Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
You'll arrive in Quito this afternoon and get transferred to your hotel in the colonial old town. The evening is yours to explore at your own pace. Head over to San Blas Plaza and its church, check out the Simón Bolívar Statue at Parque Alameda, and wander through the traditional alley La Ronda. It's a nice way to get oriented before things pick up tomorrow.
Optional Activities
- Visit San Blas Plaza and Church
- Visit Simón Bolívar Statue at Parque Alameda
- Walk through traditional alley La Ronda
Landmarks San Blas Plaza and Church Parque Alameda La Ronda 
- Day 2
Quito
A German-speaking guide takes you through Quito's UNESCO World Heritage old town. You'll climb the observation tower at the neo-Gothic Basilica Cathedral for views across the city, then visit La Compañía's Jesuit church, the Carmelite monastery El Carmen Alto, and the Museum San Francisco. Walking through the San Francisco Church and main squares gives you a real sense of the city's history. By afternoon you've got free time to rest and let your body adjust to the altitude.
Included Activities
- Climb observation tower of Basilica Cathedral
- Visit Jesuit church La Compañía
- Visit Carmelite monastery El Carmen Alto
- Visit Museum San Francisco
- Visit San Francisco Church
- Explore main squares of old town
Landmarks Basilica Cathedral Jesuit Church La Compañía Carmelite Monastery El Carmen Alto Museum San Francisco San Francisco Church - Day 3
Quito to Otavalo
You drive to Pululahua Geobotanical Nature Reserve and hike down into the volcanic crater for an unusual perspective. After that, you'll head to Pondaña Hill viewpoint. Lunch happens at Armadillos, which sits in a hummingbird paradise, so there's plenty to watch while you eat. Later you stop at Sun Museum Intinán to see the equator before heading north to Otavalo, arriving in the late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Hike in Pululahua volcanic crater
- Visit Pondaña Hill viewpoint
- Visit Armadillos hummingbird paradise
- Visit Sun Museum Intiñan
Landmarks Pululahua Geobotanical Nature Reserve Pondaña Hill Armadillos Sun Museum Intiñan - Day 4
Otavalo to Quito
The day starts with a drive to Cotacachi Cayapas Nature Reserve where you'll hike around Cuicocha mountain lake on the crater rim. You'll see orchids and other plants along the trail, climbing to a viewing point early on. The second half is mostly downhill, which makes for easier hiking. Afterward, you visit the small town of Cotacachi in the afternoon. Then it's the drive back to Quito on the Pan-American Highway, getting in by early evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Circular hike around Cuicocha lake
- Visit Cotacachi town
Landmarks Cotacachi Cayapas Nature Reserve Cuicocha Lake Cotacachi - Day 5
Quito to Quilotoa
You drive to Cotopaxi National Park and switch to pickup trucks heading to the parking lot, then hike uphill to the refuge. After warming up with hot Coca tea, there's a hike to the snow line of Cotopaxi (5897 m/19,347 feet) if weather cooperates, offering impressive views. You'll descend and hike around Limpiopungo Lagoon before a late lunch. From there, it's a drive into the Western Cordillera through Latacunga and Zumbahua to reach the emerald green Quilotoa Lagoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Cotopaxi refuge
- Hike to snow line of Cotopaxi
- Circular hike around Limpiopungo Lagoon
Landmarks Cotopaxi National Park Cotopaxi Limpiopungo Lagoon Quilotoa Lagoon - Day 6
Quilotoa
Today centers on hiking around Quilotoa Lagoon, one of the most striking volcanic lakes in the Andes. You start heading downhill to Shalala viewing point, then steadily climb up to Cerro Juyende. Along the way you'll spot lupinias, orchids, and chuquirawas. Back in the village by early afternoon, you can head down to the lakeshore if you want to swim or try kayaking. Mules are available if you need help on the climb back up.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike around Quilotoa Lagoon
Optional Activities
- Swim in Quilotoa Lagoon
- Kayak in Quilotoa Lagoon
- Mule ride for return climb
Landmarks Quilotoa Lagoon Shalala Viewing Point Cerro Juyende 
- Day 7
Quilotoa to Candelaria
An early start gets you to Chimborazo (6268 m/20,564 feet), Ecuador's highest mountain. You'll see vicuñas roaming the national park here. There's a slow, steady hike uphill from the first refuge to over 5000 m (16,404 feet), reaching Laguna del Condor. By afternoon you leave Chimborazo and drive to Riobamba to buy provisions for the trekking portion ahead. Later you continue to the small village of La Candelaria and your hacienda in Collanes Valley where dinner's waiting.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Laguna del Condor
Landmarks Chimborazo National Park Chimborazo Laguna del Condor - Day 8
Candelaria to Sangay National Park
Your English-speaking local guide leads you into Sangay National Park. You hike up through Collanes valley across mostly damp terrain while mules carry the main luggage and food. After several breaks you reach the refuge in early afternoon and can warm up by the fireplace. The nine snow-covered peaks of Altar stand out beautifully in the evening sun. The fully equipped kitchen lets you prepare a hearty meal.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike through Collanes valley to Sangay National Park refuge
Landmarks Sangay National Park Collanes Valley Altar - Day 9
Sangay National Park
An experienced guide takes you through a Polylepis forest and up into the volcanic crater to reach Laguna Amarilla. You'll navigate a short climbing section over rocks, roughly 3 to 4 meters, to get to the crater lake. The water's now more green than yellow since sulfur content has dropped. If you're feeling brave, there's a chance to swim in the ice-cold water. The snow-capped peaks of Altar create incredible scenery. You start descending in early afternoon and hike back to the refuge.
