Home › Journeys › The Avenue of the Volcanoes
The Avenue of the Volcanoes: the Day-by-Day Itinerary
Ecuador's Avenue of the Volcanoes stacks snow-capped cones down the spine of the Andes. Cotopaxi's perfect summit anchors the drive, the Quilotoa crater holds a turquoise lake, and Baños serves waterfalls and thermal pools at the jungle's edge.
The Avenue of the Volcanoes is a 450 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as 5–6 days; the plan below is the 6-day version for July, built from 149 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.
Customize this plan → 5-day plan · 6-day plan · best time to go
6
days
848 km
distance
16.9 h
driving
32
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- The clearer, drier months in the sierra — best odds of seeing Cotopaxi's cone before the clouds build.
- Heavy transit: day 3 (6h11), day 6 (7h13) run over 6 hours on the road. Around 6 days would keep daily driving comfortable on this route — or keep the dates and start each of those days by 08:00.
Day 1 Quito → Cotopaxi
🌡 -0.6–16.8°C · 🌧 ~12 rain days · ☀ 12.0h light
09:00
Calle de la Rondamuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Meander romantic cobblestone streets lined with historic charm.
50 min · Quito
09:50
La Vírgen del Panecillohikinglocal & traditional
Gaze up at the iconic winged Virgin Mary statue overlooking the city.
50 min · Quito
10:40
Hike Pichincha Volcanovolcanichiking
Tread cautious paths up an active volcano's rugged slopes.
90 min · Quito
14:26
Cotopaxi Museum and Visitor Centermuseums & heritagevolcanic
Discover stuffed wildlife and a relief map of the volcano in this small museum.
50 min · Cotopaxi
open: 08:00-16:00 (closed 12:00-13:00)
15:16
Limpiopungo Lagoonswimming & bathsvolcanic
Take in panoramic views of Cotopaxi and spot condors at this high-altitude lagoon.
50 min · Cotopaxi · About $25 for a taxi from Machachi
16:06
Climb Cotopaxivolcanic
Breathe thin air and feel the cold on a glacial peak.
90 min · Cotopaxi
Overnight: Cotopaxi
e.g. Refugio José E. Rivas · Secret Garden Cotopaxi
Day 2 Around Cotopaxi
🌡 -0.6–16.8°C · 🌧 ~12 rain days · ☀ 12.0h light
09:00
Climb Rumiñahui Volcanovolcanic
Tackle steep, loose slopes under an open Andean sky.
90 min · Cotopaxi · Free
10:30
Explore the park on horseback or mountain bikehiking
Ride winding trails through lush, high-altitude forests.
90 min · Cotopaxi
12:00
Inca ruins
Explore ancient Inca military fortress ruins discovered in 1987.
50 min · Cotopaxi
12:50
Museo Nacional -- MuNa (formerly Museo del Banco Central)museums & heritage
Explore dazzling pre-Columbian treasures and golden artifacts from ages past.
50 min · Quito · free
open: Wednesday-Saturday 10ː00-17ː00, Sunday 10-15, closed Monday and Tuesda
13:40
Museo Templo del Sol Pintor Cristobal Ortega Mailavolcanic
Explore indigenous culture near a striking geological crater.
50 min · Quito
open: Daily 09:00-17:00
14:30
Conjunto monumental San Franciscomuseums & heritage
Admire ancient architecture and sacred art in a serene historic setting.
50 min · Quito · $3 for the museum and the tower
Overnight: Cotopaxi
e.g. Refugio José E. Rivas · Secret Garden Cotopaxi
Day 3 Baños
🌡 6.4–24.5°C · 🌧 ~21 rain days · ☀ 11.9h light
12:15
Tungurahuamuseums & heritageswimming & bathsvolcanichiking
Trudge upward toward an imposing, smoke-veiled volcanic giant.
90 min · Baños · $5 if you stay overnight at the refugio
13:45
Cascada de La Virgenmuseums & heritageswimming & baths
Watch crystal water tumble into thermal pools below.
50 min · Baños
14:35
Church of the Virgin of the Holy Watervolcanic
Admire neo-Gothic stonework and local pilgrimage spirit.
50 min · Baños
15:25
Casa del Arbolhiking
Swing exhilaratingly above mountain treetops in a leafy embrace.
90 min · Baños
16:55
Eco Zoo San Martinlocal & traditional
See monkeys, condors, and jaguars in a lush, wild setting.
50 min · Baños
18:30
Mercado Centralswimming & bathslocal & traditional
Discover cheap, flavorful meals bustling inside a lively market.
75 min · Baños · $1.50
Overnight: Baños
e.g. Erupción Backpackers Hostel · Hostal El Recreo
See the remaining 3 days of the 6-day plan →
Route map
Similar journeys
- Argentina's Northwest — 800 km loop · 5–8 days
- The Seven Lakes Road — 420 km loop · 4–7 days
- Salar de Uyuni & the Altiplano — Uyuni → Sucre · 4–7 days