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9-Day Active Andes Expedition

From $1,569 p.p.

Tour Summary

This Andes hiking expedition tour was designed for travelers who would like to explore and witness the Ecuadorian-Andean culture by hiking, biking, and more. You will discover the magical Andes mountains and the amazing towns located close to them. This Andes expedition is based on hiking and biking, but you will also be able to visit Baños and explore the beautiful architecture, cuisine, and culture of Cuenca.

*Find hiking tips here.

Highlights

  • checkCotopaxi VolcanoOne of the highest active volcanoes in the world, covered with ice on its peak.
  • checkQuilotoa LakeOne of the most beautiful lagoons in South America with great sights and turquoise waters.
  • checkBañosDangle your feet at the Swing at the End of the World or hike up to one of the most powerful waterfalls of Ecuador at Pailon del Diablo.
  • checkIlinizas NorteVisit the Ilinizas, two mountains that used to form one big crater.

Itinerary

  • DAY 1 COTOPAXI – RUMINAHUI
    Rebecca Adventure Travel Biking to the Cotopaxi Volcano

    Today, your Andes Expedition starts and you will be taken to Cotopaxi National Park. This park is home to one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. Here, you will enjoy a day of hiking and biking in the area of Cotopaxi. You will go hiking around the Rumiñahui volcano, to admire its beauty. When you go mountain biking, you will have a beautiful view of all the volcanoes located in this same park. The hike around Ruminahui mountain will take approximately 2-3 hours, and the biking time is about one hour.

    • ActivityActivity:Biking, Exploring, Hiking.
    • TransportTransport:Bus, Car.
    • mealMeal:Lunch.
    • AccommodationsAccommodation:Papagayo Sur or Similar.
  • DAY 2 QUILOTOA
    Rebecca Adventure Travel Quilotoa Lagoon

    Today, you will walk the Quilotoa loop. On your way, you will see beautiful nature, local markets, and communities that still keep their traditions alive, and, of course, the beautiful Quilotoa lagoon, which the locals believe has no bottom. The whole hike will take approximately 5 hours and our guide will guide you along the way. After you hike down the lake, you can rent optional mules on the way back up.

    • ActivityActivity:Exploring, Hiking, Sightseeing.
    • TransportTransport:Bus, Car.
    • mealMeal:Breakfast, Lunch.
    • AccommodationsAccommodation:Papagayo Sur or similar.
  • DAY 3 ILINIZAS NORTE
    Rebecca Adventure Travel Andes Vicuna

    Today you will visit Ilinizas Norte, a great mountain for hiking. In the past, it formed one big crater together with the Ilinizas Sur, but as time has passed, they have separated. The total altitude of the Ilinizas Norte is 5,126, and its peak is covered with a small amount of snow. After having hiked up and down this mountain, you will return to your hotel and relax for the rest of the day. The total hiking time will be around 7 hours today.

    • ActivityActivity:Climbing, Exploring, Hiking.
    • TransportTransport:Bus, Car.
    • mealMeal:Breakfast, Lunch.
    • AccommodationsAccommodation:Papagayo Sur or similar.
  • DAY 4 COTOPAXI CLIMBING
    Rebecca Adventure Travel Cotopaxi Climbing

    After a large breakfast, you will have time to rest and prepare yourself for tonight where you will climb the Cotopaxi volcano. You will go to the refuge in the afternoon where you will sleep until midnight. Then you start the big climb (about 6 hours up and about 3 hours down).

    • ActivityActivity:Climbing, Exploring, Hiking.
    • TransportTransport:Bus, Car.
    • mealMeal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
    • AccommodationsAccommodation:Cotopaxi Volcano Refuge.
  • DAY 5 COTOPAXI CLIMBING – TRANSFER TO BAÑOS
    Rebecca Adventure Travel Cotopaxi Glacier

    When you have caught the sunrise, you will descend and return to your hotel, where you can have an optional celebration lunch. Here you’ll have enough time to relax and take a shower. Later, you will be picked up by your guide to go to Baños, and once you arrive, you can stroll around the town and have a drink.

    • ActivityActivity:Hiking, Relaxing, Sightseeing.
    • TransportTransport:Bus, Car.
    • mealMeal:Breakfast, Lunch.
    • AccommodationsAccommodation:Hotel Alisamay or similar.
  • DAY 6 BAÑOS
    Rebecca Adventure Travel Baños Biking.

    The official name of this town is Baños de Agua Santa, in allusion to the thermal baths, but it is more commonly known simply as Baños. Located in the Tungurahua province, Baños offers nice tropical weather and a laid-back and relaxed atmosphere. After breakfast, you can either hire mountain bikes and go on the Ruta de las Cascadas or do any other optional activity around Baños. After lunch, you will have a free afternoon to explore the town and do any other optional activities offered.

