Classic Ecuador

Suggested Itinerary

Overview

Boasting an incredible richness and diversity that belies its small size, Ecuador is South America in microcosm. Filled with colonial grandeur, stunning ancient ruins and spectacular landscapes, it provides the perfect setting for an outdoor adventure.

Beginning amongst the ornate splendour of Quito, you’ll have a chance to explore its colonial heart before travelling by mountain horses into the volcanic landscapes of the Bellavista Cloud Forest. You will have an opportunity to ...

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the capital, Quito
  • Ride and bike across volcanoes
  • Zip-line through the cloud forest
  • Trek to the top of an Andean glacier
  • Go white-water rafting in the jungle rapids
  • Horse ride around a volcano crater

Suggested Itinerary

This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.

EXPAND ALL ITINERARY DAYS
COLLAPSE ALL ITINERARY DAYS

DAY 1: ARRIVE QUITO

DAY 1: ARRIVE QUITO

Upon arriving in Quito, you will be welcomed at the airport and escorted to your hotel. Evening at leisure to acclimatise.

Patio Andaluz Hotel

DAY 2: QUITO

DAY 2: QUITO

Today you will explore the city’s beautifully ornate and well-preserved old town. The tour starts with a visit to the impressive gothic-style basilica church before walking through the main colonial plazas, filled with palaces, cathedrals and monasteries. Learn about the place of these buildings in Ecuadorian history then top off the day with a trip up a cable car for spectacular city views.

Patio Andaluz Hotel
Breakfast

DAY 3: QUITO – BELLAVISTA CLOUD FOREST

DAY 3: QUITO – BELLAVISTA CLOUD FOREST

Travel north to a ranch where mountain horses take you through the breathtaking landscape of an inhabited volcanic crater, one of the largest in the Americas. While circling the central lava cone, spot geological formations caused by mineral avalanches, then stop for lunch with vistas over the valleys and cloud shrouded peaks. At the end of the ride, you will arrive at your forest lodge.

Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: BELLAVISTA CLOUD FOREST

DAY 4: BELLAVISTA CLOUD FOREST

A full day in the cloud forest to enjoy a guided trek, learning about the region’s unique ecology, or for the more adventurous, to explore the network of forest trails yourselves. The trails span a large area around the lodge and there is plenty of opportunity for bird watching and discovering the forest’s medicinal plants. Or just relax at the numerous hideaways around the lodge to watch the hummingbirds in an idyllic setting.

Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5: BELLAVISTA CLOUD FOREST – COTOPAXI

DAY 5: BELLAVISTA CLOUD FOREST – COTOPAXI

This morning travel to Mindo, which is a tiny town set amidst some of the most beautiful and peaceful countryside in the entire country. First up is the chocolate tour which includes a demonstration of the chocolate-making process with natural ingredients before, of course, tasting them too! Then fly along a network of canopy runs between towers high in the forest, a completely different way of taking in the beautiful surroundings. Heading south in the afternoon you will make a brief stop at the Inti Ñan Equator Museum, where you can perform scientific tests which only hold true at the equator. Finally arrive late afternoon to your hacienda, close to the Cotopaxi National Parks northern entrance.

Hacienda El Porvenir
Breakfast

DAY 6: COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK

DAY 6: COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK

Today’s biking tour starts high on the slopes of the magnificent Cotopaxi Volcano, from where you can enjoy the stunning views of eight different volcanoes on a clear day. Then bike downhill on dirt roads through volcanic ash to Inca ruins where a packed lunch is waiting. The afternoon biking continues along a single track to Lake Limpiopungo, through pine forest where you finish your ride and transfer back to the hacienda for a well-deserved rest. 

Hacienda El Porvenir
Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7: COTOPAXI - BAÑOS

DAY 7: COTOPAXI - BAÑOS

The drive up to Quilotoa is one of the most spectacular in the Ecuadorian Andes, passing through various indigenous villages before arriving at the rim of the spectacular Quilotoa crater and the green, mirror-like lake below. Here you can take time to walk into the crater before continuing onto the spa town of Baños.

Posada del Arte
Breakfast

DAY 8: BAÑOS

DAY 8: BAÑOS

Embark on a unique trekking experience up the monstrous Chimborazo Volcano to participate in the 'Iceman' tradition; these are the locals who cut blocks of ice from the glacier of Chimborazo and bring them down on donkeys to the Riobamba market. Lunch is taken at a small refuge before continuing on to the summit of the glacier. Descend and drive back for a late return to Baños.

Posada del Arte
Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 9: BAÑOS

DAY 9: BAÑOS

A free day to catch your breath and explore the small town of Baños at your own pace. The town is extremely popular with locals and tourists alike for its hot springs and adventure activities. You could also visit the nearby valley of the waterfalls or join a night-time volcano tour for the chance to see lava explosions from the active Tungurahua Volcano.

Posada del Arte
Breakfast

DAY 10: BAÑOS - AMAZON BASIN

DAY 10: BAÑOS - AMAZON BASIN

Today starts with a picturesque descent from the Andes to the rainforest; you will notice how quickly the scenery changes into lush green vegetation along the way. Arrive at your lodge in time to enjoy lunch and settle in. In the afternoon, horse-ride along rivers and through the dense forest. 

Hakuna Matata Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11: AMAZON BASIN

DAY 11: AMAZON BASIN

Trek into the rainforest with a native guide who will provide explanations about the flora and fauna that you encounter as well as give some interesting insight into living in the biodiverse Amazon. Much of the beauty of the forest is in the micro details which would often be missed without an expert. Return to the lodge for time to swim in the pool or river before dinner. 

Hakuna Matata Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12: AMAZON BASIN

DAY 12: AMAZON BASIN

An adrenaline packed day rafting on the Jatunyacu river; you will drift down both exhilarating white-water rapids as well as calmer stretches where you can appreciate the passing scenery.

Hakuna Matata Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13: AMAZON BASIN - QUITO

DAY 13: AMAZON BASIN - QUITO

After breakfast, begin your return journey to Quito with time along the way to stop and bathe in the beautiful Papallacta hot springs. The town of Papallacta is famed for exquisite hot pools boasting renowned curative properties. Just what you will need after two weeks of action-packed activities! Check into your Quito hotel for your last night.

Patio Andaluz Hotel
Breakfast

DAY 14: DEPART QUITO

DAY 14: DEPART QUITO

You will be transferred back to Quito airport for your return international flight.

Breakfast

SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.

GUIDELINE PRICE & WHAT’S INCLUDED

14 days from £4,775

MEALS

As specified in the itinerary, sampling some of the country's finest cuisine.

TRANSPORT

Private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, dedicated drivers.

ENTRANCE FEES

Tours and admission fees, including tickets specified in the itinerary.

EXPERT TEAM

Licensed English-speaking guides and a support team available 24/7.

ACCOMMODATION

As specified in the itinerary, using some of our favourite local properties.

WILD MILES

This tour will earn you 11462 Wild Miles

ACCOMMODATION

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Wild Miles Club

When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:

Blue More than 10,000 points 2.5% discount
Bronze More than 30,000 points 5% discount
Silver More than 45,000 points 7.5% discount
Gold More than 60,000 points 10% discount

This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.

Positive Impact of this Trip

Tree
Ten trees are planted per passenger on this trip
Community
Supports Wild Frontiers Foundation community projects
Wind Turbine
A contribution to renewable energy projects

WHEN TO GO

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.

WHY WILD FRONTIERS?

Meet the expert, Richard

Richard is our Latin America expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.

Speak to Richard by calling
1(833) 200-4640

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