Arrival at Quito and transfer to the hotel

Quito - Welcome to Quito! Meet your English-speaking guide/driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel.

Quito City Tour + Middle of the World + Teleferico

Quito Old Town - Pick up from your hotel in Quito. The tour begins at the Basilica Church with a brief visit. Stroll through the colonial streets to Independence Plaza to admire the Cathedral and the Government’s Palace. Visit the Company Church, The Sagrario’s Church, and San Francisco’s Church, built in the 17th century. Enjoy a taste of Ecuadorian chocolate.

TeleferiQo - After exploring the historical sites, head to the Teleferico for stunning views of valleys, snow-capped mountains, and Quito from over 13,000 feet (4000 m).

Mitad Del Mundo - Visit the Middle of the World monument to stand on the equatorial line and straddle both hemispheres. Participate in experiments at the Intiñan Museum and enjoy the landscape of the Pululahua inhabited crater, just 5 minutes from the Equatorial line.

Cotopaxi National Park

Cotopaxi National Park - Your guide will pick you up at your hotel to visit the Cotopaxi volcano, the world’s largest active volcano at 5897 meters (19,347 feet). Explore the National Park’s natural environment, flora, and fauna with your naturalist guide. Attempt to ascend to the refuge at 4,810 m (15,392 feet). Hike around Lake Limpiopungo at the volcano’s base to observe Andean birds. On clear days, see the volcano’s reflection on the lake. Visit a small museum about the park’s nature, wildlife, and volcanic eruptions. Take a short break at the refuge before continuing to the nearby glacier for incredible photo opportunities and spectacular ice scenery.

Quilotoa Lagoon

Quilotoa - Travel through the Avenue of the Volcanoes, passing through Pujilí. Visit an indigenous local house in the “Paramos” to learn about their traditions and lifestyle. Head to Tigua, known for its naive paintings. Continue to the Quilotoa volcano to descend to the lake inside the crater or walk around the crater. Enjoy mule back riding or kayaking in the lake.

Banos - After lunch, continue to Baños. Visit the famous “Swing at the End of the World” at La Casa del Árbol for stunning mountain views.

Termas de Papallacta – La Casa del Suizo Jungle Lodge

Termas de Papallacta - After breakfast, head east of Quito to Termas de Papallacta, a beautiful spa with thermal waters perfect for relaxation and fun. Enjoy swimming pools in a magical, natural environment with cozy facilities offering high-quality treatments and the benefits of thermal water. (Entrance to the general pools included)

Papallacta - Continue to Guango lodge for brief bird watching and enjoy the numerous hummingbirds, including the unique sword-billed hummingbird.

La Casa del Suizo Full Day Exploration

Amazoonico Animal Rescue Centre - Continue your canoe ride to the Arajuno River to visit the AmaZOOnico animal rescue center, dedicated to rescuing wild animals and returning them to their natural habitat. Observe a variety of species such as toucans, parrots, monkeys, ocelots, and capybaras.

Tena - Enjoy a picnic by the river shore, swim in the refreshing river waters, or relax in the peaceful surroundings.

Secondary Forest – Waterfalls – Indigenous Quichua Family

La Casa del Suizo – Puyo - Baños

Banos - After breakfast, travel to Puyo and Baños, observing the diverse landscapes and rivers of the Ecuadorian jungle.

Baños – Route of the Cascades – Baños

CASCADA EL PAILÓN - NUEVA ENTRADA - After breakfast, explore the surroundings of Baños and take the “way of the waterfalls” to visit various waterfalls, including the majestic “El Pailon del Diablo.”

La Casa del Arbol - Enjoy La Casa del Árbol for city views of Baños.

Cascada el Manto de la Novia - Visit the Manto de la Novia waterfalls.

LA MANO DE LA PACHAMAMA - End the day with a visit to Mano de la Pacha Mama.

Riobamba – Ingapirca - Cuenca

Ingapirca Archaeological Complex - Continue to the Ingapirca Fortress, the most important Inca archaeological complex in Ecuador. Observe artisans making “Panama Hats” before heading to Cuenca.

City Tour in Cuenca – Gualaceo

Cuenca - Enjoy a city tour of Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, exploring its cultural and architectural diversity. Visit important churches and monuments, the broken bridge, and the Turi viewpoint for panoramic city views. Experience the city’s history and architecture on this picturesque tour.

Gualaceo - Visit Gualaceo, known for its gold and silver handicrafts and colonial traditions.

Chordeleg - Visit Chordeleg, also famous for its gold and silver handicrafts and colonial traditions.

Cajas National Park – Guayaquil City

El Cajas National Park - After breakfast, take a short excursion to El Cajas National Park or the Gualaceo Valley (weather permitting), then travel to Guayaquil. El Cajas National Park features over 230 small lagoons from the last ice age, connected by rivers with crystal-clear waters flowing into the Pacific. Enjoy a short walk through this protected area before continuing to Guayaquil.

Guayaquil – Montanita – Puerto López

Puerto Lopez - Embark on the “Ruta del Sol” tour, visiting Ballenita for panoramic Pacific Ocean views from a high cliff. Explore small fishing villages and rustic beaches, including Salango and Montañita, before continuing to Puerto Lopez, known for its annual humpback whale show.

Isla de la Plata

Isla de la Plata - Visit Isla de la Plata, known as the little Galapagos, for a unique adventure with incredible landscapes and diverse fauna. See species like sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and frigates. Enjoy snorkeling and, from June to October, observe humpback whales during their mating rituals.

Manta – Santo Domingo - Quito

Playa de los Frailes - Travel from Puerto López to Los Frailes beach, one of Ecuador’s most beautiful beaches with white sand and tranquility. It belongs to Machalilla National Park and is surrounded by cliffs and a viewpoint. Walk through a beautiful dry forest to reach the beach.

Quito - Continue to Manta, Santo Domingo, and then Quito.

Otavalo Market – Hotel transfer

Otavalo Market - Arrive in Otavalo in about two hours. The town is the heart of its culture, with a market offering affordable souvenirs. Visit the animal market on the city’s outskirts to witness trade among the indigenous people of Otavalo.

Cuicocha Lake - In the afternoon, visit the main sites around Otavalo and the town of Cotacachi, known for its leather products. Find a variety of clothes, bags, belts, wallets, and sandals at the best prices. Later, visit Lake Cuicocha, located in an old crater of the still-active Cotacachi volcano. Take an optional boat ride on the lake to observe the fumaroles.

Tababela - Transfer out international airport

Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport - Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport.

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Optional accommodation included
• Admission to top attractions: Teleferico, Inti Ñan Museum, La Compañía, Termas Spa, hummingbird spots, and National Parks
• Meals covered: Lunch, Dinner, and Breakfast
• Expert bilingual guide (English/Spanish)
• Transport in a private vehicle

• Food and drinks, unless specified
• Tips