Day 1: Arrive in Quito in the morning. After picking group at the airport, we’ll transport you to the hotel and after a brief rest we’ll make a visit to the old colonial part of Quito. For lunch we have chosen one of the best restaurants of typical food "La Choza". After lunch we will drive 35 Km. to the North of Quito to visit the Equatorial Monument and the Ethnographic Museum with expositions of the different ethnic groups of Ecuador. Dinner and overnight in a favorite home-style hotel in Quito.

Day 2: Drive Quito – Otavalo. On the way we will pass by the town of Calderón where the traditional "bread dolls" are hand-crafted. If it is Saturday we will visit the famous Otavalo indigenous market, if not we will go to the indigenous village of Peguche where most of the Otavaleño weavers and craftsmen live and work. We will have lunch in Cotocachi and early in the afternoon we will make a short hike on the rim of the Cuicocha Crater Lake, before driving back to the city of Cotacachi, well known for its leather products. Free time for sightseeing and shopping. Continue driving to Chorlaví Hotel and Farm for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: After breakfast we will drive heading North to the Carchi Province passing through Chota Valley a sub-tropical area inhabited by an ancient population of African descent - the only such population living in the Andes. Their ancestors were brought to Ecuador in the 17th century by Jesuits to farm their estates. We will enjoy a picnic lunch in the area and continue our drive for 2 more hours to reach the " Paramo del Angel" where our camp will be set at 3.700 meters by the crater of "Voladero" in a special ecological formation where unique "frailejones" plants grow. Dinner and overnight in tents.

Day 4 : After breakfast hike to the lakes of Voladero inside the Caldera at 3,800 mts. After lunch we will drive to our next camp at the foot of Chilles Volcano at 4,000 meters. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 5: Early departure for an easy climb up the Chilles volcano at 4.768 meters. Our way up will take 4 or 5 hours of easy ascenst on the paramo and volcanic rocks likely to be covered by fresh snow. Return to camp in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 6: Drive to the south to town of Cayambe near the Equator line. Dinner and overnight at an ancient Hacienda converted into a hotel.

Day7: Drive South on the Panamerican Highway to reach the mountain lodge "Estrella del Chimborazo " located at 4,000 meters at the foot of Chimborazo. Lunch en route. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 8: Full day excursion in the area surrounding the Chimborazo Base Camp enjoying a beautiful landscape where llamas and alpacas breed . There is also the possibility to climb to the Whymper Hut at 5,000 meters. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 9: Early departure from Base Camp to drive for 2 hours to the foot of the Carihuairazo Volcano. Climb up the paramo and glaciers to the summit at 5,120 meters. Return to Base Camp by noon. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 10: Hike down the old "Royal Road Trail" to reach the "4 Corners" of the old Panamerican Road and from there drive back to the city of Riobamba. Dinner and overnight at a hotel.

Day 11: Full day to visit Riobamba and its surroundings. Depending on the day of the week, it may be possible to visit a traditional market in the area. Typical welcome lunch at Marco’s Cruz home. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 12: Descend to the city of Baños located at 1,800 meters. This city is the gateway to the Amazon Jungle open by the Pastaza River with important geological formations like cascades, deep gorges and hot springs, which the town’s name comes from. It is a religious center for indigenous people and a place for popular religious pilgrimages. Dinner and accommodation at a hotel.

Day 13: During the morning we will enjoy sightseeing in Baños and its surroundings. After lunch at the hotel, drive back to Quito. Farewell dinner in a nice restaurant in the city. Overnight at hotel.

Dayb 14: Transfer out to the airport for departure flight

Hotel in Quito, Chorlaví Hotel, Campsites, Cayambe Hacienda, Estrella del Chimborazo, Chimborazo Base Camp, Hotel in Riobamba, Hotel in Baños

Climbing

Hotel in Quito, Chorlaví Hotel, Campsites, Cayambe Hacienda, Estrella del Chimborazo, Chimborazo Base Camp, Hotel in Riobamba, Hotel in Baños

Expediciones Andinas

14 days

Hiking / Trekking

Moderate - Requires basic level of fitness and some skill