Quito City Tour and Middle of the World

Quito Old Town - The adventure begins in the historic center of the capital, where participants can admire the grand basilica cathedral and Plaza Grande, a charming square surrounded by significant historical buildings like the government palace and the iconic cathedral. The tours are adaptable, allowing customization to explore various historical sites such as the San Francisco Plaza and monastery, the church ‘La Compañia,’ and the vibrant area of La Ronda.

El Panecillo - The next stop is the ascent to Panecillo hill, offering a perfect panoramic view of Quito and the stunning Andean volcanoes in the background, ideal for photography. The tour pace is flexible, enabling a full experience of the city.

Mitad Del Mundo - The journey continues to the Mitad del Mundo monument, where there is time to explore the area or the Inti Ñan Museum, providing a unique opportunity to learn about the indigenous Quitus culture and their fascinating understanding of sun cycles. Additionally, there’s a chance to visit the Pululahua volcano crater.

Cotopaxi National Park

Laguna de Limpiopungo - The second day begins with a departure from Quito towards the majestic Cotopaxi volcano, Ecuador’s second-highest peak at 5,897 meters. Entering Cotopaxi National Park offers the chance to observe the unique páramo biodiversity and understand its ecological importance. The adventure starts with a short walk around the stunning Lake Limpiapungo, followed by a continuation to the parking lot, where the day’s excitement begins.

Cotopaxi Volcano - A spectacular hike to the first refuge of the volcano, located at 4,810 meters above sea level, follows. Upon reaching the base camp, there is ample time to recover from the hike and celebrate with a hot cup of soup. For those eager to ascend further, there is an option to continue to the glaciers, weather permitting. Health and preferences are prioritized, allowing for a tailored experience.

Amazon Rainforest

Mirador Indichuris - On the third day, the journey continues from Baños to Puyo, the gateway to the Ecuadorian Amazon. The 1.5-hour drive offers stunning views as the scenery and vegetation shift through different climates. Just beyond Puyo, deeper into the Amazon Rainforest, the first stop is a visit to a Quichua family from the indigenous Indichuris population, who share insights into their culture and traditions.

Further along, the Indichuris viewpoint offers an incredible view over the Amazon and the Pastaza river. Additionally, there is a rare opportunity for a canoe ride down the river, exploring more of the Ecuadorian Amazon with a local expert (optional activity).

Cascada Hola Vida - A delicious lunch awaits at a local restaurant near the Mirador, featuring Allampaco, a traditional dish with steam-cooked tilapia wrapped in bijao leaves. After lunch, the next natural wonder is the Hola Vida waterfall, perfect for relaxation and a refreshing swim. Before reaching the waterfall, a short jungle walk allows for admiration of diverse trees and the incredible sound of birds.

Puyo - The day concludes with a stop at a local cacao farm, where the fascinating process of transforming cacao beans into flavorful chocolate is demonstrated, with a chance to taste the results.

Baños - Route of the Waterfalls

La Casa del Arbol - Departing from Baños de Agua Santa, the tour highlights the breathtaking waterfall route. The day starts with a short hike to ‘La Casa del Árbol,’ or ‘Tree House,’ a site of a National Geographic photo contest winner, offering stunning views and photo opportunities on the swing overlooking the valley.

CASCADA EL PAILON - The next destination is El Pailón del Diablo, a breathtaking giant waterfall among Ecuador’s top 10 largest. A beautiful 2-kilometer hike rewards with incredible views of the waterfall from various perspectives.

Cascada el Manto de la Novia - Continuing along the waterfall route, several stops allow for witnessing and admiring miraculous waterfalls, including ‘Manta de la Novia,’ a paradise for adventure seekers. Here, a cable car ride through the green valley to the enormous waterfall is possible, or participation in spectacular zip-line activities.

Riobamba - After a day of incredible nature and exciting activities, the next destination is Riobamba, approximately half an hour from Baños, where the night is spent in preparation for a special day ahead.

