Ecuador Big Five 18 Days Tour

This is the arrival day for all of our tour participants and depending of your flight arrival times you can have a day exploring one of the UNESCO heritage sites in world (Quito's Old Town) or simply rest at the Hotel before our Tour Guide meet you at the Lobby at 6:30 pm for our Orientation meeting and briefing before the starting of the tour.

During this meeting you can clarify everything as you might be concerned or curious to know about the tour overall. We can still assist you arranging a full day in Quito or surroundings if you let us know in advance.

Hotel: 3* (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES IF NEEDED)
Meals: N/A

Note: This is a flexible tour that can be booked on the dates that best suit your travel plans, as it does not operate exclusively as a group departure. When traveling on your own, some daily excursions may be private, while on other days you may share activities with other travelers. This blend of private and shared experiences adds variety to the itinerary, making each part of the journey authentic, dynamic, and truly unique.

********************************IMPORTANT**********************************

This program can also be arranged for solo travelers, simply let us know, and we’ll provide the rate for single participation.

If your group has 3, 5, or 7 travelers, we can offer different room arrangements, such as triple rooms, family rooms or double and single combinations, depending on your preference and availability. Please feel free to contact us, and we’ll gladly help you with all the details and pricing.

Early in the morning we will start our city tour at Panecillo viewpoint to admire the Quito´s wonders from above, then we will walk around two hours visiting the highlights of the old city such as; San Francisco Church, Compañia de Jesús Church and Sagrario Church located on “Calle de la Siete Cruces” or Garcia Moreno Street.

Next, we will tour the area around Quito's main square, where the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, and Quito Cathedral are located. Finally, we will visit the first Gothic Church of Ecuador, considered the highest one in the city. This is another beautiful viewpoint to observe “The Avenue of the Volcanoes”.

­
Then we will drive 2 ½ hours to the northern side of the Ecuadorian Andes, where we will tour one of the most visited areas by foreigners and local tourists; the area is known as Imbabura, also called ´The Lakes Province.

Afterwards, we will begin our journey going across the Guayllabamba Valley (Green Valley) where we can enjoy delicious fruits, typical of the area, such as Cherimoya and Lima. We will then continue our trip through an area with several viewpoints – these are the perfect places for people who like photography, finally arrival in Otavalo for overnight.

Hotel: 4* (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES IF NEEDED)
Meals: B

In the morning, we will visit Otavalo Indian Market, which is very famous for its quality handicrafts, and its exportation to all over the world. Then we will take you to visit a wonderful waterfall known as Peguche, it’s a sacred place where the locals renew their energies and you will also do!

­

After that, it is time to stop at Cotacachi Area, which is known for its famous-quality cow and sheep leather articles and also, we can have a stop for lunch by your own, there are several typical dishes and you can have a chance to try guinea pig if you desire.

­Finally, we will drive towards Papallacta hot springs for overnight.

Hotel: 4* (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES IF NEEDED)
Meals: B

After breakfast, it is time to return back to Quito’s airport for a short flight to Coca (Jungle City)

After breakfast, it is time to return back to Quito’s airport for a short flight to Coca (Jungle City). Upon arrival you will be greet by our Amazon Lodge staff, they will also conduct you to the Pier. Take  1 hour motor canoe ride down to Napo River. Check in- and Lunch.

­

Later in the afternoon , we will visit the Socali path, characterized for a variety of different jungle lands. This path is used like as introduction trail to learn about the flora and fauna that you might   find in the forest. Return to the lodge to have  dinner and resting time.

Hotel: 3* (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES IF NEEDED)
Meals: B/L/D

After breakfast,  take a motor boat to go out of the borders of our reserve and visit an indigenous family of the Quichuas del Oriente community. Our guides will talk to you about traditions and costumes of these tribes.

­

In the afternoon, we will enjoy a typical local lunch and we will continue sailing along the Napo River. where we enjoy observing hundreds of species of birds, insects and animals. Return to the lodge, dinner and resting time.

Hotel: 3* (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES IF NEEDED)
Meals: B/L/D

Get up early in the morning, take your rubber boots and jungle cloth we will take a canoe ride to navigate up stream watching birds, butterflies, orchids, amphibians, all this till reach the trail “Dos ramas”. We will have a short trekking to learn about medicinal plants, birds and animals.

­

Return to the lodge, for lunch. In the afternoon  we will take the Tucan trail, this trail will take us to one of the tallest birdwatching tower of the ecuadorian jungle. On the canopy we will stay some minutes watching some species of birds of high altitudes. Return to the lodge, dinner and resting time.

Hotel: 3* (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES IF NEEDED)
Meals: B/L/D

After an early breakfast we’ll go the way we came back to Coca city. In this last excursion upstream the Napo River you may see some new sights of the Amazonia flora and fauna.

­

Upon arrival in Quito Airport, we will drive you through the hotel in Quito City for overnight.

OPTIONAL EXTRA

If you desire to visit the Equator Line Museum and the middle of the world site , we can add it on this day after you arrive in Quito. The price is USD 85 per person (you will pay to our guide directly) , it includes guide , transport and Equator museum ticket.

Hotel: 3* (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES IF NEEDED)
Meals: B

After breakfast we will drive towards Cotopaxi National Park, which consists of 34,000 hectares, and has a large variety of trails, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and, of course, it’s Volcano, which will captivate you with its majesty and beauty.

­
In the area of the lagoon, Limpiopungo, at 3830 meters above sea level, you will find an enormous diversity of flora and fauna – it is also possible to hike around the lagoon´s shore, where native birds of the Andes are plentiful.

