Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Quito
You'll land at Quito's airport where your tour representative meets you. From there, a transfer takes you to your hotel in the Quito district. Check-in happens at 3 pm, giving you time to settle in and rest after your flight.
- Start point
- Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador (Pick up at Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito )
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Casa Dann Carlton Hotel & Spa)
Landmarks Quito 
- Day 2
Quito Colonial City & Equatorial Line
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll walk through Quito's historic colonial center. The morning covers the Basilica Church, Independence Plaza with its Cathedral and Government Palace, plus several historic churches including La Ronda Street, The Company Church, Santo Domingo's Church, The Sagrario's Church, and San Francisco's Church. Following lunch, you head to the Teleferico for views from over 13,000 feet/3,963 meters. Later, you'll visit the Middle of the World monument to stand on the equatorial line, check out the Inti Ñan Museum's experiments, and explore the ethnographical museum and nearby Pululahua crater before returning to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Casa Dann Carlton Hotel & Spa)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Basilica Church and colonial streets
- Visit Independence Plaza, Cathedral, and Government Palace
- Visit La Ronda Street, The Company Church, Santo Domingo's Church, The Sagrario's Church, and San Francisco's Church
- Teleferico cable car ride with city views
- Middle of the World monument visit
- Inti Ñan Museum entrance and experiments
- Ethnographical museum visit
- Pululahua inhabited crater viewing
Landmarks Basilica Church Independence Plaza Quito Cathedral Government Palace La Ronda Street The Company Church (Iglesia de la Compañía) Santo Domingo's Church The Sagrario's Church San Francisco's Church Teleferico Middle of the World monument Inti Ñan Museum Pululahua crater - Day 3
Cotopaxi National Park
Your guide picks you up at 8 am after breakfast to visit Cotopaxi, the largest active volcano at 5,897 meters high. In the National Park, you'll walk to the refuge at 4,810 meters and around Lake Limpiopungo at the volcano's base, where you might spot birds from the Páramo region. Your naturalist guide points out flora and fauna along the way. After visiting the park's small museum and taking a break at the refuge, you head to the nearby glacier.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hacienda Hotel Los Mortiños )
Included Activities
- Cotopaxi National Park entrance
- Guided nature walk with naturalist guide
- Hike to refuge at 4,810 metres
- Hike around Lake Limpiopungo
- Park museum visit
- Glacier viewing
Landmarks Cotopaxi Volcano Cotopaxi National Park Lake Limpiopungo - Day 4
Avenue of Volcanoes, Quilotoa & Baños
Following breakfast, you travel through the Avenue of the Volcanoes and pass through the small town of Pujilí. You'll visit an indigenous local house in the Páramos to learn about their traditions and way of life. Then it's on to Tigua, known for naive paintings, before heading up to Quilotoa volcano where you can descend to the crater lake or walk around the rim. Mule back riding or kayaking in the lake are optional. After lunch, you continue to Banos and visit the Swing at the End of the World at La Casa del Árbol for mountain views.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Casa Dann Carlton Hotel & Spa)
Included Activities
- Visit to indigenous Páramos local house
- Tigua town visit
- Quilotoa volcano access to crater lake or rim walk
- La Casa del Árbol and Swing at the End of the World visit
Optional Activities
- Mule back riding around Quilotoa crater
- Kayaking in Quilotoa lake
Landmarks Avenue of the Volcanoes Pujilí Tigua Quilotoa Volcano La Casa del Árbol Baños - Day 5
Termas de Papallacta & Amazon Lodge
After breakfast, you head east of Quito to the Termas de Papallacta thermal spa to relax and swim in natural hot pools. From there, you continue to Guango lodge for bird watching where you might see up to 14 hummingbird species in an hour, including the unique sword-billed hummingbird. The journey continues to Misahualli and your lodge (Hamadryade Lodge), where you check into your cottage. Dinner is served at the lodge with an orientation on tomorrow's activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Dinner (Dinner at the lodge)
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Hamadryade Lodge )
Included Activities
- Termas de Papallacta entrance and general pool access
- Bird watching at Guango lodge
Landmarks Termas de Papallacta Guango lodge Misahualli - Day 6
Kichwa Community Experience
You'll connect with the ancestral culture of the Amazon by visiting a Kichwa community. They share their way of life, traditions, and ancestral knowledge with you. Learn about their cosmovision, traditional chocolate-making, and medicinal uses of plants. You'll experience traditional dances and taste authentic dishes like maito (cooked in bijao leaves) or chicha de yuca (traditional fermented drink).
