Discover Ecuador: Quito Explorer & National Parks Tour with Serene
Your TourHero
Hello, I’m Serene and I love traveling! I've been to 25 countries in total so far. I'm pretty adventurous with a penchant for exploring off-the-beaten-path locations. I've never been to Ecuador before, and I'm really excited to discover it. Come travel with me! I'm super excited to share this awesome trip with you and hope you'll come along!
Duration
6 days · 5 nights
Travel Date
Mar 13 - 18, 2022
Activity Level
Moderate
Group Size
6 – 15
Transportation
Van
Tour Price
USD 615
/ person
Your Fellow Explorers
Age range
22 - 30
Travel interest
Adventure, hiking, outdoors, culture & history
Your Local Guide
With over 40 years of experience as a tour operator in the Galapagos and Ecuador, Andando Tours is equipped with the expertise and extended travel knowledge about the fantastic destinations offered in their itineraries, delivering first-hand experiences and recommendations for an unforgettable journey. Each trip is designed to allow travelers to experience authentic locations in Ecuador in a safe, immersive, and experiential way. Let the passionate guides of Andando Tours take care of all the nitty gritty details for you — all you need to do is enjoy your inspirational journey through Ecuador.
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Pack your bags and get ready to trek through some of the most beautiful parks in Ecuador. This trip will take you from Quito to Guayaquil, with multiple city tours along the way, and a local guide who will take you through Cotopaxi National Park, Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve, Ingapirca Archeological Park, and Cajas National Park. Make sure your camera battery is charged as you trek through these majestic landscapes, learning about Ecuador’s ancient past and bustling present.
Cancellation policy
Refunds for deposits
If you cancel your trip after placing a deposit but before your card on file is charged for the full payment, you can request a full refund of your deposit up to 30 days before the tour departure.
Refunds for fully-paid trips
If you cancel your trip after making full payment, you may change or cancel your trip up to 30 days before the tour departure for a credit towards a future trip. You will receive a credit equivalent to 100% of your trip payment to be used anytime within the next 2 years from the date the credit note is issued.
A full credit will also be issued if the tour is canceled due to COVID-19 travel restrictions (see our COVID-19 guarantee on the tour itinerary page). We suggest buying your own travel insurance for coverage of cancellations within 30 days of the tour commencing for reasons other than a full tour cancellation.
Your TourHero
Hello, I’m Serene and I love traveling! I've been to 25 countries in total so far. I'm pretty adventurous with a penchant for exploring off-the-beaten-path locations. I've never been to Ecuador before, and I'm really excited to discover it. Come travel with me! I'm super excited to share this awesome trip with you and hope you'll come along!
Duration
6 days · 5 nights
Travel Date
Mar 13 - 18, 2022
Activity Level
Moderate
Group Size
6 – 15
Transportation
Van
Pack your bags and get ready to trek through some of the most beautiful parks in Ecuador. This trip will take you from Quito to Guayaquil, with multiple city tours along the way, and a local guide who will take you through Cotopaxi National Park, Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve, Ingapirca Archeological Park, and Cajas National Park. Make sure your camera battery is charged as you trek through these majestic landscapes, learning about Ecuador’s ancient past and bustling present.
Timeline
- Day 1 · Quito
- Arrive in Quito
- Transfer from airport to accommodation
- Check-in at Cultura Manor (or similar according to availability)
- Dinner (not included in price)
- Day 2 · Quito
- Breakfast (not included in price)
- Quito City Tour and Equator Trip (lunch included)
- Dinner (not included in price)
- Day 3 · Salcedo
- Breakfast (not included in price)
- Check out of accommodation
- Explore Cotopaxi National Park (lunch included)
- Check-in at Hosteria Rumipamba de las Rosas (or similar according to availability)
- Dinner
- Day 4 · Cuenca
- Breakfast and check out of accommodation
- Chimborazo Volcano Tour
- Lunch
- Ingapirca Archeological Park Tour
- Check-in at Hotel Forum Santa Lucia House (or similar according to availability)
- Dinner
- Day 5 · Cuenca & Guayaquil
- Breakfast and check out of accommodation
- Cuenca City Tour
- Cajas National Park Tour (lunch included)
- Check-in at Hotel Unipark (or similar according to availability)
- Dinner
- Day 6 · Departure
- Breakfast and check out of accommodation
- Transfer from accommodation to airport (lunch included)
- Journey ends
Details
Day 1
Welcome to Ecuador – home to incredible landscapes, diverse architecture, and rich culture
Welcome to Ecuador, a biodiverse country featuring the Amazon jungle, Andean mountains, and the famous Galápagos Islands. Here in Quito, check-in at the hotel and spend the rest of your day exploring this bustling capital city. Observe the Spanish influences within the architecture and food, and discover the beauty of the many ornate palaces and churches within the city. Grab dinner with the group and let this adventure begin!
