How many days do you need in Quito, Puerto Ayora & the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve?
- Most travelers spend 10-12 days in Quito, Puerto Ayora, and the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve combined
- Visiting Quito, Puerto Ayora, and the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve in 7 to 9 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 13 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
How Many Days to Spend In Ecuador
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Recommended Itineraries for Quito, Puerto Ayora & the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
Recommended Itinerary for 10 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive to Quito, Self-Guided Exploration | Quito |
| Day 2 | Quito Historic Center, Panecillo Hill, & Middle of the World Tour | Quito |
| Day 3 | Transfer to the Cuyabeno Reserve, Canoe to Jungle Lodge | Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve |
| Day 4 | Wildlife in the Amazon: Sloths, Dolphins, & More | Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve |
| Day 5 | Visit an Indigenous Community, Laguna Grande & Igapó | Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Quito | Quito |
| Day 7 | Fly to the Galápagos, Transfer to Isla Santa Cruz, Visit the Charles Darwin Station | Puerto Ayora |
| Day 8 | Explore Isla Santa Cruz, Kayaking in Tortuga Bay | Puerto Ayora |
| Day 9 | Day Trip to an Uninhabited Island | Puerto Ayora |
| Day 10 | Transfer to Isla Baltra, Depart Quito |
Ecuador is one of the world's hotspots for ecological diversity, so it makes sense to spend this 10-day trip exploring nature as much as possible. Start in Quito to see the UNESCO heritage city center, then head to the rainforest for three days at an ecolodge, where you'll spot macaws, pink river dolphins, and howler monkeys. Round out your trip with a flight to the Galápagos, where giant tortoises, white-sand beaches, and uninhabited islands await. Read more
How to travel between Quito, Puerto Ayora & the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
The Reserva Producción Faunística Cuyabeno, more commonly known internationally as the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, is one of Northern Ecuador's little-known gems. Ecuador's section of the Amazon Basin is a bastion of wildlife that gets little attention besides the more famous Yasuní National Park. That said, the 2,330 square mile (6,035 sq km) reserve has plenty of wildlife as well as the Cofán people who live in the south of the reserve. Read more
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