Andes to the Amazon: the Essence of Ecuador | August 20, 2022

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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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 rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityQuito
End CityQuito

Travel Themes

  • Culinary & Wine
  • Cultural
  • Cycling & Biking
  • High Adventure
  • Hiking & Walking
  • Photography

Destinations

Activities

  • Adventure & Adrenaline
  • Canoeing
  • Kayaking
  • Nature
  • Photography
  • River cruise
  • 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
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. Regrou...
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 Ecuador. If...
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 Ecu...
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 Tungurahua ...
ACCOMMODATION
Kuyana Amazon Lodge

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 r...
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 Internation...
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
Airport transfer

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 – one ...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $1,999
Price per day$250
Last Updated: 6/4/2022

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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Logistics

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 .
Meals Included
Seven breakfasts, six lunches, four dinners
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Trip ID
cultur2-AnAmEsEcAu

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