Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
You'll land in Quito and get settled into your accommodation. Breakfast is included, so you can start the day properly fueled for your Ecuador adventure.
- Start point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO), Vía Tababela - Yaruquí Lote 18, Quito, Pichincha 1709, Ecuador (International Arrivals )
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 2
Quito
This morning begins with a guided tour through Quito's colonial center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll see Plaza Grande and walk through the churches of La Compañía and La Basílica. From there, head to the Mitad del Mundo monument where you can actually stand on the equator line. There are a few museums nearby including the Planetarium and Ethnographic Museum if you want to spend more time. Later in the day, a cocktail expert will walk you through a demonstration and preparation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided colonial center city tour including Plaza Grande
- Visit to La Compañía church
- Visit to La Basílica church
- Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) monument visit
- Planetarium visit
- Ethnographic Museum visit
- Artisanal Beer Museum visit
- Cocktail demonstration and class
Landmarks Plaza Grande La Compañía La Basílica Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) - Day 3
Cotopaxi National Park
Head out early to Cotopaxi National Park for a hike in the Andes. You'll climb about 3,280 feet through the landscape where local cowboys work daily. Along the way, you'll pass a lagoon and get views of the Cotopaxi peak as the sun hits it. It's a pretty physical day, so bring plenty of water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hiking in Cotopaxi National Park
- Cotopaxi peak viewing
Landmarks Cotopaxi National Park Cotopaxi - Day 4
Baños
Today you're driving along the 'Avenue of Waterfalls,' which follows the Pastaza River through the valley. You'll see multiple waterfalls as you drive, and the main stop is the village of Rio Verde. There you'll visit El Pailón del Diablo, a large waterfall that's quite well-known in the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Driving along the Avenue of Waterfalls
- Visit to El Pailón del Diablo (The Devil's Cauldron) waterfall
Landmarks El Pailón del Diablo 
- Day 5
Baños - Guamote - Riobamba
A private transfer takes you from Baños to Riobamba through Andean valleys. You'll stop for photos along the way and get views of Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest peak, before arriving in Riobamba. After settling in, you'll head out on a community tour starting at the Inti Sisa educational center in Guamote. You'll visit local schools and meet the Zuña family to learn how they make traditional ponchos. The Tambo family will show you their home and you can try grinding grain on a stone mill.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Private transfer from Baños to Riobamba with scenic stops
- Guamote community tour at Inti Sisa educational center
- Visit to local school practicing traditional agriculture and medicinal plants
- Zuña family home visit to see poncho-making from sheep and alpaca wool
- Tambo family home visit to explore traditional house and stone mill grain grinding
Landmarks Chimborazo - Day 6
Ingapirca - Cuenca
After breakfast, you'll walk what was once part of the ancient Inca Trail through the páramo to reach the Ingapirca ruins, which are Ecuador's most important pre-Incan archaeological site. There's a hike up to the Inca's Face if you have the energy. Then you'll transfer to Cuenca.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Crossing the páramo along the ancient Inca Trail
- Ingapirca ruins exploration
- Short hike to the Inca's Face
Landmarks Ingapirca - Day 7
Quito - Cuenca
Early breakfast comes first, then you'll head to Quito Airport for a domestic flight to Cuenca (about 50 minutes). Your guide picks you up and takes you on a three to four hour tour of Cuenca's colonial center, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour wraps up at Turi where the views of the city are really nice.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Cuenca's old town center
- Turi viewpoint visit
Landmarks Cuenca Old Town Center 
- Day 8
Cuenca - Cajas National Park - Guayaquil
After breakfast, your driver-guide takes you to Cajas National Park, a highland area with over 200 glacial lakes and rolling hills. You'll walk along marked trails and learn about the plants and animals that live at this elevation. After spending time there, you'll drive toward Guayaquil, descending from the mountains into the coastal lowlands. The scenery changes pretty dramatically as you go down, and you should arrive in Guayaquil by late afternoon or evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walk in Cajas National Park
- Glacial lakes and scenic viewpoints in Cajas National Park
Landmarks Cajas National Park 
- Day 9
Guayaquil
You'll spend a half day exploring Guayaquil's main attractions with your driver-guide. Start at Malecón 2000, a waterfront promenade along the Guayas River with monuments and gardens. Then walk through Las Peñas neighborhood with its colorful buildings and narrow streets. Santa Ana Hill is an option if you want to climb up for city views. You'll also see Parque Seminario where iguanas hang out, and visit some key downtown areas.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Malecón 2000 waterfront promenade
- Las Peñas neighborhood exploration
- Santa Ana Hill climb (optional within tour)
- Parque Seminario (Iguana Park) visit
Landmarks Malecón 2000 Las Peñas Parque Seminario - Day 10
Guayaquil
At your scheduled departure time, your private driver will pick you up for the transfer to José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil. You'll have plenty of time to check in and handle your international departure.
- End point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO), Vía Tababela - Yaruquí Lote 18, Quito, Pichincha 1709, Ecuador (International departures )
- Meals
- Breakfast
