Highlights
- Take a chocolate tour in the capital and learn to make flaky cheese empanadas
- See the historic churches of Quito and step foot on the actual equator
- Ride horses and cable cars around dormant volcanoes
- Enjoy a luxury yacht cruise on Ecuador's coast and visit marine parks
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Quito, Dinner at El Ventanal | Quito |
| Day 2 | Quito City Tour & Chocolate Tasting | Quito |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to Pululahua Crater, Mitad del Mundo & Agave Museum | Quito |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Cotopaxi, Horseback Ride & Empanada Workshop | Cotopaxi |
| Day 5 | Visit Quilotoa Lagoon, Transfer to Baños | Baños |
| Day 6 | Waterfall Hike, Hot Springs & Zipline | Baños |
| Day 7 | Baños Spa Day | Baños |
| Day 8 | Canyoning Adventure in Baños, Transfer to Quito | Quito |
| Day 9 | Fly to Manta, Beach & Boat Tour, Transfer to Cruise Ship | Cruise Ship |
| Day 10 | Cruise to Ayangue, Snorkeling & Crafts Workshop | Cruise Ship |
| Day 11 | Cruise to Machalilla National Park | Cruise Ship |
| Day 12 | Cruise to Isla de la Plata | Cruise Ship |
| Day 13 | Cruise to Pacoche, Visit San Lorenzo, Transfer to Quito | Quito |
| Day 14 | Day Trip to Pichincha Volcano, Depart Quito |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Quito, Dinner at El Ventanal
Welcome to Ecuador! Equally famous for its rugged highlands, gorgeous coastline, and lush cloud forests, this South American nation is the place to come for adventure. But just because you'll spend the majority of these next two weeks outdoors doesn't mean you need to sacrifice comfort and luxury. This trip is first class all the way, and you'll experience it right upon arrival in Quito, the nation's capital, where your driver awaits to take you from the airport into the city.
Quito is famous for its UNESCO-listed Old Town, home to well-preserved Spanish colonial buildings, many dating back to its founding in the 16th century. You'll stay amid this rich heritage at Illa Experience, a 4-star hotel in the historic San Marcos neighborhood. Housed in a beautifully restored colonial-era mansion, it features luxurious rooms with plush beds and baths with rainwater showers. Highlights include a spa and wellness center (ideal to take the edge of your flight with a massage) and a rooftop terrace offering panoramic views of the city and its famous surrounding hills.
After checking in, you'll have some time to relax until dinner. Then, head up into the hills and El Ventanal, one of Quito's premier restaurants. Its elevated position and expansive city views below are the perfect backdrop to enjoy the restaurant's creative take on traditional Ecuadorian classics. Tuck into favorites like tangy ceviche, quinoa risotto, and lomo a la piedra (tenderloin steak cooked on volcanic stones). And don't skip dessert—you can choose between traditional Ecuadorian sweets with a modern twist, such as chocolate fondant made with Ecuadorian cocoa and exotic fruit sorbets.
Day 2: Quito City Tour & Chocolate Tasting
After breakfast, you'll 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 the Baroque La Compañía church and wander the 16th-century Iglesia San Francisco cloisters. Wrap up the historical center leg of your tour with a walk down La Ronda, once a pre-Columbian walking trail, now a romantic pedestrian street full of cafés, live music venues, and eclectic shops.
Later, you'll receive a tasty introduction to Quito's heritage with a chocolate tasting! Held at a local chocolate production facility, you'll learn how Ecuador cultivates a great deal of cacao (cocoa), then turns the beans of this fruit into decadent chocolate. During this one-hour tasting experience, you'll not only sample different types of chocolate but also learn about the history of cocoa in Ecuador.
Day 3: Day Trip to Pululahua Crater, Mitad del Mundo & Agave Museum
This morning, you'll travel to the northern outskirts of Quito and Pululahua, a dormant volcano. It's part of a nature reserve near the city that protects a portion of Ecuador's páramo (high Andes) ecosystems. But it's not without infrastructure—in fact, the volcano's crater is inhabited and is one of only a few volcanic craters in the world populated by humans. Once at the top, you can embark on a brisk hike around the crater rim and stop for a refreshment at a restaurant on the volcano.
Afterward, you'll transfer to nearby Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World), a park dominated by the 98-foot-tall (30 m) Monument to the Equator. It marks the precise location of the equator, the invisible line that divides the Earth's Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Straddling the yellow line here means you'll have one foot in each hemisphere.
Then, visit the nearby Intiñan Museum, an interactive science and cultural center. Highlights include hands-on experiments demonstrating equatorial phenomena (such as water draining in different directions on either side of the line), ancient astronomical calendars, and ethnographic exhibits of Ecuador's diverse Indigenous cultures. End the day at the Agave Museum to taste the fine spirits Ecuador has created using a plant normally associated with Mexico. Dinner tonight is a memorable affair as you enjoy a gourmet meal in a former convent accompanied by a ballet performance.
