Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Quito
Your driver picks you up at Mariscal Sucre International Airport and brings you to Quito via private car, a scenic 45-minute ride. Once you check in at your hotel, you'll have the afternoon and evening to walk around this UNESCO-listed city sitting at 9,350 feet. The cultural vibe here is strong, and you'll get a feel for the place just by wandering the streets.
- Start point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO), Vía Tababela - Yaruquí Lote 18, Quito, Pichincha 1709, Ecuador (International Arrive)
Optional Activities
- Explore vibrant atmosphere of Quito
- Immerse in captivating cultural offerings of Quito
- Day 2
Otavalo
You'll head north on the Pan-American Highway and stop first at the Quitsato solar clock, an ancient pre-Hispanic site right on the equator. There's time to grab some Ecuadorian coffee or chocolate with biscuits and watch the baking process happen. After that, you're heading to Otavalo's indigenous handicraft market at La Plaza de los Ponchos where you'll have about 2 hours to browse and shop around. From there, you'll swing by Cotacachi's leather craft market for roughly 45 minutes before finishing up at Cuicocha Lagoon, a crater lake sitting at 3,068 meters with small islands in the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Box Breakfast), Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Quitsato solar clock and equator crossing point
- Stop for Ecuadorian coffee or chocolate with biscuits and watch baking process
- Explore La Plaza de los Ponchos indigenous handicraft market (approximately 2 hours)
- Browse Cotacachi leather craft market (approximately 45 minutes)
- Visit Cuicocha Lagoon in active volcanic crater
Landmarks Quitsato Solar Clock San Pablo Lake Mount Imbabura La Plaza de los Ponchos Cuicocha Lagoon 
- Day 3
Quito
After breakfast at your hotel, your guide meets you for a walking tour through Quito's Historic Center, which has been a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site since 1978. You'll visit the Basilica, a neo-Gothic structure with stained glass windows and gargoyles, then climb the towers to get views across the city. The San Francisco convent is next, followed by La Compañía church where gold covers the baroque interiors. Your afternoon is free, so you can wander around Quito on your own and check out whatever interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Historic Center of Quito
- Visit Basilica with tower climb for panoramic views
- Explore San Francisco convent
- Visit La CompaГ±Гa church
Optional Activities
- Afternoon self-guided exploration of Quito
Landmarks Historic Center of Quito Basilica of Quito San Francisco Convent La CompaГ±Гa Church - Day 4
Cotopaxi National Park - Quilotoa Lagoon - BaГ±os de Agua Santa
Starting early at 6:00 AM, you're heading to Cotopaxi National Park to see Lake Limpiopungo with its views of Cotopaxi Volcano's cone in the distance. You'll walk around the lake looking for Andean wildlife and possibly wild horses. Next is Quilotoa Lagoon, a crater lake about 3 km across filled with mineral-rich green water and reaching 250 meters deep. You can hike the outer rim for views from three lava domes or descend to the water itself, and mules are available to rent if the steep sections are too much. Later you'll travel south to Baños de Agua Santa, known for hot springs and waterfalls at the edge of the Amazonian Basin.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Box Breakfast)
Included Activities
- Visit Lake Limpiopungo in Cotopaxi National Park
- Short walk around Lake Limpiopungo
- Hike Quilotoa Lagoon rim or descend to lake
- Travel to BaГ±os de Agua Santa
Optional Activities
- Rent a mule for challenging sections of Quilotoa Lagoon hike
Landmarks Cotopaxi National Park Lake Limpiopungo Cotopaxi Volcano Quilotoa Lagoon BaГ±os de Agua Santa 
- Day 5
BaГ±os de Agua Santa
You have two options to choose from today. Option 1 follows the Waterfall Route starting at the Agoyan dam and visiting Manto de la Novia Waterfall with a cable car crossing the Rio Patate, the Mirador de San Jorge viewpoint, and Pailón del Diablo waterfall which drops about 100 meters. The hike to the base takes 30 minutes, and the return through tropical forest runs 45 to 60 minutes. Option 2 is an Amazon adventure that begins at an animal rescue center, then moves to a private reserve where you'll learn about indigenous life and medicinal plants, hike jungle trails to a waterfall for swimming, and end at the Indichuris lookout for jungle views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Box Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Waterfall Route: Visit Agoyan dam, Manto de la Novia Waterfall with Tarabita cable car ride, Mirador de San Jorge viewpoint, and PailГіn del Diablo waterfall with forest hike
- Amazon Tour: Animal rescue center visit, private reserve exploration for indigenous life and medicinal plants, jungle trail hike to waterfall, Indichuris lookout visit
Landmarks Agoyan Dam Manto de la Novia Waterfall Mirador de San Jorge PailГіn del Diablo Indichuris Lookout 
- Day 6
Free Day in Baños de Agua Santa
You have a free day in Baños to relax and do what you want. Soak in the hot springs, bike along the Ruta de las Cascadas, or hike to waterfalls. If you're looking for something more active, try canyoning, zip-lining, bungee jumping, white-water rafting, or take the cable car. The Swing at the End of the World is also an option. Between hot springs, town exploration, and adventure activities, there's something here for different interests.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Soak in hot springs
- Explore vibrant town
- Hike to waterfalls
- Bike ride along Ruta de las Cascadas
- Canyoning
- Zip-lining
- Bungee jumping
- White-water rafting
- Scenic cable car ride
- Visit Swing at the End of the World
- Optional excursion to Chimborazo (closest point on Earth to the sun)
Landmarks Ruta de las Cascadas Swing at the End of the World Chimborazo - Day 7
Puyo - Papallacta Hot Springs - Quito
Your morning starts in Puyo with optional breakfast if you want it (that's on your own), then you head to Paikawe Lagoon for wildlife and a canoe ride. You'll learn how Ecuadorian chocolate is made and taste some. After that comes the Santa Rita neighborhood where you tour a cocoa farm, and there's optional traditional lunch available (also not included). The afternoon switches gears as you relax at Papallacta Hot Springs, where volcanic heat creates thermal waters good for swimming, hiking, or getting spa treatments. You'll head back to Quito to end the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Box Breakfast)
Included Activities
- Visit Paikawe Lagoon for wildlife encounters and canoe ride
- Ecuadorian chocolate learning experience and tasting
- Cocoa farm tour in Santa Rita neighborhood
- Visit Papallacta Hot Springs
Optional Activities
- Breakfast in Puyo (not included, cost $5-10 per person estimated)
- Traditional lunch in Santa Rita (not included, cost $5-10 per person estimated)
- Hiking at Papallacta Hot Springs
- Spa treatments at Papallacta Hot Springs
- Local cuisine experiences at Papallacta Hot Springs
Landmarks Paikawe Lagoon Santa Rita Neighborhood Papallacta Hot Springs 
- Day 8
Departure from Quito
Your driver waits at your hotel lobby at your flight time to help with luggage and bring you to the airport for your departure.
- End point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO), Vía Tababela - Yaruquí Lote 18, Quito, Pichincha 1709, Ecuador (Domestic Departure)
- Meals
- Breakfast
