Guide

Local Insider

Meals

Seven breakfasts, six lunches, four dinners

Others

Quito walking tour Ecuadorian cooking masterclass (including market visit) Chocolate-tasting session Limpiopungo Lagoon hike Cotopaxi Interpretation Center visit Horseback riding Quilotoa Lake hike Tigua art studio visit Salcedo Market visit Swing at the End of the World visit Baños Waterfall Route bike ride Yaku Runa project visit White-water rafting Jungle night hike Natural Oils Trail guided hike Waterfall swim

Transport

Private and local transport Arrival airport transfer

Accommodation

Two nights premium hotel accommodation Two nights jungle lodge accommodation One night mountain resort accommodation One night historic hotel accommodation One night spa hotel accommodation Hotel Patio Andaluz Expect comfortable, spacious rooms at this elegant colonial-style hotel in the heart of Quito’s historic center – an ideal base from which to explore the cultural landmarks of the capital. Indulge in delicious Ecuadorian tapas, wine and cocktails at the Cava Marquéz de Jeréz bar. Chilcabamba Lodge At 3,480m (11,417ft) above sea level, this rustic mountain lodge offers homey accommodation with breathtaking views of Cotopaxi volcano. Grab a drink by the fire pit and gaze at the star-studded sky in this wonderfully tranquil setting. La Floresta Hotel This cozy hotel, close to downtown Baños, features tastefully decorated rooms with traditional Ecuadorian furnishings and a peaceful private garden – primed for relaxing after a busy day exploring. Make the most of the plentiful breakfast buffet. Kuyana Amazon Lodge Tune into the Amazon at this serene hideaway surrounded by dense tropical rainforest. Stylish, luxurious rooms are accompanied by an outdoor pool and restaurant serving sumptuous Ecuadorian dishes made with organic, locally sourced ingredients. Termas de Papallacta Soak in hot springs and treat yourself to a relaxing massage at this spa resort in the Andes mountains – a truly memorable final stop on your Ecuadorian journey. If you’re feeling bold, why not give the chocolate or clay body treatments a go?

Hygieneprotocol

An average size of our groups is 10 which means you have the security of the group, but can avoid large crowds. All our Local Insiders will be Health & Safety trained and ensure your safety and wellbeing is the number one priority. Our private vehicles will feature daily assigned seating and undergo daily deep cleaning of all surfaces. Where possible, we use small / boutique accommodation which means fewer guests and less contact with other travellers. We require all hotels to provide protocols around the extra health & hygiene measures taken. Most included activities will be exclusive to our group where possible to minimize contact with other travellers and locals.

Not included:

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Flights

Flights are not included.

Optional

Other activities and services are not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Arrive In Quito
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Arrive In Quito

Upon arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport, you’ll be whisked off to your hotel in the Old Town district of Quito (the second-highest capital city in the world at 2,850m/9,350ft above sea level) and meet our Local Insider at 6pm who will accompany the group throughout the trip. In the evening, get to know your fellow travelers over a welcome dinner, washed down with an cold Pilsener – Ecuador’s favorite beer. Be sure to get a good night’s rest ahead of an action-packed day exploring the city tomorrow. Accommodation: Hotel Patio Andaluz Activities included: Welcome dinner
Day 2 Day 2: Explore Quito And Attend An Ecuadorian Cooking Masterclass
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Explore Quito And Attend An Ecuadorian Cooking Masterclass

Kick start the trip with an optional morning visit to the equator – head to the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo and Intiñan Museum where you can stand with your feet in two hemispheres. Regroup in Quito’s historic center (a Unesco World Heritage site) for a walking tour of the Plaza Grande, Presidential Palace and La Compañía church. After admiring the impressive array of colonial architecture and wandering down lively La Ronda street, you’ll embark on a gastronomic journey at Altamira restaurant. Learn how to prepare a variety of traditional Ecuadorian dishes in a cooking masterclass, capped off with a chocolate-tasting session. Accommodation: Hotel Patio Andaluz Activities included: Quito walking tour Ecuadorian cooking masterclass and market visit Chocolate-tasting session Optional activities: Ciudad Mitad del Mundo and Intiñan Museum visit
Day 3 Day 3: Go Horseback Riding In Cotopaxi National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Go Horseback Riding In Cotopaxi National Park

