Discover Ecuador: Quito Explorer & National Parks Tour with Serene

Your TourHero

Serene

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

Guide - Andando Tours

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.

This was one of the best holidays I've ever had. While I was very reluctant to join a tour, it was simply awesome. Eduardo, our guide, is an absolute legend when it comes to his knowledge and passion about the environment. You will not regret this one bit. It's a trip of a lifetime. Go with the flow and enjoy every minute of it.

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Joseph Michael

Punctual and informative tour guide Louis from Andando. Took us around all the sights around Quito. Very knowledgeable guide took us around Quito, to the Equator and to Catopaxi. We felt we learnt a lot and managed to see most of the sights. Felt safe throughout.

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Rosekzyz

Andando Tours was very helpful in setting up a last-minute tour to the Galapagos, and also had some great information about the different islands. Great communication throughout as well. Highly recommended.

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Christi Spak
Ecuador>Discover Ecuador: Quito Explorer & National Parks Tour with Serene

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 the full payment, you may change or cancel your trip up to 30 days before the tour departure for a refund.

Your TourHero

Serene

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

Ecuador>Discover Ecuador: Quito Explorer & National Parks Tour with Serene

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

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 the full payment, you may change or cancel your trip up to 30 days before the tour departure for a refund.

USD 0
Per person