Ecuador Andes Self-Drive: From Amazon Rainforest to Pacific Coast 12 Days

Points of Interest : Quito
Begin your journey in the country of four worlds. Upon arrival at Quito airport, your driver will be waiting with a sign displaying your name and will take you to your hotel in the modern center of the city. The transfer usually takes around 50 minutes to one hour, depending on traffic. Use the rest of the day to rest and gently acclimatize to the altitude, or take a first stroll through the neighborhood.

• Meals included : None
• Accommodation : 3-star hotel in Quito

Points of Interest : Quito, Napo Province (Amazon foothills)
In the morning your guide accompanies you to the car rental office to ensure that all formalities for your rental SUV are handled smoothly.
Then your Ecuador road trip begins. From Quito you drive across the Eastern Cordillera via the high mountain pass “La Virgen” at around 4,000 m into the Amazon basin towards Archidona. The road descends through Papallacta and Baeza; after Cosanga you enjoy panoramic views over the Amazon from the Guacamayo ridge, weather permitting. You pass through cloud forests before reaching Hakuna Matata Amazon Lodge, set in lush rainforest.
On the roughly 180 km stage you cross several vegetation zones. Possible stops include the hot springs of Papallacta or hummingbird watching at Guango Lodge. If you head straight to Hakuna Matata, the rest of the day is free to relax by the pool or explore the grounds. In the evening you are treated to a tasty three-course dinner, followed by a short night walk in the lodge surroundings to spot nocturnal insects and other creatures.

• Meals included : Breakfast, dinner
• Accommodation : 3-star rainforest lodge Hakuna Matata

Points of Interest : Napo Province
Today your rental car gets a rest while you choose between two exciting full-day Amazon excursions – a day rich in discoveries awaits you.

Option 1: “Amazon Classic” day trip
In the morning you visit the local market in the provincial capital Tena, where you gain insight into regional products and daily life. You then board a motorized canoe on the Río Napo and glide along the river to a stretch of primary rainforest. A roughly two-hour guided walk introduces you to the flora and fauna of the jungle. You continue to the amaZOOnico wildlife rescue center, home to more than 500 animals, and afterwards visit a small indigenous community to immerse yourself in their everyday life for the afternoon.

Option 2: “Amazon Explorer” day trip
This option starts before sunrise with a visit to a clay parrot lick, an excellent spot to observe parrots and other birds. You then travel to an indigenous community where you learn about the culture of local families and share a unique jungle buffet with them. A hike follows, during which your guide explains the medicinal and ecological importance of rainforest plants. In the afternoon you paddle silently by canoe across the Paikawe lagoon, maximizing your chances of spotting wildlife in the tranquil surroundings.

• Meals included : Packed lunch (Amazon Classic) or jungle breakfast & lunch (Amazon Explorer), dinner included with overnight stay
• Accommodation : 3-star rainforest lodge Hakuna Matata

Points of Interest : Napo Province, Baños
You leave the jungle lodge and the Amazon basin and drive your rental car through the scenic Pastaza canyon back into the Andes towards Baños. Before saying goodbye to the rainforest, you can make optional stops near Puyo, for example at the Las Orquídeas botanical garden or the Yanacocha animal rescue center.
The route then follows the beautiful Pastaza canyon from Puyo (about 950 m) up to Baños (about 1,800 m). Along this “waterfall route” you find numerous waterfalls, viewpoints, hiking trails, zip lines and cable cars across the Río Pastaza. It is well worth stopping at various waterfalls and viewpoints, including the famous Pailón del Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron) near Río Verde. After an active day you reach Baños and spend the night in town.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : 3-star hotel in Baños

Points of Interest : Baños
After a few adventure-filled days, today you can leave the car parked: the entire day in Baños is at your leisure. Explore the charming town on foot and soak up its relaxed atmosphere. Visit the impressive basilica and its small museum on the main square.
The surrounding landscape offers many hiking routes of two to five hours, such as the Los Sauces trail with sweeping views of the active Tungurahua volcano, or the historic “Smugglers’ Path” (Sendero de los Contrabandistas) on the south side of the Pastaza gorge towards the Oriente; a local guide is recommended for the latter. Adrenaline seekers can choose from a range of activities, including horseback riding, mountain biking, rafting, rock climbing and canyoning. Alternatively, you can take short drives in the area to explore lookout points and hot springs.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : 3-star hotel in Baños

