Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Quito
Your driver meets you at Quito airport with a nameplate and helps with luggage before heading to your hotel, roughly 40 minutes depending on traffic conditions. Since Quito sits high in the Andes at elevation, pack layers and bring a warm jacket, particularly if you're arriving in the evening. The cooler temps at this altitude can catch people off guard.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Airport transfer to hotel
- Day 2
Quito Historic Center and Mitad del Mundo
A guide picks you up to walk through Quito's historic colonial center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. You'll see La Plaza de la Independencia, La Iglesia de San Francisco, and the Basilica del Voto Nacional while learning about Ecuadorian history and how locals live. From there, you head to Mitad del Mundo to visit the Initian Museum and try out demonstrations at this unique spot right on the equator.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Quito historic center
- Visit to La Plaza de la Independencia
- Visit to La Iglesia de San Francisco
- Visit to Basilica del Voto Nacional
- Visit to Mitad del Mundo
- Intiñan Museum entrance and demonstrations
Landmarks/POIs Plaza de la Independencia La Iglesia de San Francisco Basilica del Voto Nacional Mitad del Mundo Intiñan Museum - Day 3
Quito to Coca to Napo Cultural Center
A shuttle picks you up from your hotel and takes you to Quito airport. You'll get help with check-in, then fly to Coca and board a motorized canoe for about 2.5 hours to Napo Cultural Center. After a welcome drink of traditional wayusa tea, you'll settle into your rainforest room and hike the Playas trail to see Amazon wildlife. If you want, kayaking at sunset is available as an add-on activity. Later you'll have dinner and fall asleep to rainforest sounds.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hotel shuttle to airport
- Flight Quito to Coca
- Airport assistance in Coca
- Motorized canoe transfer to lodge (approximately 2.5 hours)
- Welcome ceremony with traditional wayusa
- Playas trail hike to experience Amazon wildlife
Optional Activities
- Kayaking on Napo River (approximately 45 minutes, sunset viewing)
Landmarks/POIs Napo River Yasuni Biosphere Reserve - Day 4
Parrot Clay Lick and Amazon Wildlife
Start early with breakfast, then head by motorboat to see the parrot clay lick on the Napo River where blue-headed and yellow-crowned parrots gather. Walk about 30 minutes along the Pericos trail to reach a forest blind for close-up views of up to 11 parrot species, plus howler monkeys, tapirs, and peccaries. Later, visit Kuri Muyu intercultural center to learn about Kichwa culture and crafts from community women. After lunch, hike one hour to climb a 35-meter observation tower with great chances for spotting birds, monkeys, toucans, and sloths. Following dinner, take a traditional catamaran ride on the Napo River where women grill snacks by the fire and share local legends.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Community lunch at dining hall), Dinner (Traditional dinner with grilled snacks prepared by community women)
Included Activities
- Motorboat ride to parrot clay lick
- Pericos trail hike to forest blind (approximately 30 minutes)
- Parrot clay lick viewing
- Kuri Muyu intercultural interpretation center visit
- Community lunch at dining hall
- Observation tower hike and climb (1 hour, 35 meters high)
- Ancestral catamaran ride on Napo River with legends and chants
Landmarks/POIs Parrot Clay Lick Kuri Muyu Intercultural Center - Day 5
Sustainability, Wildlife, and Black Water Ecosystem
Watch sunrise over breakfast, then visit sustainable community projects and explore Kichwa worldview and medicinal plants. Walk the Mama Cuna road to see ceiba trees, strangler figs, bamboo, vines, and endemic shrubs while spotting wildlife. After a local lunch, paddle around the Anangu black water stream looking for monkeys, caiman, and possibly giant river otters. Prepare for a traditional Amazon dinner with local flavors like maito, grilled fish wrapped in bijao leaf, and optional chontakuru. Later, take a night walk around the lodge with a flashlight to see nocturnal insects, reptiles, and night monkeys.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Sunrise breakfast), Lunch (Delicious local lunch), Dinner (Traditional Amazon dinner featuring maito (grilled fish wrapped in bijao leaf) and optional chontakuru (grilled worms))
Included Activities
- Sunrise breakfast experience
- Sustainable community projects visit
- Mama Cuna road hike
- Padded canoe excursion on Añangu black water stream
- Intercultural learning about Kichwa worldview and medicinal plants
- Night walk around lodge with flashlight
Landmarks/POIs Añangu Stream - Day 6
Wayusada Ritual and Return to Quito
