13 Days in Ecuador - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Grand Ecuadorian Adventure: Quito to the Galápagos Islands

This grand Ecuadorian adventure covers the classic highlights of the mainland and the Galápagos Islands at a swift pace. Explore Quito's colonial city center, go horseback riding in Cotopaxi National Park, soak in hot springs at the edge of the Amazon in Baños, and see giant tortoises and marine iguanas in the Galápagos. 

Starting in Quito, take a wander with a cable car ride to Pichincha volcano for great views, then visit its historic colonial center, passing Plaza Grande, beautiful churches, and La Ronda street. Take a cooking class, stand at the Equatorial line at Mitad del Mundo on Day 2, hike at Limpiopungo Lagoon, and go horseback riding in Cotopaxi National Park on Day 3. The following day, transfer to Baños or venture to the Devil's Cauldron waterfall. Explore the Chimborazo volcano on Day 5 before heading to Guamote. Spend Day 6 in Cuenca, discovering its Parque Calderón, Catedral Nueva, and waterfront promenade.

Visit the high-altitude lagoons in Cajas National Park before a cacao tour on Day 7. Day 8 brings beach activities at Los Frailes Beach in Machalilla National Park, while the next day brings snorkeling animal sightings at Isla de la Plata. Next, watch the giant tortoises at Fausto Llerena Breeding Center and learn about conservation at the Charles Darwin Research Center on Isla Santa Cruz in the Galápagos Islands. Tour the Tintoreras Islet near Isla Isabela, with its marine iguanas and sea lions on Day 11. Enjoy your last full day relaxing at Garrapatero Beach or Tortuga Bay. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Ecuador's Volcanoes, Amazon Rainforest & Galápagos Islands

Spending more time in the Galápagos, this itinerary first focuses on the volcanoes and amazon rainforest on the mainland. You'll peruse the authentic wares of Otavalo's Indigenous market—one of South America's largest—see endemic birds and dip in hot springs in Papallacta, overnight in the Amazon in Tena, and admire the Pailón del Diablo waterfall in Bańos. In the Galápagos Islands, you'll hike to the crater of the Sierra Negra volcano, bike to a breeding center with giant tortoises, and have plenty of time to relax on the beach. 

Tour Quito's Old Town sites like the Presidential Palace and El Sagrario Church at Independence Square and see the Church of La Compañía on your first day. Visit Otavalo's colorful market on Day 2, and appreciate the views of the Cotacachi volcano in its namesake Andean town. Spot endemic birds and enjoy the thermal hot springs in Papallacta before taking to the Amazon rainforest, starting with a canoe paddle on the Río Napo to Yacuma Natural Reserve. Next, observe animals in the jungle and visit an Indigenous community, then hike to Pailón del Diablo (Devil's Cauldron) waterfall near Baños on Day 6.

The following day, ride the Swing at the End of the World before beginning your adventures in Puerto Ayora on Isla Santa Cruz in the Galápagos Islands. You'll see Tortuga Bay Beach, learn about conservation at Fausto Llerena Interpretation Center, and watch wildlife at Isla Seymour Norte, the Palo Santo Forest, and Bachas Beach. Transfer to Isla Isabela on Day 11, where you can walk around Las Tintoreras with marine iguanas and sea lions. Then, on Day 12, hike to the rim of Sierra Negra volcano and cycle to a Tortoise Breeding Center to see the slow-moving giants, then check out nearby wetlands. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Ecuador Adventure Loop: Amazon, Pacific Coast & Andes

Adventurous, nature-loving travelers will enjoy this counterclockwise loop from Quito that covers the Amazon, Pacific Coast, and the Andes. See the major sights of Quito, climb the Pichincha volcano, observe colorful birds, butterflies, and flowers in Mindo's cloud forest, relax on the Pacific coast of Ayampe, discover Cajas National Park, and go whitewater rafting and hiking in the Amazon.

On Day 1, wander through Quito's sites, like the Baroque La Compañía and the neo-Gothic La Basílica, and head to Panecillo Hill for skyline views. Climb the Pichincha volcano, see the Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the Earth) monument, and learn about ancient Ecuadorian culture at the nearby Inti Ñan Museum. Explore Mindo's cloud forest, visit its butterfly farm and spot the iconic—and very large—blue morpho, and hike to waterfalls on Days 3 and 4. Next, join a chocolate tour and learn about the process from bean to bar, before boating to Isla de la Plata off the coast of Ayampe for snorkeling and whale watching.