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Hamadryade Lodge )
Included Activities
- Kichwa community visit
- Learn about cosmovision and ancestral knowledge
- Traditional chocolate-making demonstration
- Medicinal plants education
- Traditional dance experience
- Maito tasting (traditional dish cooked in bijao leaves) or chicha de yuca tasting
Landmarks Kichwa Community - Day 7
Las Latas Waterfalls & Amazonian Cacao Workshop
A short 45-minute hike takes you through the Amazon rainforest to Las Latas Waterfalls. You can cool off in natural pools surrounded by lush greenery while local guides share stories about the surrounding flora and fauna. If you're feeling adventurous, climb the last waterfall and jump into the water. In the afternoon, you'll discover the secrets of Amazonian cacao in an educational workshop learning about cacao varieties, harvest to chocolate production, cultural significance, and health benefits.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Hamadryade Lodge )
Included Activities
- 45-minute rainforest hike to Las Latas Waterfalls
- Natural pools and waterfall swimming
- Flora and fauna guidance
- Amazonian cacao workshop with harvest to chocolate production education
Optional Activities
- Climb and jump from last waterfall
Landmarks Las Latas Waterfalls Amazon Rainforest - Day 8
Travel to Baños & Free Afternoon
After breakfast, you travel to Banos observing the incredible variety of landscapes the Ecuadorian jungle offers, including several rivers and tributaries along the road. In the afternoon, you have free time to explore the Banos valley at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Samari Spa & Resort or similar )
Optional Activities
- Explore Baños valley during free afternoon
Landmarks Baños Valley 
- Day 9
Baños Waterfalls & Transfer to Riobamba
After breakfast, you explore the surroundings of Banos on the way of the waterfalls trek. You'll visit different waterfalls in the area, including El Pailón del Diablo waterfall, La Casa del Árbol, Manto de la Novia waterfalls, and Mano de la Pacha mama. After your waterfall adventures, you transfer to Riobamba for your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Abraspungo Hacienda or similar )
Included Activities
- Way of the waterfalls trekking
- El Pailón del Diablo waterfall visit
- La Casa del Árbol viewing
- Manto de la Novia waterfall visit
- Mano de la Pacha mama waterfall visit
Landmarks El Pailón del Diablo La Casa del Árbol Manto de la Novia Waterfall Mano de la Pacha mama Waterfall Riobamba - Day 10
Colta Lagoon, Ingapirca Ruins & Cuenca
You'll visit the Colta lagoon and Balbanera in a picturesque Andean town. On clear days, the lagoon's waters beautifully reflect Chimborazo mountain. You see the railway line and town of Cajabamba, then head to Ingapirca Fortress, Ecuador's most important Inca Archaeological Complex. In the surrounding area, watch local artisans crafting the famous Panama hats. Then continue to Cuenca for your overnight stay.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Cruz del Vado Hotel )
Included Activities
- Colta lagoon and Balbanera visit
- Cajabamba railway line and town viewing
- Ingapirca Fortress entrance
Optional Activities
- Watch Panama hat artisans at work
Landmarks Colta Lagoon Balbanera Chimborazo Cajabamba Ingapirca Fortress Cuenca - Day 11
Cuenca UNESCO Heritage City & Nearby Towns
After breakfast, you explore Cuenca, a city declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, discovering its cultural and architectural diversity. You'll visit the city's most important churches and monuments, see the broken bridge, and check out the Turi viewpoint for panoramic views of the entire city. In the afternoon, you visit Gualaceo and Chordeleg, two important towns near Cuenca famous for handicrafts made with gold and silver and their colonial traditions.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Cruz del Vado Hotel )
Included Activities
- Cuenca city tour
- Important churches and monuments visit
- Broken bridge viewing
- Turi viewpoint visit
- Gualaceo visit
- Chordeleg visit
