Ecuador Encompassed
17 days
from Quito to Quito
From
$ 1999
Duration17 days
If you don’t want to leave Ecuador without seeing as much as you can but with some time to chill, we don’t blame you — where better to get centred than the lateral centre of Earth? With nearly three weeks to explore, you’ll have plenty of time to do it all. Learn about traditional Quichua culture in the Amazon, wander the streets of cities like Quito and Cuenca, then enjoy the chill vibes in the surf town of Montañita.
This tour is operated by
-
Duration: 17 daysService level: Standard
-
Starts in: QuitoPhysical Grading: Average
-
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 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 2: 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.
Meals: B
Day 3: Baños
Enjoy another free day to take full advantage of all the activities in this adventurous town.
Day 4: 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 5: Tena
Start place: Tena
Enjoy a full day in the Amazon learning about local life in the jungle. Enjoy nature walks and visits with the local shaman. Spend the night in rustic jungle huts in a Quichua community.
End place: Tena
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Tena/Papallacta
Start place: Tena
Take a local bus to Papallacta and relax in the natural mineral hot pools with volcanic views.
End place: Papallacta
Day 7: Papallacta/Quito
Start place: Papallacta
Enjoy a relaxing morning at the hot springs before travelling back to Quito for free time to explore.
End place: Quito
Meals: B
Day 8: 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 9: 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 10: Cotopaxi/Alausí
Start place: Cotopaxi
In the morning, visit Cotopaxi National Park before continuing on to Alausi.
Meals: B
Day 11: Alausí/Cuenca
Enjoy Ecuador's most spectacular train journey. The famed Nariz del Diablo (Devil’s Nose) ride descends to the coast in a spectacular display of engineering around stunning mountain terrain. The journey returns back to Alausí after more than 1000m (3280 ft) in elevation loss.
Board the train for an included excursion bound for the Devil's Nose. After, head to Cuenca and marvel at its colonial architecture.
End place: Cuenca
Meals: B
Day 12: 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. Opt for a city tour or go hiking in Cajas National Park.
End place: Cuenca
Meals: B
Day 13: Cuenca/Montañita
Start place: Cuenca
Head to the coastal laid-back surf town of Montañita. En route, stop at a traditional cacao hacienda.
Meals: B
Day 14: Montañita/Puerto López
Head to the beach town of Puerto Lopez and the beautiful Machalilla National Park that surrounds it. There are tons of activities in the area to take part in over the next few days.
End place: Puerto Rico
Meals: B
Day 15: 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). Or, opt for the popular 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
Day 16: Puerto López/Quito
Start place: Puerto Rico
Fly Back to Quito and enjoy free time. Opt to take a city tour, ride the cable car up the nearby volcano, or relax in one of the city's many cafés and restaurants.
End place: Quito
Meals: B
Day 17: Quito
Start place: Quito
Depart at any time.
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.
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 Your Wellness Moment: Papallacta Hot Springs Visit, Papallacta Your Foodie Moment: Traditional Cacao Hacienda, Naranjito Your Discover Moment: Puerto López
- Otavalo Handicrafts Market visit
- Cotopaxi National Park visit
- Devil's Nose Train Excursion
- Orientation walk of Cuenca
- Traditional cacao hacienda visit
- Machalilla NP stay
- Internal flight
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
-
Transport
Local bus, Plane, Taxis, Motorized canoe, Private van, 4x4 vehicles, Pickup truck -
Accommodation
Hotels (12 nts), Simple village cabañas (2 nts, multi-share), Rustic mountain lodge (2 nts)