Day 4: Transfer to Cotopaxi, Horseback Ride & Empanada Workshop
Say goodbye to Quito (for now) as you meet your driver this morning for the 1.5-hour ride south to the province of Cotopaxi. You'll stop for a traditional meal and meet some locals on the way. Eventually, you'll arrive at Cotopaxi National Park, a pristine nature reserve covering 129 square miles (334 sq km) in the Andean highlands. Here, you'll visit Laguna Limpiopungo for a day hike. Then, meet a guide, hop in the saddle, and embark on a two-hour horseback ride. Gallop across windswept plains through native forests, all with the snowcapped peak of Cotopaxi volcano looming overhead.
After the horseback ride, transfer to the nearby Hacienda San Agustín de Callo. Situated in the foothills of the volcano, this rustic yet comfortable hacienda is built on the site of an Inca palace and later a colonial estate. It offers a variety of rooms and suites, each uniquely decorated with a blend of colonial and iIndigenous styles. The rooms feature antique furnishings, luxurious linens, and modern comforts such as private bathrooms and heating. Of course, the real star is the property itself, surrounded by lush gardens, Andes mountains, and the rugged landscapes of the national park.
End the day with a group cooking class ideal for families, couples, and avid amateur chefs of all stripes. This 1.5-hour culinary experience takes place in a kitchen and focuses on delicious Ecuadorian fried cheese empanadas. Prepare these savory pastries from scratch as you learn the proper techniques to fold the masa (dough). Of course, no Ecuadorian empanada is complete with a dash of ají (hot sauce), which you'll also learn to make. At the end of the class, you'll snack on your tasty creations and wash them down with a cup of delicious canelazo, a spiced hot drink from Ecuador's highlands.
Day 5: Visit Quilotoa Lagoon, Transfer to Baños
Move on to the next adventure today as you embark on a two-hour scenic drive west from Cotopaxi to Laguna Quilotoa. This 2-mile (3 km) wide crater lake sparkles with mineral-rich emerald waters. Upon arrival, you'll stretch your legs on a brisk three-hour hike around the lagoon. It covers a distance of about 2.5 miles (4 km), and much of it's uphill, so a decent level of physical fitness is required. That said, there's the option to hire a mule to ease some of the burden.
After the hike, you'll get back in the car and continue about three hours south to the charming town of Baños de Agua Santa. During the drive, you'll leave the highlands and arrive at the edge of the Amazon basin, a region known for its hot springs and waterfalls. Upon arrival, you'll check into Luna Volcán Adventure Spa.
Get ready for more hacienda-style living, as this idyllic property sits on a hill with prime views of Baños and the surrounding Andes. It offers an array of themed rooms and suites tailored to couples, families, friend groups, and solo adventurers. They're all equipped with plush beds, and some have garden and Andes views from private terraces. Expect even better views when you head up to the pool area, where you can take a dip or soak in the Jacuzzi.
Day 6: Waterfall Hike, Hot Springs & Zipline
You've hiked and ridden horses around highland volcanoes; now it's time to experience natural wonders a bit lower in altitude. This morning, your driver will take you along the scenic Ruta de las Cascadas (Waterfall Route) toward the village of Río Verde. When you arrive in town, take a one-hour hike to one of the area's famous waterfalls, El Pailón del Diablo (Devil's Cauldron). Here, the water cascades 265 feet (81 m) down through the cloud forest.
After marveling at the falls, you'll head back to Baños. On the way, stop just outside of town at Casa del Arbol, where you can soar on a swing placed at the edge of a mountain. If you like, you can stop for a soak at nearby hot springs afterward. If that's not enough adventure to satisfy you, then there's the option for a thrilling zipline ride. Head to a platform in the forest, strap into a harness, and enjoy the ride as you soar above the treeline.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 7: Baños Spa Day
Day 8: Canyoning Adventure in Baños, Transfer to Quito
Enjoy one last morning in Baños, either going for a walk, taking a relaxing soak in hot springs, or sipping a cup of coffee at Café del Cielo for views of the surrounding mountains. There's also time for one last adventure in the region as you transfer to a river canyon for some adrenaline-pumping action.
Once here, your professional guides will instruct you in abseiling (canyoning). When you're familiar with the equipment, you'll strap into a harness, and after a fun zipline ride across the canyon, you'll start rappeling down waterfalls. Continue sliding down natural chutes until you reach the freshwater pools below, where you can enjoy a victory swim.
After an action-packed morning, sit down for a lunch of fresh grilled river trout before hopping in the car for the scenic three-hour ride back to Quito. Upon arrival, you'll check back into Illa Experience.
Day 9: Fly to Manta, Beach & Boat Tour, Transfer to Cruise Ship
Your driver will pick you up early for the ride to the airport, where you'll catch an hour's flight to the port city of Manta. This kicks off the coastal leg of your journey through Ecuador. Manta is one of the most vital ports in the country and a hub for tourism due to its fine beaches and nature reserves in the surrounding Manabí province.
