ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Explore Cotopaxi National Park, go whitewater rafting and hike around a volcanic lake.

Destination
Starts at

Quito

Destination
Ends at

Quito

Destination
Duration

8 days

Destination
Group Size

Maximum 16

Destination
Physical Rating

moderate Information

Destination
Style

discovery Information

About your trip

Hike through spectacular volcanic landscapes and go white-water rafting in the jungle on this eight-day loop round Ecuador. Starting in colonial Quito, you’ll head south to the Cotopaxi National Park, passing through the Avenue of Volcanoes – home to the most geothermally active peaks in Ecuador. After visiting the emerald-green Quilotoa crater lake, continue to Baños, where you can ride the Swing at the End of the World and marvel at majestic waterfalls. Get a feel for life in the Amazon rainforest before wrapping up your adventure in the mountain village of Papallacta, known for its hot springs. All of our trips are flightless in destination, with 100% of all carbon emissions offset. It's just part of how we see the world while being good to it.

Trip Highlights

  • Marvel at the epic landscapes of Cotopaxi National Park
  • Hike around the ethereal Quilotoa crater lake
  • Traverse the Baños Waterfall Route
  • Go white-water rafting in the Amazon rainforest
  • Whip up a feast at an Ecuadorian cooking masterclass
  • Sample fine chocolate in Quito

Your Itinerary

  1. Day 1 Arrive in Quito

    Upon arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), you’ll be whisked off to your hotel in the Old Town district of Quito (the second-highest capital city in the world, at 2,850m/9,350ft above sea level) and meet our Local Insider at 6pm, who will accompany the group throughout the trip. In the evening, get to know your fellow travelers over a welcome dinner, washed down with a cold Pilsener – Ecuador’s favorite beer. Be sure to get a good night’s rest ahead of an action-packed day exploring the city tomorrow.

    Accommodation

    Hotel Patio Andaluz

    Activities Included
    • Welcome dinner
    • Airport transfer
  2. Day 2 Explore Quito and attend an Ecuadorian cooking masterclass

    Kick-start the trip with an optional morning visit to the Equator – head to the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo and Intiñan Museum, where you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere. Regroup in Quito’s historic center (a Unesco World Heritage site) for a walking tour of the Plaza Grande, Presidential Palace and La Compañía church. After admiring the impressive array of colonial architecture and wandering down lively La Ronda street, you’ll embark on a gastronomic journey at Altamira restaurant. Learn how to prepare a variety of traditional Ecuadorian dishes in a cooking masterclass, capped off with a chocolate-tasting session.

    Accommodation

    Hotel Patio Andaluz

    Activities Included
    • Quito walking tour
    • Ecuadorian cooking masterclass and market visit
    • Chocolate-tasting session
  3. Day 3 Discover the epic landscapes of Cotopaxi National Park

    Today, you’ll journey south towards Cotopaxi National Park, dominated by the 5,897m (19,347ft) high Cotopaxi stratovolcano – the second-highest peak in Ecuador. If the conditions are clear, you’ll spot the snow-capped summit as you hike around the Limpiopungo glacial lagoon. Learn all about the flora, fauna and eruption history of the park at the Interpretation Center. We’ll stop for lunch at the beautifully located Tambopaxi restaurant, set right in the heart of the national park. Gorge on authentic Ecuadorian dishes with a spectacular volcanic view, before continuing on to your mountain hacienda for the night.Note: Our 2024 departures will include a horseback riding experience in Cotopaxi, followed by a picnic.

    Accommodation

    Chilcabamba Lodge

    Activities Included
    • Limpiopungo Lagoon hike
    • Cotopaxi Interpretation Center visit
    • Lunch at Tambopaxi (2025 departures)
    • Horseback riding (2024 departures only)
  4. Day 4 Hike round the majestic Quilotoa Lake

    Prepare yourself for another unforgettable hike as you venture to Quilotoa – a volcano on the westernmost edge of the Ecuadorian Andes, off the usual tourist trail. It’s known for its emerald-green crater lake. We’ll hike around the lake before making our way to the next stop, Baños – widely considered the adventure capital of Ecuador.Note: Our 2024 departures also include a visit to a Tiguan studio owned by Julio Toaquiza – an artist who pioneered a vibrant painting style, depicting life in the high Andes – followed by some shopping time at Salcedo Market.

