Ecuador Encompassed (EE)

17 day tour of Ecuador's Highlights

Ecuador Encompassed

This adventure trekking tour encompasses some of Ecuador's most stunning scenery. We get close to the conical, snow-capped peaks of Cotopaxi and Chimborazo on this active tour through the Ecuadorian highlands.

We have a group 10 day trip comprising a climbing school followed by a climb of Chimborazo confirmed, Aug 6-15, 2008. Please contact the office for more information.

Despite its small size, Ecuador is one of the most geographically varied countries in the world and is known as a kind of giant natural laboratory. Charles Darwin and Edward Whymper all published adventure books recounting tales of fantastic animals, ice-capped volcanoes and impenetrable Amazonian jungle.
With its snow-capped Andes peaks, the Pacific coast, Galapagos Islands and expanse of rainforest this compact and diverse country is rapidly becoming one of the most popular destinations in South America.

This tour aims to take you to nearly all of these areas with their differing cultures and climates, ancient cities, jungle and spectacular Andean mountain scenery experiencing all the earth’s ecological zones from subtropical to arctic. It is an exclusive tour designed around two varied and rewarding treks with full mule and vehicle support.

You will travel from the vibrant colonial capital of Quito north towards the famous market town of Otavalo to take a very beautiful hike around Laguna Cuicocha. This offers wonderful views of beautiful volcanic landscapes – crater lakes, streams and high paramos and possibly the chance of glimpsing the impressive Condor, the ‘King of the Andes’.

After this trek you will head south to visit the beautiful Pasochoa Biological Reserve and on to the famous Cotopaxi National Park. From your hacienda base you will embark on a series of day treks around the base of the smoking, snow-capped Cotopaxi Volcano. There will also be the opportunity to go horse-riding and mountain-biking here.

You then set out on a great trek passing Carihuairazo (5020 m) with stunning backdrops of glaciers, moraines and lakes to the world famous Whymper Hut (5000m) on the slopes of Chimborazo (6310m), the highest volcano in Ecuador whose summit is the closest place on earth to the sun. This is a spectacular trek and a truly unique way to experience these impressive ranges close up. You will then travel to Riobamba and take the breathtaking Devil’s Nose rail ride, negotiating a series of switchbacks.

Commence your second trekking expedition, this time with an historical context as you follow a 35km portion of the old Inca Royal Highway that ran from Quito to Cusco. Trek through untouched landscapes of lagoons, rivers, natural rock arches and mountain passes to the Ingapirca ruins, the most significant site in Ecuador.

Finish your visit at the colonial city of Cuenca, home of the Panama hat and handicrafts of every kind before returning to Quito. You will receive a warm welcome from the colourful native Indians, witness the inspiring colonial architecture of the cities, experience the vibrant culture of the Hispanic villages and be constantly surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of green mountains patch-worked with corn fields and stark majestic snow-capped volcanoes that reach out to the crystal sky.

Ecuador truly is one if South America’s best kept secrets and now is the time to enjoy the trails and historic sites which are still quiet and off the main tourist routes of this continent.

Note:

This tour can be followed by a cruise in the Galapagos Islands or a trip to Ecuador’s wildlife rich cloud forest or Amazon jungle.

Follow the above links, or continue browsing the website for more details.