Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
You'll touch down in Quito, one of the Americas' best-preserved colonial cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Depending on when you land, there's time to wander around the old town before meeting your guide at 6pm in the hotel lobby for a briefing on the week ahead and any questions about the activities coming up.
Optional Activities
- Day trip to explore Quito's old town and surrounding area (request in advance)
Landmarks Quito Old Town Pichincha Volcano 
- Day 2
Quito to Cotopaxi National Park
Head south for about 2 hours on the Pan-American Highway through the Avenue of Volcanoes, where you'll see multiple volcanic peaks along the way. Once at Cotopaxi National Park, you'll drive up the high alpine road to explore the Paramo ecosystem. A bike tour starts at 3,900 meters altitude (12,800 feet), taking you through areas where wild horses roam and then to the Pucara Inca ruins where lunch is waiting. After riding about an hour more, you'll reach Hacienda Santa Ana for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delicious lunch prepared by guides at Pucara Inca ruins)
Included Activities
- Guided drive through Avenue of Volcanoes
- Bike tour in Cotopaxi National Park at high altitude
- Visit to Pucara Inca ruins
Landmarks Avenue of Volcanoes Cotopaxi Volcano Cayambe Volcano Antisana Volcano Pucara Inca Ruins 
- Day 3
Papallacta Spa Resort
The drive takes you west into the Ecuadorian Andes where you'll stop at Guango Hummingbird Reserve to watch around 20 different hummingbird species. From there, head to Papallacta Spa Resort and settle into a cabin overlooking volcanic hot pools. You'll grab lunch on your own from various restaurant options at the resort. In the afternoon, hike through the nearby cloud forest looking for orchids, bromeliads, and tropical birds. The rest of your time is yours to relax in the volcanic hot springs and get spa treatments.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Guango Hummingbird Reserve
- Hike in cloud forest near Papallacta
Optional Activities
- Spa treatments and additional hot springs visits
- Lunch at Papallacta resort restaurants
Landmarks Guango Hummingbird Reserve Papallacta Volcanic Hot Springs - Day 4
Papallacta to Equator Region
You'll travel on a remote, quiet road through the high region, dropping from 3,962 meters down to 2,743 meters through Andean fields with grasslands and colorful wildflowers everywhere. Watch for local wildlife like deer, rabbits, and if you're lucky, spectacled bears. You'll see traditional farming methods still used in these areas. Arriving at a hacienda in the early afternoon gives you time to settle in. Later, there's an optional 20-minute bike ride to the Equator Monument if you want to learn about the equator line.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Voluntary bike ride to the Equator Monument (approximately 20 minutes)
Landmarks Equator Monument - Day 5
Otavalo
After about an hour's drive, you'll start biking around Imbabura volcano with views across to Lake San Pablo and indigenous villages nearby. Stop at a weaving workshop to see how traditional tapestries are made. Lunch is free, so you'll have time to explore the Otavalo indigenous market where local vendors sell ponchos, tapestries, blankets, and jewelry. Later in the afternoon, head to another hacienda where you'll get a welcome drink and dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Delicious dinner at hacienda with welcome drink)
Included Activities
- Bike tour around Imbabura volcano
- Visit to weaving workshop
Optional Activities
- Explore indigenous market of Otavalo
Landmarks Imbabura Volcano Lake San Pablo Otavalo Market 
- Day 6
Quito
Drive 2 hours south on the Panamericana to Tabacundo, stopping at rose farms (this area produces some of Ecuador's largest quantities). Continue through the dry Guayllabamba valley with a quick taste of local fruits like chirimoya. The bike ride starts in Yunguilla village, heading down a natural road into Pululahua Crater through beautiful cloud forest. You'll finish in the middle of the crater where your guide sets up lunch. The afternoon offers a choice: hike around the volcanic area or drive back to Quito.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch prepared by driver and guide in the middle of Pululahua Crater caldera)
Included Activities
- Visit to rose stores in Tabacundo
- Bike ride into Pululahua Crater
- Tasting of local fruits in Guayllabamba
Optional Activities
- Hike in the volcanic area of Pululahua Crater
Landmarks Pululahua Crater Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve - Day 7
Quito to Home
Your trip wraps up today as you head home or continue elsewhere. You're leaving with memories and photos that'll hopefully make you want to come back and see more of what Ecuador has to offer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
