Ecuador Mágico | Andes, Amazonía y Pacífico

Ecuador Mágico | Andes, Amazonía y Pacífico

 

QUITO – COTOPAXI – BAÑOS – PUYO – INGAPIRCA – CUENCA – SANTA ELENA – PUERTO LÓPEZ – GUAYAQUIL

 

The journey begins in Quito (UNESCO) with visits to the Historic Center, heritage temples, and the Middle of the World. It continues to the Otavalo Artisan Market, internationally recognized for its textile production, Andean landscapes, and bird conservation at Condor Park national reserve.
Cotopaxi National Park includes horseback riding in the highlands with cultural interpretation of the male and female chagra-cowboys lifestyle, an acclimatization hike, and a downhill bike ride from the José Rivas Refuge of the active Cotopaxi Volcano.

Baños de Agua Santa, a leading destination for active tourism, features rafting in the Pastaza River (Class III–III+), the Route of the Waterfalls, the Devil’s Cauldron, and the Tree House – Swing at the End of the World.

The Amazon experience takes place in Puyo with 3 days of volunteering at the Yanacocha Animal Rescue Center with endemic Amazon species, primary rainforest hikes, traditional canoe navigation, and meaningful interaction with Kichwa communities including cultural practices, ethnobotany, workshops, and ceremonies guided by local people.
In the southern Andes, Cuenca offers museums, colonial architecture, and Toquilla Straw Hat workshops (UNESCO – Intangible Cultural Heritage).

 Then El Cajas National Park, one of the country’s most representative high Andean ecosystems.
The final stage develops on the Pacific Coast, visiting Salinas, La Chocolatera, La Lobería, and then Puerto López with cultural activities in the Agua Blanca Community (Manteña–Huancavilca Culture), a visit to Los Frailes Reserve, and a marine expedition to Isla de la Plata, a site known for biodiversity and often called the “Little Galapagos.”

 

 

NOTE:
The itinerary may be adapted to your needs.
Contact us for more information and personalize your ideal trip with our sales agents.

 

RATES

DETAILS	1 PASSENGER	2 PASSENGERS	4 PASSENGERS	6 PASSENGERS
PRICE PER PERSON	5,300 USD	3,500 USD	2,900 USD	2,700 USD
TRANSPORTATION	Sedan / Car	SUV	Mini Van	Full-size Van

Note:

Prices are subject to change for Luxury, Honeymoon, or Family suites.

Rates are valid for regular season only. Surcharges apply for holidays and local festivities.

Itinerary Ecuador Mágico | Andes, Amazonía y Pacífico

GUIDES IN SPANISH, ENGLISH, FRENCH, GERMAN, SIGN LANGUAGE

 

DAY 1 – COLONIAL QUITO – MIDDLE OF THE WORLD

Altitude: 2,850 m / 9,350 ft
Distance: 50 km / 31.1 miles – 1h30
Difficulty: Medium
Activities:

Interpretive guided walk through the Historic Center (UNESCO): Plaza Grande, Archbishop’s Palace, history of the Royal Audience and Quito’s urban evolution.

Visit to iconic churches: La Compañía de Jesús, Santo Domingo, El Sagrario, with detailed explanations of art, altarpieces, and restoration techniques.

Stop at artisan workshops in La Ronda; optional canelazo tasting.

Ascent to Panecillo Viewpoint: symbolism of the Winged Virgin and 360° panoramic view to Quito.

Transfer to Middle of the World; interactive experiments at latitude 0° (Coriolis effect, balancing an egg) and visit to Intiñán Cultural Museum (astronomy and ancestral cultures).

Overnight in Quito – 2,850 m / 9,350 ft

 

DAY 2 – QUITO – OTAVALO – MARKET – SAN PABLO LAKE – CONDOR PARK RESERVE

Altitude: 2,500 m / 8,202 ft
Distance: 95 km / 59 miles – 2h
Difficulty: Easy
Activities:

Visit to Otavalo Artisan Market (Ponchos Square): weaving techniques, iconography, natural dyes, and Andean worldview.

Stop at family workshops (Peguche / La Merced) for weaving and carving demonstrations.

Boat ride on San Pablo Lake: history of Imbabura Volcano, lakeside communities, and Andean scenery.

