Ecuador - Andes to Amazon




Overview
Highlights
- A two-week tour of all the natural and cultural highlights of mainland Ecuador
- Explore traditional Andean villages and colonial architecture
- Visit Cotopaxi National Park and sleep in the Amazon Jungle
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Itinerary

Our tour starts today in Tumbaco, a quiet rural neighbourhood of Quito located around 20 minutes from the airport and 45 minutes from the downtown city centre. Ecuador's mountain capital is the second highest in Latin America at 2,850 metres. It lies in a narrow vall...
We'll go straight to rural Ecuador today, driving north towards the small market town of Otavalo, crossing over the equator line and stopping to commemorate this at the Quitsato Equator Monument. Set within a fertile valley encircled by imposing sacred mountains, Ota...
We'll drive out to the tranquil setting of Cuicocha this morning, a turquoise crater lake located at 3,100 metres, approached through a wonderful landscape of alpine vegetation. We'll walk on a segment of the trail that goes around the lake (an easy walk of approximat...
We'll enter downtown Quito for the first time today. Ecuador's capital is one of the best-preserved colonial cities of the Americas, and a UNESCO Heritage Site with a rich blend of colonial architecture, imposing churches and busy markets. We'll visit some of the main...
Our journey today takes us through some of the most impressive mountain scenery in the entire country, into the landscapes aptly described by the German explorer Alexander von Humboldt as the 'Avenue of the Volcanoes'. Our destination is Cotopaxi National Park - just ...
Papallacta is located in a high valley on the Amazonian side of the central Andes chain. Taking a panoramic mountain road, we'll cross farmland, trout ponds, and native forest, and on clear days we might be able to see the spectacular frozen formations of the nearby A...
Today we'll set out on a walk with our local Amazonian guide, who will explain the typical plants of this area and their daily use. During the hike, we'll pass through a labyrinth of high rocks and some impressively wild cave formations. The creeping plant life and ab...
After breakfast, we set out for a canoe trip on the Misahualli and Napo River, to the protected forest reserve of Misicocha. We'll be surrounded by the extraordinary plant life and sounds of the primary rainforest. The plants here have myriad medicinal uses for the co...
We'll cross back into the highlands today as we leave the Amazon Jungle behind us, driving to the town of Banos. Sitting below the active Tungarahua volcano, the lively town is a beacon for adventure and a common jumping-off point for travellers heading into the jungl...
Mount Chimborazo is, at 6,310 metres, the most distant point from the centre of the earth. We'll see Ecuador's highest peak today as we journey to Alausi via the Chimborazo Forest Reserve. This protected area is home to a wide variety of vegetation and animals, includ...
We begin the day with a beautiful visit to the Palacio Real community, at the foot of the Chimborazo Volcano. It's here in Ecuador's heartlands that indigenous farming communities thrive, and the 80 families who make up Palacio Real breed llamas that are used for farm...
The UNESCO World Heritage city of Cuenca is much calmer, less sprawling and frenetic than Quito, with a beautiful historical area and central market, including two cathedrals. The city has a proud intellectual tradition that has produced many notable writers, poets, a...
Today, we have a free day in Cuenca, which you might like to spend at the markets, shopping for last-minute souvenirs; or climbing up the spires of the cathedral after visiting one of the city's museums. The direct flights to Quito are in the evening, so we'll have a ...
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Tumbaco, Quito. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Quito at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like ...
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Explore! Reviews & Ratings
Eupalinos of Megara
Nov 2024
Ecuador - Andes to Amazon
This was one of the best "Discovery" tours I have been on with Explore. It felt like a real adventure, with the excursions to the volcanoes Cotopaxi and Chimborazo a...
Trusted Customer
Oct 2024
Ecuador - Andes to Amazon
Until Ecuador resolves its serious power outage issues accommodation properties must be selected that have back up power preferably solar but generator in the interi...
Marzena
Oct 2024
Ecuador - Andes to Amazon
We had a wonderful trip! The itinerary is full of great places to visit, learn about the country and Ecuadorians life, beautiful breathtaking landscapes, amazing uni...
Trusted Customer
Oct 2024
Ecuador - Andes to Amazon
Aspects of this trip were really good, but the itinerary needs some major revisions to make it better. The jungle is best left out, we stayed so close to civilisatio...
Ann
Oct 2024
Ecuador - Andes to Amazon
This was a great trip with a good range of experiences, scenery, nature, culture, communities and food. Our guide was very knowledgeable and great at spotting a...
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