Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
You'll arrive in Quito, South America's cultural capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. Depending on when you get in, there's time to walk through the beautifully preserved old town with one of the tour guides if you'd like. Later in the evening, a guide meets you at your hotel to answer any questions and go over details about the days ahead.
Included Activities
- Explore the old town of Quito with tour guide (if time permits on arrival)
Landmarks Quito Old Town - Day 2
Cotopaxi National Park
After breakfast, you'll transfer south toward Cotopaxi National Park. A short hike around Lake Limpiopungo at 3,800m/12,467ft helps you acclimate, and you might spot wild horses, bulls, and various bird species with Cotopaxi volcano visible in the distance. From there, it's a transfer to Isinlivi for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Short hike around Lake Limpiopungo at 3,800m altitude in Cotopaxi National Park
Landmarks Cotopaxi National Park Lake Limpiopungo Cotopaxi Volcano - Day 3
Toachi Canyon
You'll hike 13.5 km through Toachi Canyon, seeing traditional Indian villages along the way. The trail drops through the canyon then climbs to a better path leading to Chugchilan, a small town on the Quilotoa Loop around Quilotoa crater lake. Check in at your eco-lodge and spend the afternoon checking out the village and meeting people.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- 13.5 km hike through Toachi Canyon with views of Indian villages
Landmarks Toachi Canyon Quilotoa Crater Lake Quilotoa Loop - Day 4
Quilotoa Crater Rim
Starting early, you'll hike 11 km on narrow trails locals use for trading goods. The route takes you through impressive gorges and back up to the crater rim with great views of Quilotoa crater lake. After a picnic with volcano views, you'll transfer 2.5 hours to a hacienda at the foot of Chimborazo volcano.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic at the crater rim), Dinner
Included Activities
- 11 km hike along crater rim trails with views of Quilotoa crater lake
- Picnic at the crater rim
Landmarks Quilotoa Crater Lake Chimborazo Volcano 
- Day 5
Chimborazo National Park Hike to Banos
Early morning, you'll drive through agricultural villages toward Chimborazo at 6,310m/20,702ft, Ecuador's highest peak. A short hike in Chimborazo National Park takes you to 5,000m/16,404ft where glaciers start. Look for hummingbirds, Andean condors, caracaras, and vicunas. After lunch, you'll drive to the tropical town of Banos to check out hot springs and nightlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic)
Included Activities
- Short hike to 5,000m altitude at Chimborazo National Park to glacier viewpoint
- Wildlife viewing (hummingbirds, Andean condors, caracaras, vicuñas)
Optional Activities
- Explore hot springs in Banos
- Experience nightlife in Banos
Landmarks Chimborazo National Park Chimborazo Volcano 
- Day 6
Llanganates National Park
You'll spend 5 hours hiking in Llanganates National Park, known for its landscapes and the legendary hidden gold of Inca general Ruminahui. The trek starts at 3,200m/10,499ft and reaches 3,600m/11,811ft. You'll walk through high-altitude vegetation with views of Tungurahua and Sangay volcanoes if the weather cooperates. By evening, you're back in Banos.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- 5-hour hike in Llanganates National Park from 3,200m to 3,600m altitude
Landmarks Llanganates National Park Tungurahua Volcano Sangay Volcano - Day 7
Llanganates to Pastaza River Canyon Bike Tour
You'll bike from Llanganates National Park to Pastaza River Canyon through cloud forest landscape. The route passes typical Andean farms and waterfalls-filled canyons as you descend toward the jungle. Spectacular views of Banos below active Tungurahua volcano make the ride memorable. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring the town and its nightlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bike tour from Llanganates National Park to Pastaza River Canyon through cloud forest (approximately 3 hours)
Optional Activities
- Explore Banos town in the afternoon
- Experience nightlife in Banos
Landmarks Pastaza River Canyon Tungurahua Volcano - Day 8
Waterfalls and Llanganates Jungle Trek
Travel the Road of Waterfalls with stops at Bride's Veil waterfall and a cable car crossing the Pastaza River, then Pailon del Diablo, Ecuador's second-highest waterfall. After that, head into Llanganates National Park for a 3-hour jungle hike with multiple waterfalls. A local guide shares knowledge about exotic plants and animals. You'll stay with a local family in private accommodation in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Bride's Veil waterfall with cable car crossing over Pastaza River
- Hike to Pailon del Diablo waterfall
- 3-hour jungle hike through Llanganates National Park with waterfalls
Landmarks Bride's Veil Waterfall Pailon del Diablo Waterfall Llanganates National Park - Day 9
Jatunyacu River Rafting to Papallacta
About 1 hour from the Llanganates entrance, you'll reach the Jatunyacu River for a rafting adventure on crystal-clear water with fast currents. After a safety briefing, you'll enjoy games, explore canyons, and have a picnic lunch. Later, you'll drive back up into the Andes with a stop at Guango Reserve for hummingbird watching, then continue to Papallacta.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic during rafting)
Included Activities
- Jatunyacu River rafting adventure with safety briefing, games, and canyon exploration
- Picnic lunch during rafting
- Hummingbird watching at Guango Reserve
