1 week - Avenue of the vulcanoes - Travel Route?
Replies: 5 - Last Post: Sep 20, 2012 8:49 PM Last Post By: jgcp
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1 week - Avenue of the vulcanoes - Travel Route?
Hey there,I am living in Peru (Cajamarca) and want to go to Ecuador for a week. It's a spontanous journey and I want to leave next week.
I have travelled to Montanitas, Guayaquil and Cuenca before and would now like to see the avenue of the vulcanoes. I know that a week is not enough time to see everthing but I would be gratefull for some tips for a travel route. I would love to do some outdoor sports on the way - was thinking about going to Banos and doing Canyoning but I'm not sure if it's worth it!?
What are the must-dos if I go for a week? What could be the travel-route and where should y stop by definitlely?
I guess that from the peruvian border I first have to go to Cuenca and from there travel north, right?
Thanks for your help!
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HiIf you want to get to the north of the country you could consider taking a bus from the border (or Santa Rosa / Machala) that takes you directly to Quito. It would probably go along the coastal plain as the road is straighter and therefore quicker. From Quito you could work south and visit Cotopaxi, Quilotoa and Baños. Possibly do the first two as part of a tour if time is short - you can stay somewhere around the Cotopaxi area and then travel to Baños.
From Baños travel south to Riobamba passing Chimborazo and on to the border.
I haven´t done canyoning in Baños. People I know who have done it enjoyed it. Hopefully someone else can advise on this.
Have fun
Graham
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Thanks! That helps me a lot! Do you know how long the bus ride takes from the boarder to Quito? I was also thinking about crossing the boarder (from Piura to Loja) and then take a plane from Loja to Quito (it's only 48$) but I don't know how much time that would save me.The route sounds good and I will travel like that. Just one more question: Is Otavalo north of Quito worth a visit?
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The Loja airport is still closed. I have heard it won't open until November. You have to go to Zamora, Cuenca or some place near Machala ( Santa Rose? )4
Hey anika I can't tell you much about the volcanoes, but canyoneering in Banos is SUPERFUN! If you have time, hit the beach at Canoa-hostal Olmito is the best, run by a Dutchman. Bambu is pretty sweet too, and Surf shack serves a good American breakfast. Canoa is small, tranqui, cheap and safe. good luck Jon Also, in Banos be sure to visit the hot springs in town5
Early morning travelling is the best time to see the volcanos - before the clouds roll in and you can see them either travelling south from Quito or north from Cuenca with stopovers on the way. You could fly from Cuenca to Quito and work your way back south in order to return to Peru or do it the other way and fly back to Peru from Quito. If you stop in Banos for your other activities you could also visit Riobamba for a look at Chimborazo which (because of the equatorial bulge in the planet) is the closest point on Earth to the sun at its summit.