    Accommodation

    La Floresta Hotel

    Activities Included
    • Quilotoa Lake hike
    • Tigua art studio visit (2024 departures only)
    • Salcedo Market visit (2024 departures only)
  5. Day 5 Explore the magnificent Baños Waterfall Route

    Start your day by visiting the Swing at the End of the World. Attached to a mountaintop treehouse, it offers jaw-dropping views of the Tungurahua volcano and the gaping valley below. Feeling brave? Give it a go. Afterwards, embark on a tour to three waterfalls on the epic road from Baños to Puyo: Agoyán, Manto de la Novia and the 80m (262ft) high Pailon del Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron). The water from these falls will eventually run into the Amazon River. Enjoy lunch with the Yaku Runa indigenous community before moving on to Tena – the gateway to the Amazon rainforest.Note: On our 2024 departures you will be exploring the Banos waterfall route via a guided cycling tour.

    Accommodation

    Kuyana Amazon Lodge

    Activities Included
    • Swing at the End of the World visit
    • Baños Waterfall Route tour (2025 departures)
    • Yaku Runa project visit
    • Baños Waterfall Route cycling tour (2024 departures only)
  6. Day 6 Go white-water rafting on the Jatunyacu River

    Ready for an adrenaline rush? Today, you’ll go white-water rafting through the jungle on the Jatunyacu River – one of the main tributaries of the Amazon River. Meaning 'big water’ in the native Quechua language, the Jatunyacu features a combination of wild rapids and flat, scenic stretches, allowing you to appreciate the rainforest scenery around you. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the lodge. Come nightfall, take a guided forest trek and listen out for birds, monkeys and reptiles.

    Accommodation

    Kuyana Amazon Lodge

    Activities Included
    • White-water rafting
    • Jungle night hike
  7. Day 7 Follow the Natural Oils Trail at Kuyana Amazon Lodge

    After breakfast, you'll go on a guided hike to learn how natural essential oils are extracted from Amazonian plants for medicine and aromatherapy. Cool off with a refreshing dip in the waterfalls before making your way back to the lodge for lunch. It’s then time to leave the jungle behind and head up towards the Andes. You’ll eventually arrive in the village of Papallacta, where you can relax in hot springs or book yourself in for a soothing spa treatment at the hotel. Cap off your trip with a farewell group dinner.

    Accommodation

    Termas de Papallacta

    Activities Included
    • Natural Oils Trail guided hike
    • Waterfall swim
    • Farewell dinner
  8. Day 8 Depart from Papallacta

    The time has come to pack your bags as your Ecuadorian experience comes to an end at 9am. After one final breakfast, you’ll be driven back to Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito. Bid farewell to your fellow travelers and catch your flight home – or extend your stay by joining our Galápagos Islands trip.

    Activities Included
    • Airport transfer

What's included

  • 2 nights premium hotel accommodation
  • 2 nights jungle lodge accommodation
  • 1 night mountain resort accommodation
  • 1 night historic hotel accommodation
  • 1 night spa hotel accommodation
  • Private and local transport
  • 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
  • Local Insider
  • Return private airport transfers
  • Quito walking tour
  • Ecuadorian cooking masterclass (including market visit)
  • Chocolate-tasting session
  • Limpiopungo Lagoon hike
  • Cotopaxi Interpretation Center visit
  • Quilotoa Lake hike
  • Swing at the End of the World visit
  • Baños Waterfall Route tour (2025 departures)
  • Yaku Runa project visit
  • White-water rafting
  • Jungle night hike
  • Natural Oils Trail guided hike
  • Waterfall swim
  • Horse riding in Cotopaxi National Park (2024 departures only)
  • Visit to Tigua art studio (2024 departures only)
  • Salcedo Market visit (2024 departures only)
  • Baños Waterfall Route cycling tour (2024 departures only)