Landmarks Jatunyacu River Guango Reserve - Day 10
Otavalo Market and Imbabura
You'll start with a 2-hour bird watching session in the cloud forest. Then you'll cross the Andes toward Otavalo to visit its charming highland market. Spend time shopping and exploring, then head to the Imbabura volcano area to connect with locals. Learn about traditional lifestyles and participate in daily activities, and help prepare dinner together. Transfer to a cozy hacienda near Otavalo for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner prepared together with locals)
Included Activities
- 2-hour bird watching tour in cloud forest
- Visit and explore Otavalo highland market
- Community visit to Imbabura volcano area
- Learn about traditional lifestyle and participate in daily activities
- Prepare dinner with locals
Optional Activities
- Shopping at Otavalo market
Landmarks Otavalo Market Imbabura Volcano - Day 11
Cuicocha Crater Lake Trek
Challenge yourself with a 5-hour hike around Cuicocha Crater Lake covering 14.5 km and reaching over 3,600m/11,811ft. You'll enjoy views of the active volcano and valleys of the Cotacachi-Cayapas protected area. At the end, take a boat to the lake's center to watch volcanic activity through rising air bubbles. An optional swim in volcanic waters is available. Return to the hacienda by afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- 5-hour hike around Cuicocha Crater Lake (14.5 km) at 3,600m+ altitude
- Boat trip to middle of crater lake
- Observation of volcanic activity
Optional Activities
- Swimming in volcanic waters of crater lake
Landmarks Cuicocha Crater Lake Cotacachi-Cayapas Protected Area - Day 12
Mindo Cloud Forest
After breakfast, a professional guide takes you to Mindo Cloud Forest protected area to share knowledge of this unique ecosystem. You'll visit a butterfly farm and chocolate factory before heading to your eco-lodge accommodation in this biodiverse forest region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Mindo Cloud Forest protected area with professional guide
- Visit butterfly farm
- Visit chocolate factory
Landmarks Mindo Cloud Forest - Day 13
Mindo Birds and Seven Waterfalls
Morning brings a bird watching session with chances to see exotic species like quetzals, parrots, and toucans. After lunch, you'll take a cable car across the Nambillo River and hike to seven waterfalls with a refreshing swim and meal opportunity. Later, you'll drive back to Quito with a short stop at the Intinian Solar Museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Morning bird watching session in Mindo Cloud Forest
- Cable car crossing over Nambillo River
- Hike to seven waterfalls with swimming opportunity
Landmarks Mindo Cloud Forest Nambillo River Intinian Solar Museum - Day 14
Cuyabeno Protected Area Arrival
After a short flight, you'll arrive in Lago Agrio, then transfer to Cuyabeno Protected Area entrance. You'll register and pay the park entry fee (around $5) and get background information and tips from your guide about the area's flora and fauna. Travel by canoe to Jamu Lodge, arriving around 4:30 p.m. After settling in, take a short rest, then swim in a nearby lagoon before sunset. Return to camp for dinner and hammock relaxation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Flight from Quito to Lago Agrio
- Cuyabeno Protected Area canoe tour with wildlife viewing (monkeys and other animals dependent on time and weather)
- Swimming in lagoon at sunset
Landmarks Cuyabeno Protected Area Lago Agrio - Day 15
Rainforest Trek and Caiman Night Search
You'll take a guided 3-hour hike through tropical rainforest with a local guide who knows the jungle well. Discover giant trees and medicinal plants. After lunch at the lodge, swim in the lagoon and stay for sunset. If you're lucky, spot dolphins or sunbathing anacondas. At dusk, set off by canoe to search for caimans under starlight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- 3-hour guided hike through tropical rainforest with medicinal plant education
- Swimming in lagoon at sunset
- Dusk canoe trip for caiman spotting
Landmarks Cuyabeno Protected Area Rainforest - Day 16
Siona Indigenous Community
Travel by canoe to the Siona area near Puerto Bolivar to learn about their culture, customs, and lifestyle. Participate in traditional casabe preparation, a yucca-based meal that becomes lunch. See flora and fauna along Rio Cuyabeno including snakes, monkeys, Amazon dolphins, and rare birds. Visit the tribe's shaman. At dusk, trek into the forest to search for insects, spiders, scorpions, and nocturnal animals.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional casabe meal prepared with Siona community), Dinner
Included Activities
- Canoe journey to Siona indigenous community near Puerto Bolivar
- Learn about Siona culture, customs, and traditional lifestyle
- Participate in traditional casabe (yucca meal) preparation
- Shaman visit
- Dusk forest trek for insects, spiders, scorpions, and nocturnal wildlife
- Experience jungle sounds at night
Landmarks Siona Indigenous Community Puerto Bolivar Río Cuyabeno - Day 17
Return Journey
An optional early morning bird watching session happens before breakfast if you'd like. After a final breakfast at the lodge, you'll travel by canoe back to Lago Agrio, then fly back to Quito. Your Amazon adventure comes to an end.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Return canoe journey to Lago Agrio
- Flight from Lago Agrio to Quito
Optional Activities
- Early morning bird watching session (before breakfast)
- Day 18
Quito Departure
You'll transfer to the airport for your departure. Your Ecuador journey concludes here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
