Ecuador has a fascinating culture and breathtaking landscapes: you can marvel at the Andes region, the beautiful Pacific coast with its picturesque beaches and of course the Amazon rainforest with its huge biodiversity.
The equator, from which the name Ecuador comes, runs just a few kilometers from the city limits of the capital Quito. The unique Galapagos Islands are also not to be forgotten: The extraordinary and unique flora and fauna of the islands are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. According to Countryaah, Ecuador is a country located in Latin America.
This is an example of one of our tours and should serve as a source of inspiration. Of course, the itinerary including the destinations can be adjusted and we would be happy to work out a tour tailored to your interests and budget.
Best travel time: January to March and June to September
Travel time: 18 days
Travel planning: This round trip can also be carried out with a driver / guide.
Tip: Whale watching on the Galapagos Islands between June and September.
Day 1: International flight & arrival in Quito In the
afternoon arrival in Quito, the capital at 2,850m. Transfer to your hotel in the city center.
Day 2: Quito
Today you will get to know Quito, the capital of Ecuador, with a guide, which is not only inspiring because of its panoramic location. The old town has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Gain lasting impressions during a city tour through the metropolis. You will see the most important sights such as the government building, the Plaza de la Independencia, as well as the churches of San Francisco and La Compañía. Afterwards you visit the statue of the Virgin Mary on Panecillo, which offers you a great view of the city, and also the equatorial monument “Mitad del Mundo” in the north of the city.
Day 3: Quito – Otavalo
Today’s excursion takes you on the Panamericana Norte to Otavalo. On the way you will pass Tabacundo, among other things, where you can catch a glimpse of the rose plantations. Today you will visit the world famous handicraft market in Otavalo. First we explore the Plaza de los Ponchos, which is the central point of the colorful market. There you will watch the traditional Otavalo Indians dressed in traditional costumes and you can haggle for souvenirs. Then you drive to the crater lake Laguna Cuicocha, the “guinea pig lake”, where you can go on a hike. From the middle of the approx. 3000m high and over 200m deep lake rise two small islands of volcanic origin, which are overgrown with a kind of reed.
Day 4: Otavalo – Cotopaxi National Park
You leave Otavalo early in the morning and drive past Quito to the Cotopaxi National Park. Cotopaxi is the highest active volcano in the world. If you want, you can also go up from the parking lot for about 1 hour to the José-Rivas Refuge. Then you drive through the lahar fields along the Limpiopungo lagoon, a lake at 3,800m altitude, which is located at the foot of the Rumiñahui mountain. In the late afternoon drive to your accommodation near the national park.
Day 5: Cotopaxi National Park – Quilotoa
After breakfast you leave the Hosteria and drive 1.5 hours via Latacunga to the Quilotoa crater lagoon, which gives you a wonderful view of the green water of the lake. The crater lake with a diameter of 3 km is 205 m deep and was created around 800 years ago when the volcano erupted. Here you have the opportunity to hike down to the rim of the crater and then ride up on horses or mules again. Return to the previous day’s accommodation.
Day 6: Cotopaxi – Baños
After breakfast you continue to Baños, a small, manageable place with mild spring-like temperatures and many small streets full of handicraft shops. Baños, also known as “The Gateway to the Orient”, is only 60 km from the rainforest and offers a mild spring climate in which we will certainly feel at home. Excursion to the picturesque surroundings with its numerous waterfalls, including the Pailón del diablo. Overnight in Baños.
Day 7: Baños – Chimborazo NP – Riobamba
Today you drive to the highest mountain in Ecuador, the Chimborazo. Due to the Elypsic shape of the earth and the equatorial location of the Chimborazo, the mountain is measured from the center of the earth, the highest mountain in the world. If you want, you can also climb up to the mountain hut. Continue to Riobamba.
Day 8: Riobamba – Andes
train ride – Ingapirca – Cuenca In the morning transfer to the train station in Alausi (approx. 2 hours) and an impressive journey with the Andes train over the Nariz del Diablo – onward journey to the south. On the way visit the ruined cities of Ingapirca. Arrival in Cuenca in the evening.
Day 9: Cuenca
Morning city tour through the colonial part of Cuenca. Cuenca is the cultural metropolis of Ecuador and the center of arts and crafts. The cozy and nostalgic atmosphere is underlined by the cobblestone sidewalks, flower-adorned squares and noble facades with their richly decorated iron balconies. You will also visit a Panama hat factory and the villages of Chordoleg and Gualaceo, which are known for their handicrafts.
Day 10: Cuenca – Cajas NP – Guayaquil
Today you leave Cuenca and drive to the Cajas National Park. About 200 lagoons are distributed at an altitude of 3,150m to 4,450m. After a hike to the La Toreadora lagoon, the journey continues to Guayaquil. Upon arrival in Guayaquil, take an optional short city tour of Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city. You will see the cathedral, the Malecón 2000 promenade and the old district of Peñas. Overnight in Guayaquil.
Day 11: Guayaquil – Galapagos / Galapagos Cruise
Morning flight to the Galapagos Islands. Look forward to a 7-day Galapagos cruise.
The Galapagos Islands are a group of islands about 1,000 km off the coast of Ecuador and are considered to be one of the best wildlife viewing destinations in the world. Due to the isolated location, a large number of plant and animal species could survive here, most of which do not occur anywhere else on earth. You will get to know the Galapagos Islands better with a luxury catamaran that ensures comfort, space, style and quality for its adventurous passengers.
Day 17: Baltra – Guayaquil / journey home
At the end of the cruise you will be transferred to Baltra Airport, from where you will take your flight to Guayaquil and on to your home.
