Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
You'll start your trail running adventure north of Quito at the Pululahua volcano crater. The route takes you through cornfields and dirt roads, then into a lush forest with mostly downhill sections leading into the cloud forest. After finishing the run, you'll head back to the pickup point for a hearty breakfast. On the return to Quito, you'll stop at the Mitad del Mundo equator monument to see where you can stand on the equator line.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Delicious and hearty breakfast after the trail run)
Included Activities
- Trail run through Pululahua volcano crater and cloud forest
- Breakfast after trail run
- Visit to Mitad del Mundo equator monument
Landmarks Pululahua Volcano Mitad del Mundo - Day 2
Quito Historic Center
Early morning trail run through Parque Metropolitano, Quito's largest park. You'll follow a well-maintained path for a lap through eucalyptus forest, then return to your hotel for breakfast. After eating, a guide takes you through Quito's historic center to see the city's main highlights and get a sense of the colonial architecture and layout.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Trail run in Parque Metropolitano on well-maintained path through eucalyptus forest
- Breakfast at hotel
- Guided tour of Quito's historic center and city highlights
Landmarks Parque Metropolitano Historic Center of Quito - Day 3
Ilalo Volcano Trail Run and Hike
You'll trek to the summit of Ilalo, an extinct volcano a few kilometers outside Quito. The route goes from west to east with steep sections that require walking due to the altitude. On clear days, you can see snow-capped volcanoes surrounding Quito from the top. Descending takes you through beautiful eucalyptus forest to La Merced village. There's an option to visit thermal springs if you'd like, then you'll head back to Quito. The afternoon is yours to rest and recover.
Included Activities
- Trail run and hike to Ilalo volcano summit
- Descent through eucalyptus forest to La Merced
Optional Activities
- Visit to thermal springs in La Merced
Landmarks Ilalo Volcano La Merced - Day 4
Volcano Hike at 3,300 Meters
A vehicle drives you to the volcano's starting point at 3,300 meters/10,827 feet. From there, you hike to the summit, crossing grassland vegetation and following the crater rim upward. On clear days you can see snow-capped Antisana and Cotopaxi peaks, plus the Pichinchas which you'll run tomorrow. After resting at the summit, you hike and run back down to the starting point. This day helps build the altitude acclimatization you'll need for the final trail run ahead.
Included Activities
- Hike to volcano summit at 3,300 meters
- Trail run and hike back to starting point
Landmarks Antisana Cotopaxi Pichinchas - Day 5
Guagua Pichincha and Ruco Pichincha Volcano Crossing
Your final day completes a crossing of Quito's two large volcanoes, Guagua Pichincha and Ruco Pichincha. A four-wheel drive vehicle takes you to the starting point at 4,500 meters/14,764 feet. You run 14 kilometers with views on both sides of the route, Quito to the east and Ecuadorian lowlands to the west. The run finishes at the cable car station at 4,000 meters/13,123 feet, and you'll ride the cable car back down to Quito. You've completed five challenging days of high-altitude trail running.
Included Activities
- 14 km trail run crossing Guagua Pichincha and Ruco Pichincha volcanoes
- Cable car descent from 4,000 meters back to Quito
Landmarks Guagua Pichincha Ruco Pichincha
