Quito to Cuenca Tour: Exciting 4 or 5 Day Exploring Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, Baños, and Chimborazo

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Embark on an exciting 4 or 5-day tour from Quito to Cuenca, exploring Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, Baños, and Chimborazo. Experience the best of Ecuador with accommodation, transportation, and a private guide.

Duration: 5 days

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

Quito - Cotopaxi - Quilotoa - Latacunga

Cotopaxi National Park - At 06:30 in the morning, the guide will collect you from your hotel in Quito to start the tour. The first stop is Cotopaxi National Park, where you will stroll around Limpiopungo Lake. If the weather is clear, you will have the opportunity to admire the scenery of one of Ecuador’s…

Quito - Cotopaxi - Quilotoa - Latacunga

Laguna Quilotoa - Following the visit to Cotopaxi National Park, the tour proceeds to Quilotoa Lake, considered by many as the most beautiful spot in Ecuador. Here, you can hike down to the lake’s bottom, and for the return, you may either walk up or rent a horse for the ascent.

Finally, you will travel to Latacunga to rest at your designated hotel.

Canon del Rio Toachi - After exploring Quilotoa, there will be a brief visit to Ecuador’s most impressive canyon, the Toachi Canyon, located near the parish of Sumbahua. The day concludes with a journey to Latacunga City.

Latacunga - Baños-Riobamba

Laguna de Yambo - The first stop of the day is the viewpoint of the enchanting Yambo Lagoon, offering breathtaking scenery.

Baños - At 09:00 am, after visiting Yambo Lake, the tour continues to the charming city of Baños to explore the famous “Av. De las Cascadas.” After visiting the Pailon del Diablo waterfall, there will be time for a delightful lunch, followed by a ride on one of the most scenic cable cars over the Pastaza River.

La Casa del Arbol - Post-lunch, you will experience the “Swing at the End of the World,” one of Latin America’s most renowned swings. After this adventure, the journey continues for approximately 1.5 hours to Riobamba city.

Riobamba-Chimborazo-Ingapirca-Cuenca

Mount Chimborazo - At 07:15 am, after breakfast, the guide will take you to Chimborazo Faunistic Reserve. Here, you can walk and enjoy the views of Ecuador’s highest mountain, “Chimborazo.” Occasionally, you might spot vicuñas, llamas, and alpacas. The car will take you to the first refuge (4800 masl), and from there, if you wish, you can hike 200 meters to the second refuge at 5000 masl. Afterward, there will be time for a box lunch.

Iglesia de Balbanera - Following the visit to Chimborazo Mountain, the tour proceeds to Ecuador’s oldest church, La Balbanera, considered one of the country’s most significant churches. It is situated in a picturesque Andean valley, where locals prepare and sell the famous guinea pig.

Ingapirca Archaeological Complex - Here, you will explore the “Ingapirca” archaeological complex, learning about the Cañari and Inca cultures. For those starting their tour on Fridays or Saturdays, the complex will be viewed from the outside, as the Ingapirca ruins are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. This will be complemented with a visit to the mountain known as the “Face of the Inca.” The day concludes with a 1.5-hour journey to Cuenca, where you will stay overnight.

Cuenca - The tour continues with a 1.5-hour drive to Cuenca, where you will stay at the assigned hotel. Cuenca is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Ecuador and South America, with a two-night stay in Cuenca.

Cajas National Park + Cuenca City Tour

El Cajas National Park - At 08:30 am, after breakfast, the morning is dedicated to visiting Cajas National Park, considered one of the most beautiful places in South America. You will walk along one of its trails, learning and enjoying its magical Andean scenery. After exploring the middle part of Cajas, there will be time for a delicious lunch, followed by a return to Cuenca for a city tour.

Cuenca - In the afternoon, enjoy a half-day city tour of Cuenca, considered Ecuador’s most beautiful city. The tour includes a visit to its historic center, declared a Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. You will also stroll along the Tomebamba Riverbank and visit the Turi viewpoint for a spectacular view of Cuenca. The tour may also include a visit to a Panama Hat Factory.

OPTION 1: At the beginning of the tour from Quito/OPTION 2: At the end of the tour from Cuenca (Only 5-day tour option)

Mindo - For those opting for the 5-day tour with OPTION 1, the guide will pick you up from your hotel in QUITO, and the tour will begin with a visit to Mindo. This includes visits to the butterfly farm, bird watching, and a chocolate tour. Additionally, this option includes a visit to the Middle of the World. The rest of the tour follows the program, turning day 1 into day 2. After visiting Mindo, you will travel to Machachi for an overnight stay. (For more details, please contact us)

What's Included

Breakfasts
Pure water throughout the trip
One complimentary meal
Driver/guide with SUV, Minivan, or Minibus depending on group size
4 or 5 nights accommodation based on tour option (double occupancy)
Entrance fees to all activities included in your tour