Points of Interest : Cotopaxi National Park
Today you follow the Panamericana north along the famed “Avenue of the Volcanoes” to Cotopaxi National Park. The park is home to the majestic Cotopaxi volcano, at 5,897 m one of the highest active volcanoes in the world.
With your rental car you explore the park on unpaved roads through high-altitude páramo vegetation and wide open plains, always with Cotopaxi dominating the skyline. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as wild horses, Andean foxes and numerous bird species. A classic stop is the Limpiopungo lagoon at the foot of Cotopaxi, where you can stretch your legs on an easy walk and enjoy the dramatic mountain scenery and fresh highland air.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : 3-star hotel near Cotopaxi / in the highlands

Points of Interest : Quilotoa crater lagoon, Cotopaxi region
You leave the Panamericana and follow a winding mountain road along the Western Cordillera of the Andes towards the spectacular Quilotoa crater lake at around 4,000 m. Depending on the day of the week, you can visit one of the colorful indigenous markets en route: Pujilí (Wednesdays and Sundays), Saquisilí (Thursdays) or Zumbahua (Saturdays). These markets offer an impressive variety of food, textiles, handicrafts and even livestock, mainly frequented by indigenous residents of the surrounding highlands.
After your market visit you continue to the emerald crater lake of Quilotoa. You park your vehicle near the rim and continue on foot, walking along the crater edge or descending partway towards the shore, always rewarded with stunning views of the turquoise water framed by rugged volcanic cliffs.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : 3-star guesthouse / hotel in the Quilotoa – Chugchilán area

Points of Interest : Chimborazo Fauna Reserve
You continue your self-drive journey from Chugchilán to Riobamba, a charming Andean city known for its history and proximity to Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest peak at 6,263 m. It is advisable to start early, as today’s stage is quite long and the best weather at Chimborazo is usually in the morning.
Your route leads through the Chimborazo Fauna Reserve, habitat of this colossal volcano and numerous vicuñas. You drive your rental car up into the reserve to high viewpoints that offer sweeping panoramas of the mountain. From the parking area you can optionally climb on foot to the Edward Whymper Refuge at around 5,000 m, where a hot chocolate in the rustic hut is a welcome treat as you soak up the high Andean scenery. Afterwards you descend and continue to Riobamba for the night.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : 3-star hotel in Riobamba or surroundings

Points of Interest : Riobamba, Cuenca
After a hearty breakfast you set off early towards Cuenca, considered by many to be Ecuador’s most beautiful city. The approximately 260 km route offers a relaxed road trip with several memorable stops.

Guamote market
On Thursdays you can visit the bustling Guamote market, one of the most important in Ecuador’s Andean region, where local communities trade agricultural products, livestock and textiles.

Palmira desert
Shortly before Alausí, a viewpoint allows you to admire and photograph the surreal Palmira desert, a landscape of sandy dunes and scattered cacti in the middle of the highlands.

Inca ruins of Ingapirca
Farther south you reach Ingapirca, the country’s most significant Inca archaeological site, famed for its elliptical Temple of the Sun and sophisticated stonework. After exploring the ruins and learning about Cañari and Inca history, you continue through rolling highlands until, in the evening, you arrive in the colonial city of Cuenca, where you park at your hotel.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : 3-star hotel in Cuenca

Points of Interest : Cuenca
In the morning you discover Cuenca on a private walking city tour. You stroll through the colonial old town, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, with its cobbled streets, churches and lively squares. Colorful markets showcase fresh produce, flowers and traditional crafts.
You also visit a Panama hat factory founded in 1942 on the banks of the Río Tomebamba, where you learn how the famous straw hats are woven and finished. The afternoon is free for your own exploration: wander along the river, visit museums or simply enjoy a coffee in one of the atmospheric plazas.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : 3-star hotel in Cuenca

Points of Interest : Cuenca, Cajas National Park, Guayaquil
After breakfast you drive from Cuenca towards the Pacific coast and Ecuador’s largest city, Guayaquil. The route takes you through Cajas National Park, known for its misty, rolling highlands, countless glacial lakes and rugged páramo landscapes. You can make photo stops or short walks to appreciate this unique ecosystem before descending through cloud forest to the warmer lowlands.
In the evening you return your rental car at Guayaquil airport. From there you are met and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel in the city, where you spend your final night in Ecuador.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : 3-star hotel in Guayaquil

Points of Interest : Guayaquil
Until your transfer to the airport you have free time to explore the vibrant coastal metropolis of Guayaquil at your own pace, depending on your flight schedule. Stroll along the Malecón 2000 riverside promenade or through the colorful Las Peñas neighborhood. An optional guided city tour can be arranged for the morning if time permits. Afterwards you are taken to the airport for your onward or return flight.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Last day : Transfer to the airport in Guayaquil