Ecuador Encompassed
20 days
from Quito to Quito
From
$ 2449
Duration20 days
This well-rounded 20-day tour through Ecuador leaves no stone unturned with adventure, wildlife, and Indigenous culture at every turn. Visit the port city of Manta, look for sea birds (including the famed blue-footed boobies) on Isla de la Plata, explore the lively capital of Quito on your own time, and get your blood pumping with optional outdoor activities like ziplining and canyoning in Baños. There's just enough time in between for mud baths and hot springs to get you ready for the next adventure.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 20 daysService level: Standard
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Starts in: QuitoPhysical Grading: Average
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Ends in: QuitoAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Quito
Start place: Quito
There are no activities planned until the evening. Please check at the hotel reception for a welcome note from your G Representative advising on the time and location of the welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time.
End place: Quito
Day 2: Quito/Manta
Start place: Quito
Take an early morning flight to Manta. Located on Ecuador's central coast, Manta is port city known for its fishing industry. Get familiarized with this bustling city with a guided tour of the Cancebi Museum and Tagua workshop, and a visit to Montecristi.
End place: Manta
Meals: B
Day 3: Manta/Puerto López
Start place: Manta
Located within the Machalilla National Park, the Agua Blanca community is one of the oldest archaeological sites in South America. Marvel at the natural archaeological wonders here which include temples, houses and ancient artefacts. Visit the community's brightly painted church and museum and browse the local artisan's market for unique souvenirs.
Travel to Puerto Lopez. On the way, visit the Agua Blanca Community. Hike, check out the museum and take a mud bath. Enjoy lunch in the community before continuing to Puerto Lopez. Enjoy free time on arrival.
End place: Puerto Rico
Meals: B, L
Day 4: Puerto López
Start place: Puerto Rico
Embark on a day-trip to Isla del Plata, home to a variety of seabirds including blue-footed boobies and fantastic snorkelling that rivals the Galápagos.
End place: Puerto Rico
Meals: B, L
Day 5: Puerto López
Start place: Puerto Rico
Enjoy free time to explore. Optional activities include hiking in Machalilla National Park, relaxing on white-sand beaches, or whale- watching (when in season).
End place: Puerto Rico
Meals: B
Day 6: Puerto López/Quito
Start place: Puerto Rico
Transfer to Guayaquil and fly back to Quito. The rest of the day is free to explore on your own. Options include taking a city tour, riding the cable car up the nearby volcano, or relaxing in one of the city's many cafés and restaurants. This evening, opt to enjoy a night out on the town with the group.
End place: Quito
Meals: B
Day 7: Quito
Start place: Quito
Enjoy a free day to get out and explore the many sights Quito has to offer.
End place: Quito
Meals: B
Day 8: Quito/Baños
Start place: Quito
Travel to Baños and be spoiled for choice with optional outdoor activities like hiking, ziplining, and canyoning. Or, take it easy and relax in local hot springs.
Opt to pre-book the "Baños Canyoning Adventure" or "Baños Ziplining Adventure Bundle" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.
Meals: B
Day 9: Baños
Enjoy another free day to take full advantage of all the activities in this adventurous town.
Day 10: Baños/Tena
Descend into the Amazon Jungle region. Notice the scenery change dramatically heading from the mountains into the lush, tropical Amazon rainforest.
Stay with a Quichua family and enjoy the hospitality of these wonderful people, and experience life in the jungle firsthand.
Stay with a Quichua family and enjoy the hospitality of these wonderful people, and experience life in the jungle firsthand.
Travel by bus into the Amazon Jungle. Spend two nights in rustic jungle huts in a local Quichua community. Enjoy nature walks and learn about local culture.
End place: Tena
Meals: L, D
Day 11: Tena
Start place: Tena
Enjoy a full day in the Amazon learning about local life in the jungle. Spend the night in rustic jungle huts in a Quichua community.
End place: Tena
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Tena/Papallacta
Start place: Tena
Cycle to the nearby community of Shandia and discover the beauty of the Amazon with a member of the community as your guide. Later, take a local bus to Papallacta and relax in the natural mineral hot pools with volcanic views.
End place: Papallacta
Meals: B
Day 13: Quito
Start place: Quito
There are no activities planned until the evening. Please check at the hotel reception for a welcome note from your CEO advising on the time and location of the welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time.
Opt to pre-book the "Quito City Tour & Equator Line" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.
End place: Quito
Day 14: Quito/Otavalo
Start place: Quito
Explore the largest handicraft market in South America, Otavalo market. Villagers from the surrounding countryside come every week to sell handmade goods as well as livestock, fruits, and vegetables.
End place: Otavalo
Meals: B
Day 15: Otavalo/Cotopaxi
Start place: Otavalo
Travel by bus to Cotopaxi National Park. In the afternoon, opt to explore the area or mountain bike with views of Cotopaxi Volcano. Spend the night in a mountain lodge near the national park.
End place: Cotopaxi
Meals: B
Day 16: Cotopaxi/Alausí
Start place: Cotopaxi
In the morning, visit Cotopaxi National Park before continuing on to Alausi.
Meals: B
Day 17: Alausí/Cuenca
Board a train for an included excursion bound for the Devil's Nose, enjoy the ride on the switchbacks carved into the mountainside. After, head to Cuenca and marvel at its colonial architecture.
End place: Cuenca
Meals: B
Day 18: Cuenca
Start place: Cuenca
Explore the city’s sights, including cobblestoned streets, red-tiled roofs, art galleries, flower markets, shaded plazas, and museums.
Enjoy a free day to explore beautiful Cuenca. Opt for a city tour, go hiking in Cajas National Park, or soak in nearby hot springs.
End place: Cuenca
Meals: B
Day 19: Cuenca/Quito
Start place: Cuenca
Fly back to Quito and enjoy the night in this historical city.
End place: Quito
Meals: B
Day 20: Quito
Start place: Quito
We recommend booking pre or post nights in Quito for additional time to explore. The optional activities may require additional time, speak to your CEO for assistance booking these activities on trip.
Depart at any time.
End place: Quito
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Shandia Biking & Community Experience, Shandia Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Baños Your Local Living Moment: Amazon Jungle Experience, Tena
- Manta full-day tour
- Agua Blanca Community Visit
- Isla de la Plata full-day excursion
- Shandia Biking & Community Experience
- Amazon Jungle Experience
- Papallacta Hot Springs Visit
- Otavalo Handicrafts Market visit
- Cotopaxi volcano stay
- Cotopaxi National Park visit
- Devil's Nose train excursion
- Orientation walk of Cuenca
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Local bus, Private vehicle, Plane -
Accommodation
Hotels (14 nts), Simple village cabañas (2 nts, multi-share), Rustic mountain lodge (2 nts)