Totally Ecuador

Upon arrival in Quito, make your own way to our hotel. Quito, the largest colonial city in the Americas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a fascinating blend of architectural styles, from sleek modern towers to beautifully preserved colonial churches. Your first evening in Ecuador is at leisure.

We set out on a fully guided tour of Quito, beginning in the city’s historic centre, one of the largest and best-preserved colonial quarters in South America. Our first stop is Independence Square, or “Plaza Grande”, surrounded by some of the city’s most significant historical buildings. We then visit the impressive Church of La Compañía de Jesús, a 17th-century masterpiece regarded as one of the finest examples of baroque architecture in South America.

Other key highlights include the San Francisco Church and Monastery, built shortly after the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century, and the Virgin of El Panecillo - a striking statue perched on Panecillo Hill, offering panoramic views across the city.

Following our exploration of Quito’s old town, we travel approximately 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) north to the Middle of the World, where the equatorial line divides the northern and southern hemispheres. Here, we visit the main monument dedicated to the 18th-century French scientific expedition that defined the equator’s location, and the nearby Intiñan Museum, where you can stand on the true equatorial line. After our visit, we return to Quito.

Quito - Otavalo - Cotocachi - Papallacta. Say goodbye to Quito as we depart the Ecuadorean capital and travel north towards the mainly Indigenous town of Otavalo, passing through the scenic Imbabura region. Along the way, we stop in the lush Guayllabamba Valley to sample some of Ecuador’s exotic tropical fruits.

We then cross the Equatorial Line in Cayambe, where, on a clear day, we can admire the snow-capped Cayambe Volcano (5,790 m / 18,996 ft) - the highest point on Earth crossed by the equator. This area is also famous for its traditional salt biscuits served with fresh leaf cheese, a local delicacy well worth trying. Continuing our journey, we enjoy beautiful views of San Pablo Lake, the largest in Ecuador, set at the foot of the Imbabura Volcano.

On arrival in Otavalo, we visit its renowned Indigenous Market, which is the largest of its kind in South America. Here, local vendors proudly display vibrant textiles, including the famous Otavalo ponchos, along with rugs, scarves, and mittens.

Our next stop is the nearby town of Cotacachi, celebrated for its high-quality leatherwork. Here, traditional tanning and crafting techniques have been handed down through generations and refined into an art form. In the afternoon, we complete our drive to Papallacta.

This morning, we follow the same route once taken by the explorer Francisco de Orellana on his journey toward the legendary “El Dorado” in the Ecuadorian Amazon. As we travel through the moorlands of the Eastern Mountain Range, the scenery transforms dramatically with the changing altitude.

At around 3,300 metres above sea level, we reach the Papallacta Hot Springs, beautifully set amid the Andean landscape. Here, you can unwind and enjoy a soothing soak in the natural thermal waters, surrounded by stunning mountain views. After some time to relax, we head back to our accommodation.

Papallacta - Misahualli - Punta Ahuano - Amazon Rainforest. Enjoy free time this morning and an included lunch before we depart Papallacta and continue our journey to Misahualli, a charming town in Ecuador’s Amazon region, located in Napo Province. This area is known for its rich nature, adventure opportunities and distinctive local cuisine.

Our drive ends at Punta Ahuano, a small port on the northern bank of the Napo River. From here, we board canoes for a short ride downstream to our Amazon lodge. On arrival, enjoy a refreshing welcome cocktail and take time to relax in the beautiful gardens, surrounded by lush jungle plants and tropical flowers. In the evening, savour a delicious dinner while listening to the captivating sounds of the Amazon rainforest at night.

We begin the day with an early breakfast before setting out on a guided walk through the primary and secondary forest trails. Along the way, we observe a fascinating variety of bird and insect species, as well as numerous trees and medicinal plants. Our local guides explain how these plants are traditionally used for healing, construction and daily life in the Amazon.

For those seeking a little more adventure, there are hanging bridges and jungle vines to swing from, adding excitement to the forest experience. We then take on the challenge of building and navigating a traditional balsa raft, just as early explorers once did. On a small river island, our guide demonstrates how to bind balsa logs together to form a simple vessel, and those who wish can float down the Napo River for about an hour, returning to La Casa del Suizo. This morning’s activity lasts around four hours.

After lunch back at our accommodation, we explore “The Island”. This involves a gentle one-hour walk across a flat river island, home to a wide range of plants and insects. We then visit the Mariposario (Butterfly House), where we can observe the remarkable life cycle of butterflies up close.

Amazon Rainforest - Banos. We begin our journey back into the mountains, travelling towards the town of Banos. Set in a lush valley surrounded by waterfalls and thermal springs, Banos is known as Ecuador’s adventure capital, offering everything from hiking to white-water rafting. The town also sits at the foot of the active Tungurahua Volcano, which adds to its dramatic landscape.

We explore Banos’ famous Waterfall Route, one of Ecuador’s most spectacular natural attractions. Along a 20-kilometre stretch of the Pastaza River, more than eleven waterfalls cascade through the forested gorge. Our first stop is the Agoyán Waterfall, a striking double cascade best viewed from the cable car that glides high above it.

Next, we visit the “Manto de la Novia”, or Bride’s Veil Waterfall, a graceful 40-metre cascade where the Chinchín River joins the Pastaza - its name inspired by its delicate, veil-like flow. Finally, we continue to the “Pailón del Diablo” (Devil’s Cauldron), an awe-inspiring 80-metre waterfall whose immense power drenches the surrounding cliffs and trails, making it one of the most impressive sights in Ecuador. We're spending the night in Banos.

Banos - Quito. After breakfast, we continue our journey to Cotopaxi National Park. Along the way, we can admire the breathtaking views of the Cotopaxi Volcano, one of the world’s highest active volcanoes, rising to 5,897 metres (19,347 feet) above sea level and crowned with snow year-round.

We travel along the Pan-American Highway before turning onto a dirt road that winds through a peaceful pine forest, leading us to Limpiopungo Lake, a glacial Andean lake set at 3,800 metres (12,467 feet). From here, we enjoy magnificent views of the Cotopaxi Volcano and the surrounding páramo landscape, a vast high-altitude ecosystem unique to the Andes.

After taking in the scenery and fresh mountain air, we continue our journey back to Quito. The final night of the tour is at leisure.

Your tour comes to an end today, after breakfast and hotel check out. Make your own way to the airport or your next destination.