Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
You'll land at Quito's international airport where your guide meets you after customs. From there it's a transfer to your hotel in the business district. Your guide will go over what's coming next and answer any questions you have before you get settled in for the night.
- Start point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO), Vía Tababela - Yaruquí Lote 18, Quito, Pichincha 1709, Ecuador (International Arrivals )
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis)
- Day 2
Pululahua - Yunguilla
Early drive to Pululahua Ecological Reserve takes you to the Ventanas viewpoint, which overlooks an active volcano caldera. After a short walk to help with altitude adjustment, you'll head to Calacali and visit the original Equator monument built during the 1746 French Expedition. Then it's on to Yunguilla community where lunch happens at a local restaurant and you can tour village projects. You'll stay overnight at a family homestay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant in Yunguilla), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Home-stay (Yunguilla Village)
Included Activities
- Visit Pululahua Ecological Reserve and Ventanas viewpoint
- Short walk at volcano viewpoint
- Visit original Equator monument at Calacali
- Lunch at local restaurant in Yunguilla
- Tour of Yunguilla village projects
- Overnight homestay experience
Landmarks Pululahua Ecological Reserve Ventanas Viewpoint Equator Monument at Calacali 
- Day 3
Santa Lucia Reserve
After breakfast, head to El Chochal viewpoint to see Ecuador's highest volcanoes (Pichincha, Cayambe, Cotacachi, Antisana, and Pululahua) and cloud forest views. You'll hike two trails through cliffs and forest, including Los Culuncos trail which was historically used for trade between mountain and coastal communities. Lunch is along the way before you arrive at Santa Lucia Eco Lodge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch enjoyed along the hiking trail), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Lodge (San Lucía)
Included Activities
- Visit El Chochal viewpoint
- Hike Los Culuncos trail through cloud forest
- Multi-trail hiking experience through forest paths and cliffs
Landmarks El Chochal Viewpoint Pichincha Volcano Cayambe Volcano Cotacachi Volcano Antisana Volcano Pululahua Volcano Los Culuncos Trail Santa Lucia Reserve 
- Day 4
Cock of the Rock Tour - Maquipucuna Reserve
Wake up at 5:00 am for a 1-hour hike to watch Andean Cock of the Rock birds during their mating dance at the lek, which is one of the trip's highlights. Breakfast happens at the bird observation site, then you'll return to Santa Lucia for lunch. That afternoon involves hiking down through cloud forest to Maquipucuna Eco Lodge where you'll see colorful birds and orchids. Dinner and a night walk near the lodge round out the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the Cock of the Rock observation lek), Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Maquipucuna)
Included Activities
- Early morning Cock of the Rock viewing at the lek
- Hike to Cock of the Rock observation site
- Cloud forest hiking to Maquipucuna Reserve
- Night walk near Maquipucuna Lodge
- Bird and wildlife observation
Landmarks Cock of the Rock Lek Maquipucuna Reserve - Day 5
Maquipucuna to Quito
Start early with a birding tour around the lodge and then have breakfast. A two-hour forest hike follows where you'll see more wildlife at the reserve before returning to the lodge for lunch. After lunch you'll drive back to Quito where the tour ends, with drop-off at your hotel. Night flights are possible if you prefer, or you can add another night in Quito before heading out.
- End point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO), Vía Tababela - Yaruquí Lote 18, Quito, Pichincha 1709, Ecuador (International departures )
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Early morning birding tour around Maquipucuna Lodge
- Two-hour forest hike for wildlife viewing
Optional Activities
- Additional overnight accommodation in Quito
Landmarks Maquipucuna Reserve
