge supports a variety of plant life (orchids, “elephant ears”, etc.) and offers magnificent views of Imbabura province. A lovely trail takes us around the crater. No need to climb further and risk “soroche” (a term used to describe altitude sickness in the Andes), as this moderate altitude will allow us to slowly start the acclimitization process. From the highest point (3400m), we get superb views of Otavalo and of Imbabura volcano. Lunch at the inn or picnic.
In the afternoon, visit Cotacachi village for its leatherwork and see the artisans at work in Peguche, a village also known for its sacred waterfall. 4-5 hours of hiking. Overnight in the same inn.

Day 4| Fuya Fuya (4263 m) - Lagunas de Mojanda - San Pablo - Zuleta
Breakfast at the inn. Early morning transfer to Lagunas de Mojanda, where we make a short climb to the top of Fuya Fuya (4263m). Though the trail is steep, our mind will be too distracted to notice, filled instead with the exceptional panoramas offered on our 2-3 hike to the top of this volcano, including splendid views of the lakes below, the surrounding volcanoes, and the Cayambe, a volcanic glacier facing the trail. A short transfer takes us to the village of San Pablo. There we discover a beautiful area where Imbayo and Cayambe Indians still practice traditional agriculture on the flanks of Cayambe, Imbabura, and Cusin volcanoes. Superb patchwork of cultivated lands and eucalyptus forests. (4-5 hours of hiking) Dinner and overnight at the inn.

Day 5| Volcan Cubilche (3826 m)
Breakfast at the inn. Hike towards the village of Zuleta, on the cultivated foothills of the Imbabura, and then start climbing Culbiche volcano. This zigzagging trail will take you to a remote area inhabited solely by aboriginals, where you can enjoy lovely views of a patchwork of various shades of green landscapes stretching to the horizon. Picnic lunch. 5-6 hours of hiking. Dinner and overnight at the inn.

Day 6| Autoferro* - Lechero - Otávalo
Breakfast at the inn. Early morning transfer to Ibarra station (30 min) for a ride on the autoferro*, a picturesque bus on rails that easily climbs the Andes’ steep slopes. We will travel to Lita, passing mountains, valleys, and deep gorges, marveling at the superb scenery and tropical vegetation. Lunch in Otavalo in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we take a small walk around El Lechero, an old tree considered sacred by the area’s aboriginals, and explore the area surrounding San Pablo lagoon and the Peguche waterfalls (2-3 h hike). Dinner in the city and overnight in a hotel.
*If there are no service interruptions on the railways. Should this problem occur, we will instead take a stroll on the flanks of Imbabura volcano (a 3-4 h hike).

Day 7| Marché d'Otávalo - Quito
Breakfast at your hotel. On Saturday, Otavalo is the place to be. This is surely one of the highlights of our trip. The whole region gathers here to trade and exchange just about anything you can think of during this weekly reunion, which usually ends up occupying a good part of the village. Of course, there are also plenty of visitors, but it is still easily worth coming here. The local inhabitants have managed to preserve their original lifestyle and traditions, producing a considerable amount of crafts, most notably, hand-woven fabrics. The men sell these around the country – and all around the world. Lunch in Otavalo in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, a 2h transfer takes you to Quito. Dinner at own expense and overnight in hotel.

Day 8| Ascent of an active volcano, Guagua Pichincha (4794 m)
Breakfast at your hotel. Early in the morning we travel to Guagua Pichincha volcano. Dominating the landscape around Quito, this volcano is known for its spectacular outbreaks, which often fill the sky with clouds of ash. The crater shows undeniable signs of activity: fumaroles, sulfur deposits, and boiling water. We arrive at the trailhead (3700m) after 90 minutes of driving and walking. From there, we start for a shelter, then reach a crater (1.5 km wide, 700 m deep) before arriving at Pichincha’s main peak. Picnic lunch. 90 min transfer to los Chillos valley, southeast of Quito, at the foot of Pasochoa volcano. Dinner and overnight at the inn. 6-7 hours of hiking.

Day 9| Ascenst of Pasochoa (4200 m) – Riobamba
Breakfast at the inn. A short transfer (30 mins) takes you to the end of the road. Our ascent to the summit (3-4 hours of easy walking) will be rewarded with superb views of “volcano alley”. Picnic lunch. In the afternoon, the descent is followed by a 2½ transfer to Riobamba. 5-6 hours of walking. Dinner and overnight at the inn.

