Adventurous Ecuador

8 days
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Group Tour
Hike through spectacular volcanic landscapes and go white-water rafting in the jungle on this eight-day loop round Ecuador. Starting in colonial Quito, you’ll head south to the Cotopaxi National Park, passing through the Avenue of Volcanoes – home to the most geothermally active peaks in Ecuador. After visiting the emerald-green Quilotoa crater lake, continue...
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$2,799
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Explore Cotopaxi National Park on horseback
    • Hike around the ethereal Quilotoa crater lake
    • Visit a traditional Tigua art studio
    • Cycle the Baños Waterfall Route
    • Go white-water rafting in the Amazon rainforest
    • Whip up a feast at an Ecuadorian cooking masterclass
    • Sample fine chocolate in Quito

What's this trip about?

    Hike through spectacular volcanic landscapes and go white-water rafting in the jungle on this eight-day loop round Ecuador. Starting in colonial Quito, you’ll head south to the Cotopaxi National Park, passing through the Avenue of Volcanoes – home to the most geothermally active peaks in Ecuador. After visiting the emerald-green Quilotoa crater lake, continue to Baños, where you can ride the Swing at the End of the World and marvel at majestic waterfalls. Get a feel for life in the Amazon rainforest before wrapping up your adventure in the mountain village of Papallacta, known for its hot springs.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range25 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityQuito
End CityQuito

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • High Adventure
  • Hiking & Walking
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Photography

Destinations

Attractions

  • Andes Mountains
  • Cotopaxi
  • Quito

Activities

  • Adventure & Adrenaline
  • Canoeing
  • Culture
  • Hiking
  • Kayaking
  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Rafting
  • Swimming

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 16

Trip includes

    • Two nights premium hotel accommodation
    • Two nights jungle lodge accommodation
    • One night mountain resort accommodation
    • One night historic hotel accommodation
    • One night spa hotel accommodation
    • Private and local transport
    • Seven breakfasts, six lunches, four dinners
    • Local Insider
    • Arrival airport transfer
    • Quito walking tour
    • Ecuadorian cooking masterclass (including market visit)
    • Chocolate-tasting session
    • Limpiopungo Lagoon hike
    • Cotopaxi Interpretation Center visit
    • Horseback riding
    • Quilotoa Lake hike
    • Tigua art studio visit
    • Salcedo Market visit
    • Swing at the End of the World visit
    • Baños Waterfall Route bike ride
    • Yaku Runa project visit
    • White-water rafting
    • Jungle night hike
    • Natural Oils Trail guided hike
    • Waterfall swim

Itinerary

Travel Map
DAY 1 Arrive in Quito Upon arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport, you’ll be whisked off to your hotel in the Old Town district of Quito (the second-highest capital city in the world, at 2,850m/9,350ft above sea level) and meet our Local Insider at 6pm, who will accompany the group throughout the trip. In the evening, get to know your fellow travelers over a welcome dinner, washed down with a cold Pilsener – Ecuador’s favorite beer. Be sure to get a good night’s rest ahead of an action-packed day exploring the city tomorrow.

ACCOMMODATION
Hotel Patio Andaluz

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
Welcome dinner DAY 2 Explore Quito and attend an Ecuadorian cooking masterclass

Kick-start the trip with an optional morning visit to the Equator – head to the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo and Intiñan Museum, where you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere. Regr...

ACCOMMODATION
Hotel Patio Andaluz

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
Quito walking tour Ecuadorian cooking masterclass and market visit Chocolate-tasting session

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Ciudad Mitad del Mundo and Intiñan Museum visit DAY 3

Go horseback riding in Cotopaxi National Park

Today, you’ll journey south towards Cotopaxi National Park, dominated by the 5,897m (19,347ft) high Cotopaxi stratovolcano – the second-highest peak in Ec...

ACCOMMODATION
Chilcabamba Lodge

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
Limpiopungo Lagoon hike Cotopaxi Interpretation Center visit Horseback riding DAY 4 Hike round Quilotoa Lake and visit a Tigua art studio

Prepare yourself for another unforgettable hike as you venture to Quilotoa – a volcano on the westernmost edge of the E...

ACCOMMODATION
La Floresta Hotel

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
Quilotoa Lake hike Tigua art studio visit Salcedo Market visit DAY 5 Cycle the magnificent Baños Waterfall Route

Start your day by visiting the Swing at the End of the World. Attached to a mountaintop treehouse, it offers jaw-dropping views of the Tungurahu...

ACCOMMODATION
Kuyana Amazon Lodge

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
Swing at the End of the World visit Baños Waterfall Route bike ride Yaku Runa project visit DAY 7 Go white-water rafting on the Jatunyacu River

Ready for an adrenaline rush? Today, you’ll go white-water rafting through the jungle on the Jatunyacu River – on...

ACCOMMODATION
Kuyana Amazon Lodge

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
White-water rafting Jungle night hike DAY 7 Follow the Natural Oils Trail at Kuyana Amazon Lodge

After breakfast, you'll go on a guided hike to learn how natural essential oils are extracted from Amazonian plants for medicine and aromatherapy. Cool off with a...

ACCOMMODATION
Termas de Papallacta

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
Natural Oils Trail guided hike Waterfall swim Farewell dinner DAY 8 Depart from Papallacta

The time has come to pack your bags as your Ecuadorian experience comes to an end at 9am. After one final breakfast, you’ll be driven back to Mariscal Sucre Internati...

