Avenue of the Volcanoes Tour

On May 14-17 TerraDiversa is co-sponsoring with GringoTree, a local online bulletin board, an exciting multi-day trip called the Avenue of the Volcanoes. This is an opportunity to experience some of Ecuador´s most incredible natural wonders: Waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, crater lakes and breath-taking scenery. It will be a trip you will never forget.

Here's the itinerary:


Day 1: Cuenca - Devil's Nose Train, Chimborazo, Baños de Ambato
Our journey begins by driving from Cuenca to Alausi, where we will ride atop the famous Devil's Nose train. After lunch in town we proceed up into the Andes to enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Ecuador. The highlight, at almost 21,000 feet, is El Chimborazo Mountain and its breathtaking glaciers. We then travel on for overnight accommodation in Baños de Ambato. (Lunch included)

Day 2: Baños - The Route of the Waterfalls
During the morning ride we enjoy beautiful tropical forests and visit Ecopark Monte Selva. We continue on to the village of Rio Verde and take a moderate hike down to the well-known Pailon Del Diablo waterfall. (Optional free morning to explore Banos on your own if you choose). After lunch in Baños we stop at the Salasaca Indian community (a mini-Otavalo) before arriving in Lasso where we stay overnight in a beautiful colonial hacienda. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 3: Quilotoa, Quito
On the way from Lasso to Quilotoa, we will witness some large fertile areas cultivated by locals. We pass Zumbahua, an Indian community famous for the colorful Tigua paintings, located along the border of Quilotoa crater. We go into the crater to witness the color changing of the crater sulfur lake, from deep blue, to light blue, green and turquoise. Afterwards we have the option of ascending to the top on mules. After lunch we continue to Quito for overnight, enjoying some of the most amazing views of the "Avenue of the Volcanoes". (Breakfast and lunch included)

Day 4: AM: City tour of Quito
Quito's colonial quarter, the largest and best preserved of South America, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will take a walking tour to the main attractions such as: Independence Plaza, Metropolitan Cathedral, Presidential Palace, Municipal Building, Archbishop's Palace, Temple of La Compañia de Jesus and its gilded interior, Monastery of San Francisco, one of the great religious buildings of the New World. This will conclude our excursion. Afterwards, travelers will have the options of : 1) returning to Cuenca in the van, arriving around 8 p.m.; 2) flying back to Cuenca (additional charge), or 3) extending their journey with excursions to Otavalo, Mindo, the Amazon, horseback riding, rafting, and other adventures (to be arranged by TerraDiversa). (Breakfast included)


Price per person: $429 (including return to Cuenca in the van)

For additional tour information and for reservations and payment instructions, go by the TerraDiversa office at Calle Larga 8-41 y Cordero, call Flavia at 09 920 4832 or email sales1

@terradiversa.com.