Best of Ecuador

Ecuador [1] is so compact that, if you plan it right, you can see a decent chunk of the country in just two weeks. This itinerary takes in the highlights of the mountains as well as a trip to the rainforest.

If you have an extra week, include a visit to the Galápagos Islands [2].

Day 1

Fly to Quito [3] and spend the day touring the churches, plazas, and museums of Old Town, including a trip up to either El Panecillo, La Basílica [4], or Itchimbía for great views. Spend the night in New Town and enjoy the international restaurants and nightlife. If you decide to add a trip to the Galápagos, book it now if you haven’t already.

Day 2

Tour the New Town, including the archaeological treasures of Casa de la Cultura [5] and Guayasamín’s famous artistic work, La Capilla del Hombre [6]. Take an afternoon excursion to the equator at Mitad del Mundo [7].

Day 3

Take a bus to Quilotoa via Latacunga. Spend the afternoon hiking around the spectacular extinct volcanic Lake Quilotoa [8] and enjoy home-cooked food while staying with an indigenous family.

Day 4

Spend the day hiking and cycling around Cotopaxi National Park [9] and enjoy wonderful views of the volcano. Head to Baños and enjoy a thermal bath in the early evening.

Day 5

Cycle the waterfall route [10] along the Pastaza Valley from Baños toward Puyo, stopping at several waterfalls along the way. Alternately, go white-water rafting or hike to the foot of active volcano Tungurahua. Take the bus to Riobamba and spend the night.

Day 6

Take the early morning train to Alausí and travel along the dramatic Devil’s Nose [11] switchbacks. Spend the night in Alausí or head south to stay near Ingapirca.

Day 7

Tour the Inca ruins of Ingapirca [12] in the morning and travel to Cuenca [13], spending the afternoon taking in its colonial center. End your day with the evening session at the hot springs in Baños.

Day 8

Spend the morning hiking around the rugged hills and deep lagoons of Cajas National Park [14]. Return to Cuenca [13] in time to catch a late-afternoon flight to Quito.

Days 9–12

Spend a minimum of four days at an Amazon lodge [15] via a flight to Coca or Lago Agrio. Alternately, take a bus to Tena [16] with an optional stopover at the hot springs at Papallacta [17]. Visit a nearby Kichwa community in secondary rainforest and take in some rafting on the upper Napo. Remember that getting to the rainforest will be at least half a day on both ends, so consider extending your stay by a day and forgoing Day 13’s activities.

Days 13–14

Head back to Quito [3] and go straight to Otavalo [18], ideally in time for the Saturday textile market. Stock up on indigenous clothing and carvings. Extend your stay by a day with hikes to nearby lakes such as Cuicocha [19] and Mojanda [20] before going back to Quito in time for your flight.