Quito - Cuenca: Andes tour with Cotopaxi & Ingapirca

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/13

Duration5d

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

From crater lakes to ancient ruins: Ecuador’s Andes in four days

Travel from Quito to Cuenca with a local guide and discover Ecuador’s Andes: hike around Quilotoa’s crater lake, climb Cotopaxi’s slopes for mountain views, feel the spray at Baños’ waterfalls, and wander ancient Ingapirca ruins. You’ll meet locals along the way and taste Andean flavors — moments you’ll remember long after you’re home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Quito to Quilotoa Lake

Visit Quilotoa Crater Lake
Stop at geological site
Explore Tigua painters community

Day 2 — Cotopaxi Volcano Exploration

Hike Cotopaxi Volcano and refuge

Day 3 — Baños Waterfalls and Treehouse

Hike to Treehouse and Pailon del Diablo

Day 4 — Chimborazo and Devil's Nose

Hike Chimborazo Wildlife Refuge
Visit Devil's Nose Mountain hike

Day 5 — Ingapirca and Villages Tour

Tour Ingapirca Inca ruins
Visit Chordeleg silverwork village
Drop-off at airport or hotel

The Experience

“You see that color? That’s not Photoshop,” our guide Diego grinned as we stood at the rim of Quilotoa. I’d never seen water like that — this wild turquoise, almost glowing under the clouds. The wind was sharp, and I could smell wet earth mixed with something faintly sulfurous. We watched a couple of local women in bright shawls selling tiny paintings on sheepskin; I tried asking about the pigments they use, but my Spanish is… well, let’s say Diego had to step in. He told us about the Tigua painters and how their art tells stories from these mountains. I bought a little piece — it still smells faintly of sheep.

The next morning started early (I’m not really a morning person), but Cotopaxi was worth it. The air up there is thin and cold — my breath came out in little clouds as we hiked toward the first refuge. There were wild horses grazing on the paramo, just shapes moving through mist. At one point we stopped for hot soup at the shelter; I can’t remember what was in it exactly, but it tasted like warmth itself. Some folks went further up toward the glacier, but honestly I just sat outside for a while watching the light change over the volcano. It felt huge and quiet.

Baños was louder — waterfalls everywhere, motorbikes buzzing past, people laughing on swings at that treehouse spot (the one from all those Instagram photos). Our guide pointed out orchids growing wild along the trail to Pailón del Diablo; you could hear the waterfall before you saw it, this deep rumble that got inside your chest. My shoes got soaked crossing one of those wobbly bridges — not glamorous, but kind of funny looking back.

The last stretch took us past Chimborazo (so high my phone said 4,800 meters — no joke) and then down toward Ingapirca. The ruins felt different than Machu Picchu somehow — quieter maybe? A few local kids were playing soccer nearby while Diego explained how Inca and Cañari cultures mixed here. I liked that he didn’t rush us; we just wandered among old stones while clouds drifted overhead. By the time we reached Cuenca I was tired in that good way you get after real travel — legs sore, mind full.

What’s included

Your journey includes hotel pickup in Quito, executive transportation between all stops (SUVs or minivans depending on group size), entrance fees to sites like Cotopaxi National Park and Ingapirca ruins, guided hikes with a licensed English/Spanish-speaking guide, overnight stays in selected hotels along the route, plus some meals with vegetarian options if needed before drop-off in Cuenca or at its airport.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cuenca Bestours Tour Operator