Our 10-day Magical Ecuador tour crosses the Andes and winds along the wonderful beaches of this picturesque country. Ecuadorian landscapes are extraordinary, and our tour lets you get to know the indigenous peoples, their traditions, their cuisine, and see exceptional volcanoes. You'll stay in amazing places such as Otavalo, Quito, Cotopaxi, Baños de Agua Santa, Riobamba, Cuenca, and Guayaquil. Let's start the Magical Ecuador tour!
Our qualified staff will meet you at the Quito airport and take you to Otavalo. Along the way you'll visit the Quitsato Sundial, north of Quito, where you'll learn about the location of the equator known as the Mitad del Mundo – and about the astronomical knowledge of pre-Hispanic culture. A short stop follows in Cayambe to sample a local specialty, biscochos de Cayambe, crumbly buttery biscuits. Overnight in Otavalo.
Today you'll explore the picturesque Otavalo Market, full of handicrafts and textiles and the ideal place to find souvenirs. Then a stop in Peguche, famous for traditional music and dance, where you'll discover Andean musical instruments at the market. Next, Cotacachi, a town nestled between two volcanoes and famous for its high-quality leather goods. Return to Quito for the night.
After breakfast, tour of the historic center of Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its magnificent buildings, where you can also visit the Church of San Agustin, in Spanish Baroque style, and the Church of La Compañía de Jesús, one of the most famous in the city. The tour continues with the Basilica del Voto Nacional, wandering through the traditional streets of Calle La Ronda, then reaching a viewpoint, El Panecillo, to admire the monument to the Virgin, and ends with a visit to the Intinan Museum, focused on Ecuador's indigenous tribes. Overnight in Cotopaxi.
Today, departure for Cotopaxi National Park, a protected area home to the majestic Cotopaxi volcano, one of the highest in the world. You'll discover the Andean habitat with its flora and fauna, and admire wonderful birds. You may even catch a glimpse of the wild horses that live in this park. Lunch is served in this wonderful setting, and you can also stroll along the shores of the lagoon. Overnight in Baños de Agua Santa.
This area of Ecuador has many natural wonders. The Baños de Agua Santa waterfalls lie in the foothills of the Tungurahua volcano and take their name from the hot springs that flow through the town. You'll visit the Pailón del Diablo waterfall (the Devil's Cauldron) and relax with a hot stone massage. Overnight in Riobamba.
Departure from Riobamba to reach Alausi, where the train journey begins along a railway known as the Devil's Nose, with tight switchbacks to tackle a 500 m elevation change and spectacular views. The afternoon adventure continues with a visit to Ingapirca, home to Ecuador's largest Inca ruins. Transfer to Cuenca for the overnight stay in this mountain city.
The tour of Cuenca, Ecuador's third-largest city, includes a visit to the old cathedral and the new one built to replace it once it became too small. You'll see magnificent parks, the flower market, the Pumapungo Museum with picturesque dioramas, and the Panama hat factory. These hats, despite their name, originated in Ecuador and are traditionally made using leaves from the jipijapa palm. Afterward, a trip to Chordeleg, known for its beautiful jewelry. You can visit the main square and shop before heading to Gualaceo, a town on a riverbank, where you'll have time to explore the markets and discover traditional ikat weaving.
The tour of Guayaquil visits Parque Centenario, the largest downtown, and Iguana Park, home to hundreds of these creatures. You can feed the iguanas, but don't be tempted to pick them up – their claws are very sharp. The tour continues with a visit to Plaza San Francisco and then Puerto Santa Ana and Malecón 2000, with a stunning view of the riverfront. You'll visit the artistic Barrio Las Peñas, El Faro, and stop at the craft market. Overnight in Guayaquil.
After breakfast, you'll go to Las Cañas, the country's largest cacao nursery, where you'll learn how bananas and cacao are harvested and how they're processed. After lunch, visit to the Shuar people, native to the area, and the hot springs they manage. Then return to Guayaquil to sample yogurt, cacao, chocolate, and other local foods. Overnight in Guayaquil.
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. We hope you enjoyed this Magical Ecuador tour.