Ecuador Treasures Bucket List 8 Days Tour: Discover 14+ Unique Destinations with Private Guides

Embark on an 8-day adventure in Ecuador that takes you to 14+ unique destinations. Bike at active volcanoes, hike in the Andes, visit indigenous communities, explore the jungle, and more.

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Quito Old Town - DAY 1 QUITO ORIENTATION MEETING & BRIEFING

This is the arrival day for all of our tour participants and depending of your flight arrival times you can have a day exploring one of the UNESCO heritage sites in world (Quito’s Old Town) or simply rest at the Hotel before our Tour Guide meet you at the Lobby at 6:30 pm for our Orientation meeting and briefing before the starting of the tour.
During this meeting you can clarify everything as you might be concerned or curious to know about the tour overall.

We can still assist you arranging a full day in Quito or surroundings if you let us know in advance.

  • Cotopaxi National Park - DAY 2 COTOPAXI BIKE TOUR

Early in the moring, we will drive 1 and half hours to the entrance of Cotopaxi National Park. On the way you will enjoy the views of the famous Avenue of the Volcanoes.
It is the first encounter with the nature and the altitude.

After this, we will continue our drive towards Limpiopungo lake over 12,800 ft., this is a magical place right between Cotopaxi and Ruminahui volcanoes. We will drive at 15,000 ft. up there if you feel ok with the altitude we can plan hiking up towards the basecamp at 16,000 ft. If not also you can admire the majestic Cotopaxi.

After this you will get ready to start the MTB tour all the way down to Limpiopungo Lake. At the end you will enjoy a delicious lunch with a marvelous view of the Andes.

Finally, we will drive to our lodgging place, a fantastic place to take your camera and wait for the sunset with a cup of hot coffee or tea provided by the hostel.

Then dinner.

  • iTur GAD Chugchilán - DAY 3 TREKKING TO CHUGCHILAN

Today it is time to check out right after breakfast and be ready to start the hike from Insilivi towards Chugchilan village. It is going to take at least 4 to 6 hours and the total distance will be 12 miles, it will take longer than a regular hike because the high elevation in most of the walk, it will go between 10,000 to 12,000 ft. in some parts, so you can feel a moderate fatige but nothing that you have to worry much.

During this hike, you will see how our local communities live and farm, because the complete hike is trough villages and crops.

You will also enjoy a delicious lunch in a village, and finally, we will arrive to Mama Hilda Hostel in Chugchilan town for overnight.

Normally, we end this day by 3 pm, so you will have some time to explore the little town on your own.

Dinner will be served at 7:00 pm, then briefing for next day.

  • Laguna Quilotoa - DAY 4 QUILOTOA LAKE VISIT - BANOS

After breakfast, we will drive for 30 minutes towards Quilotoa Lake, located at 12,000 ft. above sea level. At this point you will get ready for a hike down to the crater that should take 25 minutes approx.

At the lake it is possible to rent kayaks a paddle for 30 minutes or 1 hour with an extra cost , depending of your level of experience, however this kayak is relatively easy.

Then it is time to decide if you want to hike up or rent a mule, if you decide for hiking, it sounds great by we advise you that it will take you at least 1 and half of a very steep slope.

Or if you hire a mule it is much smooth, you riding for only takes 30 minutes.

After this adventure, we will continue towards Baños City, 3 hours far from Quilotoa. Along the way, we will have stops shuch as Ice Sorbet tasting, viewpoints and much more.

Finally, we will arrive to Baños city for overnight in a wonderful hostel and enjoy some of the Baños Night life.

  • Banos - DAY 5 RAFTING TOUR - TRANSPORT TO THE JUNGLE LODGE

Early in the morning, we will start our tour visiting some Banos City sights like the local market, the main Church , the Melcochas tasting. Then we will continue towards the Famous Waterfalls Avenue ( it is the route to the Jungle with more than 30 waterfalls) on this tour we will visit the most beautiful ones as follows: Agoyan ( here you can do zipline with an extra cost ) , Manto de la Novia ( here you can go across Pastaza Canyon by cable car , known as Tarabita ) , Pailon del Diablo ( at this poitn we will walk donw to see the largest waterfall and discover its 6 balconies few feet away the water).

Then we will drive to Cumanda village , this is going to be the starting of the Rafting tour down to Pastaza River ( it is 14 miles total , it will take around 2 hours )

Finally it is time to drive 2 more hours to an impresive jungle lodge near by Tena City and in front of Napo River.

  • Tena - DAY 6 JUNGLE EXPLORATIONS - FULL ADVENTURE

Waking up with the noise of the jungle wildlife is something that is considered a welcome to the most diverse forest in world.
After breakfast, we will take a motor canoe ride on Napo River visiting some villages like Misahualli known as The Monkeys Town (there is Capuchin Monkeys all over the place), then we will continue the canoe ride to Arajuno River, where you will visit the AMAZOONICO Rescue Center, where you can see some animals from the jungle such as parrots, parroquets, macaws, ocelots, snakes, caimans and a lot of different type of monkeys.

Then, we will have a picnic lunch near the shore of Arajuno River.

After lunch we will take a motor canoe ride enjoying the landscapes and nature, we will stop at Tiyu Yaku Kichwa Comunity, where you will see all about their way of living, ceramic and local cuisine.

Finally, we go back to the hotel.

  • Cavernas Jumandy - DAY 7 JUMANDY CAVERNS TOUR - TRANSPORTATION TO PAPALLACTA

On this day, we will depart early towards Archidona Town where at the food market you will try the famous ChontaCuro or Jungle Prawns, to get enough energy to visit The Jungle Caverns.

