The Complete Ecuador Experience

21 days / 20 nights

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Spend 21 days on a comprehensive tour of Ecuador, from the magical city of Quito, to the Cloud Forest at Mashpi, the breathtaking landscapes of the Cayambe and Cotopaxi volcanoes, Yasuni National Park in Ecuador's Amazon basin, one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world, the historical cities of Cuenca and Guayaquil and finally, the legendary Galapagos islands, a vast archipelago of volcanic islands home to abundant wildlife on land, in the air and underwater, and carefully protected natural ecosystems that are just as they were thousands of years ago!

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!
Private: Mashpi, Cloud Forest
Private: Mashpi, Cloud Forest

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.

Private: Cayambe
Private: Cayambe

Cayambe is a small town located at the base of the mighty Cayambe volcano, which has a height of 5,790 meters. The nearby Cayambe Coca National Park provides endless opportunities for adventures in isolated mountain wilderness. This town is also well-known for its indigenous population and delicious “biscochos”, a biscuit that melts in your mouth.

Private: Coca, Amazon Rainforest
Private: Coca, Amazon Rainforest

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.

Private: Cotopaxi
Private: 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.

Private: Quilotoa Lake
Private: 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.

Private: Cuenca
Private: Cuenca

Situated high in the Andes, Cuenca is an ideal home base to explore the southern areas of the country. It is famous for its mild climate, slow-paced atmosphere, beautiful architecture, bridges, flower markets, cafes, and beautiful hotels and restaurants. Nearby attractions include Ingapirca, the largest Incan ruin site in Ecuador, and Cajas National Park.

Galapagos Islands
Galapagos Islands
The legendary Galapagos Islands are Ecuador's main attraction. This vast archipelago of volcanic origin is home to abundant wildlife, carefully protected to showcase “time capsule” ecosystems, just as they were thousands of years ago! Giant tortoises, playful sea lions, blue-footed birds, turtles, penguins, flamingos and iguanas are just some of the memorable highlights.

Exciting and memorable things to do

Tulipe Ruins Visit
Tulipe Ruins Visit
On the way to Mashpi, visit the archaelogical ruins at Tulipe which is said to have belonged to the ancient Yumbo civilization of pre-Inca Quito. After your visit, taste delicious Ecuadorian appetizers and fresh-brewed coffee prepared by the members of the local community
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.
Dinner at Urko Restaurant
Dinner at Urko Restaurant
The Urko Restaurant uses ingredients from agricultural communities in Ecuador´s four regions: Pacific Coast, Andes, Amazon and the Galápagos Islands to prepare Ecuadorian dishes with local flavors that are presented in a modern way. Dinner at Urko is a unique and delicious way to enjoy Ecuador’s traditions in an exclusive setting.
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.
Dinner at Los Tiestos Cafe Restaurant
Dinner at Los Tiestos Cafe Restaurant
Located in an antique house with charming colonial architecture and traditional decor that the city of Cuenca is known for, Los Tiestos Cafe Restaurant is a class of its own. The restaurant provides decadent and authentic menus with Ecuadorian flares and fusions from all regions; leaving you feeling more than satisfied. As a claim to its name, "Tiesto" means clay pot and all the dishes are cooked and served in clay kitchenware.
Day Tour of Cuenca
Day Tour of Cuenca
Spend the day exploring the city of Cuenca including its gorgeous colonial center, the impressive cathedral, the Turi viewpoint, where you get a spectacular view of the entire city, the artisanal Panama hat factory, where you can find hats made from Paja Toquilla palm leaves, the pottery workshop of José Encalada, where you can explore the traditional art of pottery, and finally the Museum of Indigeneous Cultures, which documents the history and culture of Ecuador's indigenous people, dating back 15,000 years.
Hiking in El Cajas National Park
Hiking in El Cajas National Park
Hike with a local guide through El Cajas National Park, a bewitchingly beautiful protected area with cloud forests to rocky-lunar landscapes, over 200 lagoons, wild llamas, alpacas deer and fox, and hummingbirds. The park is 4,000 meters above sea level and temperatures can be as low as 12 degrees C (53 F).
Yacht to Bartolome
Yacht to Bartolome
Take a yacht to Bartolome Island, where you can see spectacular volcanic landscapes and experience excellent snorkeling. Along the ride en route to Bartolome, you may see dolphins, manta rays jumping in the distance, and even sea turtles. Visit the famous Pinnacle Rock, a tuft cone eroded over time creating an amazing site with the blue waters of Sullivan Bay in the background. It is one of the most photographed visitor sites in the Galapagos Islands. At the site, walk up the steps of the boardwalk to the lookout point for a gorgeous 360 degree view. Afterwards, enjoy a panga ride to get a closer view of the coastline and possible wildlife.
Expedition to Sombrero Chino Island, Galapagos
Expedition to Sombrero Chino Island, Galapagos
Sombrero Chino is a small island that gets its name from a resemblance to a Chinese Hat when seen from afar. The island is famous for sea lion colonies, marine iguanas, sally-lightfoot crabs, land iguanas, coral heads, and possibly Galapagos penguins. You can also see and learn about the island's geological features like lava tubes and the coral heads found on the lava onshore.
Expedition to Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos
Expedition to Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos
Spend the day on Santa Cruz Island and explore a wide range of attractions, from the Los Gemelos sunken craters and Scalesia forest, to lava tunnels, organic coffee farms, the giant tortoise farm in Rancho Chato II, the spectacular Tortuga Bay and Garrapatero beach, the Charles Darwin Research Center, and Puerto Ayora and its Fish Market. The specific activities for the day will be decided based on weather conditions and tide charts.
Expedition to Santa Fe Island, Galapagos
Expedition to Santa Fe Island, Galapagos
Spend the day exploring Santa Fe Island which was formed from an ocean floor uplift, and not a volcanic eruption, therefore giving it a mostly flat shape. There are several colonies of land iguanas on the island. Visitors can also kayak, snorkel and hike to scenic viewpoints. Another attraction is the forest of prickly cactus. After lunch, sail to the nearby Plazas Islands where it is possible to see some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the archipelago including land iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, and various sea birds like red-billed tropic birds, frigate birds, pelicans and blue-footed boobies. The protected seashore is also a prime habitat for a colony of noisy sea-lions.

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
Mashpi Lodge

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
Hacienda Zuleta

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.

Hotel Cruz del Vado, Cuenca
Hotel Cruz del Vado, Cuenca

A restored building with a unique facade of Italian Marble, the Hotel Cruz del Vado is a luxurious hotel in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Cuenca, El Vado. The hotel offers sweeping views of the modern part of Cuenca to the West, and the iconic domes of the new cathedral to the East.

Pikaia Lodge, Galapagos
Pikaia Lodge, Galapagos

The Pikaia Lodge is designed for the environmentally conscious, physically active eco-adventure traveler, who seeks close contact with the unique natural wonders of the Galapagos, along with the highest level of comfort and services. As a Pikaia Lodge guest, you will enjoy active, quality guided land and marine day programs in small groups.

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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