Ecuador Encompassed

If you don’t want to leave Ecuador without seeing as much as you can but with some time to chill, we don’t blame you ­— where better to get centred than the lateral centre of Earth? With nearly three weeks to explore, you’ll have plenty of time to do it all. Learn about traditional Quichua culture in the Amazon, wander the streets of cities like Quito and Cuenca, then enjoy the chill vibes in the surf town of Montañita.

Day 1 Quito
Arrive at any time.

Day 2 Quito/Baños
Travel to Baños and be spoiled for choice with optional outdoor activities like hiking, ziplining, and canyoning. Or, take it easy and relax in local hot springs.

Day 3 Baños
Enjoy another free day to take full advantage of all the activities in this adventurous town.

Day 4 Baños/Tena
Travel by bus into the Amazon Jungle. Spend two nights in rustic jungle huts in a local Quichua community. Enjoy nature walks and learn about local culture.

Day 5 Tena
Enjoy a full day in the Amazon learning about local life in the jungle. Spend the night in rustic jungle huts in a Quichua community.

Day 6 Tena/Papallacta
Cycle to the nearby community of Shandia and discover the beauty of the Amazon with a member of the community as your guide. Later, take a local bus to Papallacta and relax in the natural mineral hot pools with volcanic views.

Day 7 Papallacta/Quito
Enjoy a relaxing morning at the hot springs before travelling back to Quito for free time to explore.

Day 8 Quito/Otavalo
Explore the largest handicraft market in South America, Otavalo market. Villagers from the surrounding countryside come every week to sell handmade goods as well as livestock, fruits, and vegetables.

Day 9 Otavalo/Cotopaxi
Travel by bus to Cotopaxi National Park. In the afternoon, opt to explore the area or mountain bike with views of Cotopaxi Volcano. Spend the night in a mountain lodge near the national park.

Day 10 Cotopaxi/Alausí
In the morning, visit Cotopaxi National Park before continuing on to Alausi.

Day 11 Alausí/Cuenca
Board the train for an included excursion bound for the Devil's Nose. After, head to Cuenca and marvel at its colonial architecture.

Day 12 Cuenca
Enjoy a free day to explore. Opt for a city tour or go hiking in Cajas National Park.

Day 13 Cuenca/Montañita
Head to the coastal laid-back surf town of Montañita. En route, stop at a traditional cacao hacienda.

Day 14 Montañita/Puerto López
Head to the beach town of Puerto Lopez and the beautiful Machalilla National Park that surrounds it. There are tons of activities in the area to take part in over the next few days.

Day 15 Puerto López
Enjoy free time to explore. Optional activities include hiking in Machalilla National Park, relaxing on white-sand beaches, or whale- watching (when in season). Or, opt for the popular day-trip to Isla del Plata, home to a variety of seabirds including blue-footed boobies and fantastic snorkelling that rivals the Galápagos.

Day 16 Puerto López/Quito
Fly Back to Quito and enjoy free time. Opt to take a city tour, ride the cable car up the nearby volcano, or relax in one of the city's many cafés and restaurants.

Day 17 Quito
Depart at any time.