Quito & Surroundings, Cotopaxi, Lower Amazon

14 days / 13 nights

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Spend 14 days exploring the magical city of Quito, residing high in the Andes at 2,850 m above sea level, the Cloud Forest at Mashpi, where you can take a skybike across the top of the forest canopy and view all kinds of exotic species, the breathtaking landscapes of the Cayambe and Cotopaxi volcanoes and Yasuni National Park in Ecuador's Amazon basin, one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world.

Key sights to see

Quito
Quito
Quito, the capital of Ecuador, resides high in the Andes at 2,850m above sea level, flanked by the impressive Pichincha Volcano. The city's key attractions are the beautifully preserved historic center, the botanical garden, the trendy neighborhoods of La Floresta and Guapulo, and the Middle of the World monument, located on the international Equatorial line!
Cloud Forest, Mashpi
Cloud Forest, Mashpi
Ecuador's cloud forests are found on the slopes coming down from the Andes. With pleasant climates and great biodiversity, orchids, hummingbirds, butterflies and more are all popular highlights for visitors. The cloud forest offers several activities like ziplining and river tubing, and sights like waterfalls and sweeping forest canopy views, chocolate and coffee farms.
Imbabura
Imbabura
Imbabura is a province famous for the Imbabura Volcano, which towers 4,600 meters above sea level, and its beautiful collection of lakes and lagoons, which has earned it the nickname “Land of the Lakes." Each town and village in the province proudly boasts traditional cultures and practices unlike anywhere else in Ecuador.
Coca, Ecuadorian Amazon
Coca, Ecuadorian Amazon
Ecuador's Amazon Basin, including the treasured Yasuni National Park, features one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. Coca, or Puerto Francisco de Orellana, located at the confluence of the Napo and Coca rivers, serves as the gateway for journeys into the Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador.
Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi
The Cotopaxi province, volcano, and National Park are within an hour of Ecuador's capital. At 5,897 m above sea level, this active volcano is one of the highest in the world. Visitors to the National Park can see various Andean birds, llamas, deer, fox and wild horses, and hike up a part of the volcano.
Quilotoa Lake
Quilotoa Lake
Quilotoa is a turquoise lake within a volcanic crater that is about 3 km wide and located at nearly 3900 meters above sea level. This is hands down one of Ecuador's most stunning attractions. The water's emerald green hues combine with panoramic views onto Andean landscapes, and the Cotopaxi and Illiniza volcanoes.

