Best of Archidona

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Archidona

Southeast of Quito on the edge of the Amazon basin, Archidona is a sleepy settlement with pastel-hued houses and a lively market on Sundays. While there isn’t much to the town itself, you can head off on a wide range of adventures in the area. Jungle trails, waterfalls, caves and thundering rivers make Archidona a fine base for experiencing the unique Oriente region while overnighting in a rainforest lodge.

Some of the best whitewater rafting in Ecuador is just a short hop from Archidona. Along the Río Napo and Río Misahuallí, you’ll find rapids ranging from class II to class IV, offering easy-going paddles and more thrilling descents, with everything in between. Rainforest hikes offer ample opportunities to encounter monkeys, parrots, sloths and other wildlife. There are also trails leading to waterfalls and forested natural pools where you can cool off after the day’s walk. Just north of Archidona, you can explore the Cuevas de Jumandy, a labyrinth of natural caves and tunnels that extend several miles underground.

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Explore the Ecuadorian Amazon on foot and by boat

Discover the Ecuadorian Amazon: Quito & Archidona - 5 Days

This five-day trip to Ecuador combines a glimpse of the capital with a whirlwind Amazonian adventure. Begin with a spin around Quito's UNESCO-listed colonial center before venturing to the edge of the Amazon rainforest. You'll base yourself at an ecolodge in Archidona for waterfall hikes, cooking classes, night safaris, and tree planting. Head back to Quito via the Papallacta Hot Springs, then ride the cable car up the Pichincha volcano for a grand finale.

Explore some of Ecuador's most spectacular waterfalls

Ecuador Getaway: Quito, Baños & Archidona - 7 Days

Escape from it all on this exhilarating seven-day journey through Ecuador. Start in the capital of Quito, which sits between two impressive mountain peaks. Take a road trip to Baños to follow the Avenue of Waterfalls along the Río Pastaza, relax in the natural hot springs, and observe the active volcano of Tungurahua. Continue to Archidona for two nights in a rainforest lodge, with canoeing and wildlife-spotting in a lush biosphere reserve.

Take a memorable ride on the Swing at the End of the World

Ecuador Adventure in the Andes & Amazon - 7 Days

This active and incredibly scenic tour hones in on Ecuador's distinct landscapes. Kick off the adventure in Quito where you'll meet your guide, and then head south creating a simple loop through the Andean highlands and Amazon rainforest, exploring volcanoes, caves, and waterfalls along the way. You'll also participate in hiking, canyoning, and river rafting—with plenty of free time to chill and enjoy the tasty cuisine (and chocolate) along the way.

Volcanic peaks and dense jungle near Macas

Ecuador Glamping Adventure: Cities, Jungles & Highlands - 9 Days

Immerse yourself in Ecuador's natural splendors on this 9-day glamping adventure. From the capital of Quito to the depths of the Amazon and the volcanic slopes of the highlands, you'll spend your days hiking, kayaking, and rafting through breathtaking landscapes. Meanwhile, nights are spent close to nature in a series of unforgettable "glamorous camping" sites.

Ecuador Adventure Loop: Amazon, Pacific Coast & Andes - 13 Days

See the many faces of Ecuador on this epic, 13-day adventure that takes you through the Andean foothills and the Ecuadorian coast to the rainforests of the Amazon. You'll witness colonial history in Quito, journey into the cloud forests of Mindo to discover birds, chocolate, and waterfalls, and head to the Pacific coast to swim with the marine life. Settle into an Amazon lodge to hike through El Gran Cañon and go whitewater rafting, then stop at hot springs and crater lakes on the way back to Quito.

Mainland Ecuador Multi-Sport Tour: Quito, Cotopaxi, Baños, Archidona & Papallacta - 9 Days

Combine sightseeing with high-adrenaline adventures on this nine-day tour of mainland Ecuador. You'll acclimatize while touring Ecuador's capital, Quito, before biking in Cotopaxi National Park. Then transfer to Baños for hiking, kayaking, and canyoning. In Archidona, get your thrills whitewater rafting on the Río Jatunyaku before ending your tour soaking any aches away in the hot springs of Papallacta.

Culture & Nature in Ecuador: Quito, Otavalo, Amazon, Chimborazo, & Cotopaxi - 14 Days

The landscapes of Ecuador's mainland are as varied as the people who live there, and you'll get to experience both nature and culture on this 14-day itinerary. Meet the locals who call these regions home and learn about their history, way of life and relationship to Ecuador's landscapes. From the Otavaleños and Afro-Ecuadorians in the north and the Quichua and Shuar in the rainforest to the Kichwa in the central Andes, you'll dive deep into everyday life and explore Ecuador's nature.

