Classic: Ecuador Encompassed (SEEE)
Countries Visited: Ecuador
Trip Style: Classic - Designed for maximum variety, these trips are geared towards travellers searching for a healthy mix of active exploration, uncommon landscapes, amazing wildlife and local cultures.
Service Level: Standard
Great value, reasonable prices, quality experiences Comfortable and varied tourist-class accommodations chosen for location and character Mix of public and private transport for the best overall experience All the top highlights included, plus plenty of time to explore on your own
Physical Demands Rating: 1 - You'll have to walk around on your own, climb some stairs and carry your own bag. Easy does it.
Group Size: Max 16, avg 12
Meals Included: 13 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Accommodations: Not Availaible
Highlights
Wander Quito and colonial cities, Get adventurous in Banos, feel like a local at an Amazon jungle homestay, soak in an Andean hot spring, shop at the Otavalo Market, Visit a traditional cacao hacienda, enjoy the laid-back surf vibes in Montanita, Relax on Ecuadors beaches
Description
If you don't want to leave Ecuador without seeing as much as you can but with some time to chill, we don't blame you -- where better to get centred than the lateral centre of Earths With nearly three weeks to explore, you'll have plenty of time to do it all. Learn about traditional Quichua culture in the Amazon, wander the streets of cities like Quito and Cuenca, then enjoy the chill vibes in the surf town of Montanita.
Trip Style: Classic - Designed for maximum variety, these trips are geared towards travellers searching for a healthy mix of active exploration, uncommon landscapes, amazing wildlife and local cultures.
Service Level: Standard
Physical Demands Rating: 1 - You'll have to walk around on your own, climb some stairs and carry your own bag. Easy does it.
Group Size: Max 16, avg 12
Meals Included: 13 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Accommodations: Not Availaible
Highlights
Wander Quito and colonial cities, Get adventurous in Banos, feel like a local at an Amazon jungle homestay, soak in an Andean hot spring, shop at the Otavalo Market, Visit a traditional cacao hacienda, enjoy the laid-back surf vibes in Montanita, Relax on Ecuadors beaches
Description
If you don't want to leave Ecuador without seeing as much as you can but with some time to chill, we don't blame you -- where better to get centred than the lateral centre of Earths With nearly three weeks to explore, you'll have plenty of time to do it all. Learn about traditional Quichua culture in the Amazon, wander the streets of cities like Quito and Cuenca, then enjoy the chill vibes in the surf town of Montanita.
Call (858) 999-3025 for more information or to book today! Mention code 13650293
- Tour Operator
- G Adventures
- Duration
- 17 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Quito | Day 1 Quito There are no activities planned until the evening welcome meeting. Included Activities: Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting |
| Day 2 | Banos | Day 2 Quito/Banos (1B) Travel to Banos and be spoiled for choice with optional outdoor activities like hiking, ziplining, and canyoning. Or, take it easy and relax in the hot springs. Transport: Local bus (4.00 hour(s)) |
| Day 3 | Banos | Day 3 Banos Enjoy another free day to take full advantage of all the activities in this adventurous town. |
| Day 4 | Tena | Day 4 Banos/Tena (1L, 1D) Descend into the Amazon Jungle region. Notice the scenery change dramatically heading from the mountains into the lush, tropