The best of mainland Ecuador: wildlife, jungles, volcanoes and the coast.

I’ve always had a keen interest in exploring the Amazon Rainforest. It doesn't get any better than stunning Andean scenery, colonial architecture, fascinating Indian markets and verdant cloud forests. Join me on this journey and follow the Avenue of Volcanoes with great views of snow-capped volcanoes such as Cayambe and Chimborazo, before boarding the world renowned “Devil’s Nose” train to switchback down the western Andean slopes and discover the Amazon jungle and its incredible biodiversity before ending your journey at the Pacific coast to discover the mangroves by boar and visit a cocoa plantation. The journey only just started. Welcome on tour!

Day 1: Welcome to Quito.

As with most tours, day one does not include planned activities and allows you to make use of the free airport transfer to your hotel, settle in and get ready to explore the ancient Indian city Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. Don’t miss out on an evening filled with local Ecuadorian cuisine and a good vibe at the Ukra Cocina restaurant, a unique dining experience not to me missed and always to be remembered.

Day 2: Quito to Bellavista Cloud Forrest.

Start the day with a short walking tour of Quito, the perfect way to meet your local guide and fellow travellers. The tour usually host between 6 and 16 people which is the perfect amount of people to enjoy your experiences with, each bringing their own bit of unique on tour. I must admit, the heart of old Quito, a UNESCO site, is a colonial masterpiece and widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in South America. Leaving Quito behind the journey continue towards the North-Western slopes of the Andes where Bellavista Cloud Forrest is located. The area is a paradise for naturalists with a vast network of hiking trails, the perfect setting to enjoy the private reserve bursting with orchids, bromeliads, toucans, tanagers and hummingbirds

Day 3: Spot the bird!!

Start your day by some appreciation for the diversity of Bellavista where you get to spend time to spot some of its many birds. There are 20 different species of Hummingbird to look for! Following this morning's excursion you’ll be transported towards Northern Ecuador and the beautiful hacienda where you’ll have the privilege to overnight for the next couple of nights.

Day 4: Meet the locals! San Clemente Indigenous Community

Get ready for a heart-warming experience as you travel towards the foothills of the Imbabura Volcano where the indigenous community of San Clemente is located. The community consists of a number of local indigenous families whose main livelihood comes from farming and agriculture. You’ll have a guided tour by one of the families, who will introduce you to a number of native and medicinal plants, explain traditional embroidery techniques, tell you more about their culture and show you the day to day activities that take place within the community. You’ll get to enjoy a traditional lunch prepared using locally grown produce, heart-warming experience and moments to treasure forever. This afternoon the group drive back to our hacienda with the rest of the afternoon free to relax in the beautiful gardens of Pantavi.

Day 5: Cuicocha Crater Lake & Indian Otavalo

Your journey continue to the Cuicocha Crater Lake, a beautiful caldera (volcanic crater) formed over 3000 years ago by a massive volcanic eruption. Put on your walking shoes and take a 3 hours walk along one section of the lake to take in the impressive scenery, before continuing your journey to Otavalo, a small town best known for its bustling Indian Market where you’ll have some time to soak up the bustling atmosphere. Tonight you get to experience one of the best kept secrets when you overnight in a 400-year old colonial hacienda.

Day 6: Papallacta Hot Springs to Amazon Rainforest

It doesn’t get better than this!! A short journey driving over the dramatic Papallacta Pass, the Papallacta Hot Springs are regarded as the nicest of all Ecuador. Don’t forget to pack your bathing suit as you’ll have some time to bathe in both hot and cold pools as the snow-capped Antisana Volcano looms over the horizon.

After your hot spring session the journey continue as you drive around the flanks of the Antisana Volcano before the descent into the Amazon Basin to our rainforest lodge. Tonight you’ll take a night walk to discover your new surroundings where there are fantastic night time sounds to listen out for, a wonderful experience despite the humidity of the rainforest.