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
Airport transfer

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Dates & Availability

Price From $1,999
Price per day$250
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Culture Trip.

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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Culture Trip

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For over a decade, people have trusted Culture Trip to help them discover some of the world’s coolest and unexpected destinations and experiences - now we can take you there. Book our curated multi-day TRIPS by Culture Trip itineraries, to truly experience extraordinary places, together with a small group of culturally curious travellers.

Our travel experts have done all the planning to create exciting and perfectly balanced itineraries combining unique stays, immersive activities and authentic experiences, with enough free time to explore on your own and unwind. On the trips, our Local Insiders are with you to show you their destination like never before, share their insights and take you to the secret spots you couldn't find yourself.
With TRIPS by Culture Trip, we help you experience the world while being good to it, and to connect with a place, its people and its culture. And because we know that booking travel with confidence is more important than ever, we are committed to making it hassle-free for you.

About Culture Trip

Culture Trip was created in 2011 to inspire people to go beyond their cultural boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people, and its culture special, unique, and meaningful. So for over a decade now, Culture Trip’s global community of travel experts and Local Insiders have hand picked the world’s best bits to share travel stories and unbiased recommendations, together with curated collections of places to stay, hotels, things to do, experiences - and now also TRIPS by Culture Trip which are unique small-group adventures.

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For our curated, diverse itineraries, our travel experts do all the planning and hand-pick the best bits of a place: all itineraries combine hyper-local, authentic activities and immersive experiences, with quality accommodation that has a personal feel. Whether that’s well-known hotspots or more off-grid trails, city or nature - with us, they will all feel like hidden gems. Thoughtfully planned with ample free time to unwind or explore solo, our trips offer the right balance of action and relaxation.

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Our trips are led by expert Local Insiders who know the destination inside out and show a place like never before. They share unique insights and in-depth knowledge, show lesser-known places and reveal hidden gems that travellers might not be able to access or do on their own. They also take you to secret spots you couldn’t find yourself and activities that are impossible to do on your own or you wouldn’t have otherwise discovered.

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TRIPS by Culture Trip is not about the lowest price. Trying to be the cheapest just isn’t good for our planet or for local communities - so we focus on value and quality, while offering fair prices. Prices include the Local Insider; activities; accommodation based on two people sharing, with single occupancy available with a supplement; transport throughout the trip and a range of meals.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Hotel Patio Andaluz , Quito Expect comfortable, spacious rooms at this elegant colonial-style hotel in the heart of Quito’s historic center – an ideal base from which to explore the cultural landmarks of the capital. Indulge in delicious Ecuadorian tapas, wine and cocktails at the Cava Marquéz de Jeréz bar.

Chilcabamba Lodge , Cotopaxi National Park At 3,480m (11,417ft) above sea level, this rustic mountain lodge offers homey accommodation with breathtaking views of Cotopaxi volcano. Grab a drink by the fire pit and gaze at the star-studded sky in this wonderfully tranquil setting.

La Floresta Hotel , Baños This cozy hotel, close to downtown Baños, features tastefully decorated rooms with traditional Ecuadorian furnishings and a peaceful private garden – primed for relaxing after a busy day exploring. Make the most of the plentiful breakfast buffet.

Kuyana Amazon Lodge , Tena Tune into the Amazon at this serene hideaway surrounded by dense tropical rainforest. Stylish, luxurious rooms are accompanied by an outdoor pool and restaurant serving sumptuous Ecuadorian dishes made with organic, locally sourced ingredients.

Termas de Papallacta , Papallacta Soak in hot springs and treat yourself to a relaxing massage at this spa resort in the Andes mountains – a truly memorable final stop on your Ecuadorian journey. If you’re feeling bold, why not give the chocolate or clay body treatments a go?

Cancellation policy
\The world of travel is changing – and that's why we’re offering flexible booking conditions, to take the stress out of booking in times of uncertainty.

Our Ultimate Covid Booking Guarantee means that if Covid-19 changes your plans, we'll rebook you for free. If we cannot rebook you we'll refund your trip.

You can get a full refund should you need to postpone or cancel your trip up to 35 days prior to departure. Or you can simply transfer your deposit and any funds paid to a different date without incurring any additional fees.

For full details, see our Booking Terms & Conditions.

Terms & Conditions

Please refer to our Booking Terms & Conditions.

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 .
Age Requirements
25 years and up
Additional Information
  • You must be aged 25 years or over to join this trip.
  • Please be sure to check whether or not you need a visa to enter the country you're travelling to. Please refer to our Booking Terms & Conditions for further information.
  • If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or accessibility requirements, please notify our Customer Support team as soon as possible.
  • We won't charge you extra if you travel alone – you'll be allocated a twin room with another traveller of the same gender.
  • To upgrade to a private room, share a room with a friend, or book pre- and post-trip accommodation and/or airport transfers, please contact our Customer Support team.
  • Please be aware that travel insurance is compulsory for all travellers.
  • Please be aware that the itinerary, activities and hotels are subject to change. While unlikely, these changes can happen due to circumstances beyond our control. We will always do our best to ensure minimal impact on your experience.
  • Please be aware images on this page are for illustrative purposes and may not reflect your itinerary exactly.
Trip ID
cultur2-AnAmEsEcSe

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