Day 2
Explore Quito with a private city tour and trip to the Equator line
Good morning and welcome to your first full day in Quito! After breakfast, we’ll take a private tour of the city with a local guide who will bring us to all the must-see landmarks. It’s said there are over 80 churches in the city, and you’ll get to see a few of the best on this personalized journey. From the Basilica of the National Vote to The Sagrario Church, we’ll learn the history of Quito and the underlying Spanish influence that remains today. After immersing ourselves in the energy of downtown, we’ll head to the Equator line and enjoy some live demonstrations reflecting latitude 0. When we get back, you’ll have the rest of the afternoon to explore on your own and decide which delicious Ecuadorian meal you’ll have for dinner.
Day 3
Journey to the most active volcano in Ecuador at Cotopaxi National Park
Rise and shine, adventure seekers! Today, we start our trek through various parks in the country to see the pristine landscapes of jungles, volcanoes, and mountain ranges. After breakfast, we’ll head to Cotopaxi National Park, known for the Cotopaxi volcano, which is one of the highest active volcanos in the world. Your guide will take you through the park with side trips to the Limpiopungo lagoon and Quilotoa Lagoon. Make sure your camera battery is charged for a landscape like no other! During this trek, we’ll stop for lunch and have free time to explore the area. From here, we’ll push forward on our journey, check into our next accommodation, and have a stellar group meal to reflect on all that we saw.
Day 4
Tour the Chimborazo Volcano and wildlife reserve
We hope you’re well-rested, as today will be a day to remember! After breakfast, we’ll head to the Chimborazo Mountain Wildlife Reserve and tour the Chimborazo Volcano with our local guide. You’ll see llamas and alpacas, native vegetation, and learn about the hydrology of the area. Here, you’ll get the best view of the volcano with time to take all the pictures you can!
Discover the history of the Ingapirca Archeological Park, the most important ancient site in Ecuador
After lunch, we’ll continue on our way to Ingapirca Archeological Park for a tour through the ancient ruins that are considered the most important archeological site in Ecuador. Learn about the Cañari and Inca inhabitants, both of whom resided in this majestic place. We’ll also have time to visit a local market before checking in at our next home away from home.
Day 5
Tour the city of Cuenca with a local guide
Travelers, today we visit our final national park, but first, we’ll take a private tour through the streets of Cuenca. We’ll begin at the Plaza de San Sebastián, visit the Modern Art Museum and the San Francisco market, along with touring the old and new cathedrals, to name a few. We’ll also visit a Toquilla Straw Hat factory and end the journey at the Turi viewpoint, the best place to take pictures of the entire city. From here, we’ll pack our things and head to Cajas!
Trek through Cajas National Park
We’ll drive to Cajas National Park and spend the day trekking through its myriad trails. Enjoy hikes through evergreen cloud forests, observe the rich array of wildlife, and explore one of the hundred lakes that reside in the park. After a day immersed in nature, we’ll head to our final hotel and enjoy one last dinner as a group.
Day 6
Time to say our goodbyes to Ecuador and new friends
We’ve seen three parks, one nature reserve, and two city tours in just 5 days. What a trip! After one last breakfast in this beautiful country, head to the airport and start scrolling through all of the pictures you took. We hope you enjoyed your time in Ecuador!
Accommodation
Cultura Manor (or similar according to availability)
Cultura Manor is a boutique hotel in the center of Quito that prides itself as an inner-city retreat. This luxury accommodation has won awards for its stunning Renaissance architecture and its customer service, reflecting the heart of its staff and cultural influences. Enjoy the various amenities from the restaurant/bar to the infinity pool and spa services, and sleep like royalty in the Manor’s high-end rooms. Room type: Multiple occupancy.
Hosteria Rumipamba de las Rosas (or similar according to availability)
After a day of trekking around an active volcano, come home to Rumipamba de las Rosas in Salcedo, a town known for its fruity ice cream. At the hotel, enjoy a group dinner of traditional foods and a delicious breakfast before heading back on the road to see it all. The accommodation features comfortable bedding, private bathrooms, and a pool for your enjoyment. Room type: Multiple occupancy.
Hotel Forum Santa Lucia House (or similar according to availability)
Located in the historic center of Cuenca, this restored heritage house features 12 charming rooms, modern facilities, patio, common areas, bar, and cafe. Elegance and modern touches intersect at this tranquil hotel and invite you to rest and relax during your stay. Explore downtown from this prime location and rest your head in this hotel’s soothing atmosphere. Room type: Multiple occupancy.
Hotel Unipark (or similar according to availability)
Hotel Unipark is a modern accommodation located in the heart of downtown Guayaquil. It features a bar/lounge, restaurant, traditional hotel amenities, and a great location to explore Seminario Park and landmarks, such as Guayaquil’s Cathedral. Enjoy one final meal with the group here and sleep with a full heart at this stellar establishment. Room type: Multiple occupancy.