If you choose the optional wayusada ritual, wake around 4:30 AM to share sacred wayusa tea with the Kichwa family and learn their ancient traditions. You'll have time to interpret dreams with community elders before returning for breakfast. After staff collects your luggage, board motorboats for your final rainforest views on the way to Anangu river port. Then transfer to Coca airport and fly back to Quito. Upon arrival, a driver takes you to Papagayo Hacienda where you can order lunch on your own and spend a free afternoon relaxing or taking a short walk or bike ride.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Motorboat ride to Añangu river port
- Flight Coca to Quito
- Transfer to Papagayo Hacienda
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Wayusada ritual at dawn (approximately 4:30 AM) - participation in Kichwa sacred tea ceremony and dream interpretation with community elders
- Lunch at Papagayo Hacienda (available to order, not included)
- Free afternoon activities at hacienda
- Short walk or bike ride around hacienda
Landmarks/POIs Añangu River Port - Day 7
Cotopaxi National Park
Travel about 1.5 hours south of Quito to discover the misty Cotopaxi Volcano, standing at 19,348 feet (5,897m) as the world's highest active volcano. The surrounding Cotopaxi National Park has a tundra-like environment with active and extinct volcanoes offering great hikes and unique geology. Look for wild horses, the Andean Condor (the world's largest flying bird), llamas, foxes, rabbits, and high-altitude bird species. If you're interested, hike to the Jose Rivas refuge at 4,810m near the Cotopaxi snowline.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cotopaxi National Park entrance and guided tour
- Scenic drive through Avenue of the Volcanoes
- Hiking opportunities in the park
Optional Activities
- Hike to Jose Rivas refuge (4,810m) near Cotopaxi snowline
Landmarks/POIs Cotopaxi Volcano Cotopaxi National Park Avenue of the Volcanoes Jose Rivas Refuge - Day 8
Quilotoa Crater
Visit Quilotoa, a volcanic crater filled with crystal-blue water that's significant in indigenous mythology. On the drive you'll pass through local markets in Saquisili (Thursdays) or Pujili (Sundays) to see indigenous life, and travel the scenic Zumbahua canyon for good photo opportunities. An optional visit to an indigenous family may be available. At Quilotoa, you can hike down the crater rim to the water's edge for close-up views, circle the entire volcano crater, or enjoy views from different spots. If you hike to the bottom, be prepared for a steep climb back up, though you can rent a mule for $10 per person to ride back instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Quilotoa lagoon entrance
- Scenic drive through local markets area
- Zumbahua canyon viewing
Optional Activities
- Visit to indigenous family (subject to change due to Covid pandemic)
- Hike down crater rim to water's edge
- Hike around volcano crater loop
- Kayak rental (€3.50 per activity)
- Mule rental for return climb from crater bottom ($10 per person)
Landmarks/POIs Quilotoa Crater Saquisili Market Pujilí Market Zumbahua Canyon - Day 9
Banos Adventure Activities
Explore Banos, a small city in the Andean highlands under the smoke of Tungurahua volcano, known as Ecuador's adventure capital. The town sits surrounded by green mountains and gets its name from famous hydrothermal springs. You'll find horseback riding, biking, hiking, canyoning, bungee jumping, ziplining, and white-water rafting available. Your flexible guide adapts to your interests. Check out the Valley of the Waterfalls with the impressive Pailon del Diablo waterfall, roughly 30 minutes away and involving about 40 minutes of hiking down and 1.5 hours back up. Also experience Casa del Arbol tree house and the Swing at the Edge of the World. In town, rent bikes or quads, shop for handicrafts, try local food, or visit the historic Cathedral with its impressive paintings and thermal baths.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Entrance to Pailon del Diablo waterfall area
- Casa del Arbol (House of the Tree) entrance including swing at the edge of the world
Optional Activities
- Horseback riding
- Bike rental
- Quad rental
- Hiking
- Canyoning
- Bungee jumping
- Ziplining
- White-water rafting
- Spa treatments
- Walking around town and shopping for handicrafts
- Visit historic Cathedral with paintings
- Thermal baths (public or private)
Landmarks/POIs Pailon del Diablo Waterfall Casa del Arbol Swing at the Edge of the World Tungurahua Volcano Banos Cathedral - Day 10
Banos and Departure
Spend a second day in Banos exploring new areas with your guide's suggestions, or book local activities like rafting, canyoning, bike rental, or spa treatments through local agencies. When it's time for your flight, your guide will take you back to the airport for your next destination.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Rafting
- Canyoning
- Bike rental
- Spa treatments
- Other activities arranged with local agencies
