Ecuador Holidays: Quito + Avenue of Volcanoes + Cuenca + Ingapirca + Cotopaxi
Ecuador holidays from Quito to the Avenue of the Volcanoes will take you through the spectacular Central Valley, which runs almost 200 miles south from Cotopaxi to Riobamba, continuing via the famous Ingapirca Inca ruins to the gorgeous colonial city of Cuenca.
The Avenue of Volcanoes is formed by two parallel chains of mountains, including eight of the country’s ten highest peaks, with the Pan American Highway running through it. Chief among these is the famous cone shape of Cotopaxi, which at 5,900 m is the world’s highest active volcano and remains snow-capped for most of the year. When it is inactive, it ranks with Kilimanjaro as a tough tourist climb, with well organised trips. It is surrounded by Cotopaxi National Park, which offers outdoor activities ranging from walking to horse riding. You can also visit indigenous villages and local markets. The Thursday market at Saquisili near Latacunga is one of the most colourful, and is typical of the lively traditional markets that can be found up and down the Avenue of Volcanoes.
On Ecuador holidays from Quito to Avenue of Volcanoes, the Pan-American Highway continues south to Cuenca, the gateway to the most important pre-Columbian site in the whole of Ecuador - the Ingapirca ruins. Ingapirca means Inca stone wall and this vast, magnificent complex includes fortifications, courtyards, terraces, temples and houses all constructed without the use of mortar. There is also a brilliantly presented museum with a superb scale model of the whole Ingapirca site.
Set on the banks of the RÃo Tomebamba and the most important city in the southern highlands, Cuenca is graceful and charming, with a relaxed mix of cobbled streets with cafes, galleries and gorgeous architecture. On Ecuador holidays to Avenue of Volcanoes & Cuenca you can enjoy its beautiful gardens, the four rivers winding around the town, and its elegant Spanish ironwork balconies. Cuenca is a cultural treasure and its beautifully preserved historic centre is a World Heritage Site. It is known for its handicrafts - especially clothes, both modern and traditional, fine artistic ceramics and jewellery. Gold and silver are mined locally and this is a very important staple industry. Cuenca is also a centre for straw hat manufacture, including the famous 'Panama' hat that originated in Ecuador. President Roosevelt wore one on a visit to Panama during the building of the canal – and much to the annoyance of Ecuadorians, the name Panama hat was given and has remained until today.
Outside the city, one of the main attractions is the Cajas National Park which rises to 4,400 m and in 110 square miles. You can walk and savour the stunning scenic beauty and count off some of its 250 glacial lagoons. Wildlife here includes the endangered South American condor and over 40 mammal species including the puma, coati and opossum.
Combine your ideas with our expertise and let us help you create a holiday of a lifetime. We offer a wide range of options at different price points, all of which can be tailor made to your needs.
We have been arranging Ecuador holidays from Quito to Avenue of Volcanoes, Cuenca, Ingapirca & Cotopaxi for over 20 years.
ALL OUR ECUADOR HOLIDAYS FROM QUITO TO AVENUE OF VOLCANOES, CUENCA, INGAPIRCA & COTOPAXI ARE FINANCIALLY PROTECTED wherever in the world you live.
More information on Ecuador holidays from Quito to Avenue of Volcanoes, Cuenca, Ingapirca Ruins & Cotopaxi Volcano:
As you leave Quito, one of your first stops should be Cotopaxi National Park. From Latacunga you can visit the stunning Quilotoa Lagoon, formed from the crater left by an enormous eruption 800 years ago. The water is a beautiful turquoise from the dissolved minerals and two miles in diameter. You can hike down to the surface but you might want to hire a mule for the return journey.
Moving southeast along the Avenue of the Volcanoes takes you to Banos, the gateway to the Ecuadorian Amazon and home to many hot springs and waterfalls. Here the Tungurahua Volcano towers to 5,000 metres and Ecuadorians make pilgrimages to the basilica to Our Lady of the Holy Water. The walls are covered with depictions of her miracles.
Returning west you will find the highest mountain in Ecuador, Chimborazo, which rises to 6,300 metres. It sits on the equator and because the earth is wider here, its summit is the furthest point from the centre of the earth. This region of Avenue of the Volcanoes boasts the highest concentration of indigenous people in Ecuador. Many still preserve their ancient way of life, dress and customs and in times past worshiped Chimborazo as a god.
Next stop on the Pan-American Highway is the town of Riobamba at the southern end of the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Its impressive architecture reflects its Spanish heritage, but there is also a strong indigenous presence, which really comes alive at the colourful Saturday market. A must-see here is the Museum of Religious Art, a beautifully restored 16th century convent housing one of the country’s finest collections of 17th and 18th century religious art.
In Cuenca there is a large choice of museums and churches, including the fantastic Native Cultures Museum, which has over 5,000 exhibits covering 15,000 years of indigenous life. On Ecuador holidays to the Avenue of Volcanoes & Cuenca, you can compare the old and new cathedrals in the main plaza. One is among the oldest in South America and is now a museum, while the other is one of the largest in all the Americas, with its blue dome, pink marble floors and famous stained-glass windows. Every day of the year the indigenous locals hold a beautiful flower market, demonstrating the richness of the region’s agriculture. This is a very bike-friendly city too, with a weekly community ride setting out from the popular Parque de la Madre, which is close to the city centre.
You can also visit the ruins of Gualaceo, once the dwelling place of the pre-Inca Canari people who were defeated by the Incas, or the sub-tropical valley of Gualaceo where a beautiful river will tempt you to swim. Nearby you can see the pre-Incan town of Chordeleg, where you can buy the finest gold and silver filigree at very affordable prices. On Ecuador holidays to Avenue of Volcanoes, Cuenca, Ingapirca, Cotopaxi & Quito do try the tasty local Ecuadorian tequila.
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This fascinating Ecuador private tour will introduce you to this small country, situated on the equator. Starting from the old Inca capital of Quito high in the Andes, travel with your own driver/guide through the stunning Avenue of Volcanoes to the charming colonial city of Cuenca. End your holiday travelling via El Cajas National Park to the port city of Guayaquil. English speaking guide & all transfers included.
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• Cuenca Holiday
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• Quito
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• Riobamba
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• Avenue of Volcanoes
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• Guayaquil
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• Ecuador Private Tour
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• El Cajas National Park
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• Chimborazo Volcano
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Our private tours of Ecuador explore the wildlife, cultures & landscapes of this country of volcanoes, starting in the old Inca capital of Quito high in the Andes. Afterwards fly into the vast Amazon Basin to explore its rainforest wildlife & waterways, then travel through the Avenue of Volcanoes to colonial Cuenca, including the Ingapirca Ruins. Amazon light aircraft flights, English speaking guide, all transfers & sightseeing included.
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• Guayaquil
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• Cuenca
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• Avenue of Volcanoes (Guide)
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• Ingapirca Ruins
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• Tours: Ecuador, Quito
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• Chimborazo Volcano
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• Private Tours - Ecuador
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Our Ecuador holidays start in the old Inca capital of Quito situated high in the Andes, continuing with a private Avenue of Volcanoes tour & an unforgettable Galapagos Cruise. Explore the cultures & volcanic landscapes of this small country situated on the equator, before embarking on your expedition cruise to view the unique wildlife of the Galapagos. All transfers, marine park fees & sightseeing with English speaking guides included.
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