Exciting and memorable things to do

Dragonfly Experience, Mashpi, Cloud Forest
Dragonfly Experience, Mashpi, Cloud Forest
The highlight of any trip to Mashpi is the Dragonfly – an exciting, open-air cable car system that carries you over the forest canopy. The setup consists of two main stations, six towers, and four gondolas that move at a low speed of 50 meters/160 feet per minute. A roundtrip takes about 40-minutes to complete.
Optional Activity - Waterfall or Hummingbird Garden Visit
Optional Activity - Waterfall or Hummingbird Garden Visit
Visit a waterfall, at a special place in the forest and bathe in the pools with the water crashing behind you, or visit the Hummingbird Garden, or the Butterfly Farm, where you can explore the life of the many species found in the Masphi area. The guides will also point out various species of plants such as passion flowers, birds of paradise and milkweeds.
Quito Historical City Tour
Quito Historical City Tour
Explore the best preserved colonial center of South America. Visit the Basilica del Voto Nacional, the San Francisco de Quito and La Compañia Church, and the Plaza Grande to see the Presidential Palace, the Catholic Cathedral, and the Archbishop's Palace. Visit other highlights such as the Panecillo, for an amazing 360 degree view of Quito.
Middle of the World Monument, Quito
Middle of the World Monument, Quito
The Middle of the World Monument is a must-see in Quito. Built to honor the French and Ecuadorian scientists who studied the curvature of the planet and determined the supposed location of the equator, this unique location allows you to take a picture with one foot in each hemisphere!
Compania de Jesus Hacienda and Rose Plantation
Compania de Jesus Hacienda and Rose Plantation
Ecuador is the third largest exporter of roses in the world. The roses are known for their size, longevity and color variations (over 500 colors). The Compania de Jesus hacienda belonged to the Jesuit order around 300 years ago. Today it has an exquisite, permanent exhibition of over 5,000 varieties of roses.
Otavalo and Surroundings
Otavalo and Surroundings
Visit the town of Otavalo, famous for its indigenous market that is held every day. Then, visit the peaceful town of Cotacachi, famous for its leather products such as shoes, purses, coats and belts. Browse the products and meet the local craftsmen who create these beautiful pieces.
Cuicocha Lagoon
Cuicocha Lagoon
Visit the beautiful, Cuicocha volcanic crater lagoon, located at nearly 3,246 meters in a part of the Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve. Walk around the lagoon to enjoy the biodiversity of the region, the deep blue hues of the lake, and on a clear day, views of the Imbabura and Cayambe volcanoes.
Cycling
Cycling
Mornings are the best time to take advantage of the sun and warm weather in the cooler section of the Andes. Take a morning bike-ride to experience scenic roads and high grasslands. It will be just you and the wide open Sierra.
Horseback Riding
Horseback Riding
An exclusive stable with the Hacienda Zuleta’s own breed of Zuleteño horses gives you the opportunity to discover the magnificent surrounding landscape in true style! The Hacienda has horses for every level of expertise and provides you with good quality helmets, half chaps, rain ponchos, and a saddle bag so you can feel at ease while exploring some of the Hacienda’s glorious horse trails.
Embroidery Class
Embroidery Class
Become part of the famous creative tradition of Zuleta and try your hand at embroidery with the help of our friendly local experts.
Visit to the Capilla del Hombre Museum
Visit to the Capilla del Hombre Museum
Oswaldo Guayasamín was a talented painter and sculptor who dedicated his life to works of art of Kichwa and Mestizo heritage. In 2002, three years after his death, Guayasamín's masterpiece, La Capilla del Hombre ("The Chapel of Man"), was completed and opened to the public. The Chapel is meant to document not only man's cruelty to one another, but also to inspire the potential for greatness within humanity. It is located in front of Guayasamín's home overlooking Quito.
Motorized Canoe Ride on the Napo River
Motorized Canoe Ride on the Napo River
After being picked up at the airport in Coca, you will be dropped off at the main dock on the Napo River, for a two-hour motorized canoe ride down the river to the La Selva Amazon Ecolodge and Spa, located in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon Basin.
Afternoon Excursion at La Selva
Afternoon Excursion at La Selva
Meeting with the guide and the rest of the group, you will begin an excursion on one of the many trails at the lodge. The guides know the rainforest well and can recreate bird calls and draw them in for your viewing.To enhance your experience, you will also be accompanied by a Native guide who is a local from one of the nearby Kichwa communities.
All day Amazon Rainforest Excursion
All day Amazon Rainforest Excursion
Leaving early in the morning to take advantage of the wildlife activity, set out on the trail with your naturalist and local guides to an observation tower not far from the lodge where you can climb up to 120 ft to observe the forest canopy and a wide variety of birds and medicinal plants. Return for lunch and head out again in the afternoon to observe the flora and fauna living on the edge of the lagoon near La Selva Lodge, including herons, the colorful hoatzin stinkbird, hummingbirds, toucans flying over the lagoon, monkeys reaching for fruits, and perhaps even anacondas. In the evening, enjoy dinner and then embark on a night-time canoe ride with a spot light or an excursion to find the nocturnal creatures of the Amazon.
Parrot Clay Licks & Mandi Wasi Community Visit, Coca
Parrot Clay Licks & Mandi Wasi Community Visit, Coca
Take an excursion on the Napo River to view the parrot clay licks, where you can see hundreds of parrots and parakeets gathering to eat the mineral rich soil. Then visit the Mandi Wasi community, to learn more about their culture and way of life, and taste their indigenous cuisine.
Cotopaxi National Park Visit
Cotopaxi National Park Visit
After breakfast, drive to Cotopaxi National Park to visit one of the highest active volcanoes in the world, with a height of 5,897 m above sea level. Learn about the unique flora and fauna of the area and the history of the volcano upon arrival, then continue to the Limpiopungo Lake (altitude: 3850 meters), to enjoy a hike through the stunning “paramo”, or grassland, landscape where you can see hummingbirds, wild horses, other widlife, and the imposing Cotopaxi volcano in its full glory.
Helicopter Excursion, Cotopaxi
Helicopter Excursion, Cotopaxi
Enjoy an exclusive and exhilarating helicopter flight over the Cotopaxi National Park. Soar over the Avenue of the Volcanoes for either 30 or 90 minutes, and get a bird's eye view of the snow capped Cotopaxi volcano, standing 5,897 meters above sea level, and the colorful lakes and dense forests in the region.
Quilotoa Crater Lake & Tigua Visit
Quilotoa Crater Lake & Tigua Visit
Leave in the morning to visit the beautiful Quilotoa Crater Lake on top of the extinct Quilotoa volcano, whose name comes from two Kichwa words "Quiru" which means “tooth”, and "Toa" which means queen due to the shape of the lagoon. The mineral-rich waters of the lake are an emerald green, but can vary to bluish green or almost yellow depending on the season. It also has a large quantity of carbon dioxide mixed with hydrogen sulfide and is not suitable for human consumption. Hike down or rent a mule to go down to the lagoon and then back to the top of the crater. On the way back, stop in a little village that is famous for its local paintings and masks, called Tigua. Painting demonstration is included.

