Discover Ecuador Tour 17 Days

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Carbon neutral

17 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

15 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 68 yearsAge range for participants

English, SpanishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Quito, Ecuador

Ends

Puerto Lopez, Ecuador

Highlights

Admire the lovely Andean landscapes while hiking

Discover the beauty of Amazon forest

Explore local culture and history

Interact with locals and learn about their daily life

Itinerary

Venture deep into Ecuador’s soul with the Discover Ecuador Tour—17 Days, crafted for energetic young adults and seasoned explorers alike. Start in Quito’s storied Old Town, then journey through Otavalo’s market wonders and hike around Cuicocha Lake. The adventure intensifies with Amazon rainforest expeditions, where you’ll meet Quichua communities, spot wildlife, and cruise jungle rivers. Further south, conquer the peaks of Chimborazo, wander Inca ruins at Ingapirca, and stroll Cuenca’s cobbled streets. The journey’s finale includes wildlife-spotting on Isla de la Plata and coastal explorations in Guayaquil. The USP: this moderate-activity trip seamlessly combines cultural immersion, nature, and adventure, promising a once-in-a-lifetime exploration of Ecuador’s diverse wonders.

day 1 - Quito arrival and tour briefing

This is the arrival day for all of our tour participants. Depending of your flights, you can have a day exploring Quito's Old Town, a Unesco heritage site, or simply rest in your hotel before our tour guide meet you at the lobby at around 6:30 pm for the tour briefing.

Duration:4 hours

Accommodation:3 Star Hotel at Ibis Hotel or Similar

day 2 - Quito city tour

Today, you will explore Quito's Old Town and its beauty. You will use public transportation to get there. While in the Old Town, visit the Presidential Palace, Main Square, Cultural Center, Church of El Sagrario, San Francisco Church, and Quito's most famous street, La Ronda.

Next, you will take a local bus to visit the two Equator sites. The first one is a museum known as the Inti Nan, where you will see experiments related with the 0.0.0 latitude. The second one is a monument referring to the French expedition, led by Charles Maria Condamine, who came to establish the Equator in 1736.

Following the tour of the Equator sites, take a local bus back to our hotel in Quito.

Duration:8 hours

Accommodation:3 Star Hotel at Ibis Hotel or Similar

Meals:Breakfast

day 3 - Public bus transfer to Otavalo

Today, you will leave Quito. Take a local bus toward Otavalo, which takes around three hours. Once you have checked in to your hotel, you are free to explore the town surrounded by volcanoes.

Duration:8 hours

Accommodation:3 Star Hotel at Hotel Riviera Sucre or Similar

Meals:Breakfast

day 4 - Cuicocha Lake hike

Early in the morning, depart toward Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve, which is located 20 miles away from Otavalo. Once you arrive there, learn about the trail around Cuicocha Lake. The entire trail is 10 miles long, and takes 3–5 hours to complete the hike.

This is one of the most beautiful protected areas in Ecuador and the views up there are fantastic. The starting point of the hike is at 10,000 feet and the highest point you will reach is 12,500 feet. If you are fairly fit, you should be able to complete the the hike with no issues at all.

After completing the hike, take a bus back to Otavalo.

Duration:8 hours

Accommodation:3 Star Hotel at Hotel Riviera Sucre or Similar

Meals:Breakfast

day 5 - Public bus transfer to Tena

Start the day early (6:00 approx.), for you will be taking a long bus journey toward the city of Tena. Upon arrival, there will be a brief stop in the city for lunch. Well fed and rested, continue your journey—this time on a taxi—to the Jungle lodge.

Once you arrive at the lodge, check in to your room and enjoy the rest of the day relaxing in the pool or strolling around the lodge.

(This jungle program includes activities and normal breakfast. If you want we can add lunch and dinner on your jungle stay for USD 110 EXTRA per person.)

Duration:9 hours

Accommodation: Eco lodge

Meals:Breakfast

day 6 - Jungle exploration

Following breakfast, get ready for the adventure that lies ahead. Board a canoe and journey downstream through the enchanted Amazon jungle along the imposing Napo River.

Once you arrive at Misahualli, there will be a short stop for paper verification with the local Marina authority (don't forget your passport). Continue the canoe journey until you meet Arajuno River.

Here, you will visit Animal Rescue Centre "AmaZOOnico" which specializes in the rescue of wild animals for species conservation and reintegration into the wild. You will also get the opportunity to observe a great variety of bird and animal species, such as toucans, parrots, monkeys, jaguars, and capybaras.

In the afternoon, enjoy a delicious picnic lunch by the river side. Here, you can also enjoy a refreshing swim or simply laze about peacefully surrounded by nature.

After concluding the day's experience, head back to your lodge. En route, visit a Quichua family and learn about their age-old culture and traditions such as gold rinse in the river shoreline, traditional pottery making, making of typical drink "chicha" made of yuca (a traditional Ecuadorian manioc), and the use of the "serbatana" (blowpipe hunting).

(This jungle program includes activities and normal breakfast. If you want we can add lunch and dinner on your jungle stay for USD 110 EXTRA per person.)

Duration:8 hours

Accommodation: Eco lodge

Meals:Breakfast

day 7 - Jungle exploration and wildlife sighting

Today you will spend the whole day adventuring inside the Amazon. Start with a visit to the breathtaking cascade "Las Latas" for a refreshing bath in the clear crystal waters. After a fun morning, return to your lodge for lunch.

After lunch, rest for a while and put on your wet gear for an exciting jungle walk. Discover the secret wonders of the mysterious hidden jungle, and learn about various plant species with medicinal properties from your expert native guide.