What's not included

  • Visas
  • Travel insurance
  • Flights to and from the destination

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Rating:
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4.5/5
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Independent Service Rating based on 130 verified reviews.
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Morocco Bucket List Trip
Hamid was a dream as tour leader and Nourdine was an amazingly skilled driver. We covered a lot of ground in 11 days but didn’t feel rushed. Person-to-person encounters were wonderful. Food and accommodations were wonderful. Sights, sounds, smells, architecture, history, experiences and ecology were amazing. Sunset and sunrise camel rides in the Sahara were worth the trip. Small group of diverse travelers meshed immediately. Sign me up for another!
Judy - Nov 20, 2024
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Had an amazing time
The guide, Hamid, was amazing. He brought a great energy to the group and was clearly passionate about showing us everything Morocco has to offer. He, combined with our great driver and a good group dynamic overall, really helped make the trip one to remember. He was more than willing to answer our questions, proactively had interesting insights and facts to share, and got in on the jokes and conversation with the rest of us. He wasn't just our guide, he was another member of our group. Overall, the itinerary was great, a lot packed into 12 days, but was the best way to sample as much of the country as possible. Some of the lodgings were better than others (many were beautiful in their appearance and had especially friendly staff but a couple had some plumbing issues). For the pre-trip customer service, I wish there'd been a bit more communication up front, perhaps maybe an FAQ page on Q&A of some sort included in the prep materials. There were a couple times where Hamid shared great insight or answered questions that would've been great info to have from the office team up front. In addition, the billing experience felt like it could use a better system, perhaps an online portal you can login to access. I get a lot of emails and so it would've been nice to have one place to login to access all info I needed without worrying it was getting lost in my inbox. That said, everyone I interacted with was very friendly and helpful. Overall, my experience on the ground was great, everyone I interacted with and spoke to was very friendly, and this wound up being a dream trip come true. Would highly recommend CultureTrip and hope to go another CultureTrip vacation when the travel budget allows.
Anonymous - Nov 19, 2024
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Fun and full packed trip with diverse activities
Great trip. Things I would do differently. Give us water bottles bottle so we could refill with a large jug you had. Laundry day told a head a time would have been nice. Start trip in Chang Mai. Two days at each hotel. We had great hotels. Spend less on dinner instead give up treats like fruit at the markets or other food. Not clear how long stops were for bathrooms some people make it a shopping stop. I would go with you again.
Anonymous - Nov 11, 2024

Accommodation

Chilcabamba Lodge

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At 3,480m (11,417ft) above sea level, this rustic mountain lodge offers homey accommodation with breathtaking views of Cotopaxi volcano. Grab a drink by the fire pit and gaze at the star-studded sky in this wonderfully tranquil setting.

La Floresta Hotel

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This cozy hotel, close to downtown Baños, features tastefully decorated rooms with traditional Ecuadorian furnishings and a peaceful private garden – primed for relaxing after a busy day exploring. Make the most of the plentiful breakfast buffet.

Kuyana Amazon Lodge

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Tune into the Amazon at this serene hideaway surrounded by dense tropical rainforest. Stylish, luxurious rooms are accompanied by an outdoor pool and restaurant serving sumptuous Ecuadorian dishes made with organic, locally sourced ingredients.

Termas de Papallacta

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Soak in hot springs and treat yourself to a relaxing massage at this spa resort in the Andes mountains – a truly memorable final stop on your Ecuadorian journey. If you’re feeling bold, why not give the chocolate or clay body treatments a go?

Covid Safety

Your safety and wellbeing are our top priority, so we’ve put the following measures in place on all our TRIPS:

  • Our average group size is 10 people (max 18), which gives you all the security of being in a group whilst avoiding a crowd.
  • Where possible, we use small/ boutique accommodation – this means fewer guests and reduced exposure to other travellers.
  • We require all accommodation providers to share protocols around the extra health and hygiene measures they are taking.
  • Included activities are exclusive to our group wherever possible, to minimise contact with others.
  • Covid-19 negative test results or vaccine certificates may be required. Please check the entry requirements for the destination you are travelling to. Our travel experts can assist you in finding this information.
  • We recommend you confirm all guidance on official government sites and check that you are able to travel with your travel insurance issuer. Your travel insurance may be invalidated if you travel against government advice. Our travel experts can assist you in finding this information.

Important Info

  • There are some difference between the 2024 and 2025 versions of this itinerary. All of this should be reflected on this page, but if you have any enquiries please don't hesitate to ask.
  • You must be aged 25 years or over to join this trip.
  • Please be sure to check whether or not you need a visa to enter the country you're travelling to. Please refer to our Booking Terms & Conditions for further information.
  • If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or accessibility requirements, please notify our Customer Support team as soon as possible.
  • We won't charge you extra if you travel alone – you'll be allocated a twin room with another traveller of the same gender.
  • To upgrade to a private room, share a room with a friend, or book pre- and post-trip accommodation and/or airport transfers, please contact our Customer Support team.
  • Please be aware that travel insurance is compulsory for all travellers.
  • Please be aware that the itinerary, activities and hotels are subject to change. While unlikely, these changes can happen due to circumstances beyond our control. We will always do our best to ensure minimal impact on your experience.
  • Please be aware images on this page are for illustrative purposes and may not reflect your itinerary exactly.
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