Ecuador in Full Color: A 14-Day Culture & Nature Journey
Ecuador is one of the most diverse countries in the world, boasting a unique blend of Inca and Spanish heritage. This Private Ecuador Journey is a 14 day, in-depth experience of the country through culture, wildlife and encounters with the local people. Starting in Quito, the vibrant capital, the journey takes you down through the highlands and into the Amazon rainforest near Archidona. There, you can explore the rainforest on nocturnal walks, float down rivers in search of exotic birds such as parrots and even visit local Kichwa communities. From the Amazon, you return to the highlands to explore a stunning series of waterfalls, an active volcano, an emerald crater, a protected wildlife reserve and Ecuador’s most elegant cultural city, Cuenca. With ample time to immerse yourself in each location and follow your own interests, you will experience Ecuador in all its depth and diversity. Our journey is transparent, immersive and connected to all the places we visit along the way.
What's included
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport you will be met by a representative of ours and transferred to your hotel in Quito’s city center. The capital of Ecuador is an ideal starting point for your journey. Quito is situated in the Andes and it offers the unique scenery of the surrounding countryside, as well as impressive colonial architecture and a vibrant local culture. On your day of arrival you will have the rest of the day to arrive at your hotel, relax and get used to your surroundings. Take a leisurely stroll around Quito’s historic old town and enjoy the many Spanish-colonial buildings. The old town is only a short walk from the hotel.
Today is dedicated to discovering Quito's rich heritage, beginning in its UNESCO-listed old town. Wander through atmospheric squares, visit the Plaza de la Independencia, the Iglesia de San Francisco and step inside the impressive Basilica del Voto Nacional, one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Later, travel north of the city to the Middle of the World, where Ecuador's equatorial identity takes center stage. At Mitad del Mundo and the Intinan Equator Museum, learn about the science, symbolism and stories connected to the equator line. Return to Quito for an afternoon and evening at leisure, with time to enjoy the city at your own pace.
Leave Quito behind and journey into the northern highlands, where volcanoes, farming towns and artisan traditions shape the landscape. Along the way, stop in Cayambe, known for its namesake volcano and its beloved bizcocho pastries, a simple but delicious local specialty. Continue to Otavalo, home to one of South America's most celebrated indigenous markets. Here, vibrant textiles, handwoven goods, jewelry and traditional crafts offer a colorful window into local artistry. Your day also includes nearby Cotacachi, famous for leatherwork and the beautiful Cuicocha Lagoon, a volcanic caldera set beneath the slopes of Cotacachi Volcano.
Today, you head to the high Andes to the small village of Papallacta in the Ecuadorian mountains, famous for its medicinal hot springs. Papallacta is at a relatively low altitude for Ecuador but still a high altitude in the rest of the world. With its fresh air, stunning scenery and peaceful ambiance, Papallacta is the perfect place to spend a day relaxing. The hot springs are heated by the active volcanoes of the Antisana area and are a mineral rich cure all. You will be spending the night in Papallacta at a wellness retreat, surrounded by nature and comfort. Why not treat yourself with a spa treatment?
Wake to the peaceful atmosphere of Papallacta before trading the highlands for the lush gateway of the Amazon. Travel toward Tena, where the scenery becomes greener, warmer and increasingly tropical. Then continue by boat along the Arajuno River for a more intense arrival into the rainforest region. Your lodge welcomes you with an introduction to the area and time to settle in after lunch. As night falls, head out on a guided nocturnal walk, when the forest changes character and the sounds of the jungle become part of the experience. Look for insects, frogs and other wildlife that emerge after dark, guided by local knowledge and the rhythm of the rainforest.
Rise early for a special wildlife experience at a parrot clay lick, where colorful birds gather in the forest to feed on mineral-rich clay. It is a remarkable sight for nature lovers and a beautiful way to begin the day in the Amazon. Continue with a guided walk through areas of primary and secondary rainforest, learning about medicinal plants, tropical ecosystems and the wildlife that thrives in this extraordinary environment. In the afternoon, visit a Kichwa community for a thoughtful cultural exchange. Learn about daily traditions, help prepare and taste chicha, enjoy local music and dance, and browse handmade crafts that directly support the community. Return to your lodge for a peaceful evening in the rainforest.
