Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Quito
You'll land at Quito Airport and head out through the Andean highlands for a 15-minute drive to Puembo. The route takes you past rural areas with traditional adobe houses, farmland, and lush valleys. On clear days, you might catch a glimpse of snow-capped volcanoes like Cotopaxi or Cayambe in the distance. It's a nice introduction to Ecuador's landscape.
- Start point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO), Vía Tababela - Yaruquí Lote 18, Quito, Pichincha 1709, Ecuador (International Arrive)
Landmarks Cotopaxi Cayambe 
- Day 2
Wikiri Sapoparque and City Tour
This morning you'll spend time at Wikiri Sapoparque, where nature trails and friendly animals give you activities for everyone. After lunch, a city tour takes you through colorful markets and historic landmarks. You'll get a real sense of local culture and the character of the area before wrapping up your day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Wikiri Sapoparque - nature trails and wildlife exploration
- City tour - colorful markets and historic landmarks
Landmarks Wikiri Sapoparque - Day 3
Mitad del Mundo and Papallacta
Head to Mitad del Mundo where you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere. The Inti Ñan Museum has interactive exhibits that explain the region's science and culture. Later, you'll drive to Papallacta to relax in natural hot springs surrounded by forest. It's a nice blend of learning and relaxation to end the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Mitad del Mundo - standing on the equator
- Inti Ñan Museum - interactive exhibits on equator science and culture
- Papallacta hot springs - natural thermal pools
Landmarks Mitad del Mundo Inti Ñan Museum Papallacta Hot Springs - Day 4
Papallacta to Amazon Rainforest (Itamandi EcoLodge)
From Papallacta, drive 45 minutes to Puente del Rio Arajuno to meet your naturalist guide. A 20-minute motorized canoe ride upstream brings you to Itamandi EcoLodge. After lunch, you'll do river tubing through the rainforest. An optional night walk lets you search for fishing bats, owls, and snakes if you're interested in nocturnal wildlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Motorized canoe ride to Itamandi EcoLodge through Amazon rainforest
- River tubing with scenic views
Optional Activities
- Night walk with flashlight and camera - nocturnal wildlife observation
Landmarks Puente del Rio Arajuno Itamandi EcoLodge 
- Day 5
Amazon Rainforest and Amazonian Kichwa Community
Following breakfast, a guided walk takes you 2.5 to 3 hours through primary and secondary rainforest. In the afternoon, you'll visit an Amazonian Kichwa community to learn how they live and interact with the jungle. You'll participate in making chicha (a traditional yucca drink), taste local food, watch traditional dances, and browse handmade crafts. Your visit directly supports the community.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided rainforest walk - 2.5 to 3 hours through primary and secondary forest
- Amazonian Kichwa community visit - cultural immersion
- Traditional chicha-making experience
- Traditional dance performance by community members
- Local crafts shopping
Landmarks Amazon Rainforest - Day 6
Saladero de Parrots to Baños de Agua Santa
A 15-minute canoe ride takes you upriver to the Saladero de Parrots, where hundreds of colorful parrots and parakeets gather at a clay wall for minerals. Bring binoculars for closer views of this birdwatching site. Then ride back to Arajuno Bridge (20 minutes by motorized canoe) and continue to the town of Baños de Agua Santa for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Saladero de Parrots - canoe ride and parrot birdwatching
Landmarks Saladero de Parrots - Day 7
Pailón del Diablo and Casa del Árbol
Your day starts at Pailón del Diablo waterfall, where you can feel the refreshing mist and see the powerful water. Scenic trails let everyone enjoy the natural beauty and take photos. From there, head to Casa del Árbol, a treehouse high above the ground where you can swing out over the mountains. The treehouse has activities for kids and quiet spots to take in the views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Pailón del Diablo waterfall - trails and viewpoints
- Casa del Árbol treehouse - swinging and mountain views
Landmarks Pailón del Diablo Casa del Árbol - Day 8
Guamote and Sangay National Park
Start at the colorful indigenous market in Guamote to experience Kichua traditions, clothing, and daily life firsthand. Then head to Sangay National Park for a relaxing 3-kilometer hike to one of the Ozogoche lakes. You'll see local wildlife like the cucuvies bird and highland plants like paramo grass and bromeliads. The day wraps up back in Guamote.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guamote indigenous market - local Kichua community experience
- Sangay National Park UNESCO Heritage Site hike - 3 kilometers
- Ozogoche lakes viewing
- Wildlife observation - cucuvies bird and local fauna
Landmarks Guamote Market Sangay National Park Ozogoche Lakes - Day 9
Devil's Nose to Cuenca
You'll visit the Devil's Nose viewpoint and Sibambe Train Station to see incredible views and the impressive train route. A local Kañari family prepares lunch (not included), where you'll taste authentic dishes and participate in a traditional ceremony. Your day ends in the charming city of Cuenca.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Devil's Nose viewpoint and Sibambe Train Station - views and train route exploration
Optional Activities
- Lunch with local Kañari family - traditional ceremony and authentic local dishes (not included)
Landmarks Devil's Nose Sibambe Train Station - Day 10
Cuenca, Gualaceo, and Chordeleg
Spend the day exploring Cuenca and nearby towns. In the city, you'll see the New Cathedral with intricate design, the historic Old Cathedral, and the Church of San Francisco. Later, head to Gualaceo for its colorful markets and traditional textiles, ponchos, and orchids. Then visit Chordeleg, known for beautiful silver jewelry where you can watch artisans at work.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- New Cathedral - Cuenca
- Old Cathedral - Cuenca
- Church of San Francisco - Cuenca
- Gualaceo market and traditional crafts - textiles, ponchos, scarves, orchids
- Chordeleg silver jewelry artisans - workshop viewing
Landmarks New Cathedral of Cuenca Old Cathedral of Cuenca Church of San Francisco Gualaceo Market Chordeleg - Day 11
Cajas National Park and Guayaquil
After leaving Cuenca, head south to Cajas National Park to see over 200 high-altitude lagoons and enjoy views from lookout points. Take a short walk to see a lagoon up close. Then stop at a traditional hacienda for a cacao and chocolate-making tour with lunch included. Afterward, drive through green landscapes to Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city, arriving by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Cajas National Park - 200+ high-altitude lagoons viewing and walking
- Traditional hacienda cacao and chocolate-making tour
- Chocolate-making demonstration and tasting
Landmarks Cajas National Park 
- Day 12
Guayaquil
Start at Seminario Park where land iguanas relax in the sun and a boardwalk surrounds you with greenery. Head next to Guayaquil's Historical Park with recreated habitats for crocodiles, sloths, and eagles. Colonial-era buildings show what the city looked like long ago. It's a good family day learning about Guayaquil's history and natural world.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Seminario Park - land iguanas and boardwalk
- Guayaquil Historical Park - colonial buildings and animal habitats
Landmarks Seminario Park Guayaquil Historical Park - Day 13
Departure from Guayaquil
As your Ecuador trip comes to an end, reflect on what you've seen from the Andes to the Amazon rainforest. A guide picks you up from your accommodation and drives you to Guayaquil Airport for departure. From your plane window, you'll carry memories of the people, landscapes, and experiences you've had.
- End point
- Aeropuerto Internacional José Joaquín de Olmedo (GYE), Avenida de las Américas, Guayaquil, Guayas 0905, Ecuador (Domestic Departure)
- Meals
- Breakfast
