Highlights of Ecuador: Andes to Amazon

Highlights of Ecuador: Andes to Amazon

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14 Days From

$4500

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Tour Overview

Andean ranges, colonial landmarks, effervescent indigenous markets and verdant cloud forests are just the start of the wonders we see on this adventure in Ecuador. We also follow the Avenue of the Volcanoes where we glimpse the snow-capped peaks of Cayambe and Chimborazo, and stay in the Amazon Rainforest, which we share with monkeys and more. It finished on the Pacific coast, where we take to boats to navigate mangroves and visit a cacao plantation – a fitting end to a trip packed with adventure and culture. ...more ...less

Highlights

  • Marvel at the highlights of mainland Ecuador, a kaleidoscope of majestic scenery

  • Visit colonial Quito, the Otavalo indigenous market and Cuenca's UNESCO reserve

  • Stay overnight in the peaceful Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve

  • Spend two nights soaking up the sounds of the Amazon Rainforest

  • Visit the ruins of Ingapirca and Cajas National Park

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Start Quito

Location: Quito

Accommodation Name: Hotel Vieja Cuba (or similar)

Welcome to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. There’s a free transfer from the airport to the hotel for all customers today, please read the joining instructions for more details.



Accommodation: Hotel Vieja Cuba (or similar)

Day 2 : Quito City Tour; Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve

Location: Quito

Accommodation Name: Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve & Lodge (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

A short walking tour of Quito this morning is the perfect opportunity to meet your guide and get to know your fellow travellers. The heart of old Quito is a colonial masterpiece and the capital is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in South America, as well as being a Unesco-listed site.



Leaving Quito, we head to the Bellavista Cloud Forest on the northwestern slopes of the Andes. En route, we stop at the Intiñan Equator Museum, an interactive outdoors museum that sits directly on the middle of the earth. Here, a guide takes us around the exhibits and we can do fun science experiments only possible at the equator, while also collecting a stamp in our passports to say we have been on the equatorial line.



After, we continue to Bellavista. Situated at the top of the Tandayapa Valley, it is a private reserve bursting with orchids, bromeliads, toucans, tanagers and hummingbirds. The area is a paradise for naturalists with a vast network of hiking trails.



Accommodation: Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve & Lodge (or similar)

Day 3 : Spot Birds In Bellavista; To Hacienda

Location: Bellavista

Accommodation Name: Hosteria Pantavi (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

We have an early start this morning to appreciate the diversity of Bellavista and spot some of the many resident bird species – there are 20 hummingbird species here alone!



Following this morning's excursion, we drive towards northern Ecuador and the beautiful hacienda that will be our home for the next few nights.



Accommodation: Hosteria Pantavi (or similar)

Day 4 : Visit San Clemente Indigenous Community

Location: Imbabura Volcano

Accommodation Name: Hosteria Pantavi (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we travel towards the foothills of the Imbabura Volcano where the indigenous community of San Clemente resides at 9,515ft (2,900m). The community consists of several families whose main livelihood is farming and agriculture. We have a guided tour by one of the families, who introduces us to native and medicinal plants, explains traditional embroidery techniques, tells us about their culture and shows us the day-to-day activities that take place here. A traditional lunch will be prepared using locally grown produce. This afternoon, we drive back to our hacienda with the rest of the day free to relax in the beautiful gardens.



Accommodation: Hosteria Pantavi (or similar)

Day 5 : Walk At Cuicocha Crater Lake; Visit Otavalo

Location: Cuicocha Crater Lake

Accommodation Name: Hacienda San José de Puembo (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

We start with a drive to Cuicocha Crater Lake at approximately 10,665ft (3,250m). This beautiful caldera (volcanic crater) is about 2mi (3km) wide and was formed more than 3,000 years ago by a massive volcanic eruption. We start with a scenic walk (up to three hours) along one section of the lake to take in the impressive scenery. We then continue to Otavalo, which is situated in a valley at 7,380ft (2,250m) with a bustling indigenous market. There are many stalls and the local people wear colourful traditional clothing, a fantastic introduction to Andean life and a good place to pick up souvenirs. We have time to soak up the atmosphere before continuing to our overnight stay, a 400-year-old colonial hacienda.



Accommodation: Hacienda San José de Puembo (or similar)

Day 6 : Visit Papallacta Hot Springs; To Amazon Rainforest

Location: Papallacta

Accommodation Name: Liana Lodge (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A short drive over the dramatic (and breathless at 13,350ft/4,069m) Papallacta Pass. East of Quito, the Papallacta Hot Springs are regarded as the nicest in Ecuador. We have time to bathe in both hot and cold pools as the snow-capped Antisana Volcano looms over the horizon. We continue our journey, driving around the volcano flanks before a descent into the Amazon Basin to our rainforest lodge. After a short briefing, we take a night walk to discover our new surroundings; there are fantastic night-time sounds to listen out for, a wonderful experience amid the rainforest humidity.