Get a unique view of the Andes in Baños during this 10-day tour

Ecuador Discovery Tour: Andes to the Amazon- 10 Days

Marvel at giant volcanoes, trek through the rainforest, and spot rare birds in cloud forests with this far-reaching 10-day Ecuador adventure. Start by straddling the equator in Quito, then walk the colonial streets of Cuenca, explore pre-Inca ruins at Ingapurca, and hike the slopes of the Chimborazo volcano. Follow the "Route of Waterfalls" in Baños, venture into the Amazon for two nights at a jungle lodge, then wrap up back in the capital with a day trip to the misty forests of Mindo.

Hike the Pasochoa Volcano, a couple of hours south of Quito, Ecuador

Hike, Rock Climb & Sightsee in Ecuador: Quito, Cotopaxi, Baños & Archidona - 11 Days

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.

Hiking through the Amazon rainforest is just one of the many adventures on this 16 day vacation

Active Ecuador Highlands Adventure: From the Amazon to the Beach - 16 Days

Get the most out of Ecuador's varied regions as you enjoy active adventures from the central highlands to the northern Amazon and down the ruggedly beautiful coast. In Quito, learn to cook Ecuadorian cuisine before touring the crater lakes and riding horses around idyllic mountain towns. Then, venture deep into the Amazon for rainforest hikes and river rafting before winding up on sandy beaches near Puerto López, a coastal hub for whale watching, snorkeling, and other aquatic adventures.

Discover Ecuador's incredible natural diversity, from Andean volcanoes to the uninhabited islands of the Galápagos

Jewels of Ecuador: From the Andes to the Galápagos - 13 Days

Experience Ecuador's world-famous biodiversity during this far-reaching 13-day adventure. Start high in the Andes in the capital of Quito, then head down to Cuenca for ancient Inca ruins. Hike along the Chimborazo volcano, swim in waterfalls and hot springs in Baños, make chocolate in the Amazon rainforest, and spot exotic birds in the cloud forests of Mindo. End your trip in the incredible Galápagos archipelago, following in the footsteps of Darwin and other intrepid explorers (and travelers!).

Exploring Ecuador: Andes, Rainforest & Pacific Coast - 12 Days

This 12-day itinerary is a thrilling introduction to Ecuador's magnificent landscapes. Begin with sightseeing and a cooking class in Quito, then continue to the natural wonders of Baños and Cotopaxi National Park. Base yourself in Archidona, exploring waterfalls in the rainforest, before heading to the Pacific coast. Tour Guayaquil, learn to catch a wave in Ayampe, and visit a cocoa plantation to finish the adventure.

Spot rare birds like the plate-billed mountain toucan in Mindo's cloud forest

Ecuador's Wildlife, Volcanoes & Rainforests - 12 Days

Bird and nature lovers can observe wildlife like never before on this 12-day trip through the Ecuadorian Andes and Amazon. Start in Quito to learn about its rich culture, then head for fresher air in the bird-watching heaven of Mindo's cloud forests, where you'll hike and spot the most elusive feathered creatures in the rainforest. Cross the highlands to hike Cuicocha Lagoon and Cotopaxi National Park, then journey into the rainforest as you explore Archidona's canyons, rivers, and waterfalls.

Enjoy an outing snorkeling around Kicker Rock

Highlights of Ecuador & the Galápagos: Quito, Baños, Archidona & San Cristóbal - 9 Days

Explore the Ecuadorian mainland and see the spectacular wildlife of the Galápagos, all in one trip. Begin in Quito, where you'll tour the city, visit a monument marking the equator, and take a cooking class. Go hiking at Quilotoa Lagoon, then transfer to Baños for waterfalls, hot springs, and outdoor sports. Trek through the jungle and learn about Indigenous communities near Archidona, then finish your trip on Isla San Cristóbal, where you'll go snorkeling and get to know the Galápagos' natural wonders.

Cuenca is full of colonial delights, including it's blue-domed Cathedral

Ecuador's Cities, Highlands & Cloud Forests - 16 Days

Waterfalls, beaches, exotic animals, and ancient ruins—these are just a few of the highlights you'll experience on this 16-day journey through Ecuador. Walk the cobbled streets of Quito's UNESCO-listed historic center, taking cooking classes and visiting nearby monuments and colorful textile markets. Then, venture into the wild highlands for cloud-forest expeditions, horseback riding around volcanoes, waterfall hikes, and touring ancient ruins before winding up on the sunny shores of the Pacific coast.

Other popular travel destinations in Ecuador
Quito · Baños · Cotopaxi · Otavalo · Guayaquil · Cuenca · The Amazon · Riobamba · Yasuni National Park · Papallacta · Tena · Mindo · Quilotoa · Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve · Isinliví · Cacha · Lago Agrio

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