Devils Nose Mountain and Ingapirca Ruins

The Devil’s Nose Train Ride - On day 5, the adventure departs early from Riobamba to Alausi, a beautiful traditional town in the Andes known for ‘The Devil’s Nose,’ an incredible train ride through steep mountainous landscapes with stunning views. Although the train ride is currently not operating, a short hike offers breathtaking landscapes and insights into the engineering behind the Devils Nose Train.

For those seeking adventure, an exciting mountain bike activity is available (optional at extra cost). Afterwards, a visit to a local farm near Alausi provides insight into traditional farming methods practiced by the local community.

Ingapirca Ruins - The journey continues to Cañar, visiting the Ingapirca Archaeological complex, the most impressive and best-preserved Inca ruins in Ecuador. Here, the fascinating history of the ancient Cañari and Inca civilizations, including their sophisticated architecture, engineering, and rituals, is explored. Discover the Inca-constructed Temple of the Sun and the Canari-constructed Temple of the Moon, delving into the beliefs and spirituality of each culture. After exploring Ingapirca, the journey continues to the breathtaking city of Cuenca, full of fascinating architecture and surrounded by mountains. The 1.5-hour journey is worthwhile for the beautiful landscapes.

Cuenca - After exploring Ingapirca, the journey continues to the breathtaking city of Cuenca, full of fascinating architecture and surrounded by mountains. The 1.5-hour journey is worthwhile for the beautiful landscapes.

Cajas National Park

Laguna La Toreadora - The day is spent traveling to one of Ecuador’s most breathtaking national parks: Cajas. After a brief but beautiful drive from Cuenca, a moderate 2.5-hour hike (depending on the group’s pace) through the highlands with its moorland ecosystem of wetlands and lakes begins. A naturalist guide spots endemic flora and explains the geology, history, and culture of the area. The unique forest of polylepis trees, some of the highest growing trees in the world, is also visited.

El Cajas National Park - After the hike, a stop at a local restaurant offers relaxation and a delicious lunch. The specialty is trout, but other options like chicken or beef are available, with accommodations for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals.

Cuenca Half Day City Tour

Plaza Abdon Calderon - The final day of the Ecuador adventure is spent in the stunning city of Cuenca. Starting in the San Sebastian neighborhood, a traditional area marking the city’s western colonial border, there is an opportunity to visit the Modern Art Museum, home to the famous Bienal International of Cuenca, part of a select group of macro art events in Latin America and the Caribbean. The exhibits and the historical house with its traditional architecture are explored. Next, the San Francisco market, the flower market, Abdon Calderon Park, the cathedral “El Sagrario” (the “Old Cathedral”), and the “New Cathedral,” one of the largest churches in Latin America with a famous gold leaf altar, are visited.

Homero Ortega - The tour continues to a Panama hat factory, observing and learning about the fabrication of “Paja toquilla” fiber. The guide explains the hat-making process, the story behind the name “Panama Hats,” and the product’s importance to the local economy. The hats range from classic simple designs to colorful, elegantly designed, and costly ones.

Mirador de Turi - The journey concludes with a visit to the beautiful Barranco neighborhood and “Mirador de Turi,” a scenic viewpoint offering a beautiful vista of the Cuenca landscape. It’s a perfect moment to reflect on the journey and share memories. All passengers are assured safe drop-off at their accommodation, the airport, or the bus station.

• 6 Nights accommodation (Double or triple rooms)
• Private transportation
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Guide (English, Spanish)
• All fees and/or taxes
• Activities, entrance fees and tickets as listed in itinerary
• Breakfast
• Lunch

• Meals not specified
• Travel Insurance

Embark on a week-long adventure in Ecuador with our 7-day itinerary, journeying south from Quito to Cuenca along a stunning route. Discover the top attractions of the Ecuadorian Andes, engage with indigenous communities, and marvel at the awe-inspiring waterfalls as you venture into the Amazon Rainforest. Explore the captivating history at the country’s largest and best-preserved Inca ruins. This itinerary offers a perfect mix of nature and culture.

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.