Great places to stay

Casa Gangotena, Quito
Casa Gangotena, Quito

The most prestigious five-star hotel in Quito, Casa Gangotena, a fully-restored mansion with a rich history, overlooks the important San Francisco square. Finely-furnished rooms blend contemporary elegance with antique ambience, while the interior courtyard’s native flowers provide a tranquil retreat from the bustle of nearby streets. The hotel’s restaurants offer exemplary gourmet cuisine.

Mashpi Lodge, Masphi Cloud Forest
Mashpi Lodge, Masphi Cloud Forest

The Mashpi Lodge is a modern haven of opulence deep within a dense cloud forest. Birds and monkeys observe guests enjoy exotic drinks on the breakfast terrace, bathe in the jacuzzi, or dine on gourmet cuisine. A variety of expert-led excursions include use of a “Sky Bike” canopy gondola, best enjoyed in the morning mist.

Hacienda Zuleta, Imbabura
Hacienda Zuleta, Imbabura

Dating from the late 16th century, Hacienda Zuleta lies in the Andean mountain range at 9,600 feet above sea level, with a spectacular view of the Cayambe volcano. The hacienda has 14 beautifully decorated bedrooms, delicious home flavored Ecuadorian cuisine and a great variety of activities including horseback riding, mountain biking, embroidery and cooking classes.

Quito Polo Club
Quito Polo Club

Nestled in the green mountains of the Ecuadorian highlands, the La Palma Polo Club is an Andean dream, located in the small neighborhood of La Palma in Puembo, chosen as a place for rest and residence thanks to its privileged climate, environment and proximity to Quito International Airport.

La Selva Lodge, Coca
La Selva Lodge, Coca

Winner of the prestigious Ecotourism Award from the World Congress on Tourism and the Environment, La Selva’s Amazon Ecolodge has spacious, airy cabañas inspired by native bamboo designs. On foot and in canoes, guests can explore the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve, home to thousands of unique species of plants and animals.

Hacienda San Agustin de Callo, Cotopaxi
Hacienda San Agustin de Callo, Cotopaxi

Hacienda San Agustin is a historical landmark turned into an exclusive hotel located near Cotopaxi National Park in Ecuador. Built on the site of an Inca palace, and one of the two most important archaeological Inca sites in Ecuador, the hacienda’s rooms are equipped with old furniture, paintings, and a wood-burning stove.

What’s Included
  • Airport transfers in Quito
  • Accommodation (Suite or Deluxe Double Room) including breakfast
  • Meals mentioned in the itinerary
  • English speaking driver/guide or driver + guide
  • Excursions mentioned in the itinerary
  • AIG insurance (liability insurance)
What’s Not Included
  • Excursions not mentioned in the program
  • Meals not mentioned in the program
  • Drinks, tips and personal expenses
  • International flights
You are responsible for verifying the visa requirements of your destination country and then obtaining the visa accordingly. In addition, most countries require that travelers hold a passport that is valid for at least six months from the day of entry into the country, so confirm that you meet the passport, visa and medical requirements (if applicable) of the country of entry in advance.
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