Condor Park Reserve: educational talk on bird rehabilitation (condors, eagles, etc.).
Overnight in Quito – 2,850 m / 9,350 ft

 

DAY 3 – QUITO – COTOPAXI / HORSEBACK RIDE – LIMPIOPUNGO

Altitude: 3,600–3,850 m / 11,800–12,630 ft
Distance: 90 km / 56 miles – 2h
Difficulty: Easy – Acclimatization
Activities:

2-hour horseback ride in the Andean highlands; observation of native fauna such as wild horses, curiquingue birds, and deer.

Walk around Limpiopungo Lagoon (3,850 m) for acclimatization (30–45 min).

Overnight in Cotopaxi Lodge – 3,600 m / 11,800 ft

 

DAY 4 – COTOPAXI – JOSÉ RIVAS REFUGE – BIKE DESCENT – BAÑOS

Altitude: 4,500–4,864 m / 14,760–15,953 ft
Distance: 150 km / 93 miles – 2h40
Difficulty: Medium – Advanced
Activities:

Entry into the park and vehicle ascent to 4,500 m.

Start of hike to José Rivas Refuge (4,864 m, 40–50 minutes).

Geological explanation of the active Cotopaxi Volcano.

Downhill mountain biking on controlled trails through ashes, volcanic sand, and high-Andean páramo.

Transfer to Baños de Agua Santa.

Free afternoon in Baños: downtown tour, Basilica, local markets, cafés, city viewpoints.

Overnight in Baños – 1,820 m / 5,971 ft

 

DAY 5 – BAÑOS – RAFTING IN PASTAZA – CITY VIEWPOINTS

Altitude: 1,820 m / 5,971 ft
Distance: 75 km / 47 miles – 1h40
Difficulty: Adventure – Class III–III+
Activities:

Rafting in the Pastaza River, Class III–III+, ideal for beginners seeking moderate adrenaline.

International certified equipment; optional photos of the descent.

Afternoon at the Tree House – Swing at the End of the World, viewpoint Tungurahua Volcano and museum.

Overnight in Baños – 1,820 m – 5,971 ft

 

DAY 6 – BAÑOS – PUYO – ROUTE OF THE 12 WATERFALLS – YANACOCHA

Altitude: 1,820–950 m / 5,971–3,117 ft
Distance: 60 km / 37,28 miles ­ – 1h20 – Volunteering 4 hours
Difficulty: Medium
Activities:

Route of the Waterfalls: Agoyán, Manto de la Novia, San Jorge, Cascada del Fantasma, and more.

Tarabita over the Pastaza River canyon.

Full hike through the Devil’s Cauldron (40–60 min).

Arrival at Yanacocha Rescue Center:

Introductory talk on conservation and rescued species

Facility orientation and work areas

Preparation for next day’s activities

Overnight in Yanacocha – 950 m – 2,953 ft

 

DAY 7 – PUYO – YANACOCHA – VOLUNTEERING – CONSERVATION

Altitude: 950 m
Volunteering schedule: 8 hours
Difficulty: Medium
Activities:

Practical work: food preparation, environmental enrichment, and animal records.

Workshop with biologists: rehabilitation, sanitary management, release criteria.

Environmental education and daily center activities.

Night in Puyo – 950 m – 2,953 ft

 

DAY 8 – PUYO – YANACOCHA – PRACTICAL knowledge

Altitude: 950 m
Volunteering schedule: 8 hours
Difficulty: Medium
Activities:

Field activities: enclosure maintenance, enrichment structures construction, animal monitoring.

Community workshop: medicinal plants, crafts, and ancestral practices with reserve biologists/veterinarians.

Volunteer report submission.

Overnight in Puyo – 950 m – 2,953 ft

 

DAY 9 – PUYO – AMAZON FULL DAY – CANOE – HOLA VIDA WATERFALL

Altitude: 950 m
Distance: 75 km / 46.6 miles – 2h + short jungle hikes
Difficulty: Medium
Activities:

Hike to Hola Vida Waterfall primary forest interpretation, ancient trees, medicinal species.

Full artisan chocolate workshop (aroma cacao).

Traditional canoe navigation on Pastaza amazon river.

Cleansing/ gratitude ceremony guided by a yachak (Kichwa shaman) if permitted.

