How many days do you need in Quito & Cotopaxi?
- Most travelers spend 5-7 days in Quito and Cotopaxi combined
- Visiting Quito and Cotopaxi in 4 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 8 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Baños and Archidona
How Many Days to Spend In Ecuador
Recommended Itineraries for Quito & Cotopaxi
Recommended Itinerary for 6 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Quito, Self-Guided Exploration | Quito |
| Day 2 | Colonial Quito City Tour, Visit the Middle of the World Monument | Quito |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to the Papallacta Hot Springs | Quito |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Cotopaxi, Hiking the Rucu Pichincha Volcano | Cotopaxi |
| Day 5 | North Illinizas Climbing Experience | Cotopaxi |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Quito Airport, Depart Ecuador |
There's no need to choose between cultural exploration and outdoor thrills on a trip to Ecuador—this six-day itinerary offers both! Base yourself in Quito as you get to know the capital city, day-tripping to Papallacta to soak in thermal waters. Then ride a cable car high into the mountains to hike Rucu Pichincha volcano. Finish the trip with a trek to the summit of a volcanic mountain and a brief exploration of Cotopaxi National Park. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
8-Day Itinerary Including Baños
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Quito, Self-Guided Exploration | Quito |
| Day 2 | Colonial City Tour, Cooking Class, Visit the Middle of the World Monument | Quito |
| Day 3 | Explore Local Culture at Otavalo Market, Hike at Cuicocha Lake | Quito |
| Day 4 | Expedition to Mindo Cloud Forest | Quito |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Cotopaxi National Park, Explore | Cotopaxi |
| Day 6 | Explore the Quilotoa Lagoon, Transfer to Baños | Baños |
| Day 7 | Visit the Pailón del Diablo Waterfall, Transfer to Quito | Quito |
| Day 8 | Depart Quito |
Experience Ecuador's natural wonders beyond the lively capital city Quito on this eight-day discovery tour. Before heading into the wilderness, you'll base yourself mostly in Quito, exploring its museums, architecture, and cuisine. Take a day trip to the sapphire waters of Cuicocha Lagoon, shop for handicrafts in Otavalo Market, and hike amid the cloud forests of Mindo. You'll also transfer to Cotopaxi National Park, sleep in a traditional hacienda, and have fun in Baños—Ecuador's adventure capital. Read more
11-Day Itinerary Including Baños & Archidona
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Quito, Self-Guided Exploration | Quito |
| Day 2 | Quito Historic City Tour, Cooking Class | Quito |
| Day 3 | Rock Climbing at Rucu Pichincha | Quito |
| Day 4 | Pasochoa Volcano Trek | Cotopaxi |
| Day 5 | Bouldering at La Perrera | Cotopaxi |
| Day 6 | Explore Cotopaxi National Park | Baños |
| Day 7 | Rock Climbing in Baños | Baños |
| Day 8 | Explore the Pailón del Diablo Waterfall, Transfer to Archidona, Rainforest Hike | Archidona |
| Day 9 | Full-Day Rafting Adventure, Cultural Night with Cooking & Chocolate Making | Archidona |
| Day 10 | Rock Climbing in Cuyuja, Relaxing in the Papallacta Hot Springs | Quito |
| Day 11 | Depart Quito |
Outdoorsy types with a penchant for rock climbing will love this 11-day loop in Ecuador. The trip starts in Quito, the UNESCO-listed capital, where you'll tour the colonial sights and sample local cuisine, chocolate, and beer in one of the world's highest cities. Then head out into the great wilderness as you hike, boulder, rock climb, and paddle across a varied terrain peppered with volcanoes. Finish with two nights at an ecolodge in the rainforest to complete the adventure. Read more
How to travel between Quito & Cotopaxi
From Quito, the volcano-crested national park of Cotopaxi makes a spectacular day trip or weekend trip, with the park highlight being the picture-perfect peak of Cotopaxi volcano, Ecuador's second-highest peak. With hiking and biking trails, a visitor center, two volcanoes, and plenty of recreation facilities amid gorgeous Andean scenery, Cotopaxi is understandably popular. It's also easy to access from Quito via a number of means, including private transfer, bus, or train. Read more
Map
