Ecuador Uncovered: A 19-Day Amazon, Andes & Galapagos Adventure
This 19-day Private Tour of Ecuador offers to everyone to see the whole country, an incredible combination of Culture, Wildlife, Adventure and contact with locals. Quito, the first capital of South America, is an amazing city with a beautiful colonial center with many square blocks, old churches and monasteries, as well as the famous Equator line. After Quito, you will head into the Amazon Rainforest, to Yasuni National Park, considered to be one of the places with the most biodiversity on the planet. Then, you will go back to the Andes and visit the famous indigenous market of Otavalo, the highest active volcano in Ecuador, Cotopaxi, as well as the stunning crater lake of Quilotoa. Additionally, you will also travel along the famous “Ruta de las Cascadas” (Waterfall Road) to Baños, take the train to the famous “Devil’s Switchback” in Riobamba and visit the old city center of Cuenca. The Private Tour ends on one of the two main islands of the Galapagos Archipelago, where giant tortoises in their natural habitat can be seen, as well as sea lions, follow lava tunnels and visit the famous coves for snorkeling and swimming, surrounded by volcanic landscapes that will give you an idea of how the Galapagos was created. As with all of your Ecuador Tours, this 19-day Private Tour has been carefully designed by your Ecuador travel experts in order to show you the different aspects of Ecuador in depth and in a transparent way, a perfect mix of nature and culture with local contact and adventure, from the silence of the Amazon to the fascinating wildlife of the islands of the Galapagos.
What's included
Itinerary
Welcome to Ecuador. Upon arrival in Quito, your driver will meet you at the airport and accompany you to your hotel in the city center. After check-in, the rest of the day is yours to recover from the journey, settle in and begin absorbing the atmosphere of this high-altitude capital. If you feel energized, step out for a gentle first walk nearby or simply enjoy a quiet evening before the adventure begins in full.
Today introduces you to Quito's layered history on a guided exploration of its beautifully preserved old town, recognized for its outstanding heritage and grand colonial architecture. Wander through atmospheric plazas, visit landmark churches and gain a deeper sense of how Spanish, Indigenous and modern Ecuadorian influences meet in the capital. In the afternoon, continue to the famous Mitad del Mundo monument, where you can stand at the Equator and mark the symbolic meeting point of the northern and southern hemispheres. Afterwards, enjoy an Agave Experience, learning about the cultural importance and traditional uses of this remarkable plant before returning to your hotel for a relaxed evening.
This initial adventure starts early in the morning with a flight from the Andes to the town of Coca, gateway to the Amazon in Ecuador. From here a bumpy dirt track is followed for a few kilometers before jumping onto a motorized canoe to follow the rivers into Yasuni National Park. Along the river banks numerous species of animals are spotted and one starts to realize the immense complexity of the Eco system before one’s eyes. After a few hours on the water, the final transfer ends at a lodge deep in the heart of the reserve, where you can unpack and start to hear the sounds of the jungle for the first time.
Spend the day discovering the Amazon at your preferred rhythm. You may choose a guided forest walk with a naturalist guide, setting out along jungle trails to learn about medicinal plants, wildlife behavior and the intricate balance of the rainforest. Bird lovers can focus on the region's remarkable avian life, while culturally curious travelers may visit a local Indigenous community to understand daily life, traditions and the close relationship between people and the forest. However you shape the day, it offers an authentic introduction to one of the planet's richest natural environments.
Begin with a canoe excursion through the Amazon's quiet waterways, watching for monkeys moving through the branches, caimans resting near the banks and birds flashing between the trees. Later, climb a canopy tower for a sweeping view over the treetops, a privileged perspective on the immense green world below. As darkness falls, join a guided night walk and experience the rainforest in a completely different mood. With your guide's trained eye, search for insects, frogs, reptiles and nocturnal creatures that only appear after sunset.
Visit the parrot clay licks on your way out of the Amazon. This is a real highlight as flocks of colorful parrots such as macaws and parakeets visit daily to scrape off the rich mineral-laden clay from the banks. After this final encounter with the natural wonders of Yasuni, transfer back to El Coca to pick up for your flight to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito in the evening you can spend it as you like.
Travel north for a full-day visit to Otavalo, home to Ecuador's most celebrated Indigenous artisan market. Browse stalls filled with textiles, crafts, woven goods and colorful local products while learning how market life reflects the traditions of the surrounding Andean communities. Continue to Peguche, known for its waterfall and traditional Andean music workshops, then visit Cotacachi, a town famed for its leather craftsmanship. The day finishes with the volcanic beauty of Cuicocha Lagoon, where crater-lake views offer a dramatic and peaceful close to your Andean excursion.
Set out toward Cotopaxi National Park, where one of the world's highest active snow-capped volcanoes rises dramatically over the paramo landscape. Spend the day surrounded by wide-open highlands, rugged volcanic scenery and the striking silhouette of Cotopaxi itself. Enjoy scenic drives and invigorating walks, including time around Limpiopungo Lagoon, a beautiful spot for views, photography and appreciating the unique Andean flora and birdlife of the park.
