Compare Andes to Amazon by Exodus Travels vs Backbone of Ecuador - Andean Adventure by Adventure Unbound

Day 1 Start Quito

Welcome to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. There’s a free transfer from the airport to the hotel for all customers today, please read the joining instructions for more details. Accommodation: Hotel Vieja Cuba (or similar)

Day 2 Quito city tour; Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve

A short walking tour of Quito this morning is the perfect opportunity to meet your guide and get to know your fellow travellers. The heart of old Quito is a colonial masterpiece and the capital is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in South America, as well as being a Unesco-listed site. Leaving Quito, we head to the Bellavista Cloud Forest on the northwestern slopes of the Andes. En route, we stop at the Intiñan Equator Museum, an interactive outdoors museum that sits directly on the middle of the earth. Here, a guide takes us around the exhibits and we can do fun science experiments only possible at the equator, while also collecting a stamp in our passports to say we have been on the equatorial line. After, we continue to Bellavista. Situated at the top of the Tandayapa Valley, it is a private reserve bursting with orchids, bromeliads, toucans, tanagers and hummingbirds. The area is a paradise for naturalists with a vast network of hiking trails. Accommodation: Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve & Lodge (or similar)

Day 3 Spot birds in Bellavista; to hacienda

We have an early start this morning to appreciate the diversity of Bellavista and spot some of the many resident bird species – there are 20 hummingbird species here alone! Following this morning's excursion, we drive towards northern Ecuador and the beautiful hacienda that will be our home for the next few nights. Accommodation: Hosteria Pantavi (or similar)

Day 4 Visit San Clemente indigenous community

After breakfast, we travel towards the foothills of the Imbabura Volcano where the indigenous community of San Clemente resides at 9,515ft (2,900m). The community consists of several families whose main livelihood is farming and agriculture. We have a guided tour by one of the families, who introduces us to native and medicinal plants, explains traditional embroidery techniques, tells us about their culture and shows us the day-to-day activities that take place here. A traditional lunch will be prepared using locally grown produce. This afternoon, we drive back to our hacienda with the rest of the day free to relax in the beautiful gardens. Accommodation: Hosteria Pantavi (or similar)

Day 5 Walk at Cuicocha Crater Lake; visit Otavalo

We start with a drive to Cuicocha Crater Lake at approximately 10,665ft (3,250m). This beautiful caldera (volcanic crater) is about 2mi (3km) wide and was formed more than 3,000 years ago by a massive volcanic eruption. We start with a scenic walk (up to three hours) along one section of the lake to take in the impressive scenery. We then continue to Otavalo, which is situated in a valley at 7,380ft (2,250m) with a bustling indigenous market. There are many stalls and the local people wear colourful traditional clothing, a fantastic introduction to Andean life and a good place to pick up souvenirs. We have time to soak up the atmosphere before continuing to our overnight stay, a 400-year-old colonial hacienda. Accommodation: Hacienda San José de Puembo (or similar)

Day 6 Visit Papallacta Hot Springs; to Amazon Rainforest

A short drive over the dramatic (and breathless at 13,350ft/4,069m) Papallacta Pass. East of Quito, the Papallacta Hot Springs are regarded as the nicest in Ecuador. We have time to bathe in both hot and cold pools as the snow-capped Antisana Volcano looms over the horizon. We continue our journey, driving around the volcano flanks before a descent into the Amazon Basin to our rainforest lodge. After a short briefing, we take a night walk to discover our new surroundings; there are fantastic night-time sounds to listen out for, a wonderful experience amid the rainforest humidity. Accommodation: Liana Lodge (or similar)

Day 7 Rainforest exploration; AmaZoonico Animal Rescue Centre

Today we discover the Amazon Basin on foot, the incredible biodiversity explained by our indigenous guide. There is a good chance of seeing kingfishers, parrots, oropendolas and other bird species. We have a good chance of seeing squirrel and capuchin monkeys, although other larger mammals are considerably more shy and harder to spot. The insect life is also fascinating, with beautiful butterflies flashing by and army and leafcutter ants on patrol. We also visit the AmaZoonico Animal Rescue Centre where we can see some of the larger forest inhabitants, such as tapirs, capibaras, peccaries and various monkey species. Accommodation: Liana Lodge (or similar)