The Caverns are located near by this town, this ones were natural created by millons of years and a lot of water filtered from the surface. This tour under the Caves takes approx. 1 hour and you have to be ready to get all wet and admire those impresive stalactites.

Then, you will enjoy a typical lunch near by the place, after this we will drive to Papallacta village for relax and enjoy the rest of the afternoon admiring the landscapes or having a massage at the Resort SPA.

Briefing and overnight.

  • Papallacta - DAY 8 RELAXING DAY AT PAPALLACTA - TRANSFER OUT INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT

Today is your last day in Ecuador with us, so you can choose besides taking a free morning to relax at the resort pool or SPA, or take a very nice hike around the area .

In both cases the check out Time is at 1:00 pm, then we will drive to Quito’s International Airport for your flight back home.

However if you desire to add one more night in Quito City or extend your staying in Ecuador, we can always help you out with free advise to make sure you optimize the time and continue exploring this paradise called Ecuador.

What's Included
  • Private transportation
  • 8 Days / 7 Nights tour in TWIN Accommodations such as Hostels, lodges according to the itinerary
  • Breakfast included
  • Entrance fees covered for Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, Tarabita, Pailon del Diablo Waterfall, Amazoonico, Jumandy Caves
What's Not Included
  • Personal Expenses
  • Phone calls
  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Any activity not specified
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Discover the Ecuadorian Treasures, visiting more than 14 destinations in an 8 Days Tour Package!
Bike at one of the most Active volcanoes of the world, enjoy the magical views of the Andes surrounded by Lamas and Alpacas, hike in the Andes, visit Indigenous communities, taste local food, explore the Ecuadorian Jungle with a lot of adrenaline, and much more. Sounds fantastic, right?
And everything with knowledgeable guides, private transportation and in small groups. The best Ecuador experience is waiting for you.

Location
Quito Old Town
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(18 Ratings)
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1 star
Kmcrae2003
Aug 17, 2024
Great trip for adventurous friends/families:) - Very fun trip! Our guide Alex was very knowledgeable and Luis the driver was very skilled and safe. Everyday was full of fun activities and beautiful locations. Hotels were all wonderful and we felt safe everywhere we went!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jwithaca
Aug 17, 2024
Unparalleled Ecuador experience - This trip was thrilling , gorgeous, adventurous, and so much more. Every day we experienced places, people, nature that enriched us immensely. Alejandro shared his deep knowledge and expertise all along the way . From The heights of Cotopaxi to the hike out of Isinlivi, to the Napo River and hiking in the cloud forest,( and so much more) we enjoyed every day to the fullest! We were so well taken care of , with excellent information, so many different invitations to learn more, clear explanations and lots of laughter together. Our accommodations were outstanding. It’s worth mentioning that we felt very safe in very place along the way .
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R7145hwchristinet
Aug 17, 2024
Excellent from beginning to end! - My family (three generations ages 20 to 76) thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Alejandro was our guide and it was amazing to travel with a local expert. Every activity was well planned and we were well prepared for. The accommodations were fabulous, the meals plenty, and the experience was priceless! I highly recommend this tour company and this tour! Ecuador 🇪🇨 is safe and magical.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sightseer485547
Aug 17, 2024
Great experience - We had a great time on our trip. We packed so many different activities into Our tour. Great hotels and we were off the beaten path for most of the trip. Our guide Alex was very knowledgeable and friendly, and our driver was also very kind and we always felt safe.
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N115dezoew
Aug 17, 2024
Great trip!! - This was a great trip! Alex was a great guide and very knowledgeable and kind. Luis was a great driver as well. We saw a lot of wildlife and different parts of the country. The hotels were great! Would definitely recommend. Thank you Alex and Luis.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tommyf361
Aug 17, 2024
10/10 Amazing Trip with the Family - Guide was super knowledgeable and shared great insights into each location we went. It was only for 8 days but it felt like we were in Ecuador for at least a month! We saw so much of this beautiful country and I can’t wait to come back to see the Galapagos!
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Trek64627088614
Jun 20, 2024
A wonderful trip through Ecuador - We are Spanish and we contacted guidecuador to organize our trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. We met Sofia who was our permanent reference. Sofia is synonymous with professionalism, kindness and disposition. He was always attentive to our needs. The trip was a success from its planning and development to the end. We would travel with Guidecuador again without hesitation.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kyleioha
Sep 16, 2021
wonderful time in Ecuador & Galapagos Islands - We had a wonderful time in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. We loved our guides – They all were very knowledgeable, kept track of everyone and communicated very well. But we also loved all hotels We used while on tour through Ecuador. Overall I would like to give 5 stars for such a great trip! We will for sure look forward to take another Trip in south America with Guidecuador Travel, highly recommended!
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Aquadocdm
Aug 8, 2021
Family trip in the Andes - The Bucket List tour was great. Alejandro knows the best things to do based on the people he is guiding. His knowledge of the lodging and the various activities makes him invaluable as a guide. Our family of 5 spent 8 days in the Andes and the Amazon. It was a great trip. Thank you Alejandro!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tristatev
Apr 6, 2021
EXCEPTIONAL trip to Ecuador - Our Ecuador trip / tour was way beyond expectations and Alejandro was the BEST! Our trip was something new and exciting each day and the accommodations were exceptional. We were one of the first groups traveling since the pandemic began and we felt warmly welcomed everywhere we went. Alejandro was a friend to all and was so conscientious of the needs of the local people and businesses while catering to our needs and wants to make a truly memorable vacation. He even arranged for a surprise birthday cake and specially tailored cooking class just for us! Each day was customized and flexible to our busy schedule!
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