It’s quite poetic that Ecuador is the centre of this big, beautiful planet of ours. In so few kilometres, the peaks of the Andes, the jungles of the Amazon, and historical cities all have some square footage here and with this 14-day journey you can see some of it all. Learn about the traditional Quichua culture in the Amazon, find treasures at a local handicraft market, and later slip into a world of “ahh” in a mountain hot spring.

Day 1 Quito
Arrive at any time.

Day 2 Quito/Baños
Travel to Baños and be spoiled for choice with optional outdoor activities like hiking, ziplining, and canyoning. Or, take it easy and relax in local hot springs.

Day 3 Baños
Enjoy another free day to take full advantage of all the activities in this adventurous town.

Day 4 Baños/Tena
Travel by bus into the Amazon Jungle. Spend two nights in rustic jungle huts in a local Quichua community. Enjoy nature walks and learn about local culture.

Day 5 Tena
Enjoy a full day in the Amazon learning about local life in the jungle. Spend the night in rustic jungle huts in a Quichua community.

Day 6 Tena/Papallacta
Cycle to the nearby community of Shandia and discover the beauty of the Amazon with a member of the community as your guide. Later, take a local bus to Papallacta and relax in the natural mineral hot pools with volcanic views.

Day 7 Papallacta/Quito
Enjoy a relaxing morning at the hot springs before travelling back to Quito for free time to explore.

Day 8 Quito/Otavalo
Explore the largest handicraft market in South America, Otavalo market. Villagers from the surrounding countryside come every week to sell handmade goods as well as livestock, fruits, and vegetables.

Day 9 Otavalo/Cotopaxi
Travel by bus to Cotopaxi National Park. In the afternoon, opt to explore the area or mountain bike with views of Cotopaxi Volcano. Spend the night in a mountain lodge near the national park.

Day 10 Cotopaxi/Cuenca
In the morning, visit Cotopaxi National Park before continuing on with a full day of travel to Cuenca. Enjoy a boxed lunch on the way at a viewpoint overlooking the Andes Mountains.

Day 11 Cuenca
This morning embark on a half-day city tour of the colonial city of Cuenca, including the Turi viewpoint, a Panama hat factory and the historical centre. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring or at one of Cuenca’s many cafes.

Day 12 Cuenca
Enjoy a free day to explore beautiful Cuenca. Opt to go hiking in Cajas National Park, visit Ingapirca ruins, or soak in nearby hot springs.

Day 13 Cuenca/Quito
Fly back to Quito and enjoy the night in this historical city.

Day 14 Quito
Depart at any time.