What's Not Included

Meals
Personal expenses
Tips
Optional Horse at Quilotoa Lake ($10)

Additional Information

For those with limited time who wish to explore the wonders of Ecuador, a four or five-day tour is ideal. This package includes accommodation and transportation as you journey through Quito, Cotopaxi Quilotoa, Banos, Chimborazo, Cuenca, and more. A private guide will accompany you throughout, providing insightful commentary. The tour offers flexibility,…

Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings

5.0

(62 Ratings)

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Nancy

Apr 30, 2026

Highly recommend this One of a Kind Magical 5 day tour through Ecuador with Edison Juca/Polylepis Tours!!! - My husband and I highly recommend the 5 day Magical tour with Edison Juca/Polylepsis tours. Edison is very passionate and knowledgeable of the history, culture and cuisines of Ecuador. He is even an avid birdwatcher, he pointed out so many different species of hummingbirds and birds in Mindo, the birdwatching capital of the world. In Mindo we also visited a butterfly sanctuary and enjoyed a cacao facial and tour at Yumbo. Edison and my husband planned our days perfectly, we agreed to start early and end late to maximize our experiences. Edison was flexible and provided a unique and customized experience. Edison always timed our activities in a way that maximized the best view possible at Cotopaxi summit, where we were greeted by an Andean fox. We were lucky to have a clear view of the Chimborazo, the closest peak to the sun. We set off to Baños, we stayed in a local lodge, upon arrival we booked massages and enjoyed a delicious dinner. We visited the mighty and impressive Pailon del Diablo and the twin waterfalls. We enjoyed our visit to the world famous La Casa del Arbol, the swing there overlooks a volcano. Edison is a photographer also, he was happy taking our photos and providing tips. We also visited and hiked through the Parque National Cajas, Waterproof shoes and clothing are a must, we were always well prepared for changes in weather. Lastly,we visited the beautiful city of Cuenca, the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our first evening we dined at the Jardín Restaurant at the Victoria Hotel, the food, atmosphere and service were phenomenal. We did walking tours during the day and in the evening. We dined at the magnificent, French inspired Masion Matilde, a special treat and ambience. A one of a kind and perhaps one of our favorite trips!!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Y6389pobens

Apr 7, 2026

A fantastic tour of volcanoes, history and culture in the Andes - We wanted to work our way from Quito to Cuenca visiting sights along the way and this tour ticked all the boxes. Visiting the volcanoes Cotopaxi and Chimborazo was a high point, especially the climb at Chimborazo to the second refuge hut at 5040m. The Cajas national park outside Cuenca was completely different scenery, and a peaceful time in nature. Our guide Flavio had a wealth of information about the history, culture, flora and fauna of the Andes, and we enjoyed the many experiences he shared with us. Our driver José was careful and helpful, we knew we were in good hands despite some rough roads! Loved this tour, it packs a lot in but also allows some peaceful breaks along the way.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Y1407aothomasm

Mar 18, 2026

Excellent tour of Ecuador’s La Avenida de los Volcanes and Cuenca - Polylepis and our guide Sebastian offered us a perfect tour of Ecuador! It was everything I had hoped for when I booked the tour, and my wife now thinks I am incredibly smart for finding them. We saw a very diverse selection of activities and sites. Sebastian was so knowledgeable and a wonderful ambassador for his country and culture. I also appreciated the support we received from Edison and Polylepis when we had a small issue with one of the booked hotels. It is relatively easy to deliver good customer service, but it is a hallmark of great customer service when inevitable issues are quickly resolved. We are grateful to Polylepis and Sebastian for their guidance and insight.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

160eileenz

Mar 11, 2026

Amazing 6 day 6 night tour through cities and Countryside of Ecuador. - WOW!! We had an amazing experience with Polyepis tours. We booked this trip as a post trip to a Galapagos cruise. The itinerary covered all of the highlights of the area and more and the hotels were amazing. Edison collaborated with us to work out an itinerary to meet all of our needs. Our tour guide, Cristian and driver, Jose were amazing. Cristian's knowledge of Ecuador and its history and people was amazing. Jose navigation of the Country and service to us as customers was first class. We loved every city we saw and it was great how Cristian would cater the day to our needs and desires. The rich history of the Country and the people showed through the architect and the countryside and the art. We loved the enthusiasm and love for the Country that Cristian has which showed through his knowledge and quaint stops he made to show us the individual skills and craftmanship of the people we highly recommend using Polyepis tours and Cristian and Jose