­
Then we will drive higher up to Cotopaxi Staging Area, at 4500 m.a.s.l. In the Staging Area, it is often possible to admire a Condor in flight. From this point it is possible to climb to the basecamp. Finally, we will drive to Baños City for overnight.

Hotel: 3* (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES IF NEEDED)
Meals: B

Early in the morning, we will start our tour visiting some Banos City sights like the local market, the main Church, the Melcochas tasting.

­
Then we will continue towards the Famous Waterfalls Avenue (it is the route to the Jungle with more than 30 waterfalls) on this tour we will visit the most beautiful ones as follows: Agoyan (here you can do zipline with an extra cost), Manto de la Novia (here you can go across Pastaza Canyon by cable car, known as Tarabita), Pailon del Diablo (at this point we will walk down to see the largest waterfall and discover its 6 balconies few feet away the water).

­
Then we will transport towards Riobamba City for overnight.

Hotel: 3* (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES IF NEEDED)
Meals: B

Morning 2 hours transportation to Ingapirca Archeological Complex, the most important pre-Columbian archaeological site in Ecuador. (1-hour walk) through the site to get to know more about the Pre-Incas & Incas history.

­
Then Drive to Cuenca City, upon arrival we will visit the famous HAT MUSEUM (Panama hat Factory). Finally, we will get to the hotel for overnight.

OPTIONAL EXTRA

If your travel date falls on Wednesday through Sunday, you’ll have the chance to experience the famous attraction the Train ride from Alausi to Sibambe. It is an impressive engineering feat with dramatic views and zigzag tracks carved into the mountains.

Hotel: 3* (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES IF NEEDED)
Meals: B

In the morning, we will visit Cuenca City (declared a Cultural Heritage Site in 1999 by UNESCO). The most representative sites in Cuenca are: Calderon Park (Central Square), the Modern and Old Cathedrals, the Flower Market, and Larga Street with its colonial houses, all of which are unforgettable.

­
We will also visit the Tomebamba River and the Broken Bridge, since they are famous landmarks. Of course, an attraction impossible to skip is the Ethnographic Museum (Museo de las Culturas Aborigines). The Ethnographic Museum is a must-see because of its unique art collection from across the country.

Hotel: 3* (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES IF NEEDED)
Meals: B

After breakfast, we’ll continue our adventure through the Andes heading to Loja City, the cultural capital of Ecuador and the last city in the southern highlands. As locals say, “If you haven’t seen Loja, you don’t know Ecuador.” We’ll explore its charming streets, visiting highlights like San Francisco Church, Main Square, the City Museum, and the City Gate.

Hotel: 3* (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES IF NEEDED)
Meals: B

On this day, you can choose between several options such as:
­
6 Hours Hike up to Mandango Hill (demanding tour),
3 Hours Hike through the surroundings of Vilcabamba Village,
Short walk to town,
Relax at the Pool and take yoga classes at the hotel and
Biking Tour around.
All these activities are included in program, but you can only choose 1 for the Day.

Hotel: 3* (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES IF NEEDED)
Meals: B

Early in the morning, we will continue our drive towards down to the Coast of Ecuador. A long the way, we will have several stops to admire, this wonderful change in vegetation and altitude.

­
This is a magical drive with many pictures’ opportunities, finally we will continue to Guayaquil (the largest city in Ecuador) for overnight.

Hotel: 3* (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES IF NEEDED)
Meals: B

Early depart to Guayaquil 's International Airport for your local flight to the Galapagos Islands, this flight takes 1 hour.

­
Upon your arrival at Baltra's Airport, clear customers and ready to meet your Naturalist Guide from Galapagos. After the guide will take you to visit a Tortoise Ranch in the highlands of Santa Cruz, where you will see a very big land wild tortoises in natural state. (At the farm you can take some lunch
­Then we will continue towards to Puerto Ayora city for overnight.

­
Tonight Advice: Don't miss eating at the QUIOSKOS street a very fresh lobster and many different types of sea food caught in the morning. Also go at night to the Pier, where you can see babies’ sharks, rays and many other animals very close.

Hotel: 3* (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES IF NEEDED)
Meals: B

After breakfast you return, you will take a public ferry (2 hours) to Isabela Island. Upon arrival you will be meeting our staff who will take you to the hotel and give you instructions fantastic tour well known as Tintoreras Islet.

­
At this tour, you will visit a next-door islet full of babies’ marine iguanas, sea gulls, sea lions, blue footed bobbies, frigate birds and some Galapagos Penguins.

­
Also depending of the sea tide, you will be able to see the Tintoreras or The White Tip Reef Shark, who rest during day time at the Islet canals.

­
Then you will go for a magic snorkel at La Calera area, where you will swim together with marine iguanas, sea turtles, sea lions and a great number of colorful fish. Finally, you will return to hotel for overnight.

Hotel: 3* (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES IF NEEDED)
Meals: B

Today you will have a free morning to enjoy Isabela Beach on your own or maybe walk through the wetlands and see the pink flamingos. Then in the afternoon by 2:00 pm you will take another 2 hours public ferry to Puerto Ayora for overnight.

Hotel: 3* (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES IF NEEDED)
Meals: B

Free morning, 10:00 am check out and transportation to Baltra's Airport to take a flight to Quito late in the afternoon.

Unfortunately, we have to say good bye after we arrive in Quito´s Airport. However, if you desire to add one more night in Quito City or extend your staying in Ecuador, we can always help you out with free advice to make sure you optimize the time and continue exploring this paradise called Ecuador.
END OF THE SERVICES