Day-to-day schedule
Day 1: Quito
Welcome in Ecuador! Your tour starts in Quito, where you can use your hotel room from check in time (12.00 hrs at noon) on day 1. Most of your travel companions will arrive later this first day, the exact time will be depending on their flight schedule. You will meet your English speaking tour leader at 8.00 hrs A.M. on day 2 in the lobby of your hotel.
Day 2: Quito
Quito, the capital of Ecuador, is situated at a breathtaking height of 2850 metres, surrounded by impressive Andes peaks. At the foot of the Pichincha volcano, Quito is overshadowed by two peaks, Rucu Pichincha and the active peak of Guagua Pichincha. You will need time to adjust to the thin air at this altitude, so make sure you take it easy. A relaxed and easy-going atmosphere permeates the city and with plenty of restaurants, bookshops, internet cafes, bars and other places to go out, you’re sure to have plenty to keep you occupied.
Day 3: Quito - Papallacta - Tena
On our way to Tena we will visit Papallacta, where you have time to enjoy the lovely hot springs before taking to the road again through stunning Amazonian forest.
In Tena we will stay in a charming lodge surrounded by beautiful jungle which provides a back to basics experience of life in the jungle. There is no electricity in the bungalows and social areas, but if you need to charge an electronic device, there’s a working generator at your service. In the evening you can dine by candlelight or oil lamp whilst listening to the night sounds of the jungle, a truly magical experience.
From here you can walk through the jungle and explore the abundant vegetation of the tropical rainforest with your guide. There are plenty of options for walks in the nearby Selva Vida reserve where you can visit AmaZOOnico, a shelter for jungle animals, or you may choose to visit Quichua community, see demonstrations on the use of a blowpipe, the making of the local drink ‘chicha’ and handcrafts. Or go for a swim in the Napo River, search for gold on its shores and join a night walk through the rainforest.
Day 4: Tena
Another day in the jungle, continue to explore the area by foot with local experts.
Day 5: Tena
Our last full day in these surroundings before we move forward to Otavalo.
Day 6: Tena - Otavalo
The mostly Indian population of Otavalo are dressed in woven traditional costumes, which you will also come across at the market. Thanks to their talent for trade and travel, the Otalaveños are the most well to do Indian tribe in Ecuador, renowned for their weaving craft and at the Plaza de Ponchos, you can buy woven tapestries, hammocks, jumpers and of course ponchos.
Day 7: Otavalo
On a Saturday, a famous and lively market is held throughout the city, an ideal place to buy some pretty souvenirs. Around Otavalo you can go horse riding, walking, mountain biking and rafting, or you may choose to visit Lago San Pablo, a long lake just south of town, the Peguche waterfall and in a few hours, walk around the Cuicocha Crater Lake or visit to the surrounding villages of Cuicocha, Cotocachi and San Antonio de Ibarra.
Day 8: Otavalo - Quito
After a visit to the Saturday market, we drive back to Quito in two hours. Here, you can enjoy a meal in one of the many restaurants and go out to explore the nightlife.
Day 9: Quito - Cotopaxi - Baños
On the way from Quito to Baños we will visit the Cotopaxi National Park, the site of the highest active volcano in the world, and a great photo opportunity.
Then we continue on to Baños, a town at the foot of the Tungurahua volcano that got its name from the many hot springs in the area. The relaxed atmosphere and the temperate subtropical climate make this the perfect place to spend a couple of leisurely days.
You may choose to go on a bike ride to one of the impressive waterfalls and the village of Rio Verde, or visit the zoo just outside Baños, see the Andes condor, Galàpagos turtle and tapir, among others. Thrill-seekers can go rafting or relax in the sulphurous thermal baths.
In the evening dine at one of the many restaurants, listen to panpipe music in a peña or go dancing in a typical salsoteca.
Day 10: Baños
The Tungurahua volcano is just over 5,000 meters high and has been in its most recent spell of activity since the end of the nineties. In 2006 there were several damaging eruptions and the most recent recorded eruption was on 26th April 2011. As well as biking you can go rafting, climbing or horse riding in the hills around Baños.
Day 11: Baños
Relax and enjoy your last day in Baños before moving on tomorrow.
