Day 1 Arrival in Quito • Welcome to Ecuador! After landing in Quito, you will be warmly welcomed by your tour guide and escorted to your hotel. Located in the majestic Andes at 2,850 meters above sea level, Quito is the second-highest capital city in the world, offering a fascinating blend of history, culture, and breathtaking mountain panoramas. Overnight in Quito.
Day 2 Quito – Middle of the World • In the morning, enjoy a guided tour of Quito’s historic center (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), with its plazas, churches, and narrow streets that tell centuries of history. In the afternoon, travel to the Middle of the World Monument, the center of the Earth, where you can literally stand with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern Hemisphere and test the laws of nature. Visit the Ethnographic Museum. Continue your journey through the western Andes at an altitude of 4,000 meters. Visit Ecuador’s most beautiful volcanic hot springs, where body, mind, and soul can be rejuvenated in the Papallacta thermal baths. Overnight in Papallacta.
Day 3 Papallacta – Amazon • Travel toward the lush Amazon Basin with impressive viewpoints over the most biologically rich region in the world. Along the way, visit the mysterious Jumandy Caves, taking a journey into the past of indigenous culture to learn about the stories and legends surrounding these caves. Upon arrival at the jungle lodge, you will be welcomed with the traditional Guayusa drink and introduced to the unique variety of flora and fauna. For the night walk, flashlights and boots will be provided before your guide introduces you to fascinating reptiles, insects, birds, and the legendary Paiche fish. Overnight in the Amazon.
Day 4 Amazon • Today, a very special adventure awaits you: the “Full Day Amazónico 360°.” You may choose to enjoy the refreshing waters by tubing down the calm Arajuno River or relax while traveling by canoe before arriving at the animal rescue center. This is the perfect opportunity to observe local wildlife while contributing to its well-being. Then, by motorized canoe, visit Anaconda Island, where an authentic indigenous tribe welcomes you to learn blowgun techniques, traditional dances, extraction of fibers from the pita plant, and the preparation and tasting of chicha, a fermented drink made from yucca, a jungle root. Lunch by the river. Afterwards, observe the iconic hoatzin bird in the swamp while watching caimans up close. Return by motorized canoe to the lodge. Overnight in the Amazon.
Day 5 Amazon • This morning, you are invited to a morning walk and a silent canoe ride across the lagoon of a unique natural reserve. A local guide will introduce you to the harmonious coexistence with the rainforest while immersing you in the diverse wildlife of the jungle. In the afternoon, the tour continues with a presentation and tasting of cacao, the food of the gods. An interactive cacao-making experience with hot chocolate, fruits, and a chocolate facial mask. Overnight in the Amazon.
Day 6 Amazon – Baños • In the morning, we will visit the first highlight of the day: the powerful “Pailón del Diablo” waterfall, where you can feel the force of nature. Breathe in the fresh mist and listen to the water crashing against the rocks. Access is via an ecological trail where you can admire the beauty of orchids. Afterwards, we arrive at the hotel in Baños de Agua Santa, famous for its adrenaline activities, which are optional and can be booked on site, such as canyoning, bungee jumping, zip-lining, and cable cars (“tarabitas”). We will also visit the local market featuring specialties made from pure, local sugarcane, as well as souvenirs. An optional visit to the Baños hot springs is also recommended. At the end of the day, we suggest visiting the Basilica of Baños de Agua Santa, where locals devoutly present their petitions to the Virgin of Baños. Overnight in Baños.
Day 7 Baños – Quilotoa • In the morning, begin a fantastic journey along the “Avenue of the Volcanoes” to the impressive Quilotoa Lagoon. This emerald-green lake lies within the crater of a volcano at an altitude of 3,800 meters. The minerals in the water create a spectacular display of colors—green, turquoise, and blue. The lake invites kayaking or simply enjoying the scenery. The optional hike down to the crater floor can be done on foot, with the ascent by mule. Overnight in Quilotoa.
Day 8 Quilotoa – Cotopaxi – Quito Airport • To conclude your journey, visit the misty Cotopaxi Volcano, covered by an eternal blanket of dazzling white snow and glaciers. With a height of 5,897 meters above sea level, it is considered the highest active volcano in the world. Inside the national park, you can walk up to the José Rivas Refuge. The optional 1-hour hike takes you to 5,042 meters above sea level, near the snow line of Cotopaxi. Unique local wildlife offers glimpses of wild horses and the Andean condor, the largest flying bird in the world. The park is also home to llamas, foxes, rabbits, and various páramo bird species.
Transfer to Quito Airport with your guide for your international return flight or the continuation of your personal journey.