COTOPAXI (5897 mts)
Cotopaxi Volcano is located to the East of the Panamerican Highway in the province of the same name. At one time it was thought to be the highest active volcano in the world. It is still considered one of the highest, but modern mapping and measurement techniques have provided more accurate data around the globe, and Cotopaxi no longer has this fame

PASOCHOA (4200mt.)

This reserve just a little to the south east of Quito contains one of the last remnants of interandean high altitude forest. There are many well marked trails to walk or to acclimatize climb to the rock band at 4000m.

Ideal to begin acclimatization or just to look into this spectacular active volcanic crater. This trip can be as hard or easy as you prefer.

ILINIZAS

The attack on Iliniza North's summit at 5200 meters begins at dawn and involves a trek along a knife edge ridge, on a well-marked trail. In a couple of places it is necessary to leave the ridge to go around boulders, and it is advisable to have some protection, so we always use ropes, harness, and hard hats. In the first half of the year there can be a snow covering on the ridge and peak snow gear can be needed, including crampons and ice axe.

This volcano offers us strenuious hiking up to the summit at 4788m where we can look westwards into the ancient crater. Ideal as a second or third destination on an acclimatization program. Eco-Trails has an agreement with the farm owners and can obtain permits to take our vehicles part way up the mountain.

A day trip up the volcano visiting various ecological zones, visiting the refuge and overlooking the glacier.A visit to El Pisque hot springs is an optional end to this day.Sometimes we see Condors on this trip.

The Quilotoa Volcano with its typical villages like Chugchílan and Zumbahua , is located at only 3 hours from Quito. Small indigenous comunities live there from agriculture. This huge volcanic crater is barely visible until you arrive. Set in the mountains near Tigua, we also visit the famous native painters in this area.

We propose you to discover this beautiful area with a 2/3 days trekking. A day tour is also possible.

OTAVALO

Ecuador´s most famous indian market, just where you need to go to see the fullest variety available and make all your shopping purchases in one go. Saturday is market day in Otavalo and much more is available on this day. However the market is so popular that it is open every day of the week.

SAQUISILI MARKET

Anthropologists consider it the most important indigenous market in the country. It is spread out over six or seven different plazas, only a small part is dedicated to handicrafts for sale to tourists. This is a market at which the Indians also do their shopping. Every Thursday.

CAYAMBE MARKET

This very traditional, mostly food market is both interesting and colourful. We spend the morning exploring this quiet town. After a picnic lunch in the surrounding countryside, we go to El Quinche where to local priest can be seen blessing new cars and many visitors flock to the colonial Sanctuary church.

GUANGAJE MARKET

A tiny isolated and traditional market, set hidden among windswept mountains, not a place to do your souvenirs shopping. But a place to get a feel for life and traditions in the Andes. Only on Sunday.

ILINIZA MARKET

We traverse the foothills of iliniza volcano observing homes built of grass. This trip passes through many small hamlets and villages arriving at the home of baskets weavers and ceramic workers.

ZUMBAHUA MARKET

A saturday market in spectacular setting can be combined with a Quilotoa crater visit.

Chiribiga Road

T his gracious old cobbled road is famous among birdwatchers and orchid collectors. Leaving Quito we traverse numerous life zones from 3200m down to 1000m.

Maquipucuna

This is a visit to the west flank cloud forest at the Maquipucuna reserve. We drive to the reserve and hike its trails looking at birds, insects and plants.

Mindo

World famous for birdwaching this tiny village deep in a valley at the food of pichincha volcano offers many trails to hike and make observations.

Mojandas

On the ancient trail from Quito to Otavalo, we drive to the rim of the collapsed caldera which fills the top of this mountain. Here there are lakes and rock peaks, good hiking and birdwatching especially raptors and hummingbirds.

Nono Road

This route covers many ecologicals zones as it leave Quito on the northen flenk of Pichincha volcano and desends to Tandayapa. This area has long been famous for birdwatching and is now the alternative access to Bellavista cloud forest reserve. Biking is possible on this road.

Sat on the roof of this typical train, we start our 5 hours trip from Riobamba to Alausi, crossing amazing landscapes and indigenous villages. The best part of the trip is called the Devil's nose.

This tour can be included, for exemple, in a 5 days circuit, starting from Quito, then Cotopaxi refuge, Baños, Riobamba and Cuenca.

THE ECUADORIAN SOUTH

CUENCA

Wonderful city, owner of a unique architecture, a piece of Heritage of Mankind. There are many churches and museums in its colonial dowtown. Important to be mentioned are the Calderon Park and the Cathedral.The industry and handcrafts are also an important part of it. For these and many other reasons, this is city is a place to visit.

VILCABAMBA

The nostalgic Vilcabamba, land of those who live many years, a place with a wonderful weather and owner of the youth waters.Vilcabamba is well known for its valleys, in which doing horse riding is a great experience.