Itinerary
- Day 1
Guayaquil
Arriving in Guayaquil, you'll check into your hotel and have the evening to yourself. The city sits right on the Pacific coast and has a lot to explore on your own terms. Las Peñas is where you'll find those colorful wooden houses everyone talks about, and there are historic plazas scattered throughout town. If you're interested in culture, theaters and museums are around, plus live shows happen regularly if you want to catch something in the evening.
- Start point
- Aeropuerto Internacional José Joaquín de Olmedo (GYE), Avenida de las Américas, Guayaquil, Guayas 0905, Ecuador (International Airport Jose Joaquin de Olmedo)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Walk through Las Peñas neighborhood with its 400+ year history and brightly painted wooden houses
- Visit Plaza del Centenario
- Explore Malecón Simón Bolívar
- Visit Morisca Tower
- Climb Santa Ana Hill
- Explore theaters, museums, churches, and bars in the city
Landmarks Las Peñas Plaza del Centenario Malecón Simón Bolívar Morisca Tower Santa Ana Hill 
- Day 2
Guayaquil to Cuenca
You're heading to Cuenca high in the highlands at 8,400 feet, and your guide will walk you through this colonial city that's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll check in first, then start exploring the historic neighborhoods and local markets. Two cathedrals are on the itinerary, and after that you'll stop at a Panama Hat factory to watch artisans actually making the hats by hand. Later, head to the Barranco overlook for views of the Tomebamba River, then finish at Mirador de Turi to catch the sunset over the city landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- City tour of Cuenca
- Visit San Sebastian neighborhood
- Visit Modern Art Museum
- Visit San Francisco Market
- Visit Flower Market
- Visit Abdon Calderon Park
- Visit El Sagrario Cathedral (Old Cathedral)
- Visit New Cathedral
- Visit Panama Hat factory and observe hat fabrication
- Visit Barranco terraced houses area
- Visit Mirador de Turi scenic viewpoint
Landmarks San Sebastian Modern Art Museum San Francisco Market Flower Market Abdon Calderon Park El Sagrario Cathedral New Cathedral Barranco Mirador de Turi 
- Day 3
Cuenca
Start in Cuenca's old town with your driver-guide, then drive through the scenic Azuay province hitting several villages. Gualaceo has an orchid farm worth seeing, and Zigzig's market is vibrant and worth walking through. Chordeleg is known for silver and gold work, so if craftsmanship interests you, that's the place to check out. You'll head back to Cuenca in the afternoon to spend another night there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Cuenca's historic old town
- Visit Gualaceo orchid farm
- Visit Zigzig market
- Visit Chordeleg for silver and gold craftsmanship
Landmarks Gualaceo Zigzig Chordeleg 
- Day 4
Ingapirca
After breakfast, you're heading into the páramo, which is typical Andean landscape that's quite different from what you saw before. Following the ancient Inca Trail leads you to Ingapirca ruins, a significant pre-Incan site. If you're up for it, a short hike to the 'Inca's Face' feature gives you a different angle on this important cultural spot.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Explore Ingapirca ruins
- Hike through the páramo landscape
Optional Activities
- Short hike to the Inca's Face feature
Landmarks Ingapirca ruins Inca's Face 
- Day 5
Cuenca to Guayaquil
Grab breakfast and take time for last-minute souvenirs in Cuenca before heading toward Guayaquil. Cajas National Park is on the way, featuring over 200 high-altitude lagoons connected together. These lagoons source a lot of rivers and actually drain to both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. You'll do a hike around the main lagoon that takes up to 3 hours, then continue back to Cuenca for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Cajas National Park
- Hike around lagoons in Cajas National Park (up to 3 hours)
Optional Activities
- Shop for last-minute souvenirs in Cuenca
Landmarks Cajas National Park - Day 6
Cuenca to Guayaquil Airport
After breakfast, private transportation picks you up from your hotel and takes you to Guayaquil Airport in about 10 minutes. The drive itself offers good photo opportunities of the coastal city. Our team helps you get checked in and headed to your international flight, so you leave with strong memories from your time in Ecuador.
- End point
- Aeropuerto Internacional José Joaquín de Olmedo (GYE), Avenida de las Américas, Guayaquil, Guayas 0905, Ecuador (International Airport Jose Joaquin de Olmedo)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Photograph scenic views of Guayaquil during transfer to airport
