Ecuador offers visitors some of the most stunning natural beauty and cultural diversity on the continent. Wander the cobblestone streets of colonial Cuenca, tasting new foods and bargaining with local vendors. Spend three nights discovering the diversity of the rainforest from your jungle lodge and river raft to the Amazon port town of Tena. Conclude your trip with a night at Ecuador's finest hacienda in the shadow of Imbabura Volcano--a journey of discovery fit for everyone. This is our most comprehensive Ecuador travel option!
Highlights
Explore Cuenca's markets, grand churches, and charming villages
Visit the homes of local Cañaris weavers
Hike through the shadowed jungle canopy
Raft continuous Class III rapids down the Jatunyacu River
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
This morning fly south to the delightful city of Cuenca to begin your Ecuador travel experience. Considered the most colonial city in all of the Americas, red clay rooftops stretch throughout the city of Cuenca and baroque churches stand on the corners. The time is yours to explore however you like. You might visit the city's markets and grand churches or head to the charming villages of Gualaceo and Chordeleg. There's also Cajas National Park, which offers a great day trip of hiking.
Ecuador's most famous Inca ruin, Ingapirca, lies two hours north of Cuenca. Following old dirt roads into the countryside, pass a checkerboard of small farms growing corn, beans, potatoes and other Andean staples. Spend the day exploring the ancient citadel and the surrounding area of Cañar. The indigenous people of this area, Cañaris, are well known for their textiles, and you can hope for an invitation into the homes of some local weavers. This evening you overnight at a 17th Century hacienda to enjoy an evening of old world charm.
Today head north through the Avenue of Volcanoes to continue your Ecuador travels. This is a fairly long trip with spectacular scenery along the way. Arrive to the subtropical town of Baños by mid-afternoon.
Baños is a favorite destination for Ecuadorians and foreigners. Relax in the town's thermal baths, bicycle downhill towards the Amazon, or rent horses for a tour of the lush cloudforest or the high páramo of Sangay National Park. For those looking to explore Andean culture, your Adventure Life tour leader can help introduce you to the indigenous people of Salasaca and their colorful markets. Baños is also famous for its fun nightlife, so hit the town this Friday--don't forget to try the local cuy (roasted guinea pig)!
Today descend into the Amazon basin to begin a jungle adventure! Located along the mighty Napo River, your cabañas offer a tremendous panorama of the surrounding jungle and three nearby volcanoes. During your jungle stay at Casa del Suizo, hike through the shadowed jungle canopy learning about the medical uses of various plants, or visit the celebrated animal shelter, AmaZoonico, where you can get better acquainted with the local exotic wildlife. Your time in the rainforest can also include a float down the peaceful Rio Arajuno. At night, relax on the private terrace, or take a cool swim in the lodge's pool.
Head upriver to a higher elevation on the green slopes of the Andes. Pass the day on continuous Class III rapids of the Jatunyacu River, moving through the stunning scenery of the upper Amazon basin. This evening, enjoy the nightlife of the jungle town of Tena to complete your Amazon tour adventures
In the morning, catch a bus to climb into the Andes. Your destination is the hot springs of Papallacta. Surrounded by steep mountains covered in lush green forest, overnight in thatched roofed cabañas and soak in the thermal baths. For the adventurous, this area offers excellent short hikes into the high páramo.
A short ride over the Eastern Cordillera brings you back to Quito for the afternoon. If the weather is clear, you are treated to views of glacier-covered Cayambe and Antisana Volcanoes. This afternoon, explore colonial Quito’s narrow streets, baroque churches, and busy plazas and markets with your Adventure Life tour leader.
Nestled in the Otavalo Valley in the shadow of Imbabura Volcano, the 200 year-old Hacienda Pinsaqui was a favorite haunt of the revolutionary General Simon Bolívar. The thick whitewashed walls seem to whisper stories of a by-gone era. From the hacienda, go mountain biking in the countryside, visit the white city of Ibarra and the leather shops of Cotacachi, or explore Cuicocha Lake. Pinsaqui, with its gardens and old textile shops, is yours to explore.
Finish your Ecuador travels at the Otavalo market, South America’s most famous market. The Otavaleños are one of the most friendly and business savvy Indians on the continent. Saturday is the day that Indians from the surrounding mountains descend into Otavalo to trade goods and socialize with friends and family from around the valley. After a day of testing your wits against the local vendors for tapestries, paintings, scarves and sweaters, its time to head to Quito for a final farewell to your newfound friends.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.