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 cultural diversity of the highlands from Cotopaxi to Quilotoa, and the Inca ruins of Ingapirca. Conclude your trip with a visit to the famous Indian market in Otavalo. This is the perfect overview tour of Ecuador!
Highlights
Visit Cotopaxi, the earth's highest active volcano
Embark on a thrilling cliff-side train ride over the Naríz del Diablo
Explore the Incan ruins of Ingapirca and the colonial city of Cuenca
Discover the mangrove forest of Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve
Shop the colorful vendors of the famous Otavalo Saturday Indian market
Extend your trip to cruise among blue-footed boobies in the Galapagos
Click on photos to enlarge and read captions
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Your journey today takes you from Guayaquil to Cuenca. As you depart the coast, enjoy a visit of Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve. Nearly 50,000 hectares in size, this reserve is one of the most important reserves in Ecuador and in all of South America. Here find four related ecosystems: mangroves, estuary, dry tropical forest, and wet tropical forest.
For lunch today enjoy a typical Ecuadorian meal at Dos Chorreras, a restaurant with more than 20 years of experience, known for its fried trout served with “yuca” and vegetables. Here you can also enjoy a classic soup from the Highlands called “Locro,” a potato sauce served with avocado and fresh cheese. Select from a buffet of local desserts to finish your meal.
Your next stop en route to Cuenca takes you to Cajas National Park. Over 200 gorgeous lakes are scattered amongst the jagged rocks and craggy valleys that make up the breathtaking landscape of this often wet and foggy park. Arrive in Cuenca this evening and settle into your hotel. Cuenca is considered the most colonial city in all the Americas; red clay rooftops stretch throughout the city and baroque churches seem to stand on every corner.
Enjoy a full day of exploring colonial Cuenca with your guide. Choose the areas that interest you most. You may choose to depart early this morning and head to the markets at 10 de Agosto and San Francisco. From there, continue on to San Sebastion, the historical center and visit the Museum of Modern Art. Stop by the Parque de las Flores and visit Parque Calderón, the city’s largest plaza and home to both the new and old cathedral. Choose from great museum options or visit a Panama Hat factory. You may choose to visit the famous Barranco along Calle Largo. Stop by Mirador de Turi for a great view of the city and finish up by visiting the Gallery of Eduardo Vega, whose ceramics have achieved international fame.
Tonight enjoy a group dinner at Raymipamba, a charming restaurant located by the main Cathedral in Cuenca. Select from a menu of traditional dishes, featuring options from both the coastal and highlands regions of Ecuador.
Continue your journey north, following old dirt roads into the countryside. Pass a checkerboard of small farms growing corn, beans, potatoes, and other Andean staples as you make your way to Hacienda Abraspungo. Make a stop along the way at Ecuador's most famous and largest Incan ruins, Ingapirca. Admire the intricate stonework, with each stone carefully chiseled to last centuries without any mortar. Next enjoy the drive to the Indian Village of Alausí, from where you embark on a thrilling train ride over the Naríz del Diablo (Devil´s Nose) to Sibambe, then back to Alausí. The Devil's Nose train is an impressive feat of engineering, climbing more than 500 meters in less than 12 kilometers. The track is carved into steep mountainsides with impressive views of the valley below.
This evening, settle in to Hacienda Abraspungo, surrounded by the magnificence of the Ecuadorian Andes. It is named after a glacial valley which is situated between the Chimborazo Volcano and Carihuairazo, in the exact center of Ecuador.
After breakfast this morning head north along the magnificent Central Valley, which is sheltered by two parallel mountain ranges. Visit Quilotoa, a beautiful emerald lagoon surrounded by several snow-capped volcanoes. Next, meet the famous Tigua painters. Their sheepskin paintings of traditional Andean village life have been highly regarded since before Incan times.
Tonight overnight in one of Ecuador's most famous haciendas, the 400-year-old Hacienda La Cienega. This enchanting hacienda on the slopes of Cotopaxi has hosted many of Ecuador's former presidents as well as Alexander von Humboldt, founder of modern geography.
Head north along the "Avenue of the Volcanoes,” viewing the breathtaking high plains surrounding the magnificent snow-capped Cotopaxi - the earth's highest active volcano (19347ft/5897m). This area provides excellent opportunities to spot the Andean condor.
Visit the glassy Limpiopungo Lake, one the best viewpoints to capture the Cotopaxi Volcano on camera. Keep an eye out for birds, llamas, and rabbits while enjoying the views of the clear water surrounded by mountains in the Avenue of the Volcanoes.
Make your way to Quito this evening. Settle into your hotel and enjoy Quito's beautiful colonial streets!
Today enjoy an exploration of the capital city of Quito. Drive north to visit "El mirador de Guápulo" (view point), from where you can admire its church and Quito's nearby valleys. Go south towards Quito's colonial center - one of the world's cultural heritage sites, where you can see many historical buildings including churches, museums, and monuments. From here continue to El Panecillo - the small, rounded hill which dominates the old town. From its summit you can see marvelous views of the whole city stretching out below, as well as magnificent views of the surrounding volcanoes.
For lunch today enjoy a meal at El Crater, a restaurant with stunning views of the dormant Pululahua Volcano, whose crater is now inhabited.
Travel towards "La Mitad del Mundo" (the middle of the world) in the village of San Antonio, about 22 kilometers north of Quito. Here visit the trapezium stone monument, which is built on the Equator, and the excellent Museo Etnográfico or Inti-Ñan.
Depart Quito this morning to drive north to historic Hacienda Pinsaqui. The hacienda is nestled in the Otavalo valley in the shadow of Imbabura Volcano and was once a colonial textile enterprise, employing over one thousand weavers and spinners. From here visit the Peguche waterfall, the Cotocachi Volcano, San Pablo Lake, and the small town of Iluman. The 200-year-old hacienda with its gardens and old textile shops is yours to explore.
Visit the Otavalo market today to shop the colorful stalls and bargain for gifts and souvenirs. Indigenous people from the mountains descend into the valley to sell their crafts, textiles, cows, and goats in the tiny town of Otavalo. This is the most famous Indian market on the continent, and the good-hearted Otavaleños are certain to win your heart. Arrive early to the animal market for a riotous time of literal horse trading, and spend the day bargaining with the locals over fine sweaters, tapestries, and woodwork.
Return to Quito in the late afternoon and relax before the farewell dinner this evening.
Day 10: Return Home or Continue to Galapagos
1 Breakfast
Depart Quito on the flight home of your choice or extend your adventure with a 4-day or 8-day guided hiking and snorkeling cruise in the stunning Galapagos Islands!
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.
Notes
Select a Date
Based on minimum group size of 10-13 travelers
$2,395 per person for group size of 14-17
$2,340 per person for group size of 18-21
$2,290 per person for group size of 22+
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
I could not be happier with my Adventure Life experience, from beginning to end. I travel a lot, and I think your company and personnel do an outstanding job. I truly appreciate your professionalism, attentiveness, and flexibility. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your company and would be happy to serve as a reference.
Constance Block
TrustScore 4.8 | 177 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 177 reviews on
10 hours ago
First class all the way. Enjoyed our Guide, Karla, Driver Mark so much. Personalized tour of Antigua during Easter was like a National Geographic in person. Trip of the Lifetime. Such a spiritual and magical tour. Many Thanks.
Ben Shaver
Ben Shaver, Jr.
2 days 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
4 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
6 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
1 week ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.