You will also observe a great variety of insects, colorful birds, and animals that inhabit the jungle. After about three hours of jungle walk, return to your lodge and spend the remainder of the day resting and relaxing.

(This jungle program includes activities and normal breakfast. If you want we can add lunch and dinner on your jungle stay for USD 110 EXTRA per person.)

Duration:8 hours

Accommodation: Eco lodge

Meals:Breakfast

day 8 - Bus transfer to Baños

After breakfast, take a taxi back to Tena and board a bus to Baños. The journey will take around three hours, which means you will have the rest of the day to yourself. Explore the city or simply relax in your hotel.

Duration:5 hours

Accommodation:2 Star Hotel at Hotel Santa Clara or Similar

Meals:Breakfast

day 9 - Baños free day

You are free today to explore the city of Baños on your own. If you need help booking a tour, our representatives are more than happy to assist you.

Here are some popular tours to consider while in Baños:

- White water rafting at Pastaza River (Class III) - Moderate 4 hours tour

- Canyoning at Rio Blanco or Chamana - Moderate 3 hours tour

- BIke Rental to visit the Waterfalls Avenue - Easy 3 hours tour

- Tree House hike - Demanding 4 hours tour

- Horse back ride - Moderate 3 hours tour

- Motor bike ride - Moderate 4 hours tour

Duration:8 hours

Accommodation:2 Star Hotel at Hotel Santa Clara or Similar

Meals:Breakfast

day 10 - Chimborazo volcano tour

Early in the morning, depart from Banos toward Chimborazo volcano (this part of the tour will be run with public transportation, it will take around three hours to get there). It is going to be the highest altitude that you will experience on the entire trip and who knows the highest elevation that you have ever been (5,000 meters above sea level ), and it is fine for you to experience some altitude-related discomfort.

Once you enter the Chimborazo National Park, head toward the first base camp located at 4,700 meters to start the hike up to the highest point known as the Whymper Refuge. From above you can see the great Andean views.

Following the exciting volcano hike, descend back to the base camp and journey toward Riobamba, the capital city of Chimborazo Province, for overnight.

Duration:8 hours

Accommodation:3 Star Hotel at Hotel Wonderlot or Similar

Meals:Breakfast

day 11 - Transfer to Cuenca

Start your day with a two hour-long journey to the Ingapirca Archaeological Complex, the most significant pre-Columbian archaeological site in Ecuador. There, you will spend an hour exploring the site and learning more about the Pre-Inca and Inca history.

Following the tour, travel to the city of Cuenca. Once you reach the city, visit the famous Hat Museum (Panama Hat Factory). After learning about the millinery trade at the Hat Museum, head toward your hotel for overnight.

Duration:8 hours

Accommodation:2 Star Hotel at Hostal Orquidea or Similar

Meals:Breakfast

day 12 - Cuenca sightseeing

In the morning, go on a tour of the picturesque streets and plazas of Cuenca. Explore and enjoy this magical city that has something for everyone. In the afternoon, you are free to explore the city on your won. Our representatives are more than happy to provide you with the recommendations for activities to enjoy and sites to see.

Duration:8 hours

Accommodation:2 Star Hotel at Hostal Orquidea or Similar

Meals:Breakfast

day 13 - Bus transfer to Guayaquil

Today, you will take a public bus to Guayaquil, a journey that will take around four hours.

Once you have checked in to your hotel in the city, get ready to explore Guayaquil's downtown and Las Penas Viewpoint.

Duration:8 hours

Accommodation:3 Star Hotel at Grand Hotel Guayaquil or Similar

Meals:Breakfast

day 14 - Bus transfer to Puerto Lopez

Today, you will take a public bus to Puerto Lopez, which takes around five hours. There are no planned tour activities this day, so once you reach Puerto Lopez, enjoy your free time at the beach or hotel pool. Late in the afternoon, join us for a cocktail show at the hotel.

Duration:8 hours

Accommodation:3 Star Hotel at Hotel Nantu or Similar

Meals:Breakfast

day 15 - Isla de la Plata tour

Today, you will visit the famous island called Silver Island or Isla de la Plata, which is located 40 miles away from Puerto Lopez. This island is known for having some of the flora and fauna found in the Galapagos, such as the blue-footed bobby, frigate bird, and red-footed bobby.

If you are visiting during the whale-watching season (May to September), you will get to see the humpback whales that come from all over the world to the Ecuadorian Coast for the purpose of breeding. On the island tour, you will also get to snorkel in the waters to see a great diversity of fish and other marine life.

Return to your hotel in Puerto Lopez after the tour, and later in the evening, enjoy some salsa lessons.

Duration:8 hours

Accommodation:3 Star Hotel at Hotel Nantu or Similar

Meals:Breakfast

day 16 - Free day

Today is a freed day. You can relax in your hotel, visit a beach, or walk around the town. If you like adventure, we can arrange for you a biking or diving tour.

Duration:8 hours

Accommodation:3 Star Hotel at Hotel Nantu or Similar

Meals:Breakfast

day 17 - Fly back to Quito

Your Ecuador tour ends today. Spend your morning in Puerto Lopez as you please, and at around 1:00 pm, check out from your hotel and head toward Manta City Airport to catch a flight to Quito.

If you desire to add one more night in Quito or extend your stay in Ecuador, we can always help you.

Duration:8 hours

Accommodation:Hotel Night NOT Included Other

Meals:Breakfast

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What's Included

16 BreakfastsEnglish Speaking adventure Tour Guide will escort you through your entire journeyAmerican breakfast included everydayThis Itinerary is based on Public Transportation, however in groups more than 8 participants that we include Private Transportation for the entire trip

Optional Add-ons Available during check-out

What's Excluded

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