Day 7: Magic at its best! Explore the Rainforest & AmaZoonico Animal Rescue Centre

Today you get to discover the incredible biodiversity of the rainforest environment on foot. Your guide, indigenous from this specific area, will share a treasure if knowledge about the rainforest and show you the most interesting plants, some of which are used for medicinal use. Chances are good that you’ll see kingfisher, parrot, oropendula and many other bird species. Squirrel and Capuchin monkeys are regular visitors in this area and the insect life is also fascinating, with beautiful butterflies flashing by and Army ants and Leaf-cutters on patrol. Visit the AmaZoonico Animal Rescue Centre where you’ll see some of the forest's larger inhabitants such as tapir, capybara, peccary and various species of monkey.

Day 8: Banos and Devil’s Cauldron Waterfall

Today you get to explore the wonderfully scenic drive with spectacular views of the upper Amazon Basin and the Andes as you drive west along the “Road of Waterfalls”. The climb back to the highlands is mesmerising as you watch the ecology change and the many waterfalls cascade from the high peaks into the lush valley of the Pastaza River.

You’ll pass through Banos, a picturesque hot spring and pilgrim town adjacent to the 5000m high volcano of Tungurahua where you’ll have some time to explore Banos before you drive to our hacienda in Patate.

Day 9: Chimborazo National Park to Riobamba

Ready, set go! Today you’ll be taken to the region of Chimborazo for a short walk in Chimborazo National Park to explore the natural beauty of this natural gem. No need for concern about your level of fitness, the walk is around one hour and will give you enough time to absorb the beauty of the Chimborazo National Park. There are good possibilities to observe vicuñas, a relative of the llama. This afternoon your journey continues towards Riobamba where you’ll overnight.

Did you know? Due to the equatorial bulge the summit of Chimborazo is the furthest place from the centre of the earth!

Day 10: Devil’s nose train ride to Ingapirca & Cuenca

Today involves a colourful train ride across the Andes through the steep and famous 'Nariz Del Diablo' or 'Devil's Nose’, one of the most difficult railways to have been constructed. If the weather is clear, you should be able to see volcanoes as you chug slowly down a steep series of switchbacks with impressive drops. You also get to visit the incredible Inca architecture at Ingapirca, the largest Inca ruins in Ecuador.

Day 11: Cuenca Half Day City Tour

I’ve always been a big fan of city day tours as I find these tours not just extremely informative but also as an easy way to find your way around the city if you like to explore some more in your free time. Like Quito's old centre, Cuenca is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a charming place to explore. A guided tour this morning takes in the remarkably intact old town, where many artisans have taken up residence amidst the narrow colonial streets and famous landmarks. The afternoon is free to discover the town at your own leisure.

Day 12: Walk in Cajas National Park

We take a short drive this morning to Cajas National Park, otherwise known as the 'Gateway to the Snowy Mountains' in local Quechua. This is a stunning area of lofty peaks, lagoons, lakes and rivers amidst pristine paramo vegetation. During a walk of around 2 hours you may encounter some of the 125 bird species recorded here, such as Yellow-billed pintails, Ecuadorean hillstar or Violet-throated metaltail. With good weather we are rewarded with stunning views of this well preserved national park during our walk. We stay in a hotel close to Cajas National Park for our last night in the Andean Highlands before we descend towards the coast.

Day 13: Mangrove boat trip & visit cacao plantation

Today we descend towards the Pacific and visit the Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve where we take a boat excursion through the incredible mangrove forest. This important eco-system has both Red and Black mangrove species and provides opportunities for seeing a number of aquatic birds and other wildlife along the many small river inlets. In the afternoon we visit a cacao plantation to learn about the production of one of Ecuador's biggest exports. After this we travel to Guayaquil, the main port town in Ecuador, for our final evening together.

Day 14: Depart Guayaquil

The trip comes to an end today after breakfast and it's time to bid Ecuador and the rest of the group goodbye. Free transfers to Guayaquil airport are available to all clients today.

Need more info? Send me an e-mail, chat or WhatsApp +2771 101 8376. I'll gladly assist !!