Stay : A month to discover the best of Ecuador
A month would be the ideal length of time to take in the different facets of the country. From the Oriente (Amazonia) to the Pacific coast via the Andes, not forgetting a stopover in Quito and Cuenca (Unesco World Heritage cities) and perhaps even the Galapagos. Ecuador is full of surprises.
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
30 days
€€€ - Luxury
Detail of the stay : A month to discover the best of Ecuador - 30 days
Day 1: Visit the capital
Steps: Quito
Discovery of Quito. Visit its churches, convents and museums. We recommend visiting the Palacio del Gobierno, theCompania church, the Casa del Alabado and, of course, climbing the steps of the Basilica del Voto for one of the best panoramic views of the city! In the evening, enjoy the lively nightlife of the Mariscal district (modern Quito) or the trendy restaurants of La Floresta.
Day 2: Halfway around the world
Steps: Mitad Del Mundo, Mindo
You can visit the Mitad del Mundo for the symbol. From there, you can take your first excursion into the rainforest at Mindo (the 7 waterfalls walk is superb).
Day 3: In Mindo's cloud forest
Steps: Mindo
Mindo is located just outside Quito, and is the ideal place for birdwatching in the cloud forest(bosque nublado), as well as rafting on the river. You can also visit a chocolate factory, a must in Ecuador.
Day 4: Otavalo craft market
Steps: Otavalo
The city ofOtavalo is famous for its market, which takes place on Saturdays or, preferably, Wednesdays, and is the largest handicraft market in the country.
Day 5: Walks around Otavalo
Steps: Peguche, Lago San Pablo, Lagunas De Mojanda, Laguna Cuicocha, Ibarra
Numerous walks in the Otavalo area: Cuicocha lagoon, Mojanda lagoon, Peguche waterfall. Meet local communities and visit their handicraft workshops. You can also go as far as Ibarra and take a tour of Lake San Pablo.
Day 6: Heading for the Amazon
Steps: Lago Agrio - Nueva Loja
For a 4-day stay in the Amazon, prefer the Cuyabeno region (north-east, via Lago Agrio). Allow two days for a round-trip to/from Quito (preferably by night bus) and transportation by pirogue to the lodge.
Day 7: First Amazon Exploration
In the programme: daytime and night excursions in the jungle, observation of wildlife and flora, walks on the river, meeting with children of the country... A memorable memory! Note: it is essential to go through a local agency.
Day 8: Amazonia, continued exploration
Continued exploration in the Amazon.
Day 9: Amazonia, continued exploration
Continued exploration in the Amazon.
Day 10: Amazonia, continued exploration
Continued exploration in the Amazon.
Day 11: On the slopes of the Cotopaxi volcano
Steps: Parque Nacional Cotopaxi, Latacunga
Reach Latacunga. From here, plan a day's trek to Cotopaxi National Park, climbing to the volcano refuge based at 4,800 m.
PARQUE NACIONAL COTOPAXI
Day 12: Latacunga and surrounding area
Steps: Zumbahua, Laguna Del Quilotoa
Also from Latacunga, discover the Quilotoa lagoon and the village of Zumbahua. This is the first stage of our journey through the Sierra (on a north-south axis).
Day 13: Riobamba and the Chimborazo volcano
Steps: Riobamba, Volcán Chimborazo
Half-day tour of Riobamba: markets, cathedral, Concepción church, cobblestone streets and Maldonado Park. Take time to plan an excursion to the Chimborazo volcano, by bike for example.
CATEDRAL DE RIOBAMBA
Day 14: The Chimborazo ice mines
Steps: Volcán Chimborazo
Weather permitting, as is often the case in the mornings, head for Cuatro Esquina, near La Moya, and climb the steep path to the ice mines, with the help of a horse. An unforgettable day with the locals in the high mountains.
MINES DE GLACE
Day 15: Visit Cuenca
Steps: Cuenca
Spend a good half-day visiting the colonial city of Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 16: Cuenca's surroundings
Steps: Parque Nacional Cajas, Gualaceo, Chordeleg, San Joaquín
Visit the villages of San Joaquin, Chordeleg and Gualaceo. Spend a day discovering the lakes of El Cajas National Park, superb...
Day 17: Inca ruins at Ingapirca
Steps: Ingapirca
From Cuenca, take an excursion to the pre-Hispanic site ofIngapirca, the country's only Inca site.
Day 18: Take a break
Steps: Vilcabamba
Loja and Vilcabamba, south of the Ecuadorian Cordillera. Stay in the region of eternal spring and the village of Vilcabamba, where the inhabitants are said to have a longer life expectancy than others.
Day 19: Take a break, then
Rest and walk in nature.
Day 20: Take a break, then
Rest and walk in nature.
Day 21: Heading for the Pacific coast
Steps: Guayaquil
Join Guayaquil by night bus from Loja or by plane. Visit the country's largest city. One day is enough to visit the city. Guayaquil is a good starting point for a trip to the coast or to the Galapagos. For travellers on a budget: entry to the Galapagos National Park is quite expensive.
Day 22: Galapagos Islands cruise
Steps: Puerto Ayora, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Puerto Villamil
From Guayaquil, cruise the Galapagos Islands from theislands of Santa Cruz or San Cristobal, either as part of an organized tour (a more expensive option, but one that saves time and allows you to see and do as much as possible), or as an individual (which we recommend), with the purchase of services on site. Once in Santa Cruz, take the fast boat to Isabela, where you'll spend two nights.
Day 23: Isabela (Galapagos Islands)
Steps: Puerto Villamil, Santo Tomás
Second night in Isabela. Don't miss the must-do Los Tuneles diving excursion and the ascent of Wolf volcano.
Day 24: In San Cristobal (Galápagos)
Steps: Roca León Dormido - Kicker'S Rock
Departure for San Cristobal, where you will spend two nights. Excursions to Leon Dormido.
Day 25: In San Cristobal (Galápagos)
Steps: Punta Pitt
Second night in San Cristobal. Excursion to Punta Pitt volcano.
Day 26: Santa Cruz (in the Galápagos)
Steps: Puerto Ayora
Take the boat to Santa Cruz, where you'll spend a final night. Enjoy a day on beautiful Tortuga Bay and a visit to the Darwin Foundation. Then head back to Guayaquil.
FUNDACIÓN CHARLES DARWIN - ESTACIÓN CIENTÍFICA
Day 27: Los Frailes Beach
Steps: Parque Nacional Machalilla, Puerto López
Head north along the Pacific coast. From Puerto Lopez, head for Machalilla National Park and its superb Los Frailes beach.
Day 28: Surfing and lounging in Montanita
Steps: Montañita
You can then head off to discover Montañita, a surf and party paradise.
Day 29: Montañita, the suite
Continue to relax and party on Montañita beach.
Day 30: Back to the starting point
Steps: Atacames, Santo Domingo De Los Colorados, Canoa, Esmeraldas, Súa, Mompiche
Return to Quito, preferably by night bus (8-hour drive).
Alternative option days 21 to 26: if you don't want to go to the Galapagos, take the opportunity to discover more of the Pacific coast. From Puerto Lopez, you can visitIsla de la Plata (birdwatching with frigate birds, blue and red-legged boobies, etc.) and snorkel. Whale watching is also possible from June to September. Continue on to Canoa (magnificent beaches), then head for the peaceful seaside villages ofAtacames, Súa, Mompiche via Santo Domingo de los Colorados. Quito can be reached by night bus from Esmeraldas.
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