Included Activities
- Hike to Laguna Amarilla in volcanic crater
Optional Activities
- Swim in Laguna Amarilla
Landmarks Laguna Amarilla Polylepis Forest Altar - Day 10
Sangay National Park to Banos
After loading up the mules, you hike down Collanes Valley and leave Sangay National Park behind. The hacienda appears by midday where you'll say goodbye to your trekking guide and muleteers. After a hot shower and lunch, you drive to Banos de Agua Santa (1750 m/5,741 feet), a lovely spa town. You can settle into the hotel and explore a bit in the late afternoon. Then relax in the hot thermal springs of La Virgen, which flows right under a waterfall.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Hike down Collanes Valley
- Relax in hot thermal springs of La Virgen
Landmarks Collanes Valley Banos de Agua Santa La Virgen Thermal Springs - Day 11
Banos
A local English-speaking guide takes you on a relaxed bike ride that's almost entirely downhill through the Pastaza Valley to reach multiple waterfalls. You'll swim at Ulba waterfall and take short hikes over adventurous suspension bridges at Bridal Veil and Devil's Pool waterfalls. A cable car ride over the gorge adds another thrill. After lunch in Rio Verde, you get picked up and driven back to Banos with the bikes. Your afternoon is free to do whatever you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bike ride to Pastaza Valley waterfalls
- Swim at Ulba waterfall
- Hike to Bridal Veil waterfall with suspension bridge
- Hike to Devil's Pool waterfall with suspension bridge
- Cable car ride over gorge
Landmarks Pastaza Valley Ulba Waterfall Bridal Veil Waterfall Devil's Pool Waterfall Rio Verde - Day 12
Banos
You get picked up and driven to Ulba valley to visit the 'Swing at the End of the World'. Weather permitting, you'll have fantastic views of the active Tunguragua volcano (5023 m/16,476 feet). Hiking downhill with your local guide brings you to Bellavista and Café del Cielo. You'll visit the Virgin Mary of Banos and climb over 600 steps to the cemetery and back. The afternoon is yours, and Banos offers plenty of options like hiking, horseback riding, rafting, canyoning, or just relaxing and swimming.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Swing at the End of the World
- Hike to Bellavista
- Visit Café del Cielo
- Visit Virgin Mary of Banos
- Hike to cemetery
Optional Activities
- Horseback riding
- Rafting
- Canyoning
Landmarks Ulba Valley Swing at the End of the World Tunguragua Bellavista Café del Cielo Virgin Mary of Banos - Day 13
Banos to Quito
After breakfast you have options. Either drive to Las Antenas viewing point and hike downhill back to Banos through breathtaking landscape, or use the morning for your own activities. Bus tickets get left at your hotel. In the afternoon, head to the bus station near your hotel and take a public bus back to Quito, then grab a taxi to reach your hotel. The evening's free to book a reservation at one of Quito's view restaurants if you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike from Las Antenas viewing point to Banos
Optional Activities
- Morning activities in Banos
- Dinner at Quito view restaurant
Landmarks Las Antenas Viewing Point - Day 14
Quito Departure
After breakfast, you transfer to the airport for your return flight to Europe or you can start one of the available extension programs. Week-long options include trips to the Galápagos Islands, the tropical Amazon rainforest, or the Pacific coast. These extensions offer good value if you want to continue exploring.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Extension to Galápagos Islands
- Extension to Amazon rainforest
- Extension to Pacific coast