After breakfast, you leave the Amazon area and make our way to Banos, the capital of adventure in Ecuador. This journey will take around 3-4 hours and will feature a wide variety of landscapes and lots of diversity in a short space of time. You will visit the dramatic Pailon del Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron), a huge waterfall that flows through a deep and dramatic gorge surrounded by a lot of tropical vegetation. You will cross a deep gorge on a cable car and get up close to the Manto de la Novia (Bride’s Mantle) waterfall. Once in Banos you can relax in the hot springs or take a stroll around the town. If you feel like, there is always the option of zip-lining or canyoning.
Enjoy a flexible day in Banos, a town loved for its waterfalls, mountain views, thermal waters and lively outdoor energy. This is the perfect moment to choose the pace that suits you best, whether that means a full day of adventure or a gentler exploration of the town and surrounding landscapes. Follow waterfall routes, browse local shops, visit scenic viewpoints or simply enjoy the easy-going atmosphere of this highland escape.
Depart Banos and continue toward Cotopaxi
National Park, one of Ecuador's most iconic natural landscapes. Dominated by the near-perfect cone of Cotopaxi Volcano, the park is a place of wide-open plains, high-altitude flora and sweeping views that feel unmistakably Andean. Spend time walking through the park with opportunities to learn about Cotopaxi's geology, ecosystems and cultural importance. On clear days, the snow-capped volcano provides an unforgettable backdrop. Later, settle into your lodge near the park for a calm evening surrounded by mountain scenery.
Drive from the lodge to Quilotoa Crater Lake, a stunning vivid green-blue body of water in a volcanic crater. Explore down into the crater and see it from the inside, then make your way back up for a very steep climb. Mules are available locally to help with the ascent if needed. After visiting Quilotoa, continue through a chain of highland communities and local markets in Saquisili or Pujili depending on the day of your visit. Enjoy the dramatic scenery of Zumbahua Canyon and take a photo stop. Also visit an indigenous local family in their home and see how the Andean culture is thriving in Ecuador. Return to your lodge for the night.
Today, travel south through the legendary Avenue of Volcanoes, a scenic corridor framed by some of Ecuador's most impressive peaks. The route leads toward Riobamba, with a stop at the Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve, home to Ecuador's highest volcano. Explore the reserve's high-altitude landscapes and learn about its unique flora and fauna. Keep watch for native species such as vicunas and other camelids, as well as a variety of Andean birds. Continue to Riobamba, a relaxed city with local character, traditional flavors, and a pleasant atmosphere for an overnight stay.
Leave Riobamba and continue deeper into the southern Andes, pausing at Ingapirca, Ecuador's most important Inca archaeological site. This fascinating complex reveals layers of pre-Columbian history and offers a compelling introduction to the Inca presence in Ecuador. After exploring the ruins and learning about their ceremonial and cultural significance, continue toward Cuenca, one of the country's most graceful cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrive with time to settle in, perhaps taking an evening walk through cobblestone streets, colonial squares, and softly lit historic architecture.
This day in Cuenca can be spent discovering all the refined qualities of the city and its historic center, its blue domes of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, symbol of the city. The Panama hat workshop or factory of local artisans that traditionally hand weave the iconic hats is definitely worth a visit. The vibrant markets, colorful plazas, art galleries and cultural institutions of the city are also an expression of creativity of Cuenca and its people. If you are interested in modern art, you can visit the Museum of Modern Art or the Museum of Aboriginal Cultures, while those interested in archaeology and heritage of Ecuador and also the modern days of Ecuadorians can visit the Pumapungo Museum.
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye to Cuenca and begin your journey home. Transfer to Mariscal Lamar International Airport for your domestic flight back to Quito, where you will connect with your international departure. Depending on flight schedules, there may be time for a final souvenir stop, a last coffee or a short walk before your onward travel. You leave Ecuador with memories of colonial cities, rainforest sounds, volcanic horizons, artisan traditions and the warmth of local encounters carefully included into one tailor-made journey.