Included
- 2 nights in Cultura Manor (or similar)
- 1 night in Hosteria Rumipamba de las Rosas (or similar) with breakfast and dinner
- 1 night in Hotel Forum Santa Lucia House (or similar) with breakfast and dinner
- 1 night in Hotel Unipark (or similar) with breakfast and dinner
- Shared occupancy in accommodation
- Private English/Spanish-speaking driver/guide for the entire trip
- Airport/hotel pick-ups and drop-offs
- Transfers to and from all excursions
- City Tour and Equatorial Line Entrance Fee (lunch included)
- Cotopaxi National Park Entrance Fee (lunch included)
- Chimborazo Volcano and Ingapirca Archaeological Park Entrance Fees (lunch included)
- Cajas National Park Visit Entrance Fee (lunch included)
- Local guide at all excursions
- 24/7 guest support
Not included
- Flights
- All food not mentioned in inclusions
- Personal expenses
- Optional add-ons
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
COVID-19 guarantee
We know many of you are yearning to travel, but also want to do it in a safe and enjoyable way.
To ensure your wellbeing, we’re working with each of our partners to ensure that exhaustive precautionary health and safety measures are in place. This includes reducing group sizes, incorporating more outdoor adventures, and closely monitoring the spread on the ground.
At the same time, we also know that this is a holiday for you and that you want to experience the best of each location, with minimal inconvenience. We’re confident that each of our trips will be both safe and enjoyable, but if we cannot keep to either of those promises, we will defer or cancel the trip if necessary and gladly issue you credit for a future tour to be used towards any tour within 2 years.
Cancellation policy
Refunds for deposits
If you cancel your trip after placing a deposit but before your card on file is charged for the full payment, you can request a full refund of your deposit up to 30 days before the tour departure.
Refunds for fully-paid trips
If you cancel your trip after making full payment, you may change or cancel your trip up to 30 days before the tour departure for a credit towards a future trip. You will receive a credit equivalent to 100% of your trip payment to be used anytime within the next 2 years from the date the credit note is issued.
A full credit will also be issued if the tour is canceled due to COVID-19 travel restrictions (see our COVID-19 guarantee on the tour itinerary page). We suggest buying your own travel insurance for coverage of cancellations within 30 days of the tour commencing for reasons other than a full tour cancellation.
- Stare in awe at the Cotopaxi volcano, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. - Pixabay: 8moments
- You won't find views anywhere else like the vistas at Cotopaxi National Park. - Pixabay: alejomiranda
- This trek through Cotopaxi park will be one for the books, so make sure your camera is ready for this memorable experience. - Pexels: Kleber M Ortiz
- The Chimborazo landscape will take your breath away! - Unsplash: Fernando Tapia
- The Chimborazo Volcano's last known eruption was in 550 AD. - Pixabay: jdniloec
- Cajas National Park features over 100 lakes to explore. - Andando Tours Website
- The Ingapirca Archeological Park features the most important ancient site in Ecuador. - Wikimedia Commons
- Explore this ancient place and learn about its two inhabitants from your local guide. - Wikimedia Commons
- Let the beauty of nature soothe your soul and reconnect with the Earth in this lush landscape. - Unsplash: Megs Homsher
- Walk through the many evergreen cloud forests in this magical place. - Unsplash: Brandon Gurney
- Start the day with a city tour to learn about all the important historical landmarks in Quito. - Unsplash: Mauricio Muñoz
- With incredible landmarks and Spanish architecture at every turn, your camera roll will be full by the time you leave! - Unsplash: Andrés Medina
- Take some time to roam the streets and sink into the energy of Quito. - Unsplash: Andrés Medina
- Welcome to Quito, Ecuador! - Unsplash: Ariel Tutillo
- You never know where you'll end up on a city walking tour. - Pixabay: PatoSan
- Welcome to Cultura Manor, an inner-city retreat in the heart of Quito. - Cultura Manor Website
- Get your cameras ready for the Basilica of the National Vote. - Pixabay: jerzykwpodrozy
- Your guide will take you to Panecillo Hill to admire the views of the entire city and see the Virgin of El Panecillo. - Pixabay: hbieser
- Stop and breathe in the beauty of nature at the Quilotoa Lagoon. - Pixabay: alejomiranda
- Welcome to Hosteria Rumipamba de las Rosas, your next accommodation on this unforgettable journey - Rumipamba de las Rosas website
- Rest your head at Rumipamba de las Rosas for another exciting day of trekking. - Rumipamba de las Rosas website
- Welcome to Hotel Forum Santa Lucia House, your next home on our journey. - Santa Lucia House
- Explore Cuenca with a local guide and see important landmarks, such as the Cathedral of Cuenca. - Pixabay: fernandozhiminaicela
- Take a walk through the streets of Cuenca and buy some local souvenirs to remember this awesome trip. - Pixabay: hbieser
- Unipark Hotel is the last stop on this journey, located in downtown Guayaquil. - Unipark Hotel website
- Get comfy in this modern room at Unipark Hotel. - Unipark Hotel website
- Rest your head in the hotel's spacious rooms and enjoy the Renaissance decor at every turn. - Cultura Manor Website