Ecuador 15-Day Small Group: Rainforest, Colonial Cities & Andes

Points of Interest : Quito

Your Ecuador adventure begins with your arrival at Quito’s international airport. You are welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel in the capital. The rest of the afternoon is free so you can relax after the flight or take a first stroll through the surrounding neighbourhood at your own pace.

The transfer from the airport to your hotel takes around 45 minutes with an English-speaking guide.

• Meals included : None
• Accommodation : Ikala Hotel, standard room in Quito

Points of Interest : Lago Agrío, Termas de Papallacta

Today you cross the Eastern Andean range at over 4,000 m on your way down into the Amazon lowlands. The road leads through all vegetation zones, from high-altitude páramo to cloud forest and finally into the tropical rainforest.

On the way you stop at the Papallacta hot springs, idyllically located between the snow-capped Antisana and Cayambe volcanoes, where you can relax in the thermal pools. Once you reach the rainforest region, and if the weather is clear, you may catch a glimpse of the currently active Reventador Volcano in the distance.

You continue on to your accommodation in the Amazon lowlands.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Magic Paradise Hotel in the Amazon lowlands

Points of Interest : Cuyabeno Faunistic Reserve

In the morning you are picked up from your hotel and driven by private transport to the bridge over the Cuyabeno River, the entrance to the reserve. After a light lunch, you board a motorised canoe for a journey of around two hours through the tropical rainforest towards Laguna Grande.

Upon arrival at Caiman Lodge, you settle into your room and have a short rest. Later you head out to explore the beautiful Laguna Grande by canoe. With a bit of luck you may spot pink river dolphins and a great variety of birdlife. If conditions allow, you can also swim in the lake at sunset for a memorable end to the day.

• Meals included : Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation : Caiman Lodge in the Cuyabeno Reserve

Points of Interest : Cuyabeno Faunistic Reserve

Your day in the lodge starts early to make the most of the cool morning hours, when rainforest wildlife is particularly active. After breakfast, a short canoe ride brings you to a forest trail within the park. During the walk your naturalist guide explains the local wildlife, medicinal plants, the delicate rainforest ecosystem and the daily life of Indigenous communities. Keep your eyes open for ants, colourful but poisonous frogs, tropical birds and different species of monkeys.

In the afternoon you explore the seasonally flooded forest by canoe, searching for monkeys, birds, river dolphins and with some luck even anacondas. After dinner you set out on a night walk to observe nocturnal creatures and experience the sounds of the jungle after dark.

• Meals included : Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation : Caiman Lodge in the Cuyabeno Reserve

Points of Interest : Cuyabeno National Park

After a varied breakfast you travel downstream by canoe. A short walk leads you to a Siona village, where you learn more about the daily life and traditions of this Indigenous community. You visit a local family and together prepare the typical cassava bread called “casabe”. The bread is made from manioc root – you are invited to help harvest, clean and grate the tuber before it is processed and baked.

After dinner a special adventure awaits: a night canoe excursion in search of caimans, snakes and nocturnal birds, while you take in the mysterious atmosphere of the rainforest after sunset.

• Meals included : Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation : Caiman Lodge in the Cuyabeno Reserve

Points of Interest : Quito

If you wish, you can join an early-morning birdwatching outing. Dawn is a magical time in the jungle, when the forest slowly awakens, the water is calm and the air is refreshingly cool.

After breakfast you travel back up the river by canoe to the bridge, keeping a lookout for wildlife one last time. From there, you board a tourist bus together with guests from other lodges for the long drive back across the Andes to Quito.

• Meals included : Breakfast, lunch
• Accommodation : Ikala Hotel, standard room in Quito

Points of Interest : Quito

Today you discover Quito’s historic and charming old town, considered one of the most beautiful capitals in South America. The city, whose name means “centre of the world”, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.

You visit Independence Square, framed by the presidential palace, the 16th‑century cathedral and the bishop’s palace. The tour continues with the church of La Compañía de Jesús, one of the country’s most impressive churches, richly decorated with gold leaf. Afterwards you drive to the Mitad del Mundo monument, built right on the equator about 15 km north of the city, where you can literally stand with one foot in each hemisphere.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Ikala Hotel, standard room in Quito

Points of Interest : Quilotoa, Lasso

You leave Quito heading south in the direction of Cotopaxi. En route, you may visit the colourful Indigenous market of Zumbahua, depending on the day of the week. You then continue along winding side roads through some of Ecuador’s most beautiful cultivated highland landscapes to the picturesque Quilotoa crater lake.

