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

Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Best time to go

Suggested by Petit Futé

30 days

€€€ - Luxury

All audiences
Culture / Heritage
Faune and flora
Discovery
Adventure / Sports & Leisure
Free time
With Quotatrip - tailor-made travel

Where to stay - Quito ?

The map of your stay - Équateur

Detail of the stay : A month to discover the best of Ecuador - 30 days

  • Quito
  • Quito
  • Quito
  • Quito
  • Quito
  • Mitad Del Mundo
  • Mindo
  • Mindo
  • Otavalo
  • Peguche
  • Peguche
  • Lago San Pablo
  • Lagunas De Mojanda
  • Laguna Cuicocha
  • Ibarra
  • Lago Agrio - Nueva Loja
  • Parque Nacional Cotopaxi
  • Parque Nacional Cotopaxi
  • Latacunga
  • Zumbahua
  • Laguna Del Quilotoa
  • Riobamba
  • Riobamba
  • Riobamba
  • Riobamba
  • Volcán Chimborazo
  • Volcán Chimborazo
  • Volcán Chimborazo
  • Cuenca
  • Cajas Nacional Park
  • Gualaceo
  • Chordeleg
  • San Joaquín
  • Ingapirca
  • Vilcabamba
  • Guayaquil
  • Puerto Ayora
  • Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
  • Puerto Villamil
  • Puerto Villamil
  • Puerto Villamil
  • Santo Tomás
  • Santo Tomás
  • Roca León Dormido - Kicker'S Rock
  • Punta Pitt
  • Puerto Ayora
  • Puerto Ayora
  • Puerto Ayora
  • Parque Nacional Machalilla
  • Parque Nacional Machalilla
  • Puerto López
  • Montañita
  • Atacames
  • Atacames
  • Santo Domingo De Los Colorados
  • Canoa
  • Esmeraldas
  • Atacames
  • Súa
  • Mompiche

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.

Places of interest :
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.

Places of interest :
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.

Places of interest :
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.

Places of interest :
LOS TÚNELES / VOLCÁN WOLF

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.

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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