Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
An included transfer gets you from Quito airport to your hotel. If your flight arrives early, you have time to walk through the Historic Center and check out the cobblestone streets, basilicas, and plazas, or head to Otavalo market for some shopping. There's a welcome meeting at 6 pm, and then you'll have dinner with the group while your leader tells you about Ecuadorian food and what's coming up.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner with group - introduction to Ecuadorian cuisine)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner
- Airport transfer
Optional Activities
- Explore Quito's Historic Center
- Visit basilicas and museums
- Otavalo Market visit
Landmarks Quito Historic Center Otavalo Market 
- Day 2
Quito
Your leader takes you through Quito's colonial center and introduces you to local artisans who work there. Stop at the Agave Museum to taste mezcal and traditional Andean food while learning about agave production. After that, you'll drive out to the Middle of the World Monument and Inti Nan Equator Museum to see experiments that prove you're standing right at the center of the Earth. The evening is free once you're back in Quito.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Colonial City Tour
- Agave Museum and Tasting
- Middle of the World Monument visit
- Inti Nan Equator Museum visit
Optional Activities
- Urban Adventures: Legends and Culture Tour - USD50
Landmarks Middle of the World Monument Inti Nan Equator Museum Agave Museum 
- Day 3
Quito to Cotopaxi
Following breakfast, you'll drive to Cotopaxi National Park to see the world's highest active volcano at 5,897 m (19,347 ft). A hike around Limpiopungo Lagoon at the volcano's base lets you see alpine plants and wildlife. The park museum explains Cotopaxi's geology and ecology. Later, you'll relax at a hacienda, a charming farmhouse with gardens where you're staying the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic drive to Cotopaxi National Park
- Limpiopungo Lagoon hike
- Museum visit
- Interpretation Centre visit
Optional Activities
- Flower Plantation visit - Free
Landmarks Cotopaxi National Park Limpiopungo Lagoon 
- Day 4
Cotopaxi to Banos
You'll leave Cotopaxi and head toward Banos, stopping first in Latacunga at a barley flour workshop to learn how machica is made and taste products like caramel cookies. Lunch comes at San Bartolome de Pinllo, where you'll try Gallina de Pinllo, a juicy local chicken dish with potatoes and peanut sauce that's been famous since 1943. Once in Banos, take a walk around town and visit an Artisan Candy Factory that makes Melcocochas, guava sweets the region is known for.
- Meals
- Lunch (Gallina de Pinllo - iconic dish from Casa El Recreo featuring juicy chicken served with potatoes and peanut sauce, prepared using a recipe passed down through generations since 1948)
Included Activities
- Machica Workshop visit
- Gallina de Pinllo Lunch at Casa El Recreo
- Banos Orientation walk with Artisan Candy Factory visit
Landmarks Casa El Recreo Artisan Candy Factory 
- Day 5
Banos
A local guide shows you around Banos to get oriented. Then you'll hike to El Pailon del Diablo, a waterfall with an 80 m (262 ft) drop. You can cross a suspension bridge for full views or take stairs down to the 'Devil's Balcony' for a closer look. Next stop is the Swing at the End of the World for excitement and photos. Back at your hotel, the evening is free to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Banos walking tour
- El Pailon del Diablo Waterfall hike
Optional Activities
- El Refugio Spa Garden - Free
- La Casa del Arbol viewpoint - Free
- Church of the Virgin of the Holy Water - Free
- Route of waterfall - Free
- Staircase to the Virgin - Free
Landmarks El Pailon del Diablo Waterfall Swing at the end of the World El Refugio Spa Garden La Casa del Arbol viewpoint Church of the Virgin of the Holy Water - Day 6
Banos to Amazon Rainforest
You'll travel to the Amazon and arrive just in time for lunch. The afternoon is yours to use the lodge's offerings like the pool, book a massage, or do optional activities like visiting the butterfly house and taking nature walks. You can also watch locals make ceramics from riverbed clay. In the evening, join a night walk with naturalist guides to spot wildlife that only comes out after dark.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Amazon Rainforest night walk
Optional Activities
- Butterfly Farm - USD5
- Animal Rescue Center - USD5
- Kayaking - USD25
- Nature walks with lodge guides
Landmarks Amazon Rainforest Lodge - Day 7
Amazon Rainforest
This is a full day in the rainforest. After breakfast, hike with a local expert to find medicinal plants and learn how people use them. You'll visit a nearby coffee plantation to see how coffee is made and taste some. In the afternoon, spend time with an indigenous community to understand their life in the Amazon. Dinner and relaxation back at the lodge end the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Medicinal Plant Hike
- Coffee Plantation visit and tasting
- Indigenous Community visit
Landmarks Amazon Rainforest - Day 8
Amazon Rainforest to Quito
You'll travel back to Quito today. Along the way, stop in Papallacta for lunch and to relax by natural hot springs with thermal pools and spas. It's a nice break from the drive and gives you time to unwind. In the evening, there's a farewell dinner in Quito where your leader brings everyone to a local restaurant to talk about the trip and everything you've done.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Papallacta), Dinner (Farewell dinner with group at a local restaurant in Quito)
Included Activities
- Papallacta Hot Springs visit
- Farewell dinner in Quito
Landmarks Papallacta Hot Springs - Day 9
Quito
After breakfast, your trip ends with no further planned activities. You can depart whenever you're ready. If you want to stay longer in Ecuador, reach out to your booking agent to set up extra accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