From the rim of the volcanic crater you can walk down to the turquoise-coloured lake. Depending on the sunlight, the water constantly changes its shade of blue and green. In good weather you enjoy sweeping panoramic views of up to 200 km over the surrounding Andean peaks and valleys. Take your time to soak up the unique scenery and the beauty of this crater lagoon.

In the late afternoon you reach your accommodation in the Cotopaxi region.

• Meals included : Breakfast, dinner
• Accommodation : Cuello de Luna Hotel near Cotopaxi

Points of Interest : Cotopaxi, Baños de Agua Santa

In the morning you drive into Cotopaxi National Park. On a walk around Limpiopungo Lagoon at 3,800 m you discover the typical Andean flora and fauna while enjoying open views of the Cotopaxi volcano. Although not Ecuador’s highest peak, its perfectly symmetrical, snow-capped cone makes it the most beautiful volcanic summit in the country.

You then continue your journey to the small town of Baños, a lively pilgrimage and spa town known for its impressive church, waterfalls and thermal baths fed by volcanic springs.

• Meals included : Breakfast, box lunch
• Accommodation : La Floresta Hotel in Baños

Points of Interest : Baños, Rio Verde

After a hearty breakfast you set off along the famous Route of the Waterfalls, which follows the deep Pastaza canyon. Near the village of Río Verde, you walk along a scenic trail through lush vegetation down into the gorge to the thundering Pailón del Diablo waterfall, also known as the “Devil’s Cauldron”.

You cross the canyon in a tarabita cable car for spectacular views of the river and surrounding forest. In the afternoon there is time to further explore the small town of Baños, relax in its thermal baths or simply enjoy the mild climate and mountain views.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : La Floresta Hotel in Baños

Points of Interest : Riobamba, Chimborazo

Today you travel towards Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest dormant volcano at 6,268 m. Because of its location near the equator, its summit is actually closer to the sun than Mount Everest. The drive takes you through a barren, almost desert-like highland landscape where you may encounter herds of shy vicuñas, a wild camelid species related to llamas and alpacas.

You have the opportunity to take a short hike up to the Edward Whymper refuge at around 5,000 m and warm up with a cup of coca tea while admiring the surrounding views. Later you continue to Riobamba, the agricultural hub of the region and your base for the night.

• Meals included : Breakfast, box lunch
• Accommodation : Rincón Alemán Hotel in Riobamba

Points of Interest : Ruinas de Ingapirca, Cuenca

In the morning you travel through picturesque Andean landscapes and small villages to Ingapirca, the most important Inca archaeological site in Ecuador. On a guided walk through the temple and fortress complex you learn about the history and culture of both the Inca and the pre-Inca Cañari people.

After exploring the ruins, you continue on to Cuenca, often considered Ecuador’s cultural capital, where you spend the evening at leisure.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Hotel in Cuenca (for example, Los Balcones)

Points of Interest : Cuenca

After breakfast you explore the charming and compact colonial city of Cuenca, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Highlights of the walking tour include the riverside promenade along the Río Tomebamba, the imposing new cathedral on the main square and the colourful daily flower market.

You also visit a traditional Panama hat factory, where you learn how these famous hats are finely woven and finished by skilled artisans. In the late afternoon you have free time to wander through Cuenca’s cobblestone streets, browse local shops or relax in one of the cosy cafés.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Los Balcones Hotel in Cuenca

Points of Interest : Guayaquil, Cajas National Park

After breakfast you cross Cajas National Park, a high-altitude reserve with hundreds of small lakes and a surprising diversity of flora and fauna, despite lying mostly above the tree line. You make a short photo stop to appreciate the unique páramo landscape.

The road then descends dramatically through almost all of Ecuador’s climate and vegetation zones to the tropical lowlands of the Pacific coast. You pass extensive cacao, banana, rice and sugarcane plantations before reaching Guayaquil, the country’s largest and most vibrant city.

Guayaquil is best explored on foot: stroll along the Malecón 2000 riverfront promenade by the Río Guayas to the colourful artists’ quarter of Las Peñas, and enjoy panoramic views from Santa Ana hill over the bustling city, the wide river and the green mangrove belt.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Grand Hotel Guayaquil

Points of Interest : Guayaquil

After breakfast and check-out from your hotel it is time to say goodbye to the smallest country on the South American mainland. Depending on your flight time, you are transferred to Guayaquil airport for your onward journey.

If you wish, you can extend your trip with a visit to the Galápagos Islands or another destination in the region – your local agency will be happy to advise you on the options.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Last day : Transfer to Guayaquil airport for your onward or return flight