Discover the magic of Ecuador traveling through the Avenue of Volcanoes in the high Andean mountains towards the best tropical Amazon destinations; explore the outdoor town of Baños, the UNESCO city of Cuenca and the local indigenous market in Otavalo. On your journey learn all about the different local tribes and their cultures. The Ecuador Highlights trip is the perfect combination of cultural experiences, wildlife spotting, adventure activities and natural wonders that make Ecuador one of the most mega- diverse countries on Earth.

Welcome to Quito! The biggest, best-preserved colonial city of America was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and the second most important city of the old Inca Empire.
Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. ECUADOR PURE LIFE can help you to organize a day trip.
In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel for a welcome briefing and there will be plenty of time to discuss details and answer any questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first Welcome to Quito! The biggest, best-preserved colonial city of America was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and the second most important city of the old Inca Empire.
Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. ECUADOR PURE LIFE can help you to organize a day trip.
In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel for a welcome briefing and there will be plenty of time to discuss details and answer any questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an informational and acclimation day.

Overnight at Dann Carlton Hotel.

We get an early departure from Quito and drive north through dramatic mountain sceneries. On our way we will stop at a viewpoint to admire Imbabura Volcano and Lake San Pablo.
Once in Otavalo, you will have plenty of time to stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets, filled with Otavalo Indigenous people wearing the typical blue ponchos, white trousers and long braided hair and to learn all about their daily activities, typical food and native language. You will explore their famous handicraft market, with its wonderful textiles, alpaca throws and rugs, knitted clothing native paintings, ceramics, jewelry, tapestries and more at bargain prices.
We will then continue to Cotacachi, famous for its leather articles, where you will have time for lunch.
Finally we will go to Peguche, a small village known for its waterfalls and wind instruments production.

Overnight at Hacienda Pinsaqui or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

On this day, we will drive through a unique landscape up to an elevation of 4000 meters through the eastern range of the Andes. This road is situated between two national reserves (Antisana and Cayambe Coca), both located in the high mountain Paramo ecosystem, known for its short vegetation and for being the home of some incredible animals such as the spectacled bear, deer puma, Andean condor and the cara- cara.
After appreciating the amazing views that this landscape offers, we will arrive at Papallacta Hot Springs Resort, where bliss awaits as you soak in the volcanic water pools surrounded by mountains and colorful flowers and birds.

Overnight at Termas Papallacta Spa & Resort               

Meals included: Breakfast

Early in the morning, we will drive down a curvy panoramic road towards the Amazon Rainforest; as we descend from an altitude of 3000 meters to 500 meters, you will observe how the landscape and vegetation change drastically.
Our first stop will be the Guango reserve, where we will have the unique opportunity to see different species of hummingbirds in their natural habitat. These small creatures are famous for their incredible ability to flap their wings rapidly, as well as for their bright colors.
Later, we also stop at the "Guacamayos-Macaw Lookout", located between Antisana and Sumaco National Reserves (low elevation cloud forest), to observe the magic blanket of clouds that covers the Amazon rainforest, until we finally get to the Arajuno River, where a motorized canoe will take us for 20 minutes up the river to the Itamandi Eco-Lodge.

Overnigh at Itamandi Amazon Eco-Lodge                     

Meals included: Lunch and dinner

In the morning, we will take a motorized canoe down the largest river in Ecuador, Napo River, on our way to the “Amazonico”, a rescue centre sheltering a number of different animals, some in danger of extinction.
We can observe different species of Monkeys, Capybaras, Caimans, Ocelots, Toucans, Parrots, and other animals in their natural environment at close range.
Later, we will enjoy a cultural activity. An Amazonian Kichwa community will receive us and we learn about their way of life and the interaction they have with the forest. We will appreciate the skills of the indigenous women manufacturing handmade pottery (ceramics). This little business supports the indigenous people in their daily life.
Today we will also have the chance to learn how to make our own chocolate from the raw fruit.

Overnight at Itamandi Amazon Eco-Lodge                     

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

On day six, we will drive farther south to Puyo, where we will have a quick look at the balsa carving shop.
Continuing our journey, we will stop at Rio Verde, located in one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Sangay National Park. Here, we will hike down to the second highest waterfall in Ecuador, the Pailon Del Diablo, where pounding water cascades on the rocks and mesmerizes you as you watch from a suspension bridge. You may also take an optional hike behind the falls. After a quick drive, we will arrive at another incredible waterfall called El Manto de la Novia, where we will ride in a cable car traversing the canyon of the Pastaza River. In the late afternoon, we will soak in hot springs in the town of Baños, located right on the foothills of the Tungurahua volcano which has been active since 1999. It erupts approximately every few months and delights visitors with lava and steam displays that can be viewed from a number of safe view points in the region.

Overnight at La Floresta  or similar                   

Meals included: Breakfast

Early in the morning, we will drive through valleys and farming villages towards the Chimborazo Volcano, the highest mountain in Ecuador with an elevation of 6310 meters above sea level, whose summit is the world farthest point from the center of the earth. On a clear day, the majestic peak of Chimborazo dominates the view for many kilometers.
The visit to this amazing national park includes a short hike for 0,9 km (0,57 miles) to reach the elevation of 5000 meters where the glacier begins. On the hike, we will spot a few of the animals that inhabit this volcanic wonderland such as the Andean condor, cara-cara, hummingbirds, and the timid wild Vicuñas.
Once extinct in Ecuador, reintroduced and now protected, this beautiful animal is related to the alpacas and llamas.

Overnight at Chimborazo Lodge                   

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

This day you can enjoy one of the most exciting journeys: the famous Ecuadorian train ride down to the Devil's Nose,(train fee is not included) from where our bus will take us through wonderful landscapes towards Cuenca city, known for its colonial architecture and beautiful scenery. The old town of this city is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the way we will visit the interesting Inca ruins of Ingapirca. 

Overnight at Hotel Victoria or similar

In the morning: city tour in Cuenca.Cuenca is considered the most beautiful city in Ecuador, with its typical Spanish-style houses, interesting museums, restaurants, hotels, etc. We will take you around the city for a guided tour to visit some of the most interesting touristic areas like the Museum, The Cathedral, the Flowers Market, the Panama hat factories,  where we will understand the whole process of making this typical Ecuadorian hat.There will be enough time to visit the city and admire its cultural life. After that we will have a free afternoon to discover one of the most charming Colonial-style cities of Ecuador. 

In the early evening we will take a 45-min domestic flight back to Quito, where we can have our farewell dinner.

Overnight at Dann Carlton Hotel

Measl included: Breakfast

International departures, end of services. Take with you memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you !buen viaje!

Meals included: Breakfast