Quito & the Andean Highlands
7 Days & 6 Nights- Hike through Ecuador’s Avenue of The Volcanoes
- Visit Otavalo’s local market for artisanal crafts and textiles
- Savour quinoa soups, Ecuadorian ceviches and traditional recipes each night
- Look for soaring condors during your stay at the working ranch of Hacienda Zuleta
- Follow the scenic rim trail around Cotacachi’s brilliant blue Cuicocha Lake
What To Expect
Trip Style:
Private Guided | Alone or with your chosen companion(s), benefit from a private guide throughout most of your trip.
Activity:
Multi Centre Walking | You will spend multiple nights in one or more of the locations on this walking holiday
This trip is suitable for:
Ideal if you have an interest in:
- Luxury & Unique Stays
- National Parks & Trails
- Mountains
Grade & Terrain
This tour is graded moderate to challenging. Hiking is mostly on distinct dirt trails or double-track roads with moderate ascents and descents. On most days you will be walking between four to eight hours. To get the most from your trip, you should be in great physical condition and an experienced hiker accustomed to walking medium to long distances every day.
The Ecuadorian Highlands and Cotopaxi National Park are high-altitude regions, often above 8,000 feet. We have added extra time in Quito to help you acclimatize to this altitude and to minimize the likelihood of experiencing altitude sickness.
Navigation
The Macs Adventure Navigation App is a great tool when navigating daily hiking routes. All daily routes with GPX tracks are available to download for use offline. Along with this app, you will also receive route notes and turn-by-turn directions in your pre-departure information pack. You will be provided with 24/7 telephone support from us here at Macs Adventure as well as telephone support from our local, English-speaking representative should you require assistance.
Accommodation Information
Whether a converted colonial home, a boutique hotel, or a family-run hacienda, we carefully hand-pick every accommodation. We book standard rooms that provide comfort and modern amenities. While each overnight accommodation differs in style, each offers exceptional service, excellent food and individual character and charm.
Ecuador’s highlands are a year-round destination with a large volume of travelers. As such, we may at times have to accommodate you at alternative locations due to availability. We regularly use the following properties but will accommodate lodging of equal standard should any of the following be unavailable.
Solo Hikers & Single Rooms
This trip is based on two people sharing a room. If you’d like separate rooms, a single supplement is required.
If you would like to request a twin room (same room with two separate beds), please notify us during booking so we can request this option.
This trip is not available for solo hikers.
Meals
Breakfast is included each morning and ranges from buffet-style to a set menu or a la carte. All chefs pride themselves on serving fresh and seasonal cuisine straight from the organic garden or via local farmers nearby. A typical breakfast includes juice, tea, coffee, yogurt, granola, breads, jams, eggs or a selection of hot dishes. Please notify us of dietary restrictions at the time of booking.
Three lunches are included in this trip and consists of a convenient packed lunch when hiking Cuicocha Crater Lake and two lunches presented by Hacienda Zuleta. Five farm-to-table dinners are included in this trip and are provided by your overnight accommodations while in the Highlands: Casa Mojanda, Hacienda Cusin and Hacienda Zuleta. All other lunches and dinners are not included in the trip, so you can choose to dine at your hotel or from available nearby cafés or restaurants.
Extra Nights
You can easily request to add extras nights during this itinerary. For further details, please ask us at the time of booking.
- 6 nights at hand-selected accommodations
- 6 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches and 5 Dinners
- Private transfer from Quito International Airport to downtown Quito
- Daily transfers per the itinerary
- Quito city tour and guide
- Otavalo English-speaking guide
- Door-to-door luggage drop-offs
- Pre-departure information pack
- Route notes
- Macs Adventures Navigation App with directions
- 24/7 telephone support from our office
- Telephone support from our local, English-speaking representative
- International flights
- All other meals, drinks and snacks
- Additional nights before, during or after the trip
- Personal equipment
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities and tips
- Extra Nights in Quito, Otavalo, San Pablo del Lago or Zuleta
- Room Upgrades (only where applicable)
- Twin Beds
- Private Taxi from Quito to Quito International Airport
When To Go
June to October are often the best times to go to Ecuador’s Northern Andes. This time period is during the dry season, where temperatures offer warmer weather and clearer skies.