When you arrive, a driver will pick you up and take you to Murciélago Beach, a wide and inviting stretch of sand in the north of Manta. Here, you'll meet a guide who will take you on a boat ride on the ocean. You'll have time to go snorkeling and birding (keep an eye out for pelicans, sandpipers, and terns), and if you're there between Jun-Sept, you might also see migrating humpback whales.
Return to the beach at the end of the tour, where your driver will be waiting to take you to Manta's port. There, you'll board the M/Y Kontiki Wayra, your home for the next few days. This luxury boutique yacht offers exclusive cruises, featuring just a handful of spacious suites to create an intimate experience. Each is equipped with king or queen beds and panoramic windows offering grand views of Ecuador's pristine coastline as you travel. You'll arrive just in time for a gourmet dinner aboard the ship.
Day 10: Cruise to Ayangue, Snorkeling & Crafts Workshop
Day two of your aquatic journey begins with a cruise to Ayangue. This small coastal town is known as the "Pool of the Pacific" due to its secluded bay featuring calm, turquoise waters. After breakfast onboard, hop in a fast tender boat and ride to the nearby islet El Pelado, where you'll take advantage of the area's crystalline waters on a snorkeling tour. Besides exotic marine life like tropical fish and sea turtles, you'll also get to swim alongside the local community of sea lions. Again, if it's whale season, you might spot humpbacks in the water, too.
Return to the yacht and have lunch onboard, followed by a trip to Ayangue's golden crescent beach. Besides enjoying the scenery, you'll walk to a nearby site prominent to the ancient Valdivia people. The pre-Inca Valdivia is one of the oldest settled cultures in the Americas, native to the coastal region of Ecuador and dating back to around 4,500 BCE. While here, you'll participate in a local workshop to learn the techniques for producing authentic Valdivian handicrafts from clay. After the workshop, you'll return to the yacht in time for dinner.
Day 11: Cruise to Machalilla National Park
Today you'll cruise north until you reach the small fishing village of Puerto López. Once you arrive, you'll disembark and take a land transfer inland to Agua Blanca. This small community features archaeological pieces from one of the oldest civilizations in South America, the Manteño culture, which dates to 1500 CE. While here, you'll hike around the ruins of ancient temples, country houses, plazas, and other fascinating relics.
Following this is a short nature hike through the surrounding forest, where you can see hummingbirds and butterflies amid the native carob trees. You'll arrive at a secluded spot where you'll participate in an ancient purification ritual led by one of the local shamans. Afterward, you'll return to the yacht for lunch.
The day is far from over because after eating, you'll transfer to one of the small offshore islets that are part of Machalilla National Park. In this remote locale, you'll spend the rest of the afternoon snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, or swimming. Later, back on board the yacht, you can enjoy a cocktail and watch as the sun dips below the Pacific, then sit down to dinner. During the night, the ship will continue cruising to Isla de la Plata, an island famous for its biodiversity.
Day 12: Cruise to Isla de la Plata
After breakfast, you'll transfer from the yacht to Isla de la Plata. The island's name derives from the local legend that Sir Francis Drake buried treasure here, and it's also sometimes said to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island." It's also part of Machalilla National Park, and sea lions and blue-footed boobies are among the main characters you can see here. You can also observe frigatebirds, red-footed and masked boobies, waved albatrosses, and tropicbirds.
When the land exploration is finished, you'll return to the yacht for lunch. Then, in the afternoon, join a snorkeling tour around the area's coral reefs. During the outing, you're sure to spot tropical fish, manta rays, sea turtles, sea lions, and (quite possibly) pods of dolphins and migrating humpback whales. You'll return to the yacht at the end of the day, and the ship will continue sailing overnight back toward Manta and Pacoche, a coastal region famous for its wildlife reserve.
Day 13: Cruise to Pacoche, Visit San Lorenzo, Fly to Quito
In the morning, you'll disembark the yacht Pacoche Marine Wildlife Reserve. This vital conservation area spans 19 sq miles (50 sq km) along Ecuador's coast, protecting a wide range of ecosystems, including tropical forests and marine environments. Witness the region's famed biodiversity firsthand on a visit to a tropical humid forest where you'll hike along a nature trail. Not only will you spot the colorful hummingbirds, but you'll also see communities of howler monkeys in the trees.
Afterward, continue to San Lorenzo, a long beach that's one of Ecuador's largest nesting spots for olive ridley and green sea turtles. If it's hatching season, you might spot baby turtles scurrying down the beach to the ocean during the hatching season. Part of the day also involves a unique gastronomic experience during which you'll sit down to a meal prepared by the local Indigenous community in an ancient oven.
After lunch, visit a local family of weavers to learn the traditional techniques of producing toquilla straw hats (Panama hats). Later, you'll say goodbye to the yacht and transfer to the airport in Manta for the flight back to Quito. There, you'll return to the Illa Experience Hotel.
Day 14: Day Trip to Pichincha Volcano, Depart Quito
More Great Ecuador Itineraries
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