Accommodation: Liana Lodge (or similar)

Day 7 : Rainforest Exploration; Amazoonico Animal Rescue Centre

Location: Amazon Basin

Accommodation Name: Liana Lodge (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we discover the Amazon Basin on foot, the incredible biodiversity explained by our indigenous guide. There is a good chance of seeing kingfishers, parrots, oropendolas and other bird species. We have a good chance of seeing squirrel and capuchin monkeys, although other larger mammals are considerably more shy and harder to spot. The insect life is also fascinating, with beautiful butterflies flashing by and army and leafcutter ants on patrol. We also visit the AmaZoonico Animal Rescue Centre where we can see some of the larger forest inhabitants, such as tapirs, capibaras, peccaries and various monkey species.



Accommodation: Liana Lodge (or similar)

Day 8 : To Baños; Visit Devil's Cauldron Waterfall

Location: Baños

Accommodation Name: La Floresta Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

We begin the wonderfully scenic drive west along the Road of the Waterfalls with spectacular views of the upper Amazon Basin and the Andes. The climb back to the highlands is mesmerising as we watch the ecology change and many waterfalls cascade from the high peaks into the lush valley of the Pastaza River. There are good photo opportunities along the way, including a visit to the Pailon del Diablo (Devil's Cauldron) waterfall. We continue to Baños, a picturesque hot spring and pilgrim town adjacent to the 16,400ft (5,000m) tall Tungurahua volcano. In the late afternoon, we have a walking tour of Baños with an optional visit to the thermal baths.



Accommodation: La Floresta Hotel (or similar)

Day 9 : Walk In Chimborazo National Park

Location: Chimborazo National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast

We drive to the Chimborazo region for a short walk (around two hours) in Chimborazo National Park, climbing from 15,090ft to 16,400ft (4,600m to 5,000m). Given the altitude, we take the climb slowly with plenty of stops to enjoy the view. Due to the equatorial bulge, the Chimborazo summit is the furthest place from the centre of the earth.



In the national park, there are good possibilities to observe vicuñas, a relative of the llama. This afternoon, we continue south to Riobamba.



Accommodation: Hacienda Abraspungo (or similar)

Day 10 : To Ingapirca And Cuenca

Location: Cuenca

Meals Included: Breakfast

We have an early start today as we head to Cuenca, stopping to visit the Balbanera Church before continuing to Ingapirca, the largest Inca ruins in Ecuador. The Inca empire stretched along the Andes north through Ecuador into Colombia and south through Peru and deep into Chile. Ingapirca has fine examples of their famed brickwork plus a solar observatory. We descend from the highlands to colonial Cuenca where we stay for the next two nights.



Accommodation: Hotel Carvallo (or similar)

Day 11 : Half-Day City Tour Of Cuenca

Location: Cuenca

Meals Included: Breakfast

Like the old centre in Quito, Cuenca is a Unesco World Heritage site and a charming place to explore. A guided tour this morning takes into the remarkably intact old town, where many artisans have taken up residence amid the narrow colonial streets and famous landmarks. The afternoon is free to discover the town at your own leisure.



Accommodation: Hotel Carvallo (or similar)

Day 12 : Walk In Cajas National Park; To Las Chorreras

Location: Cajas National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast

A short drive this morning brings us to Cajas National Park, known as the Gateway to the Snowy Mountains in Quichua. This is a stunning area of lofty peaks, lagoons, lakes and rivers amid pristine paramo vegetation. During a walk of around two hours, we may encounter some of the 125 bird species recorded here, such as yellow-billed pintails, Ecuadorian hillstars or violet-throated metaltails. We stay in a hotel close to Cajas National Park for our last night in the Andean Highlands before we descend towards the coast.



Accommodation: Hosteria Dos Chorreras (or similar)

Day 13 : Mangrove Boat Trip; Visit Cacao Plantation

Location: Guayaquil

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we descend towards the Pacific and visit the Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve where we take a boat through mangrove forest. This important ecosystem has both red and black mangrove species and provides opportunities for seeing several aquatic birds and other wildlife along the many small river inlets. In the afternoon, we visit a cacao plantation to learn about the production of one of Ecuador's biggest exports. We then travel to Guayaquil, the main port town in Ecuador, for our final evening together.



Accommodation: Grand Hotel Guayaquil (or similar)

Day 14 : Depart Guayaquil

Location: Guayaquil

Meals Included: Breakfast

The trip comes to an end today after breakfast and it's time to bid Ecuador and the rest of the group goodbye and begin our return journey home.

What's Included

  • 13 breakfasts, five lunches, three dinners

  • All accommodation (see below)

  • All transport and listed activities

  • Tour leader throughout

  • Airport arrival transfers

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation (available on request)

  • Visas or vaccinations

Food

All breakfasts, five lunches and three dinners are included.



