Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Quito
You'll arrive at Mariscal Sucre Airport in Quito and get transferred to your hotel. Check-in happens at 14:00, which gives you time to settle in and recover from the flight before heading out.
- Day 2
Quito Old Town and Equator
After breakfast, you'll walk through Quito's Old Town with a guide and see several historic churches, including the Basilica Church and the ornate Compañía de Jesús Church. The Plaza Grande is also part of the route, and if you're up for it, climbing Panecillo Hill rewards you with views of the city. Later in the afternoon, head out to Ciudad Mitad del Mundo and the Inti Ñan Museum to check out Ecuador's equator location and their interactive exhibits.
- Meals
- Breakfast (At your hotel)
Included Activities
- Quito Old Town guided tour (3 hours)
- Visit Basilica Church
- Visit Plaza Grande (Plaza de la Independencia)
- Visit Compañía de Jesús Church
- Visit San Francisco Church
- Visit Panecillo Hill viewpoint
- Visit Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Equatorial Monument)
- Visit Inti Ñan Museum with interactive exhibits
Landmarks/POIs Basilica Church Plaza Grande (Plaza de la Independencia) Compañía de Jesús Church San Francisco Church Panecillo Hill Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Equatorial Monument) Inti Ñan Museum - Day 3
Quilotoa Loop and Baños
You'll drive south on the Pan-American Highway, sometimes called the 'Avenue of the Volcanoes,' after breakfast. The Toachi Canyon stop gives you impressive views of the river canyon that formed from old volcanic activity. Then you'll see the Quilotoa Lagoon, which sits inside an extinct volcano's crater with emerald-green water. The day ends in Baños.
- Meals
- Breakfast (At your hotel)
Included Activities
- Toachi Canyon viewpoint visit
- Quilotoa Lagoon visit
Optional Activities
- Quilotoa Lake Kayak: optional activity, can descend on foot to lake edge, kayak, and return - USD 10.00 per person
Landmarks/POIs Toachi Canyon Quilotoa Lagoon - Day 4
Baños Waterfalls and Riobamba
Spend the day in Baños, known as the gateway to the Amazon Region. You'll visit Rio Verde to see Pailón del Diablo, an 80-meter waterfall, then stop at Agoyan Waterfall and Manto de la Novia waterfall as you continue along the waterfall route. The famous 'End of the World' swing at 2,600 meters elevation offers views of Tungurahua volcano. Before heading to Riobamba, you'll see how traditional sugar cane candy gets made.
- Meals
- Breakfast (At your hotel)
Included Activities
- Pailón del Diablo waterfall visit
- Agoyan Waterfall visit
- Manto de la Novia waterfall visit and tarabita crossing
- End of the World swing at Casa del Tree
- Traditional sugar cane candy-making demonstration
Landmarks/POIs Pailón del Diablo waterfall Agoyan Waterfall Manto de la Novia waterfall Casa del Tree (End of the World swing) - Day 5
Chimborazo National Reserve, Ingapirca Ruins, and Cuenca
You'll travel to Chimborazo National Reserve to see Ecuador's highest mountain at 6,310 meters, where vicuñas, llamas, and alpacas live. From there, head to the Temple of the Sun at Ingapirca, the largest archaeological site in Ecuador with Cañari-Inca structures and distinctive elliptical temple ruins. Later, you'll arrive in Cuenca with time to relax and walk around.
- Meals
- Breakfast (At your hotel), Lunch (Lunch-box)
Included Activities
- Chimborazo National Reserve visit
- Ingapirca ruins guided visit and Temple of the Sun
Landmarks/POIs Chimborazo Mountain Ingapirca Temple of the Sun - Day 6
Cajas National Park and Cuenca City Tour
The morning takes you through Cajas National Park, an Andean area with bedrock outcrops, pristine lakes, and rivers full of trout. The park ranges from 2,800 to over 4,400 meters elevation and has diverse endemic and endangered wildlife. In the afternoon, you'll explore Cuenca's Old Town on foot to see colonial architecture, historic churches, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with its blue dome, craft markets, flower markets, and a Panama Hat factory.
- Meals
- Breakfast (At your hotel)
Included Activities
- Cajas National Park exploration
- Cuenca Old Town guided tour
- Visit Old Cathedral (Museum for Religious Art)
- Visit Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
- Panama Hat factory visit
Landmarks/POIs Cajas National Park Cuenca Old Town Old Cathedral of Cuenca (Museum for Religious Art) Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception - Day 7
Mirador de Turi, Panama Hat Factory, Saraguro Community, and Loja
Start at Mirador de Turi, a popular spot for panoramic views of Cuenca. You'll visit a Panama Hat factory and see their museum tours about traditional production. After lunch, the Saraguro indigenous community welcomes visitors to experience their daily life, ancestral rituals, and cultural traditions. The day ends as you continue to Loja.
- Meals
- Breakfast (At your hotel)
Included Activities
- Mirador de Turi viewpoint visit
- Panama Hat factory tour with museum
- Saraguro Community visit with cultural experience
Landmarks/POIs Mirador de Turi Saraguro Community - Day 8
Loja, Jipiro Park, Podocarpus National Park, and Vilcabamba
You'll see Loja's historic sites, including the Gates of the City with contemporary art galleries, and climb the clock tower for city views. Following the orange stripe route takes you to main historic churches. Jipiro Park has architectural replicas like Moscow's Cathedral of San Basilio, a Chinese Pagoda, and an Arab Mosque. Later, head to Podocarpus National Park, called the 'Botanical Garden of America,' then finish in Vilcabamba, the 'Valley of Longevity.'
- Meals
- Breakfast (At your hotel), Lunch (Lunch-box)
Included Activities
- Loja city tour including Gates of the City
- Clock tower climb
- Historic churches tour (following orange stripe route)
- Jipiro Park visit with architectural replicas
- Podocarpus National Park exploration
Landmarks/POIs Puerta de la Ciudad (Gates of the City), Loja Jipiro Park Podocarpus National Park - Day 9
Jocotoco Foundation and Buenaventura Reserve
You'll visit the Jocotoco Foundation, established in 1998 to protect endangered Ecuadorian birds and biodiversity. Explore Buenaventura Reserve at 500 meters elevation, home to around 300 bird species including many endemic varieties. Guided forest walks range from 1.5 to 4 hours depending on which trail you choose, so you'll discover the reserve's flora and fauna at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast (At your hotel), Lunch (Lunch-box), Dinner
Included Activities
- Jocotoco Foundation visit
- Buenaventura Reserve guided forest walk
Landmarks/POIs Jocotoco Foundation Buenaventura Reserve - Day 10
Puyango Petrified Forest and Guayaquil
You'll check out the Puyango Petrified Forest, which has the world's largest known area of exposed petrified wood from about 500 million years ago. See fossilized Araucarias trees and marine fossils from when the area was underwater. The forest is home to over 130 bird species and beautiful butterflies. From there, head to Guayaquil, with an optional stop at banana plantations along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast (At your hotel)
Included Activities
- Puyango Petrified Forest visit
Optional Activities
- Banana plantations visit (optional)
Landmarks/POIs Puyango Petrified Forest - Day 11
Departure from Guayaquil
After breakfast, you'll transfer to the airport for your international flight departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast (At your hotel)
