Cotopaxi volcano sunrise

Ecuador · 7 days

7 Day Ecuador Tour: Quito to Cuenca by the Avenue of the Volcanoes

From $1,355 per person

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Duration
7 days
Route
Cotopaxi National Park, Quilotoa Lagoon,Chimborazo Reserve,Cuenca
Difficulty
Medium

This 7 day Ecuador tour runs from Quito to Cuenca along the Avenue of the Volcanoes: Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, Baños and Chimborazo, with hotels, transport and a local guide every day. Prices start at $1,355 per person.

Ecuador Trip 7 Day: A Complete Adventure Through the Country’s Highlights

Embark on the Ecuador Trip 7 Day Ultimate Journey, a perfect blend of adventure, culture, and stunning natural beauty.Begin in Quito, the vibrant capital, and explore the majestic peaks of Cotopaxi National Park and Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest volcano.

Discover the turquoise waters of Quilotoa Crater Lake and enjoy the peaceful charm of Isinlivi village, known for its traditional Andean lifestyle.Immerse yourself in indigenous culture, local traditions, and breathtaking Andean landscapes.Visit the ancient Ingapirca Ruins before heading to the colonial city of Cuenca.

Experience comfortable haciendas, eco-lodges, and expert-guided tours along the way.Each day is crafted to balance exploration and relaxation, making it ideal for travelers seeking adventure, photography, and cultural immersion.Witness Ecuador’s volcanoes, lakes, and historic sites up close. This 7-day journey promises unforgettable memories and breathtaking views, combining both nature and heritage in a single, ultimate adventure.

Highlights

  • Quito: Airport pickup, acclimatization, optional evening stroll around the city.
  • Cotopaxi National Park: Majestic Cotopaxi volcano, scenic hikes, panoramic photography spots, hacienda overnight.
  • Quilotoa Crater Lake & Isinlivi: Stunning turquoise crater lake, rim hike or descent, eco-lodge stay in a charming village.
  • Isinlivi: Optional Andean trekking, cultural immersion with local community, relaxing Andean scenery.
  • Chimborazo National Park: Ecuador’s highest volcano, unique high-altitude ecosystem, wildlife spotting, hacienda overnight.
  • Ingapirca Ruins & Cuenca: Largest Inca archaeological site in Ecuador, scenic Andean valleys, colonial city arrival.
  • Cuenca City: Half-day city tour, colonial architecture, historic churches, local markets, airport transfer.

Itinerary

  1. Day 1Quito Arrival
    DAY 1: Quito Arrival

    Airport pickup and transfer to your hotel. Take the afternoon to relax and acclimatize to the altitude, stroll around the historic center, or enjoy a coffee at a local café. Evening at leisure to soak in the vibrant city atmosphere. Highlights: Airport transfer Quito city stroll or optional dinner in historic center Relax and acclimatize

    Overnight: Patio Andaluz

  2. Day 2Cotopaxi National Park Tour
    Cotopaxi mountain

    This adventure begins with a scenic pickup from your hotel in Quito as we head along the famous Avenue of the Volcanoes, surrounded by breathtaking Andean landscapes, grazing llamas, and towering peaks. Along the way, we pass through Machachi, a charming town known for its rural atmosphere, before continuing to Cotopaxi National Park.

    Once inside the park, you’ll explore the impressive Cotopaxi Volcano, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. We’ll ascend to the José Rivas Refuge, located at over 4,800 meters (15,748 feet), where you’ll enjoy spectacular views and incredible photo opportunities that truly capture the grandeur of the Andes.

    Afterwards, we’ll visit Limpiopungo Lagoon, a beautiful high-altitude lake at the foot of the volcano. This is a great spot to observe local wildlife, including wild horses, Andean foxes, and native bird species—and if you’re lucky, even the majestic Andean condor.

    To complete the experience, you’ll spend the night at a traditional hacienda

    Overnight: Hacienda la CienegaMeals: breakfast, lunch

  3. Day 3Quilotoa Crater Lake + Transfer to Isinlivi Ecolodge
    Quilotoa turquoise water

    You will arrive at Quilotoa Lake, a stunning natural gem formed a volcanic crater, famous for its ever-changing turquoise waters that shift with the light and weather. Here, you can walk along the crater rim for breathtaking views or descend to the lake’s edge for a closer experience, where you may choose to relax, take photos, or enjoy optional activities like kayaking.

    After the visit, continue to the small Andean village of Isinlivi, where you’ll stay at a charming ecolodge. Surrounded by peaceful mountain landscapes, this is the perfect place to unwind and connect with local culture.

    Overnight: Lullu Llama LodgeMeals: breakfast, lunch

  4. Day 4Free Day in Isinlivi
    DAY 4 – Free Day in Isinlivi

    Spend a day exploring at your own pace. Optional guided trekking, horseback riding, or cultural workshops with locals. Alternatively, relax and enjoy the serene Andes views, taking photographs or reading amidst nature.

