Ecuador Andes to Amazon

Day 1  Quito    
Arrive in Quito and transfer to your hotel in the suburb of Tumbaco.    

Day 2  Quito to Otavalo    
Set off this morning towards Otavalo, a fertile valley encircled by imposing sacred mountains and well known for its thriving indigenous communities. This area is a real introduction into the Andean landscapes and culture that makes Ecuador so special.    

Day 3  Otavalo    
Drive on to the tranquil setting of Cuicocha, a turquoise crater-lake located at 3,100m, approached through a wonderful landscape of alpine vegetation. Walk a segment of the trail around the lake, and perhaps try to spot the King of the Andes, the wide-winged condors. On your return to Otavalo stop at a neighbouring indigenous community and enjoy a home cooked lunch.    

Day 4  Otavalo to Quito    
Today, travel to Quito, a UNESCO Heritage Site and one of the best preserved colonial cities of the Americas. There is some free time this afternoon to visit one of the city's many museums or discover the Old Town at your own pace.

Days 5-6  Quito to Tena
Your journey on day 5 takes you to Cotopaxi National Park through some of the most impressive mountain scenery in the country and aptly described by the German explorer Alexander von Humboldt as the 'Avenue of the Volcanoes'. On day 6 enjoy a dip at the Papallacta Hot Springs spa then perhaps take a short walk that follows the mountain stream through the cloud forest, before continuing into the Amazon Region at Tena.    

Days 7-8  Tena  
Set out with a local Amazonian guide on day 7 on a hike that passes through a labyrinth of high rocks and impressively wild cave formations. Keep your eyes peeled for poison dart frogs hiding in the foliage and the wild bird life in the canopy. Day 8 will see you take a canoe trip on the Misahualli and Napo River, to the protected forest reserve of Misicocha, before continuing upriver to visit a local community.    

Day 9  Tena to Banos
Cross back into the highlands today and drive to the town of Banos, which sits below the active Tungarahua volcano. In the late afternoon, travel along the 'Avenue of the Waterfalls' road, a route that takes in almost a dozen waterfalls.    

Day 10  Banos to Alausi    
See Ecuador's highest peak today as you journey to Alausi via the Chimborazo Forest Reserve. Reach 4,800m, the highest point on your trip, giving you spectacular panoramic views across the Ecuadorian Andes, before continuing onto to Alausi.  

Days 11-12  Alausi to Cuenca    
Visit the town of Nizag, where the Canari people live, to experience the sugarcane mills and taste some delicious 'guarapo', the freshly-extracted sugarcane juice, direct from the plant. Your journey continues south along the scenic Panamerican Highway to UNESCO World Heritage Cuenca. On day 12 explore this beautiful city, with its colonial architecture, two striking cathedrals and huge Diez de Agosto food market.    

Day 13  Cuenca to Guayaquil    
Take the scenic route from Cuenca to Guayaquil, stopping at El Cajas National Park, with breathtaking views of jagged rocky peaks and outstretched paramo moorlands. Enjoy a scenic walk before continuing the drive to Guayaquil.    

Day 14  Guayaquil    
Enjoy a city tour this morning, before transferring to the airport for the end of your tour.

Please note: This Itinerary is valid for 2024 departures. The itinerary for departures prior to this date will vary.