River canoe ride to observe more riverside communities.

Indichuri viewpoint: last mountain of the rainforest with panoramic river landscapes.

Traditional lunch in the community.

Overnight in Puyo – 950 m – 2,953 ft

 

DAY 10 – PUYO – INGAPIRCA – CUENCA

Altitude: 950 to 2,560 m
Distance: 290 km / 180 miles – 4h
Difficulty: Medium
Activities:

Transfer to Cañar–Cuenca region.

Ingapirca Archaeological Complex: Temple of the Sun, solar observatory, and Cañari–Inca syncretism.

Arrival in Cuenca; evening stroll in Historic Center.

Overnight in Cuenca – 2,560 m – 8,399 ft

 

DAY 11 – CUENCA – HISTORIC CENTER – MUSEUMS – HOT SPRINGS

Altitude: 2,560 m

Distance: 20 km / 12.4 miles – 1h
Difficulty: Easy
Activities:

Tour through New Cathedral, Calderón Park, artistic districts; explanation of republican and baroque architecture.

Visit to Pumapungo Museum and Museum of Aboriginal Cultures.

Toquilla Straw Hat workshop demonstration.

Afternoon in nearby natural hot springs Banos of Cuenca.

Overnight in Cuenca – 2,560 m – 8,399 ft

 

 

DAY 12 – CUENCA – EL CAJAS NATIONAL PARK – SALINAS (COAST)

Altitude: 2,560 m - 6 m
Distance: 330 km / 220 miles – 6h
Difficulty: Medium
Activities:

Early departure to El Cajas: lagoon hike (Llaviuco/Toreadora), Polylepis forest, high-Andean birds.

Interpretation of watershed feeding the Ecuadorian Coast.

Road trip to Santa Elena Province; evening stroll in Salinas.

Night in Salinas – 6 m – 19.7ft

 

DAY 13 – SALINAS – LA CHOCOLATERA – LOBERÍA – BEACH

Altitude: 6 m – 19 ft

Distance: 17 km / 10,56 miles – 40 minute
Difficulty: Easy
Activities:

La Chocolatera viewpoint: Pacific Ocean geology, marine fauna observation points.

La Lobería: rocky platform walk to observe sea lions, coastal birds, and iguanas.

Free time for beach or optional water sports.

 

Overnight in Salinas – 6 m – 19.7ft

 

DAY 14 – SALINAS – PUERTO LÓPEZ - SPONDYLUS ROUTE

Altitude: 15 m
Distance: 220 km – 136,7 miles – 3h30
Difficulty: Easy
Activities:

Coastal drive along the Spondylus Route with scenic stops.

Arrival in Puerto López: free afternoon on the beach.

Overnight in Puerto Lopez – 6 m – 19.7ft

 

DAY 15 – PUERTO LÓPEZ – AGUA BLANCA COMMUNITY – LOS FRAILES BEACH

Altitude: 15 m
Distance: 220 km 136.7 mile – 3h30

Difficulty: Easy
Activities:

Visit to Agua Blanca Community: museum, Manteña-Huancavilca culture, purification ritual, sulfur lagoon walk.

Trail to Los Frailes Beach: dry forest, marine fossils, hiking area and beach time.

Overnight in Puerto Lopez – 6 m – 19.7ft

 

DAY 16 – PUERTO LÓPEZ – ISLA DE LA PLATA – MACHALILLA NATIONAL PARK

Altitude: 15 m – 49 ft
Distance: 1 hour to 30 minutes on boat trip

Difficulty: Medium
Activities:

Navigation to Isla de la Plata: interpretive hike to observe blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, frigatebirds, and migratory species.

Snorkel among reefs: sea turtles, tropical fish, manta rays (seasonal).

Marine conservation talks.

Whale season: June–October.

Overnight in Puerto Lopez – 6 m – 19.7ft

 

 

 

DAY 17 – PUERTO LÓPEZ – GUAYAQUIL AIRPORT

Altitude: 4 m – 13 ft
Distance: 185 km – 3h
Activities: Easy

Drive to Guayaquil via Spondylus Route.

Arrival to José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport.

END OF TOUR

Map of Tour Location

Additional Information of Ecuador Mágico | Andes, Amazonía y Pacífico