    Overnight: Lullu Llama LodgeMeals: breakfast

  5. Day 5Chimborazo National Park Tour
    DAY 5: Chimborazo National Park Tour

    After breakfast, your guide will pick you up to explore the stunning Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve. Here you'll have the opportunity to observe local wildlife, including vicuñas, llamas, and alpacas roaming freely. You'll reach the first refuge at 4,800 meters above sea level. If you wish, you can continue ascending 200 meters to the second refuge at 5,000 meters, one of the highest accessible points in Ecuador. From here, the views of Chimborazo, the country's highest mountain and an inactive volcano, are unforgettable. After exploring the reserve, you'll continue to Ingapirca, where you'll spend the night in a local hotel.

    Overnight: Posada IngapircaMeals: breakfast

  6. Day 6Ingapirca Ruins + Transfer to Cuenca
    DAY 6 – Ingapirca Ruins + Transfer to Cuenca

    Begin your day exploring the Ingapirca Archaeological Complex, the most important Inca and Cañari site in Ecuador. Hike ancient trails and discover the significance of this civilization. Afterward, travel to the charming city of Cuenca where we will check into your hotel.

    Overnight: Mansión AlcázarMeals: breakfast

  7. Day 7Cuenca City Tour + Transfer
    Cuenca historic center

    Enjoy a half-day guided tour of Cuenca, where you’ll explore its charming colonial streets, historic churches, lively plazas, and colorful artisan markets. Discover the city’s rich culture and beautifully preserved architecture as you stroll through one of Ecuador’s most picturesque destinations.

    In the afternoon or evening, you’ll be transferred to Cuenca Airport for your departure, bringing your journey to a smooth and memorable close— the perfect ending to an unforgettable adventure in Ecuador.

    Meals: breakfast

Prices per person

1 traveler2 travelers3 travelers4+ travelers
Price per person$3,225$1,760$1,570$1,355

What is included

  • Pick up/ Drop off
  • Transportation
  • Bilingual tour guide
  • Accommodation x 6 nights
  • Breakfast x 6 days
  • Entrance to protected areas
  • Lunch x2

Not included

  • Personal expenses
  • Tips
  • Dinners

What travelers say

173 reviews from travelers we have guided

  • Steve B

    Sep 2026 · Tripadvisor

    ★★★★★

    Excellent Guide, Excellent Itinerary

    We arrived in Quito a couple of days before flying to Baltra for our Galápagos cruise. After making our reservation, we switched hotels, but the company quickly adjusted our pickup location without any issues. Our guide, Ayrton, communicated with us through WhatsApp, and everything was seamless from the start. Before beginning the tour, he took the time to learn more about us and what we wanted from the day. He listened carefully and adjusted several activities based on our interests and preferences. Ayrton is only 28, I believe, but this young man was truly outstanding. He knows the history, geography, weather, and topography of Ecuador exceptionally well. Just as importantly, he understands what excellent service looks like. We could not have asked for a better guide!

  • Gabriela M

    Sep 2026 · Tripadvisor

    ★★★★☆

    Experiencia inolvidable!

    Me encantó la experiencia con Ayrton, es un excelente guía, tiene mucho conocimiento y respondió todas nuestras inquietudes, nos prestó buen servicio, es muy amable y tiene la disposición a ser flexible durante el tour. Fue inolvidable los lugares que visitamos especialmente la cascada Pailon del Diablo. La única recomendación que doy es que en el título de la publicación dice que incluye entradas y almuerzo, pero luego debes elegir diferentes paquetes que cambian la promesa que se hace en el título de la publicación. Esto puede causar confusión y descontento. Deberían quitarlo.

  • Erika A

    Sep 2026 · Tripadvisor

    ★★★★★

    Awe- inspiring

    Highly recommend this tour!! I travel solo, so it was just me and the guide which is exactly what I wanted. No large tour group or having to make awkward conversations with strangers. The tour is tailored to you. What I mean by that is, if you need to use the restroom or want to stop for snacks, just tell your guide and they’ll stop. If you want to skip the lagoon, you can do that. It’s more than just those things, but the point is that they want you to have a good time and will do what they can to make sure you are happy and comfortable. The horseback riding is super fun, and the scenery is stunning.

  • Sarah

    Sep 2026 · Tripadvisor

    ★★★★★

    A Trip Highlight

    I truly had an wonderful time on this experience. I'd never be comfortable navigating the drives on my own, so having Ayrton there getting me to the gorgeous locations I'd otherwise miss and providing all sorts of help and insight, was an absolute blessing. I'd highly recommend this experience and Ayrton!

  • Jose M

    Sep 2026 · Tripadvisor

    ★★★★★

    Uma aventura

    Um dia muito agradável com nosso guia Etiel. Muito atencioso e bom de conversa. O tour valeu cada momento, pois nos proporcionou atividades tranquilas e conversas relaxantes sobre histórias de vida. Recomendo a Quito Trails.

  • jo z

    Sep 2026 · Tripadvisor

    ★★★★★

    Amazing day out !!

    We had the best time with Ayrton, our guide. Very professional and knowledgeable. We saw so many places, including feeding some Llamas! The waterfall was amazing. Highly recommend this tour and company !

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