Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
You'll land at Mariscal Sucre Airport in Quito and head to your hotel for check-in at 14:00. This gives you time to settle in and rest after your flight without rushing into activities.
Landmarks/POIs Mariscal Sucre International Airport - Day 2
Quito
After breakfast at the hotel, you'll take a 3-hour guided tour through Quito's Old Town, walking through colonial churches including the Basilica and Compañía de Jesús, then stopping at Plaza Grande to learn about Ecuador's independence. Panecillo Hill comes next for views across the city. Later in the afternoon, you'll head to Ciudad Mitad del Mundo to stand at the Equator and check out the Intinán Museum with its exhibits on Earth's geography.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Quito city tour of the Old Town (3 hours)
- Basilica Church visit
- Plaza Grande (Plaza de la Independencia) visit
- Compañía de Jesús Church visit
- San Francisco Church visit
- Panecillo Hill viewpoint visit
- Ciudad Mitad del Mundo visit
- Intiñan Museum visit
Landmarks/POIs Basilica Church Plaza Grande Compañía de Jesús Church San Francisco Church Panecillo Hill Ciudad Mitad del Mundo Intiñan Museum - Day 3
Quito to Baños
Starting after breakfast, you'll drive south along the Pan-American Highway, also called the Avenue of the Volcanoes. At Toachi Canyon you'll see the dramatic canyon and river with its waterfalls, then continue to Quilotoa Lagoon, an emerald crater lake ringed by steep cliffs that formed about 800 years ago. From there you'll head to Bañios and check into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Toachi Canyon viewpoint visit
- Quilotoa Lagoon visit
Landmarks/POIs Toachi Canyon Quilotoa Lagoon - Day 4
Baños
You'll spend the day exploring Bañios, the gateway to the Amazon region, known for its waterfalls. The 80-meter Pailón del Diablo waterfall is the main stop, plus you'll see Agoyan Waterfall and Manto de la Novia where you can cross by tarabita. Later you'll find the famous swing at Casa del Tree (2,600 meters up) with views of Tungurahua volcano, and see how local marshmallow candy is made. Then it's a drive to Riobamba for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Río Verde and Pailón del Diablo waterfall visit
- Agoyan Waterfall visit
- Manto de la Novia waterfall visit with tarabita crossing
- Swing of the End of the World at Casa del Tree visit
- Traditional marshmallow (candy) making demonstration
Landmarks/POIs Río Verde Pailón del Diablo Agoyan Waterfall Manto de la Novia Casa del Tree - Day 5
Riobamba to Cuenca
After breakfast you'll visit Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest mountain at 6,310 meters, and the reserve protecting vicuñas, llamas, and alpacas. Next you'll head to Ingapirca, the country's largest archaeological site near Cuenca, where you'll see the Temple of the Sun and other structures. You'll arrive in Cuenca with free time to rest and explore the colonial city at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Lunch (Box Lunch)
Included Activities
- Chimborazo Reserve visit
- Ingapirca archaeological site visit
- Temple of the Sun visit
- Pilaloma building visit
Landmarks/POIs Chimborazo Ingapirca Temple of the Sun - Day 6
Cuenca
Cuenca is a UNESCO site and the third largest city, sitting at 2,560 meters. You'll walk the Old Town's cobblestone streets with their colonial architecture, hanging balconies, and wooden doors. You can visit the craft and flower markets, the main plaza with its Old Cathedral and the blue-domed Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Silversmiths work throughout town, and you'll have time to see handicrafts and a Panama Hat factory.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Cuenca Old Town walking tour
- Plaza Grande visit
- Old Cathedral (Museum for Religious Art) visit
- Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception visit
- Craft fair and flower market visit
- Silversmith workshops visit
- Panama Hat factory visit
Landmarks/POIs Cuenca Old Town Old Cathedral Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception - Day 7
Cuenca to Guayaquil
After breakfast you'll travel west to Cajas National Park in the Andes, where the landscape features large rock outcrops and lakes between 2,800 and over 4,400 meters. You'll spend time exploring this terrain, then start your 3.5-hour drive to Guayaquil. Along the way you'll stop at Cacao y Mango Plantation for lunch before reaching your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Lunch (Lunch at Cacao y Mango Plantation)
Included Activities
- Cajas National Park visit
- Cacao Plantation visit
Landmarks/POIs Cajas National Park Cacao y Mango Plantation - Day 8
Guayaquil
Have breakfast at your hotel, then transfer to the airport for your international flight home, ending your Ecuador trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast)
Landmarks/POIs Guayaquil International Airport