Day 12: Baños – Chimborazo – Riobamba
This will be a long but exciting travelling day. We will visit the Chimborazo reserve, the site of Ecuador’s highest inactive volcano, Chimborazo. Those who are keen can climb the volcano, to the Refugio Whymper mountain hut at 5000m, from where you have a magnificent view. Among the animals living in the reserve are vicuñas (a rare species of lama), fox, wolves and wild horses.
Finally, we will drive to the town of Riobamba, at the foot of the Chimborazo Volcano.
Day 13: Riobamba / Excursion Guamote
Today you can take an optional excursion to the wonderful local market of Guamotem, which lies in the Andes Mountains south of Quito. Handsome Indigenas flock to the town on market days (Thursdays!) to offer their wares for sale. Their traditional costumes are a feast for the eye. The colourfully dressed Indians come from the remote highlands to gather in the village livestock market, another part is for vegetables and fruit, and another for all types of utensils.
Day 14: Riobamba – Cuenca
Today you have the option to travel from Riobamba to Alausi on the local train if Wednesday, Friday or Sunday, in the direction of the area nicknamed the ‘Devil’s Nose’. If the weather is good, you can sit on the roof of the train wagon and enjoy the magnificent views. You pass through fields and pastures where the hardworking population still wave a good-natured hello. It is a spectacular ride, with the train criss-crossing through the rocky landscape, dotted with cactuses and snakes its way through the Andes. The railway descends to the Devil’s Nose and slowly ascends to Alausí where a bus is waiting to take you to Cuenca over a stretch of the Panamericana Highway. If we have time, we will visit Ingapirca, the best-preserved monument from the Inca era in Ecuador.
Day 15: Cuenca
Historic Cuenca is Ecuador’s third city and one of the most beautiful and has been nominated as Human Heritage Site. You will have a chance to explore the old colonial part of town at your leisure, on the cobbled streets of the city centre there are stately houses with large patios, charming squares and a variety of churches, cathedrals and museums. During your tour, you will come across lots of little shops selling crafts from the surrounding Indian villages.
Day 16: Cuenca
Your last chance to explore any parts of charming Cuenca that you may have missed, before our departure tomorrow.
Day 17: Cuenca – Guayaquil
We leave the Andes range behind us for the tropical lowland of the Costa in the town of Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city and port. The country’s economic heart with a lively and chaotic atmosphere typical of the costeños, the coast-dwellers who live a more nocturnal life than the inhabitants of the highlands.
Go for a walk along the renovated waterside Malecon 2000 or visit the colonial neighbourhood Las Peñas. In Parque Bolivar you will find a pleasant place to relax and watch the freely roaming iguanas. The new Parque Historico has various animal species found on the coast and an overview of the customs and traditions of the costeños.
Day 18: Guayaquil - Puerto Lopez
Travel along the coast to the town of Puerto Lopez, a pleasant fishermen’s town with pretty beaches.
Where you can take an optional excursion to Isla de la Plata, nicknamed Mini Galapagos. This uninhabited island is part of the Machalila National Park, and is home to the famous blue-footed booby, albatross and frigate bird.
Day 19: Puerto Lopez
You may choose to take a ‘whale-watching’ excursion. From June to September, the humpback whales flock to the shallow coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean to give birth to their young. If you are keen to be active, you can join a walking or horse-riding excursion to the mainland Machalilla National Park. Behind the bone-dry coastal strip lies a dry tropical forest, where various species of succulents and cactuses grow.
Day 20: Puerto Lopez
Make the most of your final day in Puerto Lopez before leaving tomorrow.
Day 21: Puerto Lopez - Guayaquil
We leave Puerto Lopez and travel back to Guayaquil.
Day 22: Guayaquil - tour ends at noon
The last day of your tour. You can use your hotel room in Guayaquil until check out time (most times at 12.00 hrs noon). Your hotel is well situated to make the short transfer (10-15 mins) to Guayaquil airport. We wish you a comfortable journey home and are sure you will take with you some wonderful memories of Ecuador.
Your personal ‘my.shoestring’ page on our website is the perfect way to make contact with other travellers before and after your trip. You can read and create journals from trips and upload your photos onto the photo gallery. Visit my shoestring today.