On Day 7, look for endemic or endangered species in Cajas National Park. The following day, discover the Ingapirca Ruins in the foothills of the Ecuadorian Amazon en route to Archidona. Enter El Gran Cañon with its hidden caves and waterfalls, and participate in a cooking class on Day 9. Spend Day 10 whitewater rafting in the Amazon and Day 11 relaxing in the hot springs of Papallacta. On Day 12, trek around the Cuicocha Lagoon at the base of the Cotacachi volcano and boat to the sacred waterfall at Peguche. Stroll through the Otavalo market for traditional and handmade souvenirs before catching your flight out the next day. Learn more 

Itinerary #4: Road Trip Through Ecuador

This road trip through Ecuador offers an excellent mix of city tours and outdoor adventures. It's best for travelers wanting to allow for side trips and to explore at a moderate pace. Some highlights include riding the TelefériQo cable car to the top of Pichincha volcano in Quito, learning to prepare traditional Ecuadorian dishes in a cooking class, hiking to the beautiful Pailón del Diablo waterfall, and soaring over mountain scenery on the "Swing at the End of the World."

Begin in the UNESCO-listed capital, Quito, where you can walk down La Ronda, visit the artsy La Floresta neighborhood, and see Parque La Carolina. Stand at the Mitad del Mundo equatorial monument after taking a traditional cooking class on Day 3. Drive to Otavalo market and hike around the volcanic crater lake of Cuicocha on Day 4. The following day, travel to Lake Limpiopungo at Cotopaxi National Park, where you'll see Andean plants and wildlife, and hike to the Padre Rivas Refuge. On Day 6, set out for El Pailón del Diablo waterfall in Baños, the Avenue of the Volcanoes, and Río Verde village.

Day 7 is for adventure activities like rafting or canyoning, followed by a ride on the Swing at the End of the World at Casa del Árbol, a mountainside treehouse. Journey to Chimborazo volcano on Day 8, where you'll trek to Refuge Carrell and continue to Riobamba. Explore the pre-Inca ruins at Ingapirca archeological complex on Day 9, then discover historic Cuenca's museums and markets and have Days 11-12 in colorful Guayaquil. Driving south to the gateway to the Galápagos Islands, you'll admire sites like Parque Histórico, Cementerio General, Puerto Santa Ana, and the Malecón 2000 boardwalk along the Río Guayas. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Ecuador Adventure in the Amazon Rainforest & Galápagos Islands

This Ecuador adventure splits your time between the Amazon rainforest and the Galápagos Islands. You'll hike and canoe in the thick jungles of the amazon to seek out the endemic wildlife from tree frogs to river dolphins and meet an Indigenous community, then get close to giant tortoises in the Galápagos highlands, learn about conservation efforts, and search for white-tip sharks and blue-footed boobies on a guided boat tour.

In the morning, discover Quito's cafés, museums, and galleries in La Mariscal before boarding your overnight shuttle bus east to El Puente del Cuyabeno. You'll then transfer by canoe to your lodgings in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, the edge of civilization. Canoe along Río Cuyabeno in the reserve, go on Amazon jungle walks and bird, then enjoy a cooking demonstration by the Seoqueya community and a swim in the Laguna Grande. Hike, canoe, and learn about medicinal plants in the rainforest on Day 5. On Day 6, take a sunrise walk in the jungle, and then fly to Isla San Cristóbal in the Galápagos Islands on Day 7 to observe sea lions and marine iguanas at Las Tijeretas Hill and La Lobería beach.

Get close to giant tortoises at La Galapaguera and relax on Puerto Chino Beach on Day 8. The following day, spend time in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Playa Carola or Playa Mann, or take a boat to Pitt Point. On Days 10, 11, and 12, explore Isla Santa Cruz. Kayak in Tortuga Bay, tour a brewery, and bike to Lava Java organic coffee farm. Next, snorkel and watch white-tipped sharks at the Shark Channel, see sea turtles at Canal del Amor, or play in the water at Las Grietas. Additionally, you can visit the Cerro Mesa Reserve's huge crater or enjoy beach time at Garrapatero Beach, frequented by flamingoes. Learn more

More Great 13-Day Ecuador Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Ecuador? Check out these other 13-day Ecuador itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.