Today, you’ll journey south towards Cotopaxi National Park, dominated by the 5,897m (19,347ft) high Cotopaxi stratovolcano – the second-highest peak in Ecuador. If the conditions are clear, you’ll spot the snow-capped summit as you hike around the Limpiopungo glacial lagoon. Learn all about the flora, fauna and eruption history of the park at the Interpretation Center. Next, set out on a scenic horseback ride, where you’ll be introduced to the chagra cowboy culture of the Ecuadorian highlanders. Following a picnic lunch in Salitre, continue on to your mountain hacienda for the night. Accommodation: Chilcabamba Lodge Activities included: Limpiopungo Lagoon hike Cotopaxi Interpretation Center visit Horseback riding
Day 4 Day 4: Hike Round Quilotoa Lake And Visit A Tigua Art Studio
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Hike Round Quilotoa Lake And Visit A Tigua Art Studio

Prepare yourself for another unforgettable hike as you venture to Quilotoa – a volcano on the westernmost edge of the Ecuadorian Andes, off the usual tourist trail. It’s known for its emerald-green crater lake. After a short walk round the rim, stop by a Tiguan studio owned by Julio Toaquiza – an artist who pioneered a vibrant painting style, depicting life in the high Andes. In the afternoon, shop for handcrafted souvenirs at Salcedo Market – it’s a great place to get under the skin of Andean culture. Next stop, Baños – widely considered the adventure capital of Ecuador. Accommodation: La Floresta Hotel Activities included: Quilotoa Lake hike Tigua art studio visit Salcedo Market visit
Day 5 Day 5: Cycle The Magnificent Baños Waterfall Route
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Cycle The Magnificent Baños Waterfall Route

Start your day by visiting the Swing at the End of the World. Attached to a mountaintop treehouse, it offers jaw-dropping views of the Tungurahua volcano and the gaping valley below. Feeling brave? Give it a go. Afterwards, embark on an adventurous bike ride to three waterfalls on the road from Baños to Puyo: Agoyán, Manto de la Novia and the 80m (262ft) high Pailon del Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron). The water from these falls will eventually run into the Amazon River. Enjoy lunch with the Yaku Runa indigenous community before moving on to Tena – the gateway to the Amazon rainforest. Accommodation: Kuyana Amazon Lodge Activities included: Swing at the End of the World visit Baños Waterfall Route bike ride Yaku Runa project visit
Day 6 Day 6: Go White-Water Rafting On The Jatunyacu River
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Go White-Water Rafting On The Jatunyacu River

Ready for an adrenaline rush? Today, you’ll go white-water rafting through the jungle on the Jatunyacu River – one of the main tributaries of the Amazon River. Meaning 'big water’ in the native Quechua language, the Jatunyacu features a combination of wild rapids and flat scenic stretches, allowing you to appreciate the lush rainforest scenery. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the lodge. Come nightfall, take a guided forest trek and listen out for birds, monkeys and reptiles. Accommodation: Kuyana Amazon Lodge Activities included: White-water rafting Jungle night hike
Day 7 Day 7: Follow The Natural Oils Trail At Kuyana Amazon Lodge
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Follow The Natural Oils Trail At Kuyana Amazon Lodge

After breakfast, go on a guided hike to learn how natural essential oils are extracted from Amazonian plants for medicine and aromatherapy. Cool off with a refreshing dip in the waterfalls and make your way back to the lodge for lunch. It’s then time to leave the jungle behind and head back up towards the Andes. You’ll eventually arrive in the village of Papallacta, where you can relax in hot springs or book yourself in for a soothing spa treatment at the hotel. Cap off your trip with a farewell group dinner. Accommodation: Termas de Papallacta Activities included: Natural Oils Trail guided hike Waterfall swim Farewell dinner
Day 8 Day 8: Depart From Papallacta
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Depart From Papallacta

The time has come to pack your bags as your Ecuadorian experience comes to an end at 9am. After one final breakfast, you’ll be driven back to Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito. Bid farewell to your fellow travelers and catch your flight home – or extend your stay by joining our Galápagos Islands trip. Activities included: Airport transfer

8 days tour

Adventurous Ecuador

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Adventurous Ecuador

Day 1: Arrive In Quito

Day 2: Explore Quito And Attend An Ecuadorian Cooking Masterclass

Day 3: Go Horseback Riding In Cotopaxi National Park

Day 4: Hike Round Quilotoa Lake And Visit A Tigua Art Studio

Day 5: Cycle The Magnificent Baños Waterfall Route

Day 6: Go White-Water Rafting On The Jatunyacu River

Day 7: Follow The Natural Oils Trail At Kuyana Amazon Lodge

Day 8: Depart From Papallacta

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