Hotel breakfasts are normally buffets with toast, cereal, eggs, fruits and tea/coffee. For lunch and dinner, the tour leader will recommend various options in convenient locations, usually booking restaurants and eating with the group. Vegetarians can be catered for but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests.
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Accommodation

Accommodation is a real highlight as we stay in a mix of country haciendas (Spanish colonial estate houses), hotels and lodges. The haciendas offer a real retreat with welcoming staff and beautiful surroundings, such as gardens or mountains. Staying in the jungle is likely to be a memorable experience, our thatched bungalows are nestled in the forest and only reachable by boat. Optional single supplement available, see dates and prices.
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Check out our Q&As

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes, our local guides are English speaking.

  • Who is Exodus Travels?

    At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide. ...more ...less

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.

  • Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

    We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    International flights are not included with this tour.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

ANDES TO AMAZON

Ecuador is an amazing country, wonderful scenery, wonderful people, a new adventure round every corner not yet swamped by tourism.

Great trip to Ecuador Mainland

We had a wonderful trip to Ecuador. The itinerary is well planned with a wide variety of experiences. Our guide, Etiel, was excellent and very knowledgeable and organised. The hotels were very good. Some of the walks were quite challenging but well worth the effort. The scenery is spectacular! With a great group of people, an excellent guide and driver, and a great mix of activities, it is one of the best Exodus tours we have ever been on. ...more ...less

ANDES TO AMAZON

A WELL THOUGHT OUT ITINERARY TAKING IN MANY OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF ECUADOR, INCUDING SOME OF THE MOST DRAMATIC SCENERY I HAVE EVER SEEN IN SUCH A SMALL COUNTRY. WEL.L LED BY OUR GUIDE

Fantastic trip!

This was one of my best ever trips. Ecuador is a beautiful country with many different kinds of scenery, interesting cities, fabulous bird life, fascinating indigenous people, colourful markets and much more.

Excellent Trip

We flew in 3 days early to see more of Quito, which was a good idea as had altitude headache first day. Could easily spend more time in Quito. Tour is full on, varied and really good. Poundland ponchos came in useful for showers, even in the hailstorm as we weren’t cold because we were walking. Spent $300 in total. Would recommend to anyone of reasonable fitness. Excellent holiday ...more ...less

An excellent but busy trip

This is an excellent tour in a country where variety really is the spice of life. You go from the Andes highands, in fairness this is most of the trip with heights, not including the peaks of 2600 to 3600 metres, to the cloud forest, rain forest and the hot and very humid coastal belt. It is very well designed but there are some long coach days. For example on day ten (to Cuenca) we did not finish until after dark having had two long coach rides. It also helps to be reasonably fit if you are to enjoy the more strenuous walks at Chimborazo and Cajas national parks. There are things I would leave out if I was designing the itinerary. For example there is the AmaZoonica Animal rescue centre which says it is not a zoo but it is really and a crowded and disorganised one at that. The Ingapirca ruins were really a non event and mostly reconstructions. One disappointment was the Mangrove boat trip. It did not happen. This was January 2nd and the boatmen simply did not turn up. ...more ...less

Andes to Amazon

Every day a new world in Ecuador. Each day showeda different face of the country, Rainforest, busy Towns, Wildlife, Farmlife and much more

Amazing Ecuador

If it's variety you're after, in one country, with no worries about getting around, this is the trip to choose. Every day brings something different, whether at fairly high altitude in the snowy peaks of Chimborazo National Park or the sultry heat of the Amazon basin. Breathtaking scenery between the destinations, coupled with stops in quaint market towns en route, mean the travelling is never hard work. The local people you meet and perhaps buy goods from are also friendly and welcoming. ...more ...less

Small country packs a punch!

For a small country Ecuador offers so much, mountains, rainforest jungle, coastal plains, cultural, wildlife and fantastic scenery. It often seems that people overlook Ecuador in favour of the more showy blousy delights of Brazil or the world famous sites of Peru and just stay for a couple of days on their way to Galapagos, well that is a real shame as they are missing a load. I would quite happily go back and do this trip over again. ...more ...less

Andes to Amazon

A good tour with a variety of landscapes, flora and fauna to see, as well as opportunity to see how some of the natives make a living.

Read all 54 reviews

1 Select your preferred date

Friday - Thursday

Aug 01, 2025 - Aug 14, 2025
$4500 (USD)

Friday - Thursday

Sep 05, 2025 - Sep 18, 2025
$4500 (USD)

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

Highlights of Ecuador: Andes to Amazon

14 Days

Visiting: Quito, Bellavista, Imbabura Volcano, Cuicocha Crater Lake, Papallacta, Amazon Basin, Baños, Chimborazo National Park, Cuenca, Cajas National Park, Guayaquil ...more ...less

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

AAX

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

6 - 16

Physical rating:

Moderate

Age range:

16-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English
From: $4500 (USD)

NB: Prices correct on 30-Jan-2025 but subject to change.

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