10D / 9N
Quito, Middle of the World, Otavalo, Amazon Rainforest, Baños, Devil's Nose Train, Cuenca, Guayaquil
Ecuador is known for the Galapagos Islands, but is there something beyond them?
Absolutely! This small Latin country is one of South America’s most fascinating and diverse. Dare to explore it on our Mainland Ecuador Tour and discover everything this incredible country has to offer.
Discover the history and culture of colonial cities like Quito and Cuenca. Explore Otavalo, a city full of culture and tradition, home to the largest indigenous market in South America, and be impressed by volcanic crater lakes such as Cuicocha. See impressive snow-capped volcanoes such as Cotopaxi, Cayambe, and the imposing Chimborazo along the way. Experience biodiversity up and close in the mighty Amazon, discover the Pailon del Diablo, an incredible waterfall in Baños de Agua Santa, and the beautiful Guayaquil city on the coast that will be the icing on the cake when you visit this beautiful corner of the world.
Don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are a team of experts and we will be happy to answer your questions.
Welcome to Quito! Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport by your English-speaking guide and transferred to your hotel. The afternoon will be free to explore the city, learn about its history, enjoy its colonial architecture with its impressive mountain backdrop, and of course, meet the friendly locals.
It’s time to tour Quito and learn about the city’s rich history and culture. Our expert and friendly tour guides will take you on a journey through Quito’s rich history and show you some of the colonial churches and monasteries in the old town that make this city so unique. For all this and more, Quito was the first city to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Afterward, we will head to the Mitad del Mundo monument, where you can stand on the line that divides the northern and southern hemispheres. You will learn the details of the French Geodesic Expedition and the discovery of the exact point of the middle of the world, visit the monument and the museum, and experience exclusive Equator activities and events.
Return to your hotel in Quito.
Welcome to the third day of our incredible journey through Ecuador. Today, we will explore the Otavalo market, one of South America’s largest and most vibrant indigenous markets. You will have the opportunity to find handicrafts, traditional weaving, and delicious food. Next, we will visit Peguche, a picturesque village known for its traditional weavers and home to a sacred waterfall. After lunch, we will head to the Cuicocha crater lake, inside which four lava domes form two rugged forest-covered islands: the smaller one called Yerovi, and the larger one, Teodoro Wolf, an impressive natural wonder.
On the way back to Otavalo, we will stop in the leather capital, Cotacachi, where you can see and buy anything from small souvenirs to masterpieces made from this material.
What better way to start your Amazon adventure than by visiting the Quistato sundial. This massive sundial is 52 meters in diameter, and its large stone mosaic is a beautiful display of the solstices and equinoxes. Not to mention it’s the perfect place to take some stunning photos.
We continue our way to the Amazon, but on the way, we’ll stop to visit a hummingbird farm home to many of the 125 different species of hummingbirds. It’s the perfect place to get up close and personal with these fantastic creatures. You’ll also learn about their fascinating ecology and how they play an essential role in the Amazon ecosystem.
We’ll stop at the Papallacta Hot Springs to have lunch and continue our way to Misahualli.
Upon arrival at Misahualli port, you will take a canoe to the lodge, where you will have the afternoon free to explore the jungle or visit the nearby indigenous community, making the most of your time in this magical place before having dinner and spending the night at the lodge.
Explore the lush jungle and discover the magic of the Amazon plants and their precious ecosystem. Navigate the Napo River by canoe and learn about its diversity, you can swim in the river, or if you prefer to stay dry, your guide will propose different options of activities.
Then you will have a free evening to relax and enjoy the sounds of nature or explore the rainforest.
The last quick canoe ride will take you back to the road to continue to Puyo. On the trip, you will pass through the route of the waterfalls and stop to visit the Pailon del Diablo, an impressive waterfall with a fall of 80mts (260 feet) that splashes its rocks, the same ones that have given it its name, as they have a resemblance to the devil’s face.
In the afternoon we head to Baños, a beautiful city known for its hot springs and for being very close to the Tungurahua volcano, which is active and delights visitors with its incredible views.
The evening is free for you to explore downtown Baños.
It’s time to head south of the Ecuadorian Andes to visit a train route, not for the faint of heart. La Nariz del Diablo is one of the most complicated and dangerous rail routes in the world, but also one of the most beautiful. The views from the top of the Andes are breathtaking, and the history of the route is fascinating. La Balbanera, the first Catholic Church built in Ecuador, is a must-stop on this trip.
After this unique experience in the world, we head to Cuenca; upon arrival, we have the rest of the afternoon free to rest or explore the city.
Discover the colonial charm of Cuenca on this half-day city tour. Stroll through the beautiful plazas and admire the UNESCO-listed architecture. Visit Turi’s viewpoint for panoramic views of the city, and learn about the traditional Panama hatmaking process at a local factory.
In the afternoon, we will visit the private museum of historian and professor Juan Cordero Iñiguez, who has dedicated most of his life to collecting Pre-Columbian art objects, including ceramics, jewelry, and artifacts of everyday life.
You will have the evening free to explore the city or relax.
We say goodbye to the beautiful city of Cuenca and take the road to Guayaquil on a journey of about 3:30 hours. On the way, we will pass through the Cajas National Park and La Toradora, which will surprise us with its awe-inspiring natural scenery.
In the afternoon we will arrive at Ecuador’s main port, Guayaquil, where you will have the rest of the day free to explore the city.
On the last day of your trip, you will explore one of Ecuador’s most vibrant cities, Guayaquil. Learn about the culture and history of this fascinating place. Visit landmarks such as the Malecon 2000, the Cathedral, City Hall, the Rotonda Monument, and Las Peñas. You will see the city’s beautiful architecture and learn about its rich history. Finally, your guide will take you to the airport for your flight home.
We take you to the top destinations in Latin America
You can trust in the experienced professionals at Latin Experiences
Your local English-speaking guide will be by your side with local insights
We are small, agile and flexible - able to accommodate your every need.
Latin Experiences exists to provide you with unique, authentic travel experiences custom designed to your demanding needs.
We are dedicated to responsible tourism with a strong sense of social commitment and environmental responsibility. Our tailor-made trips use local services and promote local relationships.
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