Day 1 Pasochoa Reserve Hike (L,D)

Leaving Quito behind this morning we travel south for around 1 hour to reach the Pasochoa Wildlife Reserve.

On our hike today, we ascend the Pasochoa Volcano beginning at around 2700m and reaching heights of 3000m, walking through this Andean forest reserve, on to the ridge of the old caldera.

We can discover the fascinating flora and fauna of this area and picnic with incredible 360 degree views of the Pasochoa, Atacaso & Corazon volcanos. (10km – 3.5 hours)

Dinner & overnight in a local hacienda.

Day 2 Quilotoa Crater Lake Rim Hike (B,L,D)

An early start this morning to drive to Quilotoa Crater Lake from where we begin today's walk.

The journey by vehicle, which takes around 1.5 hours, is extremely beautiful as we venture into the hidden side valleys of the Andes and on to the beautifully untouched region of Quilotoa.

Our hike today takes us around the rim of the Quilotoa Crater Lake with its incredible blue-green waters.

Walking at an average altitude of 3800m - 3900m, with lots of ups and downs, the whole trail will take us around 6 hours to complete.

Keeping to the ridge of this stunning lagoon we are accompanied at all times with incredible vistas of the turquoise lake waters and the contrasting grey rocky outcrops of the mountain.

Box lunch included.

This is truly one of Ecuador’s most beautiful and impressive spots. (12km – 6 hours)

Dinner & overnight in a local hacienda.

Day 3 Cotopaxi National Park Hike – Pita Canyon Loop (B,L,D)

This morning we travel south to the Cotopaxi region where we undertake a circular walk through the Pita Canyon, which offers spectacular views of the canyon itself, along with the Cotopaxi, Sincholagua & Rumiñahui Volcanoes.

The hike is classed as moderate, and takes place at an altitude of 3600m to 3800m.

The first part of the hike takes us along the Pita Canyon for around 1 hour, as we follow the course of the Pita River. It is a soft climb which brings us up into the Cotopaxi National Park.

We then continue past a number of immense volcanic mound formations and pieces of debris for an hour and a half of gentle ups and downs, to reach the “pucara” – an ancient ruin of an Incan fortress – located within the National Park.

From here we loop around for another hour and a half of more gentle ups and downs along the flanks of the Cotopaxi Volcano before reaching a local mountain lodge where our hike ends. (12km - 4 hours)

Late lunch included in local mountain lodge.

Dinner and overnight in a local hacienda.

Day 4 Cotopaxi National Park Hike – Rumiñahui Loop (B,L)

This morning we return to the Cotopaxi National Park.

Today’s hike is a circular route which takes us through striking & bleak Andean landscapes, in the ever-present shadow of the snow-capped, perfectly cone-shaped Cotopaxi Volcano.

Beginning at 3800m, the first part of the hike is flat as we follow the edge of the Limpiopungo lake for around 20 minutes.

From here we start a gradual ascent up towards the Rumiñahui Volcano. After around half an hour of climbing we reach 4000m, then follow the trail around the slopes of the volcano’s foothills for a further 40 minutes until we reach the Valley of Silence.

The hike takes us through this valley, which offers fantastic views and paramo scenery, before we begin to loop back around and down to the Limpiopungo Lake.

Great opportunities to see Andean Condor, Andean fox, White-tailed deer and wild ponies.

Picnic lunch included. (12km – 4 hours)

In the afternoon we return to Quito.