Ecuador Avenue of Volcanoes tour to Baños, 2days/1night, private

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Price from:
462.00 USD
per person

Travelling along Ecuador’s Avenue of the Volcanoes offers you the joy of living with the simplicity and relaxed atmosphere of a bygone era. The two Andean cordilleras that run parallel and cross Ecuador from north to south, offer a most varied topography: volcanoes and snow capped mountains, lush green valleys and impressive Colonial cities like Quito and Cuenca, quaint Indian villages, farmlands, haciendas, lakes and rivers of crystal blue waters.

Tour Details

This is a scenery packed trip, driving south down the Avenue of the Volcanoes to Ambato. Along the way, colossal snow covered giants like Antisana; Mt. Cotopaxi, the world’s highest active volcano; the Ilinizas and many more frame your route, a three hour trip plethoric of amazing and beautiful scenery.  Then you turn east to descend to the colorful city of Baños, the gateway to the Amazon, nestled between the eastern Andes and the rainforest.  En-route, visit the village of the Salasaca Indians, famous for the weaving of tapestries and wall hangings that use pre-columbian designs.  Baños is located right at the foot of the active volcano Tungurahua, surrounded by waterfalls and hot springs.  Baños has become a mecca for international travelers seeking year-round temperate weather, a small town atmosphere, and a base for exploring the great Ecuadorian outdoors, a popular hub for some adventure tour activities such as hiking, horseback riding, trekking, biking, rafting, rock wall climbing and nature exploration.

Itinerary

Day 1
After the breathtaking trip down the Avenue of the Volcanoes and heading to the northern flanks of the impressive Mt. Tungurahua, arrival to Hostería Luna Runtún on time for lunch and room assignment.  Luna Runtun is perched high above Baños, on the slopes of the Tungurahua volcano. The view from up there is simply spectacular.  Afternoon stroll in the town of Baños visiting the Basilica of Agua Santa, the hot springs, a balsa wood shop and a handicraft center for tagua (vegetable ivory).

Day 2
The next morning, take the road to Puyo, following the Pastaza river with several stops to explore the cascades along the way. Arrive at the cascade “El Pailon del Diablo” for a mid-difficulty trail down to the river, among lush tropical vegetation and orchids,  for an impressive view (and sound) of this waterfall, among the ten largest in the world.  An awesome sight from the hanging bridge right at the foot of the cascade.  Back to Baños for lunch at the cozy Villa Gertrudis and return to Quito.

Travel Facts

• Dress in layers (T-shirt, blouse, sweater, coat)
• This tour includes extensive walking in the town of Baños and hiking on a very steep dirt trail at an altitude of  1815 meters ( 5950 feet)
• Sun protection (SPF 40) 
• Good walking shoes 
• Great photo ops 
• Mild subtropical climate year-round

Included

• One night accommodation
• All meals
• Transportation from and to Quito and bilingual guide

Some Special Highlights

TAGUA NUT
Tagua is the nut of a palm tree whose scientific name is phytephas accuatorialis, found in the tropical rain forests of the coast and the Amazon lowlands of Ecuador. The color and consistency of the tagua is very similar to ivory.
Before plastic and other synthetic materials came into the world market, it was widely used for making buttons, chess figures, handles for canes, etc. Then it was almost forgotten until the eighties, when it came again into use for hand made buttons, jewelry, toys and souvenirs. The working of the Tagua nuts not only contributes to the economy of the artisans but also to the preservation of this native palm, part of the tropical rain forest that are quickly disappearing. The main craft shops working on tagua nuts are located in the city of Riobamba  but also in Baños and in some cities of Ecuador’s Pacific coast.

SALASACA INDIANS
This is the most important ethnic group of the province of Tungurahua, said to have been brought to Ecuador by the Incas, from Bolivia, to guard the gateway to the rain forest.  They are excellent weavers and have preserved their costumes, traditions and original political and cultural organization.

Information Price per Person (USD) 1 person 1,085.00 26 or more 361.00 16 - 25 373.00 10 - 15 396.00 4 - 9 462.00 3 persons 571.00 2 persons 677.00

Discover the magic of the Andean region

, marvelous landscapes and rich ancestral cultures

Here you will find the joy of living with the simplicity and relaxed atmosphere of a bygone era. The two Andean cordilleras that run parallel and cross Ecuador from north to south, offer a most varied topography and magnificent scenery and sights: volcanoes and snow capped mountains, lush green valleys, impressive Colonial cities like Quito and Cuenca, quaint Indian villages, farmlands, haciendas, lakes and rivers of crystal blue waters.

The capital of Ecuador, Quito, brings the past to life in its museums, monasteries, the carved stone facades and golden altars of its many churches, as well as in the Archaeological Museum that displays centuries of pre-Columbian treasures. Enjoy scenic, Colonial and artistic Quito, then stand with a foot on each hemisphere at the Middle of the World.

The province of Imbabura is located in northern Ecuador, a picturesque land of lakes, majestic sierras and terraced farmlands, home to the Otavalo Indians, industrious and enterprising people, who offer their products at the famous outdoor market, full of ponchos, embroidered blouses, ceramics, wall hangings, native jewelry and authentic “Panama” hats, a handicraft original of Ecuador yet wrongly labeled as “Panama”. Near Otavalo are charming country inns and haciendas to stay overnight, and explore this wonderful area at a more leisurely pace.

Beginning in Quito and going south, is the Avenue of the Volcanoes with unparalleled views of the Andes. Mount Cotopaxi dominates the landscape of a National Park of the same name, where llamas graze and high-elevation bird species fly, including the Andean Condor. Our exclusive Hacienda programs provide an in-depth experience of Andean flavor, with stays at marvelous properties, as guests of the owners. For the more adventurous, the Andes are the perfect setting for trekking, hiking, mountain biking, bird watching and many more outdoor adventures.

Spectacular train rides, on Metropolitan Touring’s exclusive coaches and programs, run from the Andean highlands to the Pacific shores, with the thrill of zigzagging the sharp angles of the stunning Devil's Nose.
Private tours offer exclusive arrangements with multilingual guides for both FIT´s or groups. Semiprivate tours are operated on vans with a maximum of nine guests; while our sharing bus tours have a capacity of up to forty guests. Both semiprivate and sharing bus tours are guided with English/Spanish speaking guide only.