Day 8 To Baños; visit Devil's Cauldron waterfall

We begin the wonderfully scenic drive west along the Road of the Waterfalls with spectacular views of the upper Amazon Basin and the Andes. The climb back to the highlands is mesmerising as we watch the ecology change and many waterfalls cascade from the high peaks into the lush valley of the Pastaza River. There are good photo opportunities along the way, including a visit to the Pailon del Diablo (Devil's Cauldron) waterfall. We continue to Baños, a picturesque hot spring and pilgrim town adjacent to the 16,400ft (5,000m) tall Tungurahua volcano. In the late afternoon, we have a walking tour of Baños with an optional visit to the thermal baths. Accommodation: La Floresta Hotel (or similar)

Day 9 Walk in Chimborazo National Park

We drive to the Chimborazo region for a short walk (around two hours) in Chimborazo National Park, climbing from 15,090ft to 16,400ft (4,600m to 5,000m). Given the altitude, we take the climb slowly with plenty of stops to enjoy the view. Due to the equatorial bulge, the Chimborazo summit is the furthest place from the centre of the earth. In the national park, there are good possibilities to observe vicuñas, a relative of the llama. This afternoon, we continue south to Riobamba. Accommodation: Hacienda Abraspungo (or similar)

Day 10 To Ingapirca and Cuenca

We have an early start today as we head to Cuenca, stopping to visit the Balbanera Church before continuing to Ingapirca, the largest Inca ruins in Ecuador. The Inca empire stretched along the Andes north through Ecuador into Colombia and south through Peru and deep into Chile. Ingapirca has fine examples of their famed brickwork plus a solar observatory. We descend from the highlands to colonial Cuenca where we stay for the next two nights. Accommodation: Hotel Carvallo (or similar)

Day 11 Half-day city tour of Cuenca

Like the old centre in Quito, Cuenca is a Unesco World Heritage site and a charming place to explore. A guided tour this morning takes into the remarkably intact old town, where many artisans have taken up residence amid the narrow colonial streets and famous landmarks. The afternoon is free to discover the town at your own leisure. Accommodation: Hotel Carvallo (or similar)

Day 12 Walk in Cajas National Park; to Las Chorreras

A short drive this morning brings us to Cajas National Park, known as the Gateway to the Snowy Mountains in Quichua. This is a stunning area of lofty peaks, lagoons, lakes and rivers amid pristine paramo vegetation. During a walk of around two hours, we may encounter some of the 125 bird species recorded here, such as yellow-billed pintails, Ecuadorian hillstars or violet-throated metaltails. We stay in a hotel close to Cajas National Park for our last night in the Andean Highlands before we descend towards the coast. Accommodation: Hosteria Dos Chorreras (or similar)

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 through mangrove forest. This important ecosystem has both red and black mangrove species and provides opportunities for seeing several 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. We then travel to Guayaquil, the main port town in Ecuador, for our final evening together. Accommodation: Grand Hotel Guayaquil (or similar)

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 and begin our return journey home.

Day 1: Welcome to Ecuador

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Hacienda Rumiloma

Custom Trip Note: Below is our most popular Andean itinerary in Ecuador, however, we can customize this trip at every turn to fit your availability, trip preference, activities, budget, lodging preferences or any other reason. Please call us at 800-451-6034 to customize a trip.

Arrival in Quito, meet & greet at the airport and transfer to your hotel for overnight.

Day 2: Quito and Mitad del Mundo

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hacienda Rumiloma

A tasty breakfast will be followed by exploration of the busy squares and streets of the biggest historical urban centres in the entire Americas.  You will access its key churches including the attractive Cathedral, grandiose ¨La Compañía¨ and archetypal San Fransisco. These are custodians of an amazing heritage of many cultures and ethnicities. Their interiors (pulpits and altars) are largely covered with gold and contain immeasurable collections of sacred art.

