5 days/4 nights (4 days upon request) rental car + hotel daily from Quito to Guayaquil (or vice versa) The central Andes region of Ecuador features an abundance of scenic and cultural highlights. The well-maintained Panamerican Highway makes driving fast and easy, but in order to truly experience the beauty of this region, you should take regular detours off the beaten path.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cotopaxi National Park (approx. 125 miles / 200 km) Visit to Cotopaxi National Park. You can climb to the José Ribas shelter at 4.800 m / 15,750 feet before you return to the Panamerican Highway to drive to the Patate valley, which offers a spectacular view of the active Tungurahua volcano (5.016 m / 16,457 ft). (-/-/-)

Day 2: Cotopaxi — Pastaza Canyon — Baños (approx. 95 miles / 150 km)
Drive to the tropical Pastaza Canyon, past steep slopes and numerous waterfalls. Visit the small town of Baños, which hosts colorful indigenous markets on several days of the week. (B/-/-)

Day 3: Baños — Chimborazo — Riobamba (approx. 125 miles / 200 km) Wind your way along desolate, gray slopes to Chimborazo (6.310 m / 20,702 ft). You can drive to the Hermanos Carrel shelter at 4.800 m / 15,750 ft. If you like, you can hike to the Edward Whymper shelter at 5.000 m / 16,404 ft before continuing your drive to Riobamba. (B/-/-)

Day 4: Riobamba — Alausi — Ingapirca — Cuenca (approx. 175 miles / 280 km)
Today’s recommended activity is a spectacular roundtrip train ride from Alausi to the Devil’s Nose (Tuesdays to Sundays). Be sure to buy your tickets in advance. Later you can visit Ingapirca on your way to the colonial city of Cuenca.   (B/-/-)

Day 5: Cuenca — National Park Cajas — Guayaquil (approx. 125 miles / 200 km)
We suggest you allowing for a city tour of Cuenca in the morning before you visit Cajas National Park on your way to the bustling port of Guayaquil. (B/-/-)

 
Services:

• Rental car of your choice, including LDW insurance and accident-insurance for the driver
• One-way rental fee
• Travel arrangements as described
• Accommodations at good comfort-class hotels
• Meals as described in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, BL=Box Lunch, D=Dinner)
• Maps
• Phone assistance provided by Positiv Turismo in German or English

Non-included services:

• Admission fees
• Train ticket
• Gasoline, oil
• Park fees, road and ferry tolls
• Tickets for traffic violations
• Not specified meals and beverages
• Tips and personal expenses

Please be advised: Services listed in the itinerary may be subject to change due to  organizational or climate factors.

 
Rates:

Minimum number of participants: 1

Avenue of the Volcanoes, 5 days/4 nights

All rates are per person in USD. Valid until 31.10.2012

Subject to change. Prices may be higher on national holidays.

You can find further details under Rates & Conditions