Landmarks Cuenca Turi Viewpoint Gualaceo Chordeleg - Day 12
El Cajas National Park & Transfer to Guayaquil
After breakfast, you take a short excursion to El Cajas National Park or the Gualaceo Valley depending on weather conditions, then travel to Guayaquil. El Cajas National Park features over 230 small lagoons with crystal-clear waters connected by small rivers flowing toward the Pacific. You take a short walk through this protected area before continuing to Guayaquil for your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Rio Guayas)
Included Activities
- El Cajas National Park or Gualaceo Valley visit (depending on weather)
- Short walk through protected area
Landmarks El Cajas National Park Gualaceo Valley Guayaquil - Day 13
Ruta del Sol to Puerto López
After breakfast, you take one of the tour's most important routes: the Ruta del Sol. In Ballenita, you enjoy a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean from a high cliff. You visit small fishing villages and beautiful rustic beaches along the way, including Salango and Montanita. Then continue to Puerto López, one of Ecuador's iconic destinations where humpback whales visit annually. Isla de la Plata is also located here with excellent scuba diving opportunities.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
- Accommodation
- Bungalow (Hosteria Mandala)
Included Activities
- Ruta del Sol scenic route
- Ballenita panoramic Pacific Ocean viewpoint
Optional Activities
- Visit fishing villages
- Beach exploration at Salango and Montañita
- Scuba diving at Isla de la Plata
Landmarks Ballenita Salango Montañita Puerto López Isla de la Plata - Day 14
Isla de la Plata Boat Tour & Snorkeling
You're picked up from your hotel for transfer to the pier to board the boat (times approximate, with multiple whale-watching stops during season). You arrive at Bahía Drake, the landing point on Isla de la Plata and starting point for tourist trails. You take walks to observe seabirds including blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, frigatebirds, and tropical birds. Then you go snorkeling for surface diving to observe fish and coral reefs. Moderate physical fitness is required.
- Accommodation
- Bungalow (Hosteria Mandala)
Included Activities
- Boat trip to Isla de la Plata
- Seabird observation walks (blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, frigatebirds, tropical birds)
- Snorkeling and surface diving for fish and coral reef viewing
Landmarks Isla de la Plata Bahía Drake - Day 15
Montecristi Panama Hat Workshops & Mindo Cloud Forest
You depart from Puerto López and stop in Montecristi, a charming town famous for skilled artisans crafting the iconic Panama hats and other handmade goods. You explore local workshops and markets to see these craftspeople at work. Then continue your journey to the lush cloud forest of Mindo, where nature, adventure, and tranquility await.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Terra Bambu Hotel )
Included Activities
- Montecristi stop and local workshop exploration
- Handmade goods market visit
Landmarks Montecristi Mindo Cloud Forest Mindo - Day 16
Mindo Cloud Forest & Return to Quito
You take a 1 to 2 hour walk into the cloud forest to see diverse flora and fauna up close. Look for endemic species of plants and bird species found nowhere else on earth as you encounter a series of beautiful waterfalls. You visit the protected Mindo Cloud Forest Reserve to experience one of the world's highest biodiverse sites. At the Hummingbird Garden, you see 15 to 20 different hummingbird species depending on season and time of day, and try local tropical fruits. Then return to Quito with drop-off at the international airport or your hotel.
- End point
- Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador (Drop off in Quito )
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
Included Activities
- 1-2 hour cloud forest walk
- Flora and fauna viewing
- Waterfall encounters
- Mindo Cloud Forest Reserve visit
- Hummingbird Garden visit (15-20 species depending on season/time)
Landmarks Mindo Cloud Forest Mindo Cloud Forest Reserve Hummingbird Garden Quito
