Ultimate Ecuador

Arrive in Quito and stay overnight tonight.

If you have a full day in Quito and would like to plan activities ahead of time, chat with your trip planner about full-day and half-day options in Quito City!

Begin your Ecuador travel adventure with an exhilarating descent down the slopes of Pichincha Volcano by mountain bike. The tundra grass of the Andean paramo (high-altitude grassland) changes before your eyes (and the knobby tires of your bikes) as you roll into the Bellavista Cloud Forest. Steep gorges and ridges covered by impenetrable jungle provide spectacular views on the 3-4 hour downhill ride. In the afternoon, settle into Bellavista's cloud forest lodge and explore the trails surrounding this unique ecosystem.

Bellavista protects 1800 acres of endangered cloud forest on the western slopes of the Andes. Bordering the Choco bio-region, the forest is part of something that scientists refer to as a biodiversity "hotspot" - a place of extreme biodiversity in danger of extinction. Today you'll explore the miles of trails at Bellavista, passing by waterfalls, steep ravines, and thick gardens of hanging epiphytes in search of some of the 320 bird species recorded here. You'll learn more about the area's complex ecology, what Bellavista is doing to protect it, and about the endangered mammals such as the spectacled bear, mountain lion, Andean coati, and others that take refuge here.

Discover the charm of Mindo, a small adventure town nestled in the heart of the lush Cloud Forest. Start your day with an exhilarating zipline adventure, soaring across 3,500 meters of cables that reveal breathtaking views of the vibrant greenery below. Hike between platforms surrounded by nature, combining adrenaline with the serenity of the forest. Enhance your visit with a hands-on cacao experience, following the tasty journey from bean to bar, or wander through a butterfly sanctuary in this peaceful paradise. Mindo perfectly blends adventure, cultural encounters, and natural beauty for an unforgettable day in the cloud forest.

In the afternoon, transfer to Pululahua Crater, an inhabited volcanic crater, where you will stay overnight.

Today, drive south along the Avenue of the Volcanoes to the 270-foot-high Condor Machay Waterfall. Along the way, stop at the Equator line and stand in both hemispheres at the same time. Hike along a trail through a unique Andean forest known as the paperbark tree forest. Continue to the village of El Pedregal, where you will experience the local culture before continuing on to your resting point for the day, Hacienda El Porvenir.

Today’s hike in the Andean forest covers approximately 8 kilometers (5 miles).

This morning, learn the ways of the Chagras, the Ecuadorean cowboys of the highlands. Saddle up and ride to the foothills of Rumiñahui Volcano, passing through open páramo alongside herds of wild horses and bulls. Along the way, local guides share knowledge about the region’s birds, wildlife, and medicinal plants. Return to the farmhouse for a lunch of traditional Ecuadorian dishes.

In the afternoon, take part in the Cooking in the Clouds class, where you will learn to prepare dishes you may have sampled along your travels so far. Start by learning to prepare cheese empanadas, followed by the traditional process of making aji, a chili sauce essential to Ecuadorian cuisine. At Hacienda El Porvenir, this sauce is made using a stone mortar and seasoned with herbs and spices. Finish the class by preparing canelazo, a hot spiced drink commonly served during highland celebrations. Afterward, enjoy the dishes by the fireplace. Save a bit of room in your appetite, dinner and another night at the hacienda follow the cooking class.

Click here to watch a YouTube video about Hacienda El Porvenir and the Tierra del Volcan's area near Cotopaxi.

In the morning, after breakfast, gear up for a high ropes course adventure. Navigate ladders, nets, tightropes, swinging logs, and wobbly bridges 20 feet (6 meters) above the ground. This activity requires no prior climbing experience and offers a challenging but accessible experience.

In the afternoon, enjoy lunch before testing the bike and receiving a short briefing on handling techniques. Ride along a 7-kilometer single track through native woodlands restored for conservation. The trail zigzags uphill with a gradient between 5 and 8 degrees. End the day with dinner and an overnight stay.

After breakfast, depart the Hacienda and drive to Cotopaxi National Park, passing through ancient lava flows from previous eruptions. Learn about Andean geology along the way. Arrive at the car park below the Cotopaxi Refuge and begin a short but challenging hike to the José Rivas Refuge at 4,864 meters (15,958 feet). Take in views of the towering volcano before descending back to the vehicle.

Continue to Limpiopungo Lake, where a box lunch is provided. Explore the area, observing local flora and fauna while learning about the park’s history and conservation efforts. Visit Pucará del Salitre, an ancient military fortress, before returning to Quito to prepare for the journey to the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Begin in El Coca City and drive two hours on the Auca Road to the Shiripuno River, the entrance to Yasuni. Launch a kayaking journey along the river, navigating through the rainforest and spotting wildlife like toucans, macaws, and monkeys. After four hours on the water, arrive at the eco-glamping location, where staff will greet you and help you settle in. Enjoy dinner in the evening.

Start the day with an early breakfast, then paddle for 30 minutes on the river. Carry the boats 300 meters to reach Anaconda Lagoon, an oxbow lake where anacondas, giant otters, and caimans are occasionally spotted. Later in the morning, continue with a 40-minute canoe ride to another lagoon, where giant otters and other wildlife may be spotted. If time allows, explore a third lagoon.

Start the day with breakfast before heading out on a 5-hour kayaking trip on the Shiripuno River. Stop for a packed lunch before setting off on a 4-hour forest hike to a hilltop with panoramic rainforest views. Return by motorized canoe in the evening, watching for caimans and other nocturnal wildlife. End the day with dinner at camp.

Start the day with an early breakfast, then paddle through nearby tributaries by kayak, navigating smaller river arms and streams. After lunch, take part in the Waorani farewell ceremony, featuring traditional chants, stories, and insights into their history and interactions with the Western world.

Enjoy your final breakfast at Wao Eco Glamp. Pack your belongings and to the airport for your flight to Quito.