Discover Ecuador’s diverse landscapes and cultural treasures on this 15-day journey across the Andes and Amazon. Start in Quito, exploring its colonial Old Town and vibrant neighborhoods. Continue to Otavalo Market and relax at historic haciendas before uncovering Cuenca’s UNESCO-listed streets and artisan villages. Explore Ingapirca’s Inca ruins and ride the thrilling Devil’s Nose train or visit the remote community of Guamote. Hike near Chimborazo Volcano, venture along Baños’ famous Route of the Waterfalls, and descend into the Amazon Basin for two days at Casa del Suizo rainforest lodge. Walk jungle trails, spot exotic wildlife, and connect with local traditions before returning through hummingbird reserves, Papallacta hot springs, and Antisana National Park for a final taste of Ecuador’s natural beauty.
Highlights
Explore Quito’s UNESCO Old Town with historic plazas and vibrant streets
Visit the homes of local Cañaris weavers
Visit Antisana National Park for condors and lakes
Experience the Amazon through rainforest hikes and a stay at a jungle lodge
Hike scenic Cajas National Park with its lakes and highland wildlife
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
Meet your local representative upon arrival in Quito and transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day settling in, relaxing, or exploring the city on your own.
Travel to Otavalo Valley, set beneath the towering Imbabura Volcano, and settle into the historic Hacienda Pinsaquí, a 200-year-old estate once favored by General Simón Bolívar. Explore the countryside on a mountain biking excursion, visit the “white city” of Ibarra, and browse Cotacachi’s renowned leather workshops. Walk through Cuicocha Lake’s scenic trails or unwind in Pinsaquí’s gardens and historic textile shops.
Spend the morning navigating the vibrant Otavalo Market, South America’s most renowned craft and textile market. Engage with skilled local vendors as you browse colorful tapestries, handwoven scarves, and traditional artwork. In the afternoon, return to Quito and transfer to the airport for your flight to the charming colonial city of Cuenca.
Today, explore Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage city celebrated for its colonial architecture, lively markets, and iconic red clay rooftops. Walk through flower-filled plazas and visit its striking cathedrals.
Venture into the surrounding villages of Sigsig, Gualaceo, and Chordeleg to watch artisans craft toquilla straw hats, intricate filigree jewelry, and other traditional handmade goods.
Spend a day hiking in Cajas National Park, a high-altitude sanctuary with over 235 lakes and diverse wildlife, including 157 bird species and 43 mammals. This combination of cultural encounters and natural beauty offers an authentic glimpse into Ecuador’s heritage and landscapes.
Day 7: Ingapirca | Devil's Nose Train or Guamote Community
After breakfast, drive two hours north of Cuenca to explore Ingapirca, Ecuador’s most significant Inca ruin, where the history of the Cañari and Inca cultures intertwines. Travel along rustic countryside roads lined with farms growing traditional Andean crops like corn, beans, and potatoes.
Depending on the day, either board the Devil’s Nose train for a dramatic ride that zigzags forward and backward through steep Andean slopes or visit the village of Guamote. In Guamote, meet a local family and gain insight into the daily life and traditions of this mountain community.
Continue your journey to the base of Chimborazo Volcano, where you will spend the night surrounded by Ecuador’s majestic highlands.
Start the day with breakfast before heading out for a hike to the Chimborazo refuge, located on the slopes of Ecuador’s tallest volcano. This towering summit is the farthest point from the Earth’s center, offering sweeping views of the surrounding highlands.
Drive across rugged mountain landscapes and wide-open valleys, taking in the dramatic scenery as you journey through Ecuador’s iconic highlands.
Begin the day exploring Baños, a favorite destination for both locals and visitors, celebrated for its hot springs, waterfalls, and breathtaking landscapes. Spend the day exploring the town and enjoying optional activities with your local guide, from outdoor adventures to relaxing thermal baths.
In the evening, experience Baños’ lively nightlife and sample local specialties, including the traditional cuy (roasted guinea pig).
Day 10: Pailón del Diablo Waterfall | Transfer to Amazon
Travel along Baños’ famous Route of the Waterfalls, known as the “gateway to the jungle,” as you descend into the Amazon basin to begin your jungle adventure. The route is dotted with dramatic waterfalls, lush green canyons, and cable car crossings that give you a close-up view of the roaring rivers below.
One of the day’s highlights is the Pailón del Diablo, an impressive 80-meter waterfall that plunges through a narrow, mist-filled canyon. Feel its raw power from stone viewpoints or suspended bridges that bring you face-to-face with its thundering cascade.
Continue through the jungle landscape to Casa del Suizo, a beautiful lodge set along the Napo River. Your cabañas provide panoramic views of the surrounding rainforest and three nearby volcanoes, setting the stage for your Amazon experience.
Spend two days exploring the Amazon from Casa del Suizo, a lodge that partners with local communities to protect 600 hectares of rainforest. Hike under the jungle canopy while learning about medicinal plants and traditional practices such as hunting techniques, cooking methods, and the use of natural materials.
Take part in activities like floating down the Río Arajuno on a simple hand-built raft or visiting AmaZoonico, an animal rescue center home to native wildlife. In the evenings, relax on your private terrace or cool off in the lodge’s pool. Each day is designed around your interests with the support of an experienced local team.
Day 13: Transfer to Andes | Papallacta Hot Springs
Leave the Amazon behind and ascend into the Andes, stopping at a hummingbird sanctuary where more than 14 species can be seen up close. Walk along scenic trails surrounded by forest-covered mountains and take in the rich birdlife and views.
End the day at the Papallacta hot springs. Stay in thatched-roof cabañas and relax in thermal pools framed by steep, green mountains. For those seeking more activity, the surrounding páramo offers excellent short hiking opportunities.
Travel to Antisana National Park, a high-altitude reserve renowned as a safe haven for the Andean condor. Explore its dramatic landscapes of mountains, volcanic peaks, and glacial lakes, which provide a habitat for diverse wildlife, including curiquingues, Andean gulls, black-faced ibis, white-tailed deer, and rabbits. With some luck, you might even spot an Andean wolf or a spectacled bear.
Covering 120,000 hectares, the park offers excellent opportunities for hiking, biking, and photography. Key highlights include the Paramo de las Almohadillas and La Mica Lagoon, both perfect for enjoying panoramic views and connecting with nature. After your visit, cross the Eastern Cordillera and return to Quito by afternoon.
Day 15: Return Home
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, enjoy a private transfer to the airport for your departing flight.
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 + Internal Flight Cost, 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
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
