DAY 2

Quito City Tour

We spend the day exploring the old town of Quito, with its 16th century architecture, leafy plazas and narrow, colorful streets. We may visit the Museum of the City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in a historic hospital built in 1565 by King Phillip II of Spain, as well as Independence Plaza at the center of the city, and the famous statues and colonial churches of El Panecillo Hill. Return to hotel.

Hotel Ibis, Quito (2 nights)

DAY 3

Waterfall hiking along the Pita River

We drive south for an hour from Quito to our trailhead in the Ecuadorian high country. Our trek follows the Pita River through a lush cloud forest, over bridges and past waterfalls, until we come to a large waterfall at the head of the valley. We eat lunch and then hike back to our starting point. Another short hike from the trailhead takes us to our takes us to our hacienda.

Hacienda CotopaxiPungo (1 night)
Activity Easy Hiking

DAY 4

Pasochoa Volcano Ascent

Today we trek up an extinct volcano in the Guayllabamba River Basin named Pasochoa (13,780 ft / 4,200 m). Our trail leads through Ecuador’s rolling high plains until we scramble onto a rocky promontory with steep, forested cliffs dropping away below us. On a clear day, we might see condors and wild horses, as well as the distant pyramids of Ecuador’s famous glaciated volcanoes. We eat lunch on the summit and then take a short drive to Hacienda los Mortiños.

Hacienda Los Mortiños or Hacienda El Porvenir (1 night)
Activity Easy Hiking

DAY 5

Cotopaxi Glacier Trekking

We awake to spectacular views of Cotopaxi rising above the Ecuadorian highlands. We eat breakfast in our cozy hacienda, then trek up to the Jose F. Rivas Refuge on the flanks of Cotopaxi. Another 30 minutes of hiking takes us to the edge of Cotopaxi’s glaciers with views of Ruminahui, Sincholahua and other volcanoes such as Antisana if the weather is clear. We descend and drive to Hacienda la Cienega, a beautifully restored 17th century colonial estate where we spend the night.

Hacienda La Cienega (1 night)
Activity Easy Hiking

DAY 6

Baños de Agua Santa • Hot Springs

In the morning we drive south through the Ecuadorian countryside to the resort town of Baños de Agua Santa at the base of the 16,480-foot Tungurahua Volcano. Tungurahua’s geothermal activity feeds the many famous hot springs in Baños. We may rent bicycles to use around town or drive to a resort perched on a ridge high above the valley with hot pools, massages and fine dining. We sleep in a hotel in Baños. (Hot springs admission, bicycles and other amenities not included in trip fee.)

La Floresta Hotel (1 night)

DAY 7-8

Waterfalls & Eco Lodge Tours of the Amazon Basin

Depart Baños and drive to the Arajuno River. We embark on motorized canoes upstream to Itamandi Eco Lodge. After lunch, meet your local guide and explore the jungle. Activities may include tubing on the river and a nocturnal wildlife hike.

Immerse yourself in the Amazon Basin’s biodiversity. Visit a parrot gathering spot, a local community to sample traditional foods, and, if adventurous, try roasted palm weevil larvae. Afternoon options include an ethnobotanical walk or relaxing by the river or pool.

Itamandi Eco Lodge (2 nights)
Activity Easy Hiking

DAY 9

Papallacta Hot Springs

Return to the Arajuno River by canoe, then drive to Papallacta Hot Springs for a relaxing soak. Afterward, we descend and transfer to a hotel near Mariscal Sucre International Airport.

Wyndham Hotel (1 night)

DAY 10

Departure

Today we depart Mariscal Sucre International Airport on our flights home.