Quito City Tour and Middle of the World

Quito Old Town - Begin the adventure in the historic center of the capital, where the majestic basilica cathedral and Plaza Grande await. This charming square is surrounded by significant landmarks like the government palace and the iconic cathedral. Tours are adaptable, allowing for a personalized experience with options to visit historical sites such as San Francisco Plaza and monastery, the church ‘La Compañia,’ and the vibrant La Ronda area.

El Panecillo - Next, ascend Panecillo hill for a stunning panoramic view of Quito and the majestic Andean volcanoes in the background, perfect for capturing memorable photos. The tour’s pace is flexible, ensuring a full experience of the city.

Mitad Del Mundo - Continue to the Mitad del Mundo monument, where there is time to explore the area or the Inti Ñan Museum. This is a unique chance to learn about the indigenous Quitus culture and their fascinating understanding of sun cycles. Additionally, there’s an opportunity to visit the Pululahua volcano crater.

Cotopaxi National Park

Laguna de Limpiopungo - On the second day, depart from Quito towards the majestic Cotopaxi volcano, Ecuador’s second highest peak at 5,897 meters. Enter Cotopaxi National Park to observe the unique páramo biodiversity and understand its ecological importance. The adventure begins with a short walk around the stunning Lake Limpiapungo, followed by a journey to the parking lot, where the day’s excitement continues.

Cotopaxi Volcano - Embark on a spectacular hike to the first refuge of the volcano, located at 4,810 meters above sea level. Upon reaching the base camp, there is ample time to recover from the hike and celebrate with a hot cup of soup. For those eager to go further, there is an option to ascend to the glaciers, weather permitting. The experience can be tailored to suit individual preferences and health.

Amazon Rainforest

Mirador Indichuris - On the third day, travel from Baños to Puyo, the gateway to the Ecuadorian Amazon. The 1.5-hour drive offers stunning views as the scenery and vegetation shift through different climates. Just beyond Puyo, visit a Quichua family from the indigenous Indichuris population to learn about their culture and traditions.

A little further, arrive at the Indichuris viewpoint to enjoy an incredible view over the Amazon and the Pastaza river. Additionally, there is a rare opportunity to embark on a canoe ride down the river, exploring more of the Ecuadorian Amazon with a local expert (optional activity).

Cascada Hola Vida - Next, enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant near the Mirador, where you can try Allampaco, a traditional dish featuring steam-cooked tilapia wrapped in bijao leaves. After lunch, head to the Hola Vida waterfall, perfect for relaxation and a refreshing swim. Before reaching the waterfall, take a short walk through the jungle, admiring the diverse trees and the incredible sound of birds.

Puyo - Finally, visit a local cacao farm to witness the fascinating process of transforming cacao beans into flavorful chocolate, with a chance to taste the results.

Baños - Route of the Waterfalls

La Casa del Arbol - Depart from Baños de Agua Santa to explore the breathtaking waterfall route. Start with a short hike to ‘La Casa del Árbol,’ or ‘Tree House,’ where a National Geographic photo contest winner was taken, offering stunning views and a chance to take photos on the swing overlooking the valley.

CASCADA EL PAILON - Next, visit El Pailón del Diablo, a breathtaking giant waterfall among Ecuador’s top 10 largest. Embark on a beautiful 2-kilometer hike, rewarded with incredible views of the waterfall from various perspectives.

Cascada el Manto de la Novia - Continue along the waterfall route, stopping to admire miraculous waterfalls, including ‘Manta de la Novia,’ a paradise for adventure seekers. Experience a cable car ride through the green valley toward the enormous waterfall, or participate in spectacular zip-line activities.

Riobamba - After a day of incredible nature and exciting activities, head to Riobamba, located about half an hour from Baños, to rest for the night and prepare for the next special day.

Devils Nose Mountain and Ingapirca Ruins

Ingapirca Ruins - Continue to Cañar to visit the Ingapirca Archaeological complex, the most impressive and best-preserved Inca ruins in Ecuador. Learn about the fascinating history of the ancient Cañari and Inca civilizations, including their sophisticated architecture, engineering, and rituals. Discover the Inca-constructed Temple of the Sun and the Canari-constructed Temple of the Moon, delving into the beliefs and spirituality of each culture. After exploring Ingapirca, continue to the breathtaking city of Cuenca, known for its fascinating architecture and mountain surroundings. The journey to Cuenca takes approximately 1.5 hours, offering beautiful landscapes along the way.

Cuenca - After exploring Ingapirca, continue to the breathtaking city of Cuenca, known for its fascinating architecture and mountain surroundings. The journey to Cuenca takes approximately 1.5 hours, offering beautiful landscapes along the way.

Cajas National Park

Laguna La Toreadora - Travel to one of Ecuador’s most breathtaking national parks: Cajas. After a brief but beautiful drive from Cuenca, start with a moderate 2.5-hour hike (depending on the group’s pace) through the highlands with its moorland ecosystem of wetlands and lakes. A naturalist guide will point out endemic flora and explain the geology, history, and culture of the area. Next, visit the unique forest of polylepis trees, considered some of the highest growing trees in the world.

El Cajas National Park - After the hike, stop at a local restaurant to relax and enjoy a delicious lunch. The specialty is trout, but other options like chicken or beef are available. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals are also accommodated.

Cuenca Half Day City Tour

Plaza Abdon Calderon - Spend the last day of the Ecuador adventure in the stunning city of Cuenca. Begin in the San Sebastian neighborhood, a traditional area marking the city’s western colonial border. Visit the Modern Art Museum, home to the famous Bienal International of Cuenca, part of a select group of macro art events in Latin America and the Caribbean. Explore the exhibits and the historical house with its traditional architecture. Next, explore the San Francisco market, the flower market, Abdon Calderon Park, the cathedral “El Sagrario” (the “Old Cathedral”), and finally, witness the “New Cathedral,” one of the largest churches in Latin America, featuring the famous gold leaf altar.

Homero Ortega - Continue the tour to a Panama hat factory to observe and learn about the fabrication of “Paja toquilla” fiber hats. The guide will explain the process of making these hats, the story behind the name “Panama Hats,” and their importance to the local economy. The hats range from classic simple designs to colorful, elegantly crafted, and costly ones.

Mirador de Turi - Conclude the journey with a visit to the beautiful Barranco neighborhood and “Mirador de Turi,” a scenic viewpoint offering a stunning vista of the Cuenca landscape. It’s a perfect moment to reflect on the journey and share memories. All passengers will be safely dropped off at their accommodation, the airport, or the bus station.

• 6 Nights accommodation (Double or triple rooms)
• Private transportation
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Guide (English, Spanish)
• All fees and/or taxes
• Activities, entrance fees and tickets as listed in itinerary
• Breakfast
• Lunch

• Meals not specified
• Travel Insurance

Embark on a week-long adventure in Ecuador with our 7-day itinerary, journeying south from Quito to Cuenca along a stunning route. Discover the top attractions of the Ecuadorian Andes, engage with indigenous communities, and marvel at the awe-inspiring waterfalls as you venture into the Amazon Rainforest. Explore the captivating history at the country’s largest and best-preserved Inca ruins. This itinerary offers a perfect mix of nature and culture.

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.