| When traveling to Ecuador, make sure you include | | | | novices. There is a good gravel road which winds |
| in your plans a 325km (201mi) road called "The | | | | up the ash-strewn side to a parking area located |
| Volcanoes Avenue". This road goes through some | | | | 4600m (2 miles) away. From here, the physically |
| of the world's highest volcanic peaks, many of | | | | fit can carefully walk a further distance of 200m |
| which are still active. Named by the legendary | | | | (0.12mi) to a refuge from which you can get |
| explorer Alexander Von Humboldt in 1802, this | | | | incredible views - if the altitude and the weather |
| unique natural corridor is formed by eleven | | | | allow! |
| volcanoes that emerged on the sides of the | | | | The route then passes through Baños (baths), a |
| Ecuadorian central highlands. It has become one of | | | | scenic little town named like that after the five |
| Ecuador's main sightseeing destinations, attracting | | | | natural thermal baths found here. Baños is |
| thousands of tourists each year. | | | | located in the Tungurahua province, nestled in a |
| Already at the beginning of the trip the landscape | | | | valley at the foot of the 5023m (16479ft)-high |
| variety is overwhelming: one gets surrounded by | | | | Tungurahua volcano. |
| immense patchwork of fields and enormous pine | | | | Our Final Destination is Riobamba. This city has |
| forest plateaus. The first part of the route goes | | | | quite a unique location. On a clear day, it is possible |
| through the magnificent volcanoes of Pasochoa, | | | | to see the peaks of five volcanoes: Chimborazo |
| Corazon and Illiniza, finally getting to the | | | | (6310m/20702ft), Altar (5319m/17450ft), Sangay |
| Rumiñahui volcano, where visitors have the | | | | (5230m/17158), Tungurahua (5023m/16479ft) and |
| opportunity to climb to the crater either by | | | | Carihuairazo (5020m/16469ft) - a magnificent |
| trekking or on horseback. Once at the top, an | | | | view! Chimborazo, the highest volcano in Ecuador |
| astonishing view of the mighty, 5900-meter | | | | and the furthest point from the center of the |
| (19356ft)-high Cotopaxi volcano will take your | | | | Earth (and once thought to be the highest |
| breath away! | | | | mountain on Earth) is located approx. 50km (31 |
| Back on the road, you go through a landscape of | | | | miles) away from Riobamba. |
| low-hanging clouds until reaching the Cotopaxi | | | | To better enjoy the environmental beauty of this |
| National Park, Ecuador's most famous park and | | | | eco route, activities such as horseback riding, |
| home of the highest active volcano in the world: | | | | canopy, climbing, trekking and bird watching are |
| the Cotopaxi, nominated for the World's New | | | | offered to visitor, but just the fact to be standing |
| Seven Wonders of Nature. Contrary to the | | | | next to these magnificent formations, volcanoes |
| Chimborazo Volcano, where you must have more | | | | that are higher than you could imagine, will give |
| climbing experience, Cotopaxi offers a great | | | | you a feeling of eternal peace and an unforgivable |
| climbing opportunity for reasonably in shape | | | | memory. |