Highlights of Ecuador Tour
The travel itinerary of this tour in Ecuador is very complete and diverse and includes visits to the Cuyabeno Amazon Reserve, the colonial city of Cuenca and the amazing country side of the fertile valley of Vilcabamba!
Because you travel partly with public transportation, this tour offers a good value for money and time. The other advantage is that your travel experience will be more realistic when you travel with the Ecuadorians, instead of just past them in a bus full with other tourists.
The new national slogan to promote Ecuador is “Ama la Vida!” Freely this will translate in: “Ecuador, love and enjoy live”. A visit to this fertile country, filled with natural and cultural highlights will make you understand why Ecuadorians love their country and invite you to do the same.
Short Travel itinerary:
Day 1 – Friday: Arriving in Quito and private transfer to hotel.
Day 2 – Private transfer to terminal and public bus to Baños (3.5h)
Day 3 – Free day in Baños (optional to bike the very scenic road towards Puyo
Day 4 – Public bus to Riobamba (2h) and taxi to hotel (optional, climb the Chimborazo)
Day 5 – Taxi to terminal and public bus to Cuenca (6.5h), taxi to hotel
Day 6 – Free day in Cuenca (optional to visit the amazing Parque Cajas)
Day 7 – Direct shuttle service (5h) to Vilcabamba (Hostel Izhcayluma)
Day 8 – Free day in Vilcabamba (optional to visit Parque Podocarpus)
Day 9 – Free day in Vilcabamba (optional, hike or horseback riding tour)
Day 10 – Taxi to Loja, flight to Quito and private transfer to hotel
Day 11 – A short flight to Lago Agrio and start of Cuyabeno Tour
Day 12 – Cuyabeno Amazon Tour
Day 13 – Cuyabeno Amazon Tour
Day 14 – Cuyabeno – Lago Agrio – Quito – Otavalo
Day 15 – Visit the famous the famous Saturday market, public bus to Quito and taxi to hotel
Day 16 – End of tour, but
Optional: to extend this tour with a 5 or 8 days visit to the Galapagos Islands.
Day 1: Friday, arriving in Quito.
Our driver will wait for you at the new airport to bring you to your hotel. In 2011 Quito was elected by UNESCO as the American Capital of Culture 2011. This new status encouraged the city to invest more money in restauration of its many beautiful churches and other colonial buildings. The most impressive building is the almost Gothic looking Basilica. Its towers are open to the public and offer an amazing view over Quito and the Antisana, Cotopaxi y Cayambe Volcanoes. One of the towers even has a small restaurant where you can have a sandwich and coffee with view!If you arrive early in Quito it is also recommendable to visit the Ecuator. You can visit the iconic French monument, but the actual ecuator goes through the interesting Inti Nan Museum 300 m next to the monument.
Day 2: Quito - Baños (1800 m)
Today our private transport will take you to the bus terminal just outside of Quito, from where you can take a local bus to the friendly town of Baños. It takes about 3 hours along a scenic road through the Andes, until you arrive in Baños. The small town is located at the feet of the grumpy volcano Tungurahua (means Little Hell). At night you can sometimes even see a bit of lava coming out of its mouth.A good spot to observe the volcano is from the swing of “Casa del Arbol”, a small tree house on the top of a hill, at a two hour hike from the center of Baños.
Day 3: Baños
A free day in Baños, to enjoy the hot springs were the town received its name from. Because of these hot springs it has developed into a friendly tourist town with lots of activities for local and foreign tourist. These activities include: Rafting, biking, abseiling, quad riding, hiking, spa treatments and more.For who wants to do something more active, it is a recommendable tour to bike the road downhill from Baños to Puno along the Pastaza River. Along the way you will pass by steep cliffs, several waterfalls (inclusive el Pailon del Diablo) and will also be treated with great views over the Pastaza River and the edge of the Amazon Rainforest!
Day 4: Baños - Riobamba (Chimborazo)
In two hours you drive by public bus to Riobamba, the most central city of Ecuador and a connection point towards all four compass points, the Andean, Jungle and coast of Ecuador.After arriving it is optional possible to join a tour and make a short walk over the slopes of the Chimborazo. You drive to an altitude of 4800m above sea level and then you can walk by yourself the last 200m to a refuge at 5000m altitude. On the way you have great views and possibilities to see the most elegant Andean camel, the Vicuña.
Adventures people can choose to drive their way down on a high quality mountain bike. This option allows you to stop anywhere you want and appreciate more of your surroundings.
