Ecuador Volcano Trekking & UNESCO Sites

Day 1: Quito

Arrive at any time for your orientation with Matador Trips and transportation service provider G Adventures. There are no activities planned until the evening. Please check the hotel reception for a welcome note from your Matador Trips advising on the time and location of the welcome meeting.

Accommodation: Hotel Cruz Loma (or similar)

Day 2: Quito/Otavalo

Explore the largest handicraft market in South America, Otavalo market. Villagers from the surrounding countryside come every week to sell handmade goods as well as livestock, fruits, and vegetables.

Quito – Otavalo 2 hours, local bus

Otavalo Handicrafts Market Visit

Otavalo

Discover some amazing local art, tapestries, and textiles at Otavalo’s famous artisan market, the largest handicraft market in South America. Wander the stalls to meet local artists and find one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Try to arrive early for the best bargains (it starts at dawn), and try your hand at haggling – it’s expected for every purchase. A good negotiator could get at least 20 percent off the starting price.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3: Otavalo/Cotopaxi

Travel by bus to Cotopaxi National Park. In the afternoon, opt to explore the area or mountain bike with views of Cotopaxi volcano. Spend the night in a mountain lodge near the national park.

Otavalo – Cotopaxi 4 hours, private vehicle

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Free time at Cotopaxi volcano, get out and explore its natural beauty.

Accommodation

Ecuador – Driver Food (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4: Cotopaxi/Alausí

In the morning, visit Cotopaxi National Park before continuing on to Alausí.

Cotopaxi National Park Visit

Cotopaxi National Park stands tall at 19,342 feet. The beautiful cone-shaped, snow-covered volcano is Ecuador’s second-highest peak and the highest active volcano in the world. Keep an eye out for park wildlife, including condors, foxes, deer, spectacled bears, and more. For those who want to hike, there are options available (weather permitting). Please ensure you have proper hiking shoes or boots, a waterproof/windproof jacket, and a warm hat and gloves. Hike is approximately 1.5 hours.

Cotopaxi – Alausí: 4 hours 30 minutes, private vehicle

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Hotel Noris (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5: Alausí/Cuenca

Board a train for an included excursion bound for the Devil’s Nose, enjoy the ride on the switchbacks carved into the mountainside. After, head to Cuenca and marvel at its colonial architecture.

Alausí – Cuenca 3 hours, local bus

Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Alausí

Head out on an excursion on the famed Nariz del Diablo (Devil’s Nose) train ride, which descends to the coast in a spectacular display of engineering around stunning mountain terrain. Witness how the railway winds its way around curves and tunnels over a distance of only 16 miles, but the drop in elevation is significant, well over 3,280 feet! The train manages the descent through a series of switchbacks before returning to Alausí.

Accommodation

La Casona Cuenca (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6: Cuenca

Enjoy a free day to explore beautiful Cuenca. Opt for a city tour, go hiking in Cajas National Park, or soak in nearby hot springs.

Explore the city’s sights, including cobblestone streets, red-tiled roofs, art galleries, flower markets, shaded plazas, and museums. Head out and explore this colonial city!

Accommodation: La Casona Cuenca (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7: Cuenca/Quito

Fly back to Quito and enjoy the night in this historical city.
Your guides will escort and assist you at the airport in Cuenca and once you arrive to Quito our guides will be there to escort you to the hotel and give you additional information on optional activities for your free day in Quito.

Flight
Cuenca – Quito 1 hour

Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s… yup, it is a plane, actually.

Quito

Get out and explore this beautiful city.

Accommodation: Hotel Cruz Loma (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8: Quito

Depart at any time. We recommend booking pre or post nights in Quito for additional time to explore.

1. • 7 nights accommodation.
   • 7 breakfasts.
   • Flight from Cuenca to Quito.
   • All land transportation.
   • Otavalo market visit.
   • Cotopaxi National Park visit.
   • Devil’s Nose train excursion.
   • Orientation walk of Cuenca.

1. • Your flights to and from Quito, Ecuador (UIO).
   • Accommodation before and after the trip.
   • Some meals.
   • Alcoholic beverages.
   • Perfect weather.

1. • The tour can accommodate up to 14 guests.

1. • Accommodation is provided in hotels and jungle lodges and is based on 2-people per room. For an additional fee private rooms can be arranged or Matador Trips is happy to arrange a shared room for same-sex solo travelers.

1. • We encourage a wide mix of people, from old-time adventurers to short-break professionals to first-time travelers – they all contribute to a memorable experience. Unfortunately this trip is not suitable for travelers under 14.

1. • Arrive at your designated hotel in Quito, Ecuador, any time on arrival day. The exact departure meeting location will be supplied via email within 30 days of departure.
   • Depart at your leisure from Quito after a final group breakfast on departure day.

1. • Quito, Ecuador (UIO) is easily reached from most places in the world. For assistance with flights just let us know.
   • All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. Upon booking you will be contacted for passport information and flight reservations. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.

All tour operators, hotel rooms, transport providers and third party vendors adhere to strict COVID health precautions and safety measures.

All Matador Trips are in small groups and we work to limit exposure in all activities.

Traveler’s insurance is strongly recommended for all travelers. Ask for recommendations if you do not have a preferred provider.

US Travel advisories have the most up to date COVID information for any traveler.

• Travel advisories
• Coronavirus information