Ecuador Explorer: Andes North to South with Eva Seelye

We’re excited to have you here in Ecuador with us! Upon your arrival at the airport in Quito, the country’s capital, we’ll embark on a journey north to the delightful town of Otavalo, which sits 2,532 meters above sea level in the highlands of the Andes Mountains. Surrounded by volcanoes, including the Imbabura Volcano, this charming town is known for its skilled indigenous artisans and woodworkers. After checking into your accommodation, you’ll have the chance to rest and recover from your long journey. Tomorrow, we will visit the town’s handicraft market in the morning before our big adventure to the Cuicocha crater lake.

Ready for adventure? It’s time to head to the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve to discover the Cuicocha Lagoon, actually an impressive three-kilometer-wide crater lake. Located at the foothills of the imposing and still-active Cotacachi Volcano, this glorious caldera is a sight to behold. We’ll stop at the viewpoint to admire the breathtaking scenery before we begin our trek around the lake. The route will allow us to enjoy the amazing landscapes and a truly unique ecosystem. Fun fact: This lake was considered a sacred place by the indigenous inhabitants and the name Cuicocha Lagoon (Laguna de Cuicocha) comes from the Kichwa indigenous language and means “Lago del Cuy”, or “Guinea Pig Lake” in English. It was given this name because of the guinea pig shape of the largest island in the middle of the lake! After our visit, we’ll head back to the city

After lunch, we’ll take a short walk to the nearby Otavalo handicraft market. Known as the Plaza De Los Ponchos Market, this lively place is the largest and most important indigenous artisan market in the country. Here, artisans gather to show and sell all manner of crafts, with stalls overflowing with textiles, jewelry, trinkets, and souvenirs. Immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere, interact with the locals, and grab yourself a bargain!

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll depart for Cotopaxi National Park. On our journey, we’ll pass the town of Machachi and cross a pass that takes us to the Cotopaxi Province, from which the colossal Cotopaxi Volcano will come into view. Catch sight of the clouds that fill the nearby valleys like steaming cauldrons! When we enter the home of Ecuador’s second-highest peak, you will see why the area is called the “Avenue of Volcanoes”. Our drive brings us out onto the plain of Lake Limpiopungo (Laguna de Limpiopungo), fed by water from the volcano Rumiñahui that towers over it. At the water’s edge, you might glimpse visiting wildlife — ducks, swallows, frogs, and toads, or perhaps an eagle or a great Andean condor. We’ll eventually come to the Incan ruins of Pucará de Salitre, a lookout fortress once used to control the communication route from the highlands into the Amazon Jungle. If the weather is good, you’ll be treated to epic views of surrounding volcanoes: Rumiñahui, Sincholagua, Pasachoa, and with luck, the shy Antisana! As we advance across the paramo (moors), we might see hawks, foxes, llamas, and even deer. Finally, we’ll continue to the town of Baños in the Tungurahua Province.

Today, after breakfast, we’ll visit one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on our planet: the Andean cloud forest. From Baños, located at the foothills of the Tungurahua Volcano, we will drive towards the jungle to see the many waterfalls that flow into the 300-meter-deep Pastaza River Gorge. We’ll stop at the most famous waterfalls in the area before reaching our destination in the Parroquia Rio Verde. Here, a cable car ride takes us across the gorge — get ready, you’ll be treated to spectacular panoramic views and a closer look at “Manto de la Novia”, a remarkably high waterfall on the other side of the gorge. Once in Rio Verde, a 15-minute walk through the cloud forest brings us to the unbelievable “Pailón del Diablo” (The Devil’s Cauldron), a massive waterfall that cascades into a big cauldron of rocks below. For the more adventurous, a tunnel carved into the rock leads you to the back of this waterfall; if you don’t mind getting wet, get exploring! After this, we return to our transport for the drive back to Baños and to prepare for our next activity.

Choose between a thrilling canyoning experience or bike along the trails of Llanganates National Park.

After an energizing breakfast, we’ll take a short hike nearby to explore the surrounding mountains and take in some amazing views. Once we’ve stretched our legs, we’ll board our transport and depart for the Ingapirca Archaeological Complex. Also known as the Ingapirca Ruins, this gem is a remarkable site of perfectly carved stones that fit together seamlessly. The main ruin is the elliptic structure of the Temple of the Sun, a temple used for ceremonies and rituals of the Cañari and Inca people. Here, we will also come across a cemetery, a solar observatory, paths, priests’ chambers, and an indigenous plaza scattered among the remaining buildings. After this visit, we will continue to the city of Cuenca. Here, you’ll have the chance to check into your accommodation located in Cuenca’s historical center. You’ll have the rest of the day free to explore the remarkable city, declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will leave Cuenca behind and journey to the nearby Cajas National Park, one of the biggest wetland reserves in Ecuador. It boasts 30,000 hectares of forest and moors, with more than 230 lakes spread across the protected area. Due to the different altitudes and humidity levels, this reserve is made up of multiple microclimates and ecosystems, making it an ideal home for many animals, especially birds and amphibians. Once in the park, we will hike around one of the lakes to have a closer look at this unique ecosystem and the surrounding landscapes. After our hike, we’ll continue to the city of Guayaquil, located in the coastal region of the country.

Today, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and spend the day at your own pace in the port city of Guayaquil. Venture downtown to find cafes and art galleries, stop by the Plaza Guayarte for street art and great food, take a leisurely stroll down the Malecón 2000 riverfront promenade by the Rio Guayas, or relax in one of the many beautiful parks. There's plenty to see and do in the city, so make the most of your final full day in Ecuador!

We hope you’ve enjoyed your epic adventure in Ecuador! After your final breakfast and checking out of your accommodation, depending on your flight schedule, we will transfer you to Guayaquil airport for your return flight. Until next time — we hope to see you again soon!