Today, you travel to the stunning volcanic crater lake of Quilotoa. The lake is a brilliant blue-green color and is surrounded by amazing views from the rim. You can hike along the rim for the best views or hike down to the water’s edge for some amazing up close photos. For the more adventurous there are also kayaks to rent to get a different perspective of the lake. You then visit some of the nearby Indigenous communities such as Zumbahua or Tigua to see local crafts and way of life before heading to Baños for the night.
Today is dedicated to Baños, one of Ecuador's most exciting adventure hubs. You may visit the powerful Pailon del Diablo waterfall, take in sweeping views from La Casa del Arbol and its famous Swing at the End of the World or simply enjoy the lush mountain scenery surrounding the town. For travelers seeking more action, Baños offers zip-lining, canyoning and white-water rafting, each one revealing a different side of this dramatic landscape. Those who prefer a gentler pace can soak in the town's natural hot springs and enjoy a relaxed evening.
Leave Baños along the scenic Avenue of Waterfalls, pausing to admire cascades such as Manto de la Novia and Pailon del Diablo as the road winds through lush valleys. The journey continues to Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve, where Ecuador's highest mountain dominates the horizon. Learn about the volcano's importance in Andean culture and observe the unique high-altitude environment, home to hardy plants and wildlife adapted to the paramo. Before reaching Riobamba, stop at historic Balbanera Church, considered the oldest church in Ecuador.
The tour starts in Riobamba and visits a colorful local market, to experience the everyday life of the region. After lunch there is time for a short historical city tour to see among other things the stunning Riobamba Cathedral and the park Maldonado. In the afternoon you continue your journey through the beautiful Andean landscape to Cuenca. On arrival the rest of the day is at leisure.
Spend the morning discovering some of Cuenca's most beloved traditions. Visit a Panama hat workshop to see the craftsmanship behind Ecuador's famous woven hats, then explore the colorful flower market, one of the city's most charming local scenes. Later, continue to Cajas National Park for a gentle walk around La Toreadora Lagoon, keeping watch for birdlife and admiring the cool highland scenery. In the afternoon, descend from the Andes toward Guayaquil, watching the landscape shift from mountain valleys to coastal plains.
Fly from Guayaquil to Baltra and transfer to Santa Cruz Island, where the Galapagos portion of your adventure begins. Your first encounter takes you into the island's highlands to visit El Chato Tortoise Reserve, a wonderful place to observe giant tortoises moving freely in their natural habitat. Continue through fascinating lava tunnels that reveal the volcanic origins of the islands, then head to Puerto Ayora. Spend the evening enjoying the relaxed coastal atmosphere, local restaurants and small shops of this lively Galapagos town.
Today, you will spend a lovely day at Tortuga Bay. This is one of the most beautiful places on the Pacific coast of Santa Cruz and you will start the day by walking to the beach along a nice trail. Then, spend the morning on the beautiful white sand, looking for marine iguanas, etc. Afternoon kayaking and snorkeling in the bay to see it from the sea, with its rich variety of marine life and beautiful, shallow, turquoise waters. Back to Santa Cruz in the evening to rest.
Board a speedboat to Isla Isabela, the largest island in the Galapagos and a favorite for travelers who love open beaches, volcanic scenery and abundant wildlife. On arrival, choose how you would like to begin exploring. You may visit Flamingo Lagoon, discover the island's history at the Wall of Tears or simply enjoy the tranquil beaches around Puerto Villamil. For a more active afternoon, consider the suggested Tintoreras snorkeling tour, where the marine landscapes and wildlife encounters are especially memorable.
Set out for Los Tuneles, one of Isabela's most impressive snorkeling sites. Formed by ancient lava flows, this maze of natural arches and tunnels creates a striking world above and below the water, often visited by rays, turtles, colorful fish and reef sharks. Later, visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center to learn about ongoing conservation efforts, then continue to Concha de Perla for another opportunity to snorkel in clear, sheltered waters. End the day with time to unwind on Isabela's beautiful beaches.
This full day adventure takes you to the Sierra Negra Volcano and its impressive 7km wide volcanic crater for a hike. It is considered to be one of the largest craters in the world. The 20km long trail goes across the slopes of the volcano, through black lava fields as well as over rocks that have been stained by sulfur. Alternatively on this day you can choose to spend the time relaxing on one of the beaches on the island, strolling through the town or just let the relaxed atmosphere of Isabela Island get the better of you. This will give you a chance to relax and get ready for your last night in the Galapagos.
Your journey ends with a return from Isabela to Santa Cruz by speedboat, followed by a transfer to Baltra Airport. From here, fly back to mainland Ecuador and connect with your onward flight home. Leave with memories of rainforest rivers, Andean volcanoes, artisan markets, historic cities and the extraordinary wildlife of the Galapagos, all brought together in one carefully tailored Ecuador adventure.