Availability
This trip is available year-round. As these regions are popular destinations, with a large volume of travelers, we may at times have to substitute you with an alternative itinerary or location due to availability.
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalized to ensure availability for specific dates.
Getting to the Start
Getting to/from Quito
By Air
The best airport to arrive at is Quito International Airport, which has flights from international and national destinations.
By Private Taxi
Included in this trip is a private transfer from the airport to your overnight hotel in Quito. A private taxi will pick you up directly from Quito International Airport outside the arrivals exit, after passing through customs, baggage claim and security, and will drop you off at your overnight hotel (approx. 1 hour).
Baggage Transfer
We have arranged for your luggage to be transferred from your accommodation (as per your itinerary) and moved to your next overnight accommodation. Luggage will be picked up from the front desk or reception area around 10:00am each day and dropped off at that evening’s accommodation by 4:00pm. For consecutive overnights in the same accommodation, keep your luggage with you in your room. Please note that we have a luggage limit of 50 lbs. per person.
General Information
A private English-speaking guide is provided for the Quito city tour and when hiking from lodge-to-lodge through Otavalo and the Pedegral Valley. Join a guide on these days to gain in-depth local knowledge of significant sites, Ecuadorian culture and ecological features for a value-added experience.
All other hikes are self-guided and supported by the Macs Adventure Navigation App and route notes, so you can enjoy an independent, go-at-your-own-pace.
A daily guide is available to hike with you at all times if desired. Please let us know during the time of booking if you prefer this option.
Getting to/from the Highlands & Cotopaxi
Included in this trip is a transfer from downtown Quito to the Andean Highlands and to Cotopaxi National Park and back (approx. 2-3 hours). A private taxi will pick you up directly from your hotel and transfer you to your overnight hacienda and mountain lodge.
Getting Around
All transfers and vehicle services related to the itinerary are included in this trip. For additional transportation services outside the provided itinerary, such as a taxi to a specific restaurant or location, the host at your evening’s accommodation can help assist you in making the necessary arrangements.
Visas
Please check your visa requirements with the foreign office or the embassy in your country of residence before traveling to Ecuador.
For US and UK residents, proof of travel or health insurance and a valid passport for at least six months past the planned date of departure from Ecuador is required. Visas are not required unless you are planning to visit longer than 90 days. You may be asked about your reason for travel and provide evidence of a return or onward flight upon arrival.
Equipment
Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard hiking gear such as good hiking boots, lightweight clothes, warm layers, water bottles, hats, sunscreen, rain gear, camera and a day pack.
The Macs Adventure Way
-
Tried & Tested Adventures
-
Freedom
-
Book With Confidence
-
Expertise
-
Positive Impact
- Knowledgeable and helpful friendly specialist adventure planners
- Wide variety of trips to suit all interests and experience levels
- Start on any date that suits you
- Choose your ideal trip length and difficulty
- Range of accommodation options
- Choice of trip styles
- Choose your own travel companions
- Walk, cycle and explore at your own pace
- Make your own decisions
- Choose your own path
- Indulge your passions
- 15,000+ unbiased trip & service reviews
- Feefo Platinum Award 2022
- As featured in the Guardian, National Geographic Traveller, and more
- Founder owned & operated since 2003
- Passionate team members based in the US, the UK & Europe
- 100% Financial Protection
- "Peace of Mind Guarantee" means no worries if you need to change your plans
- Meticulously planned adventures
- Quality, hand-picked accommodation
- Seamless and reliable arrangements
- Comprehensive trip information & insider tips
- Detailed maps, route notes and mobile GPS app
- Helpful 24/7 support should you need it
- Travel responsibly
- Explore off the beaten track
- Support locally owned businesses
- Engage with local communities
- Minimise your impact
- Maximise the benefit of your travel
- Challenge yourself & grow