Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Quito
Arrive in Quito this afternoon and head to your hotel in the colonial old town. The evening is yours to walk around the illuminated historic center and check out La Ronda alley at your own pace.
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of illuminated old town
- Explore La Ronda alley in Plaza Santo Domingo
Landmarks La Ronda Alley Plaza Santo Domingo - Day 2
Quito City Tour
Meet your German-speaking guide at 9:00 a.m. for a city tour through Quito's UNESCO-listed old town. You'll see the Jesuit church, monastery, and cathedral, then have free time in the afternoon to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided city tour with German-speaking guide (approximately 4 hours)
- Visit Jesuit church La Compañía
- Visit San Francisco Monastery
- Visit neo-Gothic Basilica Kathedrale
- Entrance fees to La Compañía, Basilica, and San Francisco included
Optional Activities
- Further exploration of old town center
Landmarks La Compañía Church San Francisco Monastery Basilica Catedral - Day 3
Cotopaxi National Park
Start early at 6:30 a.m. heading south on the Road of the Volcanoes to Cotopaxi National Park. Climb to Rivas refuge at 4,864m/15,955 ft for views and hot coca tea, then take a mountain bike downhill to Limpiopungo Lagoon. Late lunch happens on the way back to Quito.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Box lunch)
Included Activities
- Mountain bike downhill tour to Limpiopungo Lagoon (includes bike, helmet, gloves, pads)
- English-speaking guide
- Hike from parking lot (4,654m) to Rivas refuge (4,864m) with hot coca tea
Optional Activities
- Hiking tour to Refugio and Limpiopungo Lagoon (alternative to mountain biking)
Landmarks Cotopaxi National Park Limpiopungo Lagoon Rivas Refuge - Day 4
Cuicocha and Cotacachi
Drive north to Cuicocha at over 3,000m/9,843 ft in Cotacachi Cayapas Nature Reserve. Your English-speaking guide leads a 4-hour hike around the lake where you'll see orchids and bromeliads, with views to Colombia on clear days. Shorter hike or boat options are available. Stop in the leather-working town of Cotacachi on the return.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Box lunch), Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike around Cuicocha Lagoon (approximately 4 hours)
- English-speaking guide
- Visit to Cotacachi town
Optional Activities
- Shorter hike around the lake
- Boat trip on the lake
Landmarks Cuicocha Lagoon Cotacachi Cayapas Nature Reserve Cotacachi - Day 5
Otavalo Market and Indigenous Villages
After breakfast, head to Otavalo's colorful Saturday market. Then visit traditional weaving communities in Carapuelo and hike through eucalyptus forest to a waterfall in Peguche. A folk music group teaches you about Andean instruments, and you'll spend the afternoon with your host family practicing Quechua.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Otavalo market
- Visit traditional looms in Carapuelo
- Hike through eucalyptus forest to waterfall in Peguche
- Visit folk music group and learn about Andean instruments
Landmarks Otavalo Market Carapuelo Peguche - Day 6
Mojanda Lagoons and Fuya Fuya Mountain
Return early to the mountains via the old smugglers' route to Mojanda Lagoons. Hike about 2 hours to Fuya Fuya summit at 4,265m/13,992 ft for fantastic views. After a long rest, descend for about 1.5 hours to the large lagoon, then drive back to Quito.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Box lunch)
Included Activities
- Hike to Fuya Fuya mountain summit (4,265m)
- Hike from summit back to large lagoon
Landmarks Mojanda Lagoons Fuya Fuya Mountain - Day 7
Transfer to Lago Agrio
Head to the bus terminal and settle in for a scenic 7-8 hour journey to Lago Agrio in the Amazon region. When you arrive, catch a taxi from the station to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Public coach travel to Lago Agrio
Landmarks Lago Agrio 
- Day 8
Arrival at Cuyabeno Reserve
Travel by private minibus for about 2 hours to Cuyabeno game reserve entrance. Motor canoes take you deep into tropical rainforest to spot birds, monkeys, and jungle animals. Get settled at the lodge, then head out on a night hike to see glowing insects, poison frogs, and nocturnal wildlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Minibus transfer to Cuyabeno game reserve (approximately 2 hours)
