Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Ecuador
You'll arrive in Ecuador and get picked up from the airport by a professional transfer service. They'll take you straight to your accommodation, which gives you time to settle in and get your bearings after traveling.
- Start point
- Quito Airport Center, Vía Tababela - Yaruquí, Quito, Pichincha 1709, Ecuador (Pick up at International Arrivals Gate)
- Day 2
Quito
This morning you'll take a guided tour through Quito to see the city's history and culture. You'll head to Mitad del Mundo, which marks where the equator actually runs through Ecuador, so it's a pretty significant spot to check out.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Quito
- Visit to Mitad del Mundo
Landmarks Mitad del Mundo - Day 3
Quito to Otavalo
You're heading north from Quito to Otavalo, and along the way you'll stop at a rose plantation to see Ecuador's famous flowers up close. After that, you'll arrive at your lodge in the Andean highlands, which sits at a higher elevation where it's cooler and greener.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to rose plantation
- Day 4
Otavalo
The whole day is yours to spend at the lodge in the highlands. You can wander around the grounds, take in the views, and just get a feel for this part of Ecuador without rushing from one spot to another.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Lodge activities
- Day 5
Cotacachi and Otavalo
You'll explore the nearby highland towns of Cotacachi and Otavalo today. Both places have strong local art and craft traditions, so you'll get to see what people actually make and sell there beyond the typical tourist stuff.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Exploration of Cotacachi
- Exploration of Otavalo
- Day 6
Otavalo to Papallacta to Amazon
Today you're traveling east toward the Amazon. You'll pass through Papallacta, which has thermal springs if you want to stop and soak for a bit. Then you'll continue on to your Amazon lodge for the next three days, getting deeper into the rainforest as you go.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transfer to Papallacta
- Transfer to Amazon Lodge
Landmarks Papallacta - Day 7
Amazon Rainforest
You're spending the day doing various things in the Amazon rainforest around your lodge. You might walk through the forest, talk with people from local communities, and look for different animals and plants that live in this ecosystem.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Rainforest exploration
- Community interaction
- Wildlife viewing
- Day 8
Amazon to Baños
You're leaving the Amazon behind and heading to Banos, a town that sits between the rainforest and the mountains. The town's known for waterfalls, natural hot springs, and just has a really lively feel with all the outdoor activities available.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Exploration of Baños
- Visit to waterfalls
- Visit to hot springs
- Day 9
Baños
You've got the whole day in Banos to do what interests you. There's the famous swing that hangs out over a waterfall canyon, hot springs you can relax in, and various adventure activities if you want to do something with more adrenaline.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Swing at the End of the World
- Hot springs
Optional Activities
- Adventure activities
Landmarks Swing at the End of the World - Day 10
Baños to Quilotoa to Cotopaxi
You're heading west from Banos to see Quilotoa crater lake, which has really distinctive turquoise colored water that's pretty striking. Then you'll continue on to Cotopaxi to see the volcano and explore that area a bit.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Quilotoa crater lake
- Exploration of Cotopaxi
Landmarks Quilotoa Crater Lake Cotopaxi Volcano 
- Day 11
Cotopaxi
This morning you'll do something in Cotopaxi National Park, maybe a nature walk for photos or a cultural activity depending on what the lodge has arranged. By afternoon you'll head back toward Quito to wrap up your trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Morning activity at Cotopaxi National Park
Landmarks Cotopaxi National Park - Day 12
Departure from Ecuador
You'll get driven from your accommodation to the airport for your flight out. It's time to head home after spending the last week or so moving through Ecuador's different regions and seeing quite a bit of what the country has to offer.
- End point
- Quito Airport Center, Vía Tababela - Yaruquí, Quito, Pichincha 1709, Ecuador (Pick up at International Arrivals Gate)
- Meals
- Breakfast
