Ecuador Treasures Bucket List 8 Days Tour: Discover 14+ Unique Destinations with Private Guides
5.0
11 Ratings
Quito
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
(11 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
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!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Barnardia
Mar 5, 2021
Wonderful tour!! - I can't speak highly enough of our experience with GuideEcuador. I did this tour with my wife and both my Mom and Dad who are in their 60's. From our arrival at the airport in Quito all the way up until our departure, we always felt safe and well taken care of. At no point did we ever feel unsafe or stressed from the itinerary, despite traveling during Covid. The day to day schedule was always full with new adventures and surprises better than we could have imagined. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and professional and planned unique adventures every day custom to us that were way above and beyond our expectations. We also stayed in beautiful accommodations that were located in perfect locations which always made us feel comfortable and in awe. One thing that stood out to me was how the guide truly was an ambassador for his country and people, going above and beyond to not only give us a once in a lifetime adventure, but also doing so in a sustainable way that supported the local economy. He truly seemed to care about his people. If you are looking for an immersive adventure vacation seeing some amazing places in Ecuador, I can't recommend GuideEcuador enough! My family and I have traveled all over the world together, and this tour in Ecuador was one of our favorites due to the variety of climates, culture, and geography. Look no further, if you're looking to do a trip to Ecuador, you've found your tour company! And if you're looking for something more custom, GuideEcuador is very willing and able to customize the itinerary to whatever your preferences are.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
926greggb
Feb 24, 2021
Best guide ever - Alejandro was our guide for the trip. When we were done with our trip I felt as if I had known forever. He was our amigo. Great job
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Hereforthis
Feb 22, 2021
Perfect for Those wanting to travel during Covid and have fun! - If you’re looking for a fun trip to do whether it’s adventurous or with your family, Alex has the perfect trip for you. He is the owner, professional and speaks very good English and made our 10 day tour experience an amazing trip. We traveled during COVID and felt totally safe. We got to do all the activities we planned to do and then some fun surprises as well. It was easy to get in and out of the country and Alex even helped us arrange our COVID tests to get back into the US. We customized the bucket list tour. We got to stay in some AMAZING places from a place right on the Napo River in the jungle you had to take a canoe to and an old historic horse ranch and a place surrounded by hot springs and beautiful Mountain Views. I loved the variety of places you got to stay at and see on the tour and how people of all activity levels would enjoy doing it. I recommend contacting Alex directly to book a trip so you get it at a better rate than a third party agency and you’re able to ask him questions or customize it like we did by adding some activities like a cooking class and additional time, etc. He will ensure you enjoy your experience and also has tours to the Galapagos and Columbia, etc. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Canada-traveler21
Dec 23, 2019
AMAZING TRIP! AMAZING TOUR! AMAZING GUIDE! LOVED ECUADOR! - Alejandro took me and my partner on an 8 day tour around mainland Ecuador. We visited Quito, trekked through the beautiful Andes, climbed a volcano, biked down a volcano, explored the Amazon jungle, built a raft out of trees and floated down the river, relaxed at incredible hot springs, and were thrilled by canyoning and and rafting in Baños. Ecuador has so much to offer! Truly an incredible place to visit. Our entire tour was completely planned by GuidEcuador, and our guide Alejandro was the best we could have asked for! Everything was arranged for us, and he was so flexible to make our trip perfect for us. He allowed us to have such an amazing experience and took any and all stress of travelling and planning away. Alejandro and his crew are extremely knowledgable and were always striving to make sure we were comfortable and enjoying our time to the fullest. We ended up having a private tour, just my partner and I, and our guide toured us around the country in his personal SUV. He was a great driver, we always felt save, and were able to save so much time allowing us to experience so much more of what this beautiful country has to offer. Thank you Alejandro! I would highly recommend travelling with GuidEcuador through Ecuador, and we can’t wait to travel again to Colombia, Peru, and Galápagos with GurdEcaudor soon!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Noah
Jul 25, 2019
Well worth the time and money, saw all the sights we had it in mind - My wife and I enjoyed this trip a lot. The weather was perfect and also our wonderful Guide Alex . we will love to travel with him once again!!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Juanmalo75
Dec 19, 2018
18 was easy! - Alex had his hands full with my family trip. We researched and found Alex online. We were able to communicate fairly regularly with Alex via Skype, etc., and built up a level of comfort by the time we met Alex in Ecuador in a spacious, modern tour bus driven by his cousin. We always felt safe and secure on the bus and its operation. Alex was patient, mindful and watchful over this group of "11 adult kids" and 7 regular kids. Alex seemed to have the appropriate contacts along our journey and took care of details in a professional, thoughtful manner. He kept us on track by letting us know what to expect ahead of time and how to prepare. Alex was able to answer all of our questions about Ecuador and provided insight on many other details that otherwise may have gone overlooked or unnoticed. Wildlife, nature, culture, politics, sports and history were all topics in Alex's wheel-house. I suggest you do your own extensive research on Ecuador and consult with him based on your group's agreed interests. He'll put together a few options and the rest is history. He is a true ambassador for Ecuador, respectful and thoughtful with a genuine like for people. I highly recommend Alex for your group or family. Family Christmas Vacation 2014.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wowodj1234
Dec 16, 2018
110% combo of professionalism & friendliness! MUST BOOK for anyone planning to visit Equador! - We had a chance to be guided by Jacome during 10 days all Equador trip. Must say, it's pretty rare to have a guide like him : dedicated, with great knowledge of country and people and always ready to support you. It's my great pleasure to recommend him!
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