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IncludedPrivate and comfortable land transportation.
Based in double occupancy: 3 star hotel in Baños, Basic-lodge home stay in the Amazon, 4 star Spa Resort in Papallacta, Colonial Hacienda in Imbabura
3 hours hiking in Cotopaxi National Park in the Andes, 3 hours biking in the Llanganates National Park, 4 hours white-water rafting on Jatunyacu River in the Amazon rainforest, 3 hours canyoning at Pimpilala waterfalls, bird watching and hiking exploration in the cloud forest, soaking in Papallacta hot springs, 5 hours trekking the loop of Cuicocha Crater Lake, share time with local indigenous people in the Amazon, making chocolate, salsa lesson.
4 breakfast, 4 lunch, 2 dinner.
Certified expert English-speaking adventure guide and local guides
Not includedSingle Supplement USD 445
Airport transfer (international flights)
Travel & health insurance (mandatory)
Not described in the itinerary
For local guides, IE trip leaders & staff
LogisticsSwissotel – Quito
Upon arrival on Day 1 – 08:00am
Quito’s International airport
Upon arrival from domestic flight coming from Cuenca city on Day 9 – 18:00
Your adventure begins in Quito on Day 1, at Swissotel at 8:00am when your host will meet our IE Guide and the group. We highly recommend to get thar one day earlier and check the extra services we provide extra nights.
Your trip will end on day 7 at Quito by Wyndham Garden hotel at 18:00 approximately
To make your own way from Quito airport to the hotel accommodation, you have a few options. You can request a private transfer from the host. Please see Optional Extras for prices. You can take a public bus for just $2USD, however, this isn’t overly straight forward as you need to change buses at Quitumbe bus terminal. A metered taxi will cost you between $25-35USD. You can save some money by taking an ‘Aeroservicio’ – a privately operated bus service connecting the airport with the city center. This cost is USD 8.
Hotel – Twin or DoubleBreakfast. Lunch. Dinner
Hotel – Twin or DoubleBreakfast. Lunch. Dinner
Hotel – Twin or DoubleBreakfast. Lunch. Dinner
Hotel – Twin or DoubleBreakfast. Lunch. Dinner
Hotel – Twin or DoubleBreakfast. Lunch. Dinner
Hotel – Twin or DoubleBreakfast. Lunch. Dinner
Departure Day
Hotel – Twin or DoubleBreakfast. Lunch. Dinner
Departure Day
Hotel – Twin or DoubleBreakfast. Lunch. Dinner
Departure Day
Hotel – Twin or DoubleBreakfast. Lunch. Dinner
Departure Day
Throughout the Journey, you’ll be fueled by delicious local food, such potato soup, corn, fresh vegetables with plenty of local fresh tropical fruits. Lunch usually consists soup, main dish and juice, a warm and filling meal after a big day of adventure.
Ecuador Inland
During your journey you’ll stay in local own charming hotels with their own personality such us; Experience colonial haciendas Pinsaqui and Andaluza in the Andes, Casa De Luis Hotel in Banos, local own Eco-lodge in the Amazon, and colonial hotel in Cuenca. they are all with excellent location and fantastic personalized service.
Hacienda Pinsaqui
Itamandi Eco-lodge
Andaluza Experience Hacienda
We take an early departure from Quito and drive north through the majestic Andes. On our way we will stop at a lockout to admire “el Pisque” Canyon. Once in Otavalo, you will have plenty of time to stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets, filled with the Otavalo Indigenous people wearing the traditional blue ponchos, white trousers and long braided hair. Learn all about their daily activities, typical food and native language. Explore their famous handicraft market, with its wonderful textiles, alpaca throws and rugs, knitted clothing native paintings, ceramics, jewelry, tapestries and more at bargain prices.
Then, we will head to Pijal Community located at a viewpoint to see the Imbabura Volcano and Lake San Pablo. Here we will visit Sacha Warmy project, excusably powered by women and supported by Inspiring Ecuador, a place where we will be part of a beautiful culinary experience. Learn and try how to prepare “Aji ”, local hot salsa prepared on a rock and you will taste a traditional delicious lunch in which locals have used the fresh products harvested the same day from the surrounding organic fields to share precious moments of conviviality with you. At the same time there will be timeshare with the local people and to learn about the local lifestyle, their beliefs, their traditions and main textile activity.
Later we will arrive at the beautiful, historical hacienda of Pinsaqui where we will stay overnight. Enjoy a typical Andean cocktail as welcome, and learn about the history of this place.
Early in the morning, we will drive down along a curved panoramic road towards the Amazon Rainforest; as we descend from an altitude of 3000 m to 500 m (9843 ft to 1640 ft), you will observe how the landscape and vegetation change drastically between climates. Our first stop will be the Guango reserve (entrance fee not included), where we will have the unique opportunity to see many different species of hummingbirds in the wild. These small creatures are famous for their incredible ability to flap their wings rapidly, as well as for their bright colors.
Later, we also stop at the “Guacamayos-Macaw Lookout,” located between Antisana and Sumaco National Reserves (low elevation cloud forest), to observe the magic blanket of clouds that covers the Amazon rainforest, until we finally arrive at the Arajuno River, where a motor canoe will take us 20 minutes up the river to the Eco Lodge.