The end of your colonial history visit culminates on Panecillo hillside which has incredible views of modern as well as ancient areas of this metropolis which is bound by the undulating Andean hills and eclipsed by the impressive Pichincha Volcano.

Lunch will be served at a superb restaurant within the city after which you will tour the imposing monument which is positioned at 0º 0´ 0´´ latitude thus providing a precious and unique chance to overlap the southern and northern hemispheres. Eventually, the cheerful “Intiñan” museum will host you and give you the opportunity to carry out some stimulating experiments which can only happen on the authentic equatorial line.

Day 3: Otavalo Market

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hacienda Rumiloma

The hotel will provide breakfast after which you will visit Otavalo Indigenous market. It is renowned for many textiles of various colors. Take your time and look for crafts, arts and souvenirs of different kinds. Later you will tour a dead volcano called San Pablo Lagoon or the Cuicocha Lake which towers over Cotacachi, a town famed for beautiful leatherwork. Your journey back to Quito takes place at night.

Day 4: Quito to Cotapaxi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation : Hacienda San Agustin de Callo

This morning will witness you travelling south to Cotopaxi National Park which is found along the Pan-American Highway via the renowned avenue of volcanoes. You will arrive at the gate of the park, drive to Limpiopungo lagoon before proceeding on foot to the shelter of the volcano, where you will get the most stunning view of the gorge. The Inca Hacienda is your next step. You will drive to this facility in the afternoon for both dinner and accommodation for the night.

Day 5: Cotapaxi to Baños

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Luna Runtun

Baños town awaits you after breakfast. This urban centre is renowned for the “Waterfalls Route”, that also includes “Pailón del Diablo” and the chance to trek to the great waterfall and partake of the “tarabita” or cable way. A country bus (¨chiva¨) will be your mode of transport to the city’s view point.

Day 6: Baños, Chimborazo, Riobamba

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hacienda Abraspungo

On this morning you will tour Baños town to view handicrafts before driving to Riobamba city. Along the way, you have the chance to see a Salasaca community and understand the process they followed in making their famed tapestries.

During the morning, visit Baños town to see handicrafts and then drive to Riobamba city. En route you will have the opportunity to visit a Salasaca community to see how they made the famous tapestries. You will spend the night in the Riobamba area.

Day 7: Devil's Nose Luxury Train

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Mansion Alcazar

Today breakfast will be followed by the journey to the train station at “Alausi”. Here you will begin the journey called ‘Devils’ Nose’ via the mountains. You will find no steeper railroad on the globe than this one which was finalized in 1902. It is a genuine technical work of art! The train will meander down the track and ‘Nariz del Diablo’ stretch or the Devil’s Nose at a hundred meters elevation at a walking speed. You will then take private transport from Alausi to the gorgeous Cuenca city. You will stop over at Ingapirca, which in Quechua means “wall rocks of the Inca”. This is the most significant and best conserved Inca ruins within Ecuador. You have the opportunity to roam around the impressive site and tour the local museum.

Day 8: Cuenca City Tour

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Mansion Alcazar

This morning will find you exploring the imperial city which has craft and art shops, churches and a stunning flower market. You will find all these features in old impressive houses within a neighborhood which in 1999 was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Cuenca is regarded as the capital city of Ecuador’s craft and art industry. Moreover, you can purchase embroidery, baskets, ceramics and leather goods in the city or its rural outskirts.

Gualaceo and Chordeleg towns are you destination in the afternoon giving you the chance to see the biggest Ecuadorian Orchid farm. Create time to purchase traditional handiworks before going back to the hotel for the night.

Day 9: Cajas National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hilton Colon Guayaquil

After breakfast, take a private guided transfer to Guayaquil visiting “El Cajas” National Park, renowned for its lakes, flora and fauna.

Day 10: Departure

Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast included in the hotel, private transfer to the airport of Guayaquil for your return flight or your extension to the Galapagos Islands or somewhere else in Latin America.