Review provided by Tripadvisor

82paulu

Jan 28, 2026

Outstanding experience - I took the 5-day tour from Quito to Cuenca. I was the only passenger, so it was a private tour. My guide and driver, Diego, spoke perfect English. Moreover, he was a great driver, very polite, and extremely knowledgeable--a veritable walking encyclopedia. For example, when we were in the Andes, every few meters there was some plant or geological formation that he would describe in the indigenous Quechua genesis, the Latin name, the Spanish history, and the current uses including traditional medicine. In Cuenca, which I discovered as one of the great cities of the world, he did the same for all cultural artifacts and places. I'm thinking of going back to Cuenca next year. Two caveats: the Andes are VERY HIGH, so it's not for the light-headed although I wouldn't recommend high-altitude pills because of their side effects. I also recommend paying some extra for accommodations. The least expensive option is quite Spartan.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Lmg4272rj

Jan 13, 2026

A great tour of the Ecuadorian Andes mountains - This is an active trip along the Ecuadorian Andes avenue of volcanoes. Visit Cotopaxi national park and Laguna Quilota. This is a steep climb down into the inactive volcano, but you can hire a mule to ascend. Visit Banos,famous for it's waterfalls and Swing at the End of the world. Climb to 5000m at Chimborazo. Visit Ingapara archeological complex, a large Canari and Inca ruin. I had an extra day,so we had an extended city tour to also see a couple of museums, including Museo Pumapungo and the old cathedral, and then a longer day hiking in Cajas National Park. So many highlights. You do need to be fit to get the most from the activities at high altitude. The guide, Ed, was very accommodating and helpful to fill in my extra day. He was very informative throughout the tour. A great tour guide for a solo traveller. I had some issues with my Latam Airlines booking, and all communication was in Spanish. Ed helped to communicate with the airline to enable me to be sure this was sorted. Great appreciated.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Lyn_m

Jan 13, 2026

Great tour through the Ecuadorian Andes mountains - This is an active trip along the Ecuadorian Andes avenue of volcanoes. Visit Cotopaxi nationaal park, and Laguna Quilota. This is a steep climb down into the inactive volcano, but you can hire a mule to ascend. Visit Banos, famous for it's waterfalls and Swing at the End of the world. Climb to 5000m at Chimborazo. Visit Ingapara archeological complex, a large Canari and Inca ruin. I had an extra day, so we had an extended city tour to also see a couple of museums, including Museo Pumapungo and the old cathedral, and then a longer day hiking in Cajas National Park. So many hightlights. You do need to be fit to get the most from the activities at high altitude. The guide, Ed, was very accommodating and helpful to fill my extra day. I had some issues with my Latam Airline booking, and all communication was in Spanish. Ed helped communicate with the airline to enable me to be sure that this was sorted.

Review provided by Viator

Andreact9752sn

Jan 11, 2026

Authentic and unforgettable Ecuador - This 4 day journey from Quito to Cuenca was absolutely exceptional and far exceeded all my expectations. The itinerary was thoughtfully designed to showcase the very best of Ecuador in a relatively short time, without ever feeling negatively rushed. The drive itself was an experience. Throughout the journey, breathtaking Andean landscapes unfolded before us, with spectacular views of iconic volcanoes appearing one after another in this order: Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Los Ilinizas, Rumiñahui, and El Altar. Every transfer offered new panoramas and highlighted the raw beauty and immense scale of Ecuador’s landscape. Each stop along the route was unforgettable. Cotopaxi was powerful and majestic, while Laguna Quilotoa was simply unreal — such a stunning crater lake can, in my opinion, only be compared to places like Iceland or Laguna de los Tres in Patagonia. Baños was vibrant and full of energy, and getting extremely close to the mighty Pailón del Diablo waterfall was an intense and emotional experience. One of the absolute highlights of the trip was driving up to approximately 4,800 meters above sea level, followed by a hike up to 5,000 meters. Being so close to Chimborazo, feeling the cold, the wind, and its overwhelming presence, was truly humbling and deeply powerful. The logistics, pacing, and overall organization were excellent. Despite covering so much ground, everything ran smoothly and felt well thought out. I would wholeheartedly recommend this route to anyone looking for an intense, authentic, and unforgettable experience in Ecuador. It was a challenging, beautiful, and deeply rewarding journey that I will remember for a very long time.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Michelle_g

Dec 28, 2025

We had an incredible trip... - We had an incredible trip with guide Christian and driver Jose! We explored and never felt rushed. Wha an incredible trip! Highly recommend this company!!

Review provided by Viator

Reyesgirl77

Dec 26, 2025

Don’t miss out on visiting Central Ecuador! - We went on the 4 day tour and had a fantastic time. Luckily we were the only ones on the tour with our guide, Sebastian, who was able to tailor our itinerary each day. He was a safe driver and knowledgeable about the different sites on the tour. Although there is a lot of time in the car, the landscapes are truly beautiful which made the ride enjoyable. Additionally Sebastian made sure to provide bathroom stops along the way. We have awesome photos and great memories of all the different sites on this tour of central Ecuador. Highly recommend!

Review provided by Viator

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From $645

up to 15 guests

1 - Adult