Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
You'll arrive at the airport and get transferred to your hotel. After that, the evening is yours to settle in and recover from travel.
- Day 2
Quito to Otavalo
A German-speaking guide takes you through Quito's old town, stopping at La Compañía church, San Francisco Monastery, and the Basilica Catedral. Early afternoon you'll pick up a rental car and drive north to Imbabura Province, ending at your hacienda in Otavalo.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- German-speaking guided tour of Quito's colonial old town
- Visit La Compañía (Jesuit church) - entrance fee included
- Visit San Francisco Monastery - entrance fee included
- Visit Basilica Catedral - entrance fee included
Landmarks La Compañía San Francisco Monastery Basilica Catedral - Day 3
Otavalo
You have flexibility to explore Imbabura Province on your own. Check out Cuicocha lagoon for hiking or boating, wander through Cotacachi's leather shops and museum, or head to the Mojanda lagoons depending on what interests you most.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hike and boat at Cuicocha lagoon
- Visit Cotacachi leather village and museum
- Trip to Mojanda lagoons
Landmarks Cuicocha Cotacachi Mojanda Lagoons - Day 4
Otavalo
Head north toward Ibarra and El Angel nature reserve to see unique páramo plants. You'll hike through Polilepis forest, then soak in the Chota Valley hot springs on your return to Otavalo.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit El Angel nature reserve
- Hike through Polilepis forest
- Relax in hot springs of Chota Valley
Landmarks El Angel Nature Reserve Chota Valley - Day 5
Otavalo to Cotopaxi
Drive south on the Road of Volcanoes past Quito into Cotopaxi National Park. From the parking area, you'll walk about 45 minutes to reach the volcano's refuge. Weather permitting, hike toward the snow line for views before settling into your lodge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Cotopaxi National Park
- Walk to Cotopaxi volcano refuge (approximately 45 minutes)
Optional Activities
- Hike to snow line of Cotopaxi volcano (weather dependent)
Landmarks Cotopaxi Cotopaxi National Park 
- Day 6
Cotopaxi to Chimborazo National Park
Early morning drive to Zumbahua village, then on to Quilotoa's mountain lake. Hike down to the shore or take a mule if you prefer. Later you'll continue south to Chimborazo and arrive at your lodge before sunset for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Warm dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit Quilotoa lake
- Hike to Quilotoa lake shore
Optional Activities
- Mule climb at Quilotoa
Landmarks Quilotoa Chimborazo Chimborazo National Park 
- Day 7
Chimborazo National Park to Banos
Drive to the first refuge within the park and climb toward the second refuge and Condor Lagoon at 5100m. Look for vicuñas while learning about Chimborazo at 6268m (highest when measured from Earth's center). Afternoon brings a drive to Banos spa town for your first visit to the famous hot springs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive to first refuge in Chimborazo National Park
- Visit Condor Lagoon (5100m)
Optional Activities
- Climb to second refuge
- Short tour of Banos hot springs
Landmarks Chimborazo Condor Lagoon Banos 
- Day 8
Banos to Puyo
Visit the 'Swing at the End of the World' with views of active Tungurahua Volcano (5023m). Then drive into the Amazon region checking out waterfalls in Pastaza Valley including Ulba Fall, Bridal Veil, and Devil's Pool with short hikes and a cable car ride. You'll reach Puyo late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Swing at the End of the World
- Visit Pastaza Valley waterfalls
- Visit Ulba Fall (Bridal Veil)
- Visit Devil's Pool in Río Verde
- Cable car ride in Río Verde
Landmarks Swing at the End of the World Tungurahua Volcano Pastaza Valley Río Verde - Day 9
Puyo to Cotundo
Drive to Río Napo, Ecuador's largest river, and visit Misahuallí village where capuchin monkeys hang around the beach. Swim and take a boat ride, or hike to Las Latas waterfall if weather cooperates. Continue through Tena and Archidona to your jungle lodge for dinner surrounded by rainforest sounds.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Misahuallí village
- Boat ride on Río Napo
Optional Activities
- Swimming at Misahuallí
- Hike to Las Latas waterfall (weather dependent)
Landmarks Río Napo Misahuallí Las Latas Waterfall - Day 10
Cotundo
Pick from several options: explore Jumandi Cave and petroglyphs in Cotundo on your own, take a short guided waterfall hike, or do a tougher forest trek to El Cañón if conditions allow. Later relax by the pool with tropical rainforest all around.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit Jumandi Cave
- View petroglyphs in Cotundo
- Guided hike to nearby waterfall
- Forest excursion to El Cañón (challenging, weather dependent)
Landmarks Jumandi Cave El Cañón - Day 11
Cotundo to Papallacta
Travel via Baeza on a scenic route back into the Andes to Papallacta. After settling in, drive about 5 km on a dirt road into Cayambe Coca National Park for hiking to Loreto Cocha Lagoon or Laguna de Baños with waterfall options. End the day soaking in Papallacta's hot springs at your accommodation with spa and sauna.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Access to Papallacta hot springs
- Spa area with sauna
Optional Activities
- Short hike to Loreto Cocha Lagoon
- Short hike to Laguna de Baños and waterfall
- Massage at spa
Landmarks Cayambe Coca National Park Loreto Cocha Lagoon Laguna de Baños Papallacta Hot Springs - Day 12
Papallacta to Quito
Morning allows time for swimming, relaxing, or about an hour walk on La Isla trail through highland forest by the river. Around midday, drive to Quito's Tababela airport to return your rental car and catch your flight back to Europe.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Swimming and relaxation at hot springs
- Walk on La Isla trail (approximately 1 hour) through endemic highland forest