When booking your tour, please check to see whether you need any post-tour nights, bearing in mind that accommodation for the night of the final day of the tour (day 22) is not included.
***Our tour to Ecuador already has a guaranteed departure with a minimum number of 2 participants. For groups up to and including 7 participants there are some adjustments concerning the tour leader and the transfers. There might not be one tour leader guiding you throughout the whole tour, but it can be several. All stretches will be by public transport, except day 9 and day 12-14 when all stretches will be done by private transportation. It will not be possible to visit the Papallacta hotsprings on day 3. And there is also no private transport available to visit El Cajas on day 15 or 16 (optional excursion). When there are at least 8 participants who have booked this tour to Ecuador, there will be one tour leader guiding you throughout the whole tour, transfers and (most)excursions will be private for you and the other participants of this tour.
Extension information
Galapagos Islands
Those travelling to the enchanted Galapagos Islands will travel by public transport on day 16 from Cuenca to Guayaquil to be ready to fly the next day to the archipelago for a 5-day trip (4 nights), which takes you between the different islands. The English-speaking guide will tell you all about the volcanic origin of the islands and the unique ecosystem of the animals that are here. You will be able to get unusually close to them, as they have not built up any fear due to the absence of natural enemies. You can photograph nesting albatross up close, go swimming with sea lions, observe thousands of iguanas and walk among the giant tortoises. The Galapagos package is on a request basis.
The price for the Galapagos package is from £1069, - per person. The price depends on which boats are available on the desired date. Each boat has its own price tag. Please note that the price in high season can rise to up to £1600, depending on availability.
IMPORTANT: If you choose to visit the Galapagos Islands, then you need to scan a copy of your passport and send it to us.
The package includes:
- Flight Guayaquil - Galapagos - Guayaquil
- 5 days / 4 nights stay on a yacht
- English speaking naturalist guide
- All meals on board (3 x per day)
- All excursions
- Transfers to and from the airport
Not included: Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($ 110 per person upon arrival in Galapagos), drinks, personal expenses, tips.
The Itinerary:
Day 17: Take a morning flight from Guayaquil to Baltra Island where you will board a motor yacht. You will visit the idyllic beaches of Las Bachas where you can swim and sunbathe.
Day 18: Today you visit the Islas Plazas and the island of Santa Fe. The Islas Plazas are two small islands off the coast of Santa Cruz. Here you will find a real cactus forest where many land iguanas dwell. A path leads you along a kilometer of sea lion colonies and along a steep cliff where different species of birds nest. From the Islas Plazas sail to Isla Santa Fe or Barrington, a small island about 20 miles southeast of Santa Cruz. The island has a beautiful bay and there are a number of hiking trails. Cacti grow here that can reach a height of 10 meters. This is the island where the Santa Fe land iguana roams, a rare subspecies. You can also find a colony of sea lions, marine iguanas and visit various species of birds.
Day 19: Today we see the island of Española in the program. The English name for this island is Hood. It is the southernmost island in the archipelago. From March to December you have a great opportunity to see albatrosses here. The stately Blue-footed boobies let themselves be photographed at close range whilst in their nests and you have the chance to witness the comical mating dance of these birds. Marine iguanas are also frequently seen. The island has lovely white sand beaches.
Day 20: The next island on the route is Floreana, officially called Isla Santa María. This is the sixth largest island of the archipelago. This island has beautiful beaches and the snorkelling is excellent. The island has an interesting fauna, marine iguanas, sea turtles, flamingos, pelicans and other birds.
Day 21: On this last day take the boat to the island of Santa Cruz where you can visit the town of Puerto Ayora, the Charles Darwin Research Center and the Turtle Farm, where the world famous giant tortoises can be admired. At the end of the afternoon take the flight back to Guayaquil, where the group is currently staying and the tour will finish.
NOTE: In the Galápagos there are many active boats. Every boat has its own price and own schedule. The above route can only be seen as an example of how a Galapagos extension might appear. Sailing schedules are always subject to change. The captain of the boat and the management of the Galapagos National Park maintain always (also during the trip) the right to change the route.
If you want to book the Galapagos package, please inform us when booking. Shoestring will contact you about the possibilities, the route and the final price. Then you can decide if you wish to confirm your place(s).