If you like nature and hiking, please check the following link: Trekking options in Ecuador
Day 5: Riobamba - Cuenca
Today you take the public bus towards Cuenca. This is a very scenic route and on the way it is an option to break the journey with a visit to the archeological site of Ingapirca, one of the most Northern found Inca remains. Cuenca is now the third biggest city of Ecuador, but being in the city center, it feels almost like being in a colonial town. The city is built on the remains of one of the most northern Inca City’s Tomebamba. Now it is one of the best known places for assembling Panama Hats and also the city’s new silhouettes are good for taking pictures, especially late in the afternoon.Day 6: Cuenca (Parque Cajas)
On this free day in Cuenca you can visit one of the Panama Hat Workshops and/or one of its small museums. It is also a great option to join a hike through Parque Cajas. This nature reserve contains more than 200 lakes and some call it ‘The Scottish highlands of Ecuador’ because of its green hills and unexpected fogs and rain showers. However this nature reserve is located between 3500m and 4200m altitude, which gives it a totally different and surprising vegetation, including ancient old sinuous trees with paper bark!For the evenings, Cuenca has many restaurants and a good nightlife scene.
Day 7: Cuenca - Vilcabamba
Today you will travel with a direct shuttle bus along a scenic road through the highlands and country side of Ecuador, from Cuenca to the village of Vilcabamba. According to several studies this small village has some of the highest life expectations rates in the world. Some reasons for this are the absence of industry, the fertile grounds, fresh air and green surroundings. Backpackers have already known Vilcabamba for a few years, but other tourists are only just starting to discover this great place to relax, enjoy nature and/or take long hikes.Day 8: Vilcabamba
A free day in Vilcabamba to go hiking, horseback riding through the mountains, or waterfall, relax at the swimming pool, participate in one of the free Yoga classes and/ or enjoy a great massage!Day 9: Vilcabamba (optional: Parque Podocarpus)
For today it could be an option to visit national Park Podocarpus, home to the only native Conifer of Ecuador and good place for bird watching.Day 10: Vilcabamba - Loja - Quito
Day 11: Quito - Lago Agrio - Cuyabeno Amazon Tour
In the morning a short flight will take you to Lago Agrio, from where your tour through the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve starts.Private transport will take you and the other guests of the Jamu Lodge to the entrance of Cuyabeno. You will have lunch on your way. Then you take a motorized canoe down the Cuyabeno River for two and a half hours. During the canoe ride you will get a first look at the jungle and will be able to observe different kind of birds like Caciques, Oropendolas, Greater Anis and the prehistoric bird “Hoatzin”. You may also be able to see a variety of monkeys and other jungle animals, depending on the time and weather conditions. You will arrive at the “Cabañas JAMU” around 4:30pm. At that time you will be shown to your rooms and you can relax a little. After a siesta we will leave the camp for a swim in the lagoon and to watch a beautiful sunset in the middle of the Laguna Grande. You will then return to the camp for dinner, and can finish your first day in the jungle relaxing in a hammock or having a drink at the bar.
The Cuyabeno Amazon Wildlife Reserve is situated in the north-eastern Amazon region of Ecuador, between the San Miguel and Aguarico rivers, and close to the Colombian and Peruvian borders. The reserve is made up of 605,000 hectares of primary forest, rivers and lakes, and is home to an incredible variety of animal and plant life. Five different ethnic groups live within the reserve: the Siona, Secoya, Cofán, Kichwas and Shuar, each of which has its own culture and language.
You stay at the Jamu Lodge or a similar facility that offers an endless possibility of activities. From educational hiking to trekking through the Terra Firme forest, experiencing the muddy swamps or the Hormiga River, swimming in the lagoon, watching the pink river dolphins, bird and wildlife watching and visiting the native community, the list goes on. A Bilingual guide is always along for the activities to answer all your questions. In addition, guests can relax at the hammock lounge, or enjoy a beer or cocktail at the bar. Jamu does not use electricity all the time; candles are in use part of the time, in order to preserve energy and the jungle. There is a small place were batteries can be reloaded as well.
Day 12: Cuyabeno Amazon Tour
After breakfast you can join a hike in the primary forest for 3 to 4 hours, where your guide will explain how a tropical rainforest works. You will be able to learn about medicinal plants and might be able to see some exotic birds or monkeys. We will then return to the camp for lunch and a siesta. In the afternoon you will go piranha fishing, have a swim in the lagoon and watch the sunset. With a little luck you can observe the pink river dolphins or an anaconda sunbathing in a tree. You will return to the camp for dinner, and take a night canoe ride to look for caimans.Day 13: Cuyabeno Amazon Tour
If you want to see the sun rise, you can go for an early morning bird watching canoe ride by motor canoe at around 6 o’clock. You will return to the camp for breakfast, then depart in native, dugout canoes, called “quilla” to visit a family of the community of Tarapuy. You will see how Casabe is prepared, traditional bread made from Yucca (Manioc). You can help prepare the Casabe and see how only material from the jungle is used in making the bread. 