Day 10| Chimborazo Refuge (5000 m) – Banos
Breakfast at the inn. Early in the morning, a 1h transfer takes us to Edward-Whymper refuge. At 5000m, it is the world’s highest (relatively) comfortable shelter. From the shelter we head for the Whymper needles, at an altitude of 5300 meters. Picnic lunch in front of the giant of Ecuador. Then, in the afternoon, take a stroll on the slopes of the Chimborazo, where you can spot some lamas, and maybe a few vicunas. Transfer to Banos (2½ hours). 5-6 hours of hiking. Dinner and overnight at a hotel.

Day 11| Banos
Breakfast at the hotel. A charming town made famous by its thermal pools and its proximity to beautiful Tungurahua volcano (5016m), Banos is a small slice of paradise where visitors often end up getting the impression that time stands still. Located at an altitude of 1800m in a subtropical zone at the foot of Tungurahua, this is truly an ideal place to relax. Take a morning stroll in the area, amidst tangerine, blackberry, and sugar cane plantations (3-4 h of walking).
Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant in the city and then discover the city center, its cathedral, balsa and tagua (vegetal ivory) workshops and the thermal pools filled with ferruginous 40° water. If the volcano is active, we can marvel at its spectacular eruptions (especially impressive at sunset). Dinner and overnight in a hotel.

Day 12| Banos - Cotopaxi - Lasso
Breakfast at the inn. Early in the morning we leave Banos and head for Cotopaxi National Park (3h) to explore the Pàramo, these high altitude grasslands covering the region at the foot of the world’ highest active volcano: Cotopaxi, a snow-covered cone that rises to 5897m. We travel across the park, gradually leaving behind herds of wild horses, and start climbing towards a shelter after having reached the end of the road (4600m). From the shelter (4800m), we head towards the glacier: impressive, but difficult to get to. Picnic lunch. Then, turning our backs to the volcano, we hike down across the Pàramo and start for Limpiopungo lagoon, at the foot of Ruminahui (5-6 h hike). Dinner and overnight at an inn.

Day 13| Laguna Quilotoa – Quito
Breakfast at the inn. A two-hour transfer will take you to Quilotoa. Today we discover the magnificent area surrounding the famous Quilotoa Lagoon (alt. 3900m) in the western Andes, a lovely lake sitting at the bottom of a perfect crater. From there we get stunning views of the Andes, including beautiful mountainsides scattered with small pastures and sheep grazing on a semi-desertic plain whose face is scarred with large canyons. Hike down to the bottom of the crater. Picnic lunch. Return to Quito in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 14| Quito – International flight
Breakfast at your hotel. Airport transfer, assistance with customs, and board your return flight.

Budget

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Overview

The country of Ecuador lies on the Pacific coast of South America, bordered by Columbia to the north and Peru to the east and south. There 14.3 million Ecuadorians scattered across a territory whose total surface area is 283 000 km2. Ecuador takes its name from the fact that it straddles the line that separates the planet’s two hemispheres. The official language is Spanish, but many native communities living in the Andes and in the eastern shuar still speak Quechua, a language that dates back to the Inca Empire.

Ecuador is split into four main geographical areas: the Costa, the Sierra, the Amazon, and the Galapagos archipelago. Each region has its own distinct and unique climate and landscapes, which makes this a country of natural contrasts. Traveling through the wonderful natural world of Ecuador, we can float along the currents of wide rivers and narrow streams, take a rest on the shores of crystal-clear lakes, explore mysterious caves and gaze at bizarre and unique plant and animal species that evolved far from Man on deserted islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Geography

Continental Ecuador is divided into three clearly delimited geographical areas from east to west. The coast, known as Costa, covers a third of the western region, stretching for 800 km from the foothills of the Andes all the way to the Pacific Ocean. The mountain range, or Sierra, seems to split the country in half. Many mountains in this area reach dizzying heights, including Chimborazo (6310 m), the country’s highest peak, and the mythical Cotopaxi, the world’s tallest active volcano, with an altitude of 5897 meters. This region is also home to the country capital, Quito, as well as many other of the country’s important urban areas. The Oriente is the region starting along the eastern slopes of the mountains that is covered by the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest. With such luxuriant vegetation, the Oriente is relatively hard to reach, and is therefore sparsely populated.

It is important to mention the Galapagos archipelago, a group of 48 volcanic islands located 960 km from the Ecuadorian coast: these islands’ rich biodiversity earned them the status of UNESCO world heritage site.

