Ecuador Nature & Wildlife: An 8-Day Adventure through the Andes and Upper Amazon

Welcome to Ecuador and to Quito, a dramatic capital set high in the Andes at 2,850 meters above sea level. Framed by mountain peaks and rich in colonial character, the city offers an inspiring beginning to your tailor-made Ecuador journey. Upon arrival, you will be greeted at the airport and privately transferred to your hotel in the city. Settle in with a welcome drink and take the rest of the day at an easy pace, allowing time to acclimatize, relax after your travels and enjoy your first taste of Ecuadorian hospitality.

Leave the city behind after breakfast for a highlands day touring the famous Cotopaxi volcano, one of the highest active snow capped volcanoes in the world. For a full-day of Downhill Mountain Biking you set off early in the morning from just below the Volcano Refuge. You will descend through switchbacks and scenic trails mostly downhill whilst viewing many different landscapes of volcanic and highland origin. An exceptional way to experience this natural wonder of nature and its surroundings. After the long active day you return to a beautiful Hacienda, that is just outside the National Park, where an enjoyable evening in the highlands of the Andes is waiting.

Today brings one of Ecuador's most striking natural scenes: Quilotoa Lake. Hidden among the Andean peaks, this wide volcanic caldera was formed after a powerful eruption centuries ago and is now filled with vivid turquoise water. From the crater rim, take in sweeping views over the lake and its steep volcanic walls. You may choose to walk down toward the water's edge or follow part of the rim trail for changing perspectives of the landscape. The lake's occasional bubbles are a reminder that this extraordinary site is still shaped by the forces beneath it. Enjoy lunch at Samay Kirutoa and continue through highland scenery and traditional Indigenous villages before following the Avenue of the Volcanoes toward Banos de Agua Santa, your base for the night.

Banos is one of Ecuador's best-loved adventure destinations and today you will experience its natural energy from the water. Your rafting excursion on the Rio Pastaza combines beautiful scenery, warm tropical air and the excitement of navigating rapids at the edge of the Amazon basin. After a safety briefing and equipment check, your expert guide will introduce the paddling commands before you begin your descent. Spend around two hours on the river, surrounded by lush landscapes and the rush of the current. After the rafting adventure, return to Banos and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. You may wander through town, relax at your hotel or simply enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of this lively mountain city.

Today you will cycle along the famous Waterfalls Route to explore the surroundings of Banos from a different perspective. You can visit several waterfalls along the way and cross the canyon with a cable car. Moreover, you can even do a zip-line tour. The last waterfall on this route is Pailon del Diablo, one of the most powerful waterfalls of Ecuador. It crashes through the rocks with a lot of force. After exploring Banos you continue our journey to the Amazon. You will get on a canoe and paddle along the river to our rainforest lodge. In the jungle you get used to the sounds very quickly and after a while you even start to like them. Lastly, you have dinner in your lodge and spend the night in the Amazon.

Wake to the sounds of the rainforest and spend the day immersed in the wildlife, ecology and culture of the Amazon. Bird lovers may begin early with a short canoe ride upstream to a parrot clay lick, where colorful birds gather in the morning light. After breakfast, follow your naturalist guide through primary and secondary rainforest, learning how plants, insects, birds, reptiles and monkeys are connected within this complex ecosystem. Each step reveals another layer of the jungle's remarkable biodiversity. In the afternoon, visit a local Kichwa community for a meaningful cultural exchange. Learn about their relationship with the forest, watch a demonstration of chicha preparation and discover how this fermented yucca drink forms part of both daily life and special celebrations. You may also support the community by purchasing handmade crafts before the visit ends with a traditional dance.

After breakfast, leave your rainforest lodge and begin the journey back toward the Andes. Your next stop is Papallacta, a serene mountain retreat celebrated for its natural volcanic hot springs. Set in a high valley on the Amazonian side of the central Andes, Papallacta offers a soothing contrast to the active days that came before. Its hydrothermal pools are naturally heated by volcanic activity, with temperatures ranging from comfortably warm to deeply restorative. Spend time relaxing in the mineral-rich waters, surrounded by crisp mountain air and tranquil scenery. On clear days, the snow-capped Antisana volcano rises in the distance, creating a beautifully peaceful finale to your Ecuador adventure.

As your journey comes to a close here at this wonderful location, you will relax in the serene peaceful setting of the Andes in Papallacta with a last breakfast before your transfer back to Quito’s International Airport on departure time. On departure from the lodge you will meet your driver who will take you to the airport to start your journey back home. On departure from Ecuador you will have many wonderful memories of the Volcanoes, Waterfalls, Rainforest walks, River adventures, the wonderful and rich indigenous culture and the healing waters of this special location.