14 Days Andean Cultures Tour Ecuador

14 days
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Small Group Tour
Ecuador was home to one of the first settled tribes in the Americas (Valdivia culture) and has been home to a variety of different cultures for centuries. Of the indigenous descendants of these cultures, 13 ethnic groups live in Ecuador and have preserved their original traditions, festivals, and customs to this day. As different as the landscapes of the Ande...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Discover the beauty of Cuicocha Lagoon and explore Cotacachi and Otavalo's vibrant markets.
    • Engage with the local Kichwa community, gaining cultural insights.
    • Trek through the rainforest, exploring its biodiversity with guided excursions.
    • Hike to the Shuar Waterfall and explore Lagunas de Atillo's enchanting scenery.
    • Experience local culture at Guamote Market and visit another Kichwa community.
    • Marvel at the majestic Chimborazo Volcano.
    • Explore Zumbahua Market and enjoy the beauty of Laguna Quilotoa

What's this trip about?

    Ecuador was home to one of the first settled tribes in the Americas (Valdivia culture) and has been home to a variety of different cultures for centuries. Of the indigenous descendants of these cultures, 13 ethnic groups live in Ecuador and have preserved their original traditions, festivals, and customs to this day. As different as the landscapes of the Andes and the rainforest through which the trip leads, so diverse are the people you will meet here. From the Otavaleños and Afro-Ecuatorianos in the north to the Quichua and Shuar in the rainforest and the Kichwa in the central Andes at the foothills of the mighty volcano Chimborazo, you will experience the diversity of fascinating cultures at the equator!

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age range18 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityQuito
End CityQuito

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Hiking & Walking
  • Singles Travel

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • Hiking
  • History
  • Independent
  • Nature
  • Wildlife Viewing

Trip includes

    • 14 nights of lodging
    • Entrances to all the activities listed on the itinerary
    • Lodge and guesthouses in double rooms

Itinerary

Travel Map
DAY 1: TRANSFER IN QUITO

Individual arrival to Ecuador. We will meet you at the airport and take you to the center of Quito to your hotel.

Meals: - Accommodation: Quito

DAY 2: COLONIAL QUITO - ECUADOR

The trip starts in the morning with the meeting of the participants. After the luggage is stowed, we will go to the colonial old town of Quito (UNESCO World Heritage site), where you will walk through the small streets and get to know the beautiful plazas and magnific...

DAY 3: CUICOCHA CRATER LAGOON - COTACACHI - OTAVALO

In the morning, we will go up to the Cuicocha crater lagoon, which is located at 3200m on the foothills of Mount Cotacachi. A 4–5-hour hike leads through the flora of the Andean highlands around the lagoon, where open grasslands and small tropical cloud forests altern...

DAY 04: KICHWA COMMUNITY TOUR

The first excursion today will take you to the community of Kachiviro (San Rafael), where you will witness the process of processing the Tortora plant—this aquatic plant grows on Lake San Pablo and is the main material many families use to make their handicrafts. Afte...

DAY 5: OTAVALO MARKET - PAPALLACTA - HAKUNA MATATA

Otavalo is the home of the Otavaleños, known all over the world for their handicrafts. In the morning, take the opportunity to stroll through the streets of this Andean town; observe the market hustle and bustle in the Plaza de Poncho; and learn about the Andean cultu...

DAY 6: RAINFOREST HIKE

This morning you will go on a hike through the protected rainforest surrounding the lodge. At first, you will walk uphill through the secondary forest, but soon the forest changes to the primary forest and you can enjoy the untouched nature of the jungle. Your natural...

DAY 7: RAINFOREST EXCURSION

Today it's time to get up early: at 5:30 am you will go with your naturalist guide to the small river Arajuno. In the canoe, you will pass the high, densely vegetated banks to discover the many birds; there are herons, caciques, tanagers, and many more. The destinatio...

DAY 8: FURTHER INTO THE RAINFOREST

After breakfast, you will leave the lodge and drive south to Puyo. In the "Yanacocha" rescue center, you can observe some of the tropical animals, including ocelots, parrots, and caimans. With your visit, you support the important work of these projects, while at the ...

DAY 9: SHUAR WATERFALL HIKE - LAGUNAS DE ATILLO

A short drive brings you to the botanical garden of Sucua. After a tour, you will continue to the territory of the Shuar, an indigenous people living here in the Amazon lowlands of Ecuador, where you will be welcomed by a Shuar. Before you can leave with your guide fo...

DAY 10: GUAMOTE MARKET - VISIT A KICHWA COMMUNITY

In the early morning, you will experience the traditional Andean market of Guamote. This market is today one of the last authentic markets in the Andes where the farmers from the surrounding mountains come together to exchange goods and news. Guamote and the surroundi...

DAY 11: CHIMBORAZO VOLCANO (6267M)

Today the journey takes you from Riobamba to the heights of the mighty volcano Chimborazo. Due to the ellipse shape of the earth and the location of Chimborazo close to the equator, this mountain is the highest in the world measured from the center of the earth. It go...

DAY 12: SATURDAY: ZUMBAHUA MARKET - LAGUNA QUILOTOA

From Latacunga we go up to the western Cordillera of the Andes via the small community of Pujili. Continue to the Andean market of Zumbahua. Experience the loud and chaotic market activity before heading to the crater lagoon Quilotoa, one of the most beautiful lagoons...

DAY 13: HACIENDA LA CIÉNEGA - COTOPAXI NACIONAL PARK - QUITO

In the morning you will drive out of the Eastern Cordillera back into the Andine High Basin, first to the approx. 400-year-old Hacienda La Cienega, which takes the visitor back in time with its noble colonial main building a flower garden lined with ancient trees, and...

DAY 14: DEPARTURE

In the morning free time until your transfer to the airport according to your travel plans - Buen Viaje!

Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: - n/a

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,595
Price per day$185
Last Updated: 1/13/2025

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Responsible Travel.

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.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International flights
    • Meals not listed on the itinerary
    • Tips & gratuities
    • Personal expenses
    • Travel insurance

Accommodation

Transportation & Flights

Transfers from and to the airport with a private English-speaking driver All transfers with private English-speaking drivers in Mainland,

Transportation & flights

Transfers from and to the airport with a private English-speaking driver All transfers with private English-speaking drivers in Mainland
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • 13 Breakfast
  • 5 Lunch
  • 5 Dinners
Age Requirements
18 years and up
Additional Information
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Trip ID
respon-respon-AnCuToEc

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