From rugged Andean mountains and lush Amazonian jungle, to serene Pacific beaches and colonial cities, Ecuador offers a unique landscape that we have tried to encompass on this 2 week tour.
This is an example itinerary, if you would like to make any changes or alterations just email.
Day 1
Arrive Quito and transfer to hotel Casa Aliso
This 10-room gem offers all of the style and comfort of a small luxurious home. The interiors are especially inviting. The use of colour, fresh flowers and marble throughout creates the atmosphere of a fine private residence (which it was when built in 1936).
In keeping with its former incarnation as a private residence, the Casa Aliso entrance offers a warm welcome to weary travellers. One almost has the feeling of arriving at the home of an old friend.
Day 2
City Tour of Quito
A comprehensive city tour includes visits to residential neighbourhoods at the northern end of the city, visiting the "Guapulo Mirador", passing through the 12 of October Avenue up to the Culture House and the Legislative Palace (Congress) where the rock murals that are related to the history of Ecuador can be appreciated.
The tour will then continue through the Gran Colombia Avenue up to the Basilica Church, we will make a brief stop and next the San Juan Mirador will be waiting with a beautiful sight of Colonial Quito.
Walking through the colonial streets we will then stop at the Independence Plaza admiring the Cathedral, the Government's Palace, and the Archiepiscopal palace. Furthermore, we will visit La Compañia Church where adornments and gold altars can be appreciated, a visit to the Sagrario Church and San Francisco which was built in the XVII century will be also done (entrances are not included). Then we will be heading to the Panecillo Mirador a beautiful place from where a sight of colonial and modern Quito will be taken.
Overnight – Casa Aliso
Day 3
Day trip to Mindo Cloud Forest via Equatorial line
From Quito you will admire the impressive change of vegetation and climate until we reach the Mindo Cloud Forest, where trekking through the forest will be done, depending on the difficulty and adventure preferred. During the hiking you will have the opportunity to admire the waterfalls, the natural forest, rivers, and more than 400 exotic species of birds, butterflies and orchids. A full day tour includes lunch and a specialist guide.
Overnight – Casa Aliso
Day 4
Avenue of Volcanoes – Cotopaxi – Riobamba
Today you will be picked you up from your hotel at 8:00 am. Drive along the Avenue of the volcanes to Cotopaxi National Park. After a short visit to the museum, you will enjoy a hike for 45 minutes where you will find a plethora of wildlife. Some wild rabbits, ducks, many birds from the highlands, plants, and for the Llama lovers you will find these in small herds. You will continue your visit to Limpiopungo lagoon to enjoy spectacular views of the Paramo while centre stage is of course the 5890 m cone formed, snow crested volcano Cotopaxi, normally only viewable in clear days. Sometimes the Condor can be seen in this area as well as the orange faced Falcon (Curunculated Caracara) and Andean seagull.
Your lunch will be waiting for you at La Cienega Hostería, an antique hacienda in Ecuador located in the heart of the Andes. In the afternoon you will have time to visit La Cienega and after that you will continue the trip to Riobamba. En route you will have a panoramic view of Ambato city and also a stop to enjoy the imposing Chimborazo volcano, the highest peak in Ecuador (6.310 m above sea level).
Overnight at Abraspungo hostería
Day 5
Devils Nose
After an early breakfast, transfer to the station to board the Devil's Nose train which is a favorite of many visitors, who often travel on the roof of the train. It's roughly a four or five-hour ride, depending on whether you get off at the town of Alausi or at Sibambe. The ride takes you through every climate zone, starting in the cool high lands, going through the cloud forest, and ending in the hot coastal jungle. The train remarkably descends caboose first and mounts the cliffs by means of switchbacks with thrilling twists and turns, offering spectacular views of chimborazo and a thrilling descent down the Devil's Nose, a 45-degree gradient. At the end of the ride you will be transferred, by road, to Alausi town for a relaxing lunch. Afternoon return to Quito arriving approximately at 7:00 pm.
