THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
An eight-day circuit through Ecuador’s Avenue of Volcanoes, this trek links cloud forest, crater lakes and high Andean summits. Expect long days, high passes and intimate cultural encounters with mountain communities.
An eight-day circuit through Ecuador’s Avenue of Volcanoes, this trek links cloud forest, crater lakes and high Andean summits. Expect long days, high passes and intimate cultural encounters with mountain communities.
You arrive to Quito as dusk cools the city and the Andes silhouette the horizon; by night you meet the group and the guides who will shepherd you from cloud forest to glacier. The first true steps happen on Pasochoa’s mossed trails where a broken caldera cradles cloud forest life and birds that treat the canopy like a private highway.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Activexpedition · Quito, Pichincha
You arrive to Quito as dusk cools the city and the Andes silhouette the horizon; by night you meet the group and the guides who will shepherd you from cloud forest to glacier. The first true steps happen on Pasochoa’s mossed trails where a broken caldera cradles cloud forest life and birds that treat the canopy like a private highway.
The route threads Andean geology and human history: volcanic cones formed by relentless uplift, crater lakes like Quilotoa’s turquoise bowl, and Chimborazo’s flanks where vicuñas graze the high páramo. Indigenous communities along the way keep traditional farming—quinoa, potatoes and the small livestock that shape local plates and markets. Baños offers a stark change of tempo, where rivers dare you to feel their spray at Pailón del Diablo and a swing at Casa del Arbol frames the valley below Tungurahua.
Practical guidance is straightforward. Expect 6–8 hour hiking days on dirt tracks, narrow ridgelines and high-altitude approaches that reach near 5,000 m (≈17,000 ft). Acclimatize in Quito, carry layers for sun, wind and sudden rain, and use waterproof boots with solid ankle support. Hydration and slow pacing beat ambition at altitude; your guide times efforts for acclimatization and rest.
Logistics include eco-lodge and hacienda stays, meals listed across the itinerary, private transport between trailheads, and English-speaking certified guides. This expedition is as much about terrain as timing—clear morning views are common; afternoons often bring clouds—so plan photography and summit attempts early in the day.
challenging.
8 days.
Good cardiovascular fitness with previous multi-day hiking experience; able to hike 6–8 hours daily and cope with altitude up to ~5,000 m.
Prior high-altitude hiking experience is strongly recommended; the itinerary reaches nearly 5,000 m and involves long days—acclimatization is included but fitness matters.
Waterproof, supportive hiking boots with a firm sole and good ankle support are recommended; trail runners may be fine if well-broken-in and paired with gaiters.
Yes—accommodation for seven nights in eco-lodges and haciendas plus breakfasts, select lunches and dinners as listed in the itinerary are included.
Weather varies rapidly: mornings often clear, afternoons can bring showers; expect strong sun, wind, cold nights and occasional rain—pack layers and a waterproof shell.
The Avenue of Volcanoes follows tectonic uplift and volcanic activity that shaped Andean communities; local indigenous groups have farmed these slopes for centuries using terraces and highland crops.
Trails cross sensitive páramo and wetland habitats—stick to established paths, carry out waste, and support local lodges that follow low-impact practices.
Activexpedition operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You arrive to Quito as dusk cools the city and the Andes silhouette the horizon; by night you meet the group and the guides who will shepherd you from cloud forest to glacier. The first true steps happen on Pasochoa’s mossed trails where a broken caldera cradles cloud forest life and birds that treat the canopy like a private highway.
You arrive to Quito as dusk cools the city and the Andes silhouette the horizon; by night you meet the group and the guides who will shepherd you from cloud forest to glacier. The first true steps happen on Pasochoa’s mossed trails where a broken caldera cradles cloud forest life and birds that treat the canopy like a private highway.
The route threads Andean geology and human history: volcanic cones formed by relentless uplift, crater lakes like Quilotoa’s turquoise bowl, and Chimborazo’s flanks where vicuñas graze the high páramo. Indigenous communities along the way keep traditional farming—quinoa, potatoes and the small livestock that shape local plates and markets. Baños offers a stark change of tempo, where rivers dare you to feel their spray at Pailón del Diablo and a swing at Casa del Arbol frames the valley below Tungurahua.
Practical guidance is straightforward. Expect 6–8 hour hiking days on dirt tracks, narrow ridgelines and high-altitude approaches that reach near 5,000 m (≈17,000 ft). Acclimatize in Quito, carry layers for sun, wind and sudden rain, and use waterproof boots with solid ankle support. Hydration and slow pacing beat ambition at altitude; your guide times efforts for acclimatization and rest.
Logistics include eco-lodge and hacienda stays, meals listed across the itinerary, private transport between trailheads, and English-speaking certified guides. This expedition is as much about terrain as timing—clear morning views are common; afternoons often bring clouds—so plan photography and summit attempts early in the day.