Highlights
- Climb up Quito's El Panecillo for panoramic views over the Ecuadorian capital
- See Cotopaxi National Park, home to one of the world's highest active volcanoes
- Hike and horseback ride through steep canyons near the Andean village of Isinliví
- Cycle around Quito in search of street art and murals
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Quito, Tour the Historic Old Town | Quito |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Isinliví via Cotopaxi National Park | Isinliví |
| Day 3 | Hiking & Horseback Riding in Isinliví | Isinliví |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Quito via Laguna Quilotoa | Quito |
| Day 5 | Urban Bike Tour in Quito, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Quito, Tour the Historic Old Town
Welcome to Quito! You'll arrive at the airport and meet your driver, who will transfer you to your hotel in the city center. Ecuador's capital sits at a lofty 9,350 feet (2,850 m) and welcomes visitors with its picturesque plazas nestled between mountain peaks. After taking some time to get settled in, meet a local guide and embark on a private walking tour of Quito's colonial center to see firsthand why it's listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Admire the intricate stone carvings of Iglesia La Compañía and wander the 16th-century Iglesia San Francisco cloisters. Continue to La Ronda, once a pre-Columbian walking trail and now a romantic pedestrian street full of cafés, live music venues, and eclectic shops. After all that walking around, you'll take a break at El Panecillo, one of the city's most prominent hills, capped with the iconic Virgin of El Panecillo statue. Your guide will share some local recommendations for dinner tonight before parting ways.
Day 2: Transfer to Isinliví via Cotopaxi National Park
After breakfast, meet your guide and driver for a 90-minute trip to Cotopaxi National Park, located 43 miles (70 km) south of Quito. The park is most famous for its eponymous active volcano, whose 19,347-foot (5,897 m) symmetrical snowcapped peak is the second-highest summit in Ecuador (and one of the highest active volcanoes on Earth). Be sure to bring plenty of layers to prepare for a change in weather and altitude as you explore the park to see birds, wild horses, and a mix of Andean plants and wildlife amid rugged páramo scenery—and perhaps even an elusive Andean condor.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
In the park, your guide will take you to Laguna Limpiopungo and point out some species native to the area. Then, trek to the 5,748-foot (4,800 m) Refugio Jose Rivas for the best Cotopaxi views of the day. You can also take a two-hour horseback riding trip through the park, a less strenuous option. In the afternoon, your driver will continue southwest to Isinliví, where you'll spend the night in a cozy mountain lodge.
Day 3: Hiking & Horseback Riding in Isinliví
Today, you'll have a free day to explore the village of Isinliví at your own pace. Choose from countless activities in this picturesque small town and its high-altitude Andean surroundings. Take a short hike up the sacred Ñahuira, a subject of local myths and legends and a great spot to view the surrounding mountains. Opt for a longer hike through the Toachi Canyon through the small village of Itualo to reach a dramatic suspension bridge and cross to a plateau, where you'll find impressive canyon views.
Isinliví is also easily explored by horseback, and this is one of the best ways to see the surrounding mountains, canyons, and rivers. For views of Isinliví, the Río Toachi, and the canyon, ride up the pre-Columbian hilltop, Calvary, which the Incas once used as a lookout point. You can also hike a section of the Quilotoa Loop, one of South America's best multiday trekking routes. If you'd prefer to stay close to town, visit a market, tour a local cheese factory, or hang out in a hammock at your lodge.
Day 4: Transfer to Quito via Laguna Quilotoa
Today begins with a short, scenic drive through the heart of the Andes, where you'll visit the incredible Quilotoa, a 2-mile-wide (3 km) crater lake filled with 820 feet (250 m) of mineral-rich turquoise water. You can hike down into the crater on a trail that takes just under an hour. At the bottom is the opportunity to rent a kayak and paddle around the lake to see 360-degree views.
Alternatively, if you don't want to walk down to the lake and back, you can follow the path along the crater rim to reach various viewpoints without too much exertion. Either way, you'll sit and have lunch at the top before visiting a nearby market to browse locally-made crafts and paintings. In the afternoon, you'll continue back to Quito for your final night in Ecuador.
Day 5: Urban Bike Tour in Quito, Depart
It's time to leave Ecuador today, but first, you'll hop on a bike to discover some of Quito's diverse neighborhoods with your local guide. In La Floresta, see how urban art is flourishing among shops and boutiques. Cycle through Carolina Park, spread over 165 acres (66 ha), and visit Iñaquito's Isla Tortuga Park for more murals and green space. Finally, bike to Mercado Centrale to try street food such as empanadas de viento (cheese-filled turnovers), hornado (slow-roasted pork), or cevichochos (tomato and bean soup).
After your bike tour, meet your driver at the hotel for the transfer to the airport. Buen viaje, wherever the road takes you next!
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