Overnight – Casa Aliso
Day 6
Transfer to Cotococha Amazon Lodge
The Lodge Cotococha Amazon Lodge offers 21 spacious bungalows, built according to traditional architecture in harmony with the surrounding rainforest. All bungalows are equipped with a private bathroom, a private veranda with reclining chairs or hammocks to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of Ecuador's Amazon. Social areas are carefully decorated and offer all comfort and cosiness for a splendid stay in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Arrival to the Lodge in the afternoon. After the drive we can relax in our bungalow. Dinner. A very special welcome drink is served while sitting around the open fireplace to coordinate and discuss next day's activities with our crew, plus an introductory speech about the Amazon Jungle by our Lodge's Administrator.
Day 7
Early in the morning we'll have breakfast. Afterwards we must prepare our gear: boots, raincoat so we can be ready to begin the adventure! We will board a canoe and start our journey downstream through the enchanted Amazon Jungle along the imposing NapoRiver. Arrive to Misahualli, where we make a short stop to check our papers with local Marina, so don't forget your passport!! Continuing our canoe-trip we arrive to ArajunoRiver. Visit to Animal Rescue Centre "AmaZOOnico" which is specialized in the rescue of wild animals for specie conservation and reintegration into the wild. In here we will observe a great variety of species such as:
toucans, all kind of colourful parrots, various kinds of monkeys, jaguars, capybaras and much more! Afterwards, we will enjoy a delicious lunch in the river shore, picnic style. We'll have the opportunity to swim in the river or just resting peacefully surrounded by a wonderful natural atmosphere.
After concluding this day's experience, we'll head back to the Lodge, but first we will visit a Quichua family and learn about their millenary culture and traditions such as gold rinse in the river shoreline, traditional pottery making, making of typical drink "chicha" made of yuca (a traditional Ecuadorian manioc), and the use of the "serbatana" (blowpipe for hunting use). After our encounter with Quichua culture, we return to the Lodge by foot over secondary jungle pads. Upon arrival enjoy a snack. At night, after dinner, we'll have our usual meeting around the fireplace to share our day's experiences.
Day 8
After breakfast, we depart by canoe upstream for ten minutes, arriving to a small shore where we begin a fun and thrilling one hour walk, marvelling ourselves with the jungle's secondary forest diverse flora and fauna. After our short walk, we'll find ourselves in a breathtaking cascade "Las Latas" where we will take a refreshing bath in its clear crystal waters and enjoy the surrounding views, which mixed with the jungle sounds, makes it a unforgettable experience. We return to
have lunch at the lodge. After lunch we put on our "wet gear" (boots & rain coat) to start an exciting walk in the jungle's primary forest ready to find the secret wonders of the mysterious hidden jungle, finding amazing plant species with medicinal properties, which will be fully explained by our expert native guide: their characteristics and how the jungle inhabitants used them in ancient times. We'll also observe a great variety of insects, short monkey groups weaving around the giant trees; we must stay very quiet to admire these beautiful creatures. Dozens of curious colourful birds tag along with us during our walk whistling beautiful notes delighting our senses. After about three hours of walking, we come back and arrive to the Lodge. At night, a delicious dinner and relax by the fireplace while enjoying an exotic cocktail or drink from our bar.
Day 9 White-Water rafting
After breakfast, we transfer a short distance to the Jondachi River for white-water rafting The Jondachi, is probably one of the most amazing rivers you will ever run in Ecuador, this is because of its amazing landscapes full of waterfalls and wildlife, the trip begins about an hour from Tena in the community of Mondayacu. After 4 hours you will get to the town of Santo Domingo near Tena where the trip ends.
This is a class III+ - IV river, which is suitable for people who have not done rafting before.
Overnight – Campina del Quijos
A lovely eco-resort committed to the sustainable development of the Quijos valley.
Day 10 San Rafael waterfall and hot thermal springs
Return to Quito
Overnight – Casa Aliso Day 11
Free day in Quito to relax and explore.
Day 12
Short flight from Quito to Manta and transfer to Puerto Lopez
Day 13
Boat ride to La Plata Island
Day 14
Free morning at beach, afternoon transfer to Guayaquil.
Overnight - Manso boutique hostal in Guayaquil
Day 15
Transfer to Guayaquil airport where you trip comes to an end
The above itinerary is based on 4 star accommodation in most areas. We can also offer budget and 5 star options.