Culture

Like many other South American countries, Ecuador has had an eventful history. Early in the 16th century, it was conquered by the Inca Empire, which was conquered in one fell swoop with the arrival of Pizarro and the Spanish conquistadors in 1532, who the Incas saw as magicians. Offering no resistance, the Inca Empire was quickly overrun. This was the beginning of the colonial era, which dramatically altered the country’s identity. Nowadays, it is impossible to ignore the heritage left by this conquest, particularly when looking at the architecture and the superb baroque buildings in the bigger cities. The Catholic Church has also played a major role since the beginning of the Spanish conquest. Still today, Ecuadorians are very religious: close to 95% of the population is catholic. However, in many cases Catholicism was merely added to the country’s indigenous beliefs, which often has created some rather surprising religious views. Also, the more we travel into the Andean regions, the more we find Quechua traditions and other relics of the pre-Columbian era, offering a rare glimpse into the foundations of Ecuador.

Ecuador is a flamboyant country bursting with cultural contrasts and alive with traditional music. Rich from centuries of varied influences, Ecuadorian music blends Spanish sounds with the traditional pan flute music from the Andes. In addition, African influences dating back to a long period of slavery are still very apparent.

To properly get a grasp of this country’s soul, all you need is to make your way to any of the many typical markets that bring the cities and villages to life early in the morning: fruits and vegetables, cattle, ceramics, hats, carpets, and handicrafts of all kinds are waiting to dazzle you with their colors! Here, shopkeepers selling textiles and handicrafts exchange light-hearted and passionate rants with each other, creating a great spectacle that visitors are sure to enjoy! By far the country’s most famous market, flamboyant Otavalo market offers a condensed version of Ecuadorian handicrafts. Here you’ll find magnificent wools, carpets, and ponchos. Of course, this is also a great place to marvel at the beauty of the handicrafts produced by the Otavalo Indians.

Many festivals and celebrations give life to the Ecuadorian calendar and offer a great way to get to know the country:

- Mardi Gras in February: the country’s most important festival, celebrated with colorful carnivals.
- The Corn and Tourism Festival, held during the last week of June: with parades featuring traditional groups and street mimes, this colorful festival is also a great opportunity to view some of the local handicraft exhibitions. Not to be missed.
- The Fiesta de San Juan, in June: this lively Indian celebration features a wide variety of costumes and dances. It lasts for 3 days and 3 nights and ends with a mass.
- Esmeralda’s Independence, on August 5th: for almost a week, people celebrate dancing during this festival that focuses on merengue and salsa.
- Todos los Santos, November 1st: Day of the dead during which people converge to the cemeteries in order to invite the deceased to come back to the world of the living. This important day is an opportunity to honor the deceased by decorating their tombs, but also to play music and sample some local dishes.
- Foundation of Quito, in December: colorful vehicles and traditional music fill the streets, samba orchestras play and the atmosphere is out of this world.

Climate

Each of Ecuador’s main geographical areas has a its own distinct climate, allowing travelers to visit the country all year long. The climate is generally tropical, though the Andes’ influence means it is also moderate. Temperatures are therefore relatively cool in higher altitudes, and there are considerable variations between regions. In short, Ecuador has two main seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season lasts from December to May in the flatlands and from January to April on the coast, with daily showers that get stronger later in the day. It rains all year long in the Amazon region, though more precipitation occurs between April and June. The dry season lasts for the rest of the year.

The coast benefits from a warm and dry climate all year long, particularly between April and June. The beaches are lovely and the temperatures are generally ideal for swimming. The rainy season takes place between January and April. Later in the year between July and August, clouds and fog appear. The cold Humboldt Current influences climate in the southern coast, where temperatures are generally cooler.

The Sierra | The Sierra’s climate is often described as “permanent spring”. Here, temperatures stay cool, particularly in higher altitudes (14°C to 18°C), and temperature differences between night and day are surprising. The rainy season lasts from December to May, but there is considerable cloud cover throughout the year. The best time to visit is between June and September, when temperatures are generally comfortable and there is less humidity.

The Oriente | As one would expect, the Oriente climate is hot and humid, with rainfall occurring throughout the year, especially between April and June. The tropical forest covers most of the eastern half of the country, and the average temperature is 25°C. It can get pretty cold in the forest, particularly at night and when it rains.

The Galápagos | The climate of the Galápagos Islands is influenced by the Humboldt Current and is thus dry and tropical. There are two main seasons: the dry season (or Garua season) and the warm season. During the dry season, which lasts between June and November, temperatures oscillate between 20°C and 24°C and the waters are cooler than during the rainy season. There is very little rain, but the wind blowing from the south brings a quasi-permanent fog (Garuas). During the warm season, which lasts from December to May, average temperatures rise to 25°C, with a warm sun and sporadic rains.