You will then visit the Siona community and your guide will explain the customs and traditions of the Sionas. You will be able to see what traditions have been lost and what has been maintained. After that we return to the lodge to have a late lunch. At night, you can go on a short nocturnal hike through the primary forest in search of insects, spiders, geckos or scorpions, and listen to the night sounds of the jungle.Day 14: Cuyabeno - Lago Agrio - Quito -Otavalo
Today is a long day with many changes. The day starts after a good breakfast by taking the motorized canoe to head back to the entrance of Cuyabeno from where you will be transferred to Lago Agrio. You take a flight back to Quito and private transport towards Otavalo.Otavalo is one of the very few places in Latin America where its citizens are proud to be indigenous and with reason. Already for thousands of years the people of Otavalo are known for their special high quality weaving techniques and commercial skills. The Inca’s supposedly used their weaving skills and now the Otavalenios have shops in several places over the world, even in New York.
Day 15: Saturday market and public bus to Quito
In the morning you can explore the small town, visit the famous local Saturday market, visit a rescue centre for birds of prey, or go on a hike. It is also possible to join an excursion to visit several small communities in the surroundings of Otavalo. During this tour you get good views of the country side of Ecuador and you will learn about the different ancient handicrafts that are still practiced in these communities. These handicrafts include leather work, weaving and making flutes.Late in the afternoon you take another colorful public bus back to Quito (2 hours).
Day 16: Quito - Home
For today you have included a transfer to the airport so you can fly back home. You can also decide to stay longer in Quito and/ or to book an additional tour.
Note: The description of the excursions in the jungle are a general indication of a program. They might be slightly different depending on the location where you stay and weather conditions.
Option 1: To extend this tour with a trip to the Amazing Galapagos Islands: Galapagos Tour Selection.
Option 2: To do this whole tour with private transport and your own driver(s), this will cost you 390 US$ p.p. extra.
Inclusive and recommended to bring on this tour:
This Ecuador tour includes:
– 16 Nights with breakfast, 13 of which you sleep in well located mid range hotels and hostels and 3 nights in basic lodges in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve including full pension.
– A return flight to Lago Agrio and back
– Several interesting excursions in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve.
– All private transfers in Quito, except on day 16 upon returning from Otavalo
– Shared shuttle service from Cuenca to Loja. (when enough interest, even directly from Cuenca to Izhcayluma inVilcabamba).
– A private taxi ride from Vilcabamba to Loja airport (1.5h,arranged by Izhcayluma)
– A flight from Loja to Quito
– Private transport from Quito to Otavalo
– A complete day to day itinerary with all information you need (about transport) and more.
– A 24h emergency number from some-one who lives in Ecuador, speaks English and Spanish and on request Dutch
The price doesn’t include:
– Optional excursions;
– International airport tax (41 US$ p.p. depending on your flight)
– International flights
– A combination of public transportation and taxi’s during the tour (in total about 50 US$ p.p.)
– Entrée’s, (exit) taxes, food and other personal expenses;
– Tips (in restaurants, for guides, cooks, drivers and more) during the tour
– Additional price for one person a room (450 US$)
– All things not mentioned in the tour above
– International banking costs
– Obligated travel and health insurance
Optional: it is also possible to travel during the whole tour with private transport. For each part of the journey we will find you the right transport (private taxi, auto, Mini Van, Pick-Up) to travel from A to B. The extra costs are 390 US$ p.p. for the whole tour.
We recommend you to check the local visa and vaccination obligations.
Also important for our stay in the jungle is the following information:
– If you have special requests towards the accommodation: Twin rooms/double bed room
– Rubber boot (welly) size
– Special food requests (if vegetarian please specify if fish, eggs, etc are ok)
We recommend you to bring at least with on this tour:
– Valid identification and travel documents and when needed a valid visa
– The information of your travel insurance
– Valid vaccinations, ask you countries health centre for more information
– A good backpack, or big sport-bag, preferable no hard suitcase
– A comfortable day backpack
– Good shoes
– Sandals (maybe also a pair of tennis shoes)
– A warm jacket/ fleece
– A rain jacket/ poncho
– Two warm sweaters
– Three light trousers (cotton or linen)
– 4 T-shirts
– 2 long-sleeved shirts
– 2 shorts
– A flashlight for each person, incl. spare batteries
– Biodegradable soap and shampoo (they sell handmade soap at little cost at agency in the jungle)
– Small dollar bills (or try to collect them in Quito)
– Something to be able to back-up your photos
– Protection against the sun and mosquito’s (you can also buy locally)
Be aware that Ecuador is not a Third World Country anymore, so most common things are available. If you do have any doubts about what to bring, please feel free to ask us.
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