    • ActivityActivity:Exploring. Sightseeing.
    • TransportTransport:Bus, Car.
    • mealMeal:Breakfast.
    • AccommodationsAccommodation:Hotel Alisamay or similar.
  • DAY 7 ALAUSÍ - CHIMBORAZO - CUENCA
    Rebecca Adventure Travel Banos Waterfall

    Today you will visit the small Andean town of Alausi. Straddled alongside a scenic river valley, the town has been named one of Ecuador’s “pueblos mágicos,” or magic villages. It is particularly well-known across Ecuador for its railway heritage and rich cultural community. From Alausi, you can also take the day to experience a breathtaking hike to see where the Devil’s Nose train once operated. The trail offers incredible views of the river valley and a bird’s eye view of the inoperative tracks. Finally, you’ll arrive in Cuenca where you can relax for the rest of the day.

    • ActivityActivity:Exploring, Sightseeing.
    • TransportTransport:Car, Train.
    • mealMeal:Breakfast.
    • AccommodationsAccommodation:Hotel Victoria or similar.
  • DAY 8 CUENCA - QUITO
    Rebecca Adventure Travel Cuenca City

    Today, you will have a free day in Cuenca, so you can explore this beautiful city by yourself. In the afternoon, you will have a flight back to Quito. Once you arrive at the airport in Quito, you will be brought to your hotel located close to the airport.

    • ActivityActivity:Exploring, Sightseeing.
    • TransportTransport:Airplane, Car.
    • mealMeal:Breakfast.
    • AccommodationsAccommodation:Ilatoa Lodge or similar.
  • DAY 9 TRANSFER OUT
    Rebecca Adventure Travel Quito Landscape

    This is the last day of your Andes Expedition, you will have a transfer to the airport to catch your flight back home. Please make sure you have your flight in the afternoon or evening in case there is any delay from your flight from Cuenca the night before. Rebecca Adventure Travel won’t take any responsibility for missed (international) flights.

    • TransportTransport:Car.
    • mealMeal:Breakfast.

Map

9 Day Andes Active Expedition Map

9 Day Andes Active Expedition Map

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Price Based on Number of Guests:
2 - 3 guests$ 1926 p.p.
4 or more guests$ 1569 p.p.
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Inclusions

  • Meals Meals as described in the itinerary.
  • Accommodation Accommodation in a double or triple room.
  • Plane One way flight from Cuenca to Quito.
  • Plane Airport pick-ups and drop-offs at Quito and Cuenca Airports at your arrival/departure times.
  • Bus Transport Private transportation with Spanish speaking driver.
  • Tour Guide English speaking guide during the activities.
  • Tour Guide Specialized climbing guides for the mountain activities.
  • Gear Equipment Climbing equipment.
  • Activities All activities as described in the itinerary.
  • assistance 24/7 assistance in English, Dutch and Spanish.
  • Exclusion Exclusions

    + Food & drinks that are not mentioned in the itinerary.
    + Personal travel & health insurance.
    + Optional tips for the guide.

Additional information

  • Prices for 2025 are subject to change.
  • For children under the age of 12, there is a 10% discount.
  • Rebecca Adventure Travel cannot take any responsibility for any illnesses or missed meals & tours due to an illness.
  • Important things to bring: warm and waterproof clothing, gloves, water, energy snacks, sunblock, sunglasses, and your passport.
  • Keep in mind that the weather at 13,000 ft (4,000 m) can change suddenly from sunny to cold with stormy winds and wet snow.
  • Since you will ride on steep mountain trails where oxygen is limited, it is our safety recommendation that the rider weighs 220 lbs (100 kg) or less.
  • Inform yourself about food safety when traveling to tropical countries. Take the necessary precautions to avoid food poisoning (always wash your hands before eating, don’t eat street food, only eat peeled fruits, etc.).
  • It is mandatory to have valid travel and medical insurance. Please inform us of any known medical conditions you have.
  • Rebecca Adventure Travel and the respective cruise operator reserve the right to change the itinerary without prior notice due to weather conditions, availability, National Park regulations or notifications, and unforeseeable circumstances.
  • If you would like to enter the Cotopaxi National Park (for example, to visit Limpiopungo or the Cotopaxi Refugio, or to stop underway to take pictures), you are required to rent the services of a local guide. The cost is USD 40.

ADVANTAGES OF BOOKING WITH REBECCA ADVENTURE TRAVEL

  • Authenticity: Rebecca Adventure Travel offers unique and authentic experiences. All tours are personally selected by Rebecca, which guarantees authentic hotels (preferably family-owned), high-quality tours, great service, and, last but not least, value for money.
  • Tailor-made design: Whether travelers prefer a Galapagos island-hopping tour, a cruise, or a tailor-made tour of Ecuador, our local and international destination experts use their own travel experiences to create the right travel plan for every traveler.
  • Safety & 24/7 assistance: Rebecca Adventure Travel possesses all official tour operating insurance up to EUR 3 million. The team can be reached 24/7 for emergencies, by phone, e-mail, Skype, and WhatsApp. This service is available in English, Spanish, and Dutch!
  • Face-to-face assistance throughout your travels: Although online communication is essential, in-person service is very important, too. This is why travelers can get face-to-face travel advice at the Travel Concept Store in Zutphen, Netherlands. During your trip, there will be local personal hostesses at each destination, e.g., the Galapagos Islands.
  • Zero credit card fee: For guests who book a cruise with Rebecca Adventure Travel, there is no extra charge for credit card payment.

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