- Motor canoe journey into rainforest
- Night hike through jungle
- English-speaking guide
Landmarks Cuyabeno Game Reserve - Day 9
Siona Indigenous Village and Wildlife
Travel downstream to a Siona indigenous community where you'll learn cassava bread production and visit a shaman. Watch for river dolphins on the way. Back at the lodge after late lunch, go on a canoe excursion at dusk to spot black caimans while weaver birds, toucans, and toads fill the jungle.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in village), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Siona indigenous village community
- Learn cassava bread making
- Visit shaman
- Canoe excursion to observe black caimans
- Lunch in village
Landmarks Siona Indigenous Community - Day 10
Jungle Exploration and Lagoon
Set out early on a 3-4 hour jungle hike with your English-speaking guide through untouched rainforest. See giant trees, aerial roots, medicinal plants, and spot animals if you're lucky. Afternoon brings wildlife watching from a canoe on the large lagoon, followed by a river swim and sunset before heading back to the lodge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided jungle hike (3-4 hours) with English-speaking guide
- Canoe observation on large lagoon
- River swim
Landmarks Cuyabeno Rainforest - Day 11
Return to Quito
Start before sunrise for a birdwatching tour along the river with your guide. After breakfast at the lodge, say goodbye to Cuyabeno and take one final canoe ride back to the park exit. From there, transfer to Lago Agrio and catch a bus back to Quito, then taxi to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Early morning birdwatching tour on river with guide
- Final canoe ride to park exit
- Public bus travel from Lago Agrio to Quito
- Day 12
Transfer to Puerto López
Transfer to Quito airport and fly to Manta on the Pacific coast in about 1 hour. Your driver meets you and takes you roughly 1.5 hours to the fishing village of Puerto López. Settle into your beachfront cabana and spend the rest of the day as you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight from Quito to Manta
Landmarks Puerto López Manta - Day 13
Isla de la Plata
After breakfast, head to the dock for a boat trip to Isla de la Plata about 1.5 hours away. Your English-speaking guide discusses the island's flora and fauna as you tour this uninhabited spot known as the mini-Galapagos. See frigatebirds, pelicans, boobies, and from June to September, humpback whales. Snorkel for views of underwater life before returning late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Box lunch)
Included Activities
- Day trip by boat to Isla de la Plata
- English-speaking guide
- Snorkeling with equipment included
- Box lunch
Landmarks Isla de la Plata - Day 14
Machalilla National Park
Take a day trip to nearby Machalilla National Park in tropical dry forest. Swim at the beautiful Los Frailes beach, then walk to a viewing area overlooking neighboring bays. Drive inland to Agua Blanca village to visit the archaeological museum and walk to a sulfuric healing spring for bathing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Day tour of Machalilla National Park
- Visit Los Frailes beach
- Visit archaeological museum at Agua Blanca
- Walk to sulfuric healing spring
- English-speaking guide
- Lunch included
Landmarks Machalilla National Park Playa Los Frailes Agua Blanca Community - Day 15
Puerto López Beach Day
You have the day free to relax on the beach. Check out the fish market at the southern end where early morning fishermen land their catch surrounded by frigate birds and pelicans, or try inland activities and water-based outings instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit fish market at southern end of beach
- Horseback riding in El Pital settlement
- View howler monkeys in transition zone between dry and rainforest
- Snorkeling tour to Salango Island
Landmarks Puerto López Beach El Pital Salango Island - Day 16
Departure via Guayaquil
Spend the morning on the beach. Around midday, leave your hosteria and drive about 4 hours along the Ruta del Sol coastal route to Guayaquil airport for your flight back to Europe.
Optional Activities
- Morning beach time
Landmarks Guayaquil
