8 Day Andes Mountains South Tour

• Hotels for 8 nights
• Daily breakfast
• All transport from Quito to Cuenca and back.
• Entrances to nature parks.
• Cuenca city center tour.
• Tour guide 24/7 that speaks English and Spanish

• Lunch, drinks and snacks.
• Alcoholic beverages, personal expenses and tips.
• Travel, medical and cancellation insurance.
• Costs related to activities during free time.

Quito to Cotopaxi

Depart Quito for Cotopaxi (volcano hike or horseback riding); overnight near Quilotoa.

Hike Quilotoa

Breakfast, hike the Quilotoa crater rim, lunch, then transfer to Banos.

Banos exploration

Exploration of Banos and its surroundings. Follow the waterfall Route by car or bike in the morning; Swing at the End of the World and viewpoints in the afternoon. Free time in the evening in Banos. Overnight in Banos.

Banos to Riobamba

Travel from Banos to Riobamba. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the city. Overnight in Riobamba.

Chimborazo exploration

Full day Chimborazo exploration. Overnight in Riobamba.

Riobamba to Cuenca

Travel from Riobamba to Cuenca. Free time in the evening to explore Cuenca by night. Overnight in Cuenca.

UNESCO city center tour

Walk through the city center of Cuenca and experience why this is UNESCO heritage. Overnight in Cuenca.

Cuenca to Quito

Full day return by car from Cuenca to Quito. Enjoy the sight seeing along the way.

Is the altitude in the Andes a problem for travelers?

For some travelers, yes, but mildly. Quito sits at about 9,350 ft (2,850 m), above the height where the CDC says to start being careful. Most people feel only a headache or poor sleep for a day or two. The fix is to take your first day easy, drink water, skip alcohol, and climb gradually. If symptoms get worse, go down. Ask your doctor about acetazolamide before you travel.

Do I need to be fit to visit the Andes Mountains?

Normal health condition do just fine. You can enjoy the Ecuadorian Andes without climbing anything. Quito's old town, the equator line, the Otavalo market, Cuenca, the cloud forests and the lower volcano viewpoints are all gentle. Climbing Cotopaxi or Chimborazo to the summit is a serious effort for trained mountaineers only.

What does the Cuenca City tour within the Andes Mountains show me?

Cuenca's UNESCO old town. See blue-domed churches. Cross riverside plazas and viewpoints. Visit the Panama-hat workshop (optionally). Enjoy a leisurely medium-effort walking day.