In the morning, we will hike to explore the Tropical Rainforest and have an interpretation from our guide and learn about medicinal plants and we will search for wildlife. Later, we will enjoy a cultural activity where an Amazonian Kichwa community will receive us and we learn about their way of life and the interaction they have with the forest. Appreciate the skills of the indigenous women manufacturing handmade pottery (ceramics). This little business helps to support the indigenous people in their daily life. Today we will also have the chance to learn how to make our own chocolate from the raw fruit.
After breakfast, we will reach Rio Verde, located in the UNESCO World Heritage site, Sangay National Park. Here, we will hike down to the second highest waterfall in Ecuador, the Pailon Del Diablo, where pounding water cascades on the rocks and mesmerizes you as you watch from a suspension bridge. You may also take an optional hike behind the falls. After another quick drive, we will arrive at another incredible waterfall called El Manto de la Novia, where we will ride in a cable car traversing the canyon of the Pastaza River.
In the late afternoon we will arrive in Baños, located right on the foothills of the Tungurahua volcano, which has been active since 1999. It has some eruptions every few months which delights visitors with lava and steam displays that can be viewed from a number of safe viewpoints in the region. Here in Baños you can also visit a spa or another place to enjoy the hot springs of the area.
In the morning we will visit The Swing of the End of the World, where the winner of the 2014 National Geographic photo contest took his photo, you will have some time to take the amazing picture with the stunning landscape in the front.
We will have the afternoon at leisure to enjoy optional activities in this incredible town.
Early in the morning, we will drive through valleys and farming villages to reach the Chimborazo Volcano, the highest mountain in Ecuador with an elevation of 6310 m (20702 ft) above sea level; whose summit is also the furthest point from the center of the earth on the entire planet.
On a clear day, the majestic peak of Chimborazo dominates the view for many kilometers. There will be a short hike for 0.9 km (0.57 mi) to reach the elevation of 5000 m (16404 ft) where the glacier begins. On the hike, we will spot a few of the animals that inhabit this volcanic wonderland such as the Andean condor, cara-cara, hummingbirds, and the timid vicuñas. Once extinct in Ecuador, they have been reintroduced and are now protected; this beautiful animal is related to the alpacas and llamas.
After an early breakfast, we will take a scenic drive to the small town of Alausí. Here, we will board the train to the Devil’s Nose, where the tracks wind through the countryside in a zigzag formation, creating a travel experience like no other.
After the train ride, we will continue our visit towards Ingapirca, the most impressive Inca ruins of Ecuador. We will spend the afternoon learning about this archaeological site, notable for its unique fusion of Inca and native Cañari architecture, as well as for its religious meaning. Later, we will head up to Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its colonial architecture.
Starting in the morning, enjoy a fantastic city tour, visiting the most important buildings and notable places in Cuenca, such as Calderon Square, the New Cathedral, El Barranco and El Turi lookout point. In the afternoon visit a famous Panama hat factory where we will understand the whole process of making this traditional Ecuadorian hat.
In the afternoon, we will visit the nearby towns of Chordeleg and Gualaceo, unique destinations that can be enjoyed on this tour. Chordeleg is well known for his jewelry, especially his silverware. And Gualaceo is a picturesque market, where locals gather to exchange their products and crafts. Here you can find traditional Macana shawls, fabrics with intense colors and folkloric designs.
You will have this free morning to enjoy the charming city of Cuenca and its surroundings.
In the afternoon you will take a short 45-minute domestic flight back to Quito. Today our trip will end. Take with you your memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a “buen viaje”!
Pre- post trip accommodation in Quito (Twin/ Double) – USD 125 Per Night
Pre- post trip accommodation in Quito (Single) – USD 100 per Night
Private airport transfer – USD 38 per person
Right Know, There isn’t reviews.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice; however, we suggest the below as a guideline per person:
Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality – a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
The tap water in Ecuador is not always friendly on the stomach for those who haven’t been in Latin America for a while. There is purified water in each of the accommodation which you can use to fill up each morning, so be sure to pack a reusable water bottle or two. There will also be water in the transportation.
Seasons in Ecuador have nothing to do with temperature – instead there is a dry season and a wet season. In Ecuador, the winter season is hot and wet, and the summer is dry and cold. Ecuador’s dry, summer season falls between May and December. January to April is Ecuador’s wet wintertime. There is not much of a transition between the seasons.
Most of Ecuador has mild temperatures year-round. In the highlands of the Andes, the temperatures are usually cooler. The average temperature in Quito and Cuenca is in the mid-60s Fahrenheit (17 – 18 degrees Celsius).
The Amazon jungle is wet throughout the year, and experiences sudden, intense rainfall even during its dry season. It is also warm throughout the year. Tropical climate, and the temperature varies from the low 70s to high 80s (20 – 30 degrees Celsius).
For Ecuador inland, Covid vaccination is required.
World Nomads Insurance with a coverage of USD 200 000
US American Dollars
8 years old as a minimum age.
Our local knowledge is coming from guides with more than 10 years of experience in the field, our expertise is customizing the best holidays adjusted to our customers' needs and budgets. Our commitment is to deliver meaningful life-changing experiences
Our guides are truly extraordinary people who have the ability, knowledge and kindness to turn a great get-away into an unforgettable, inspiring - and sometimes truly life changing - adventure.
Our adventure expeditions are always small group adventures, typically 4-12 people per trip. Join a personalized adventure vacation that prioritizes quality of experience above all else.
We value every $ dollar from our customers and we do understand that traveling is an investment in learning and building new experiences with every place we visit, every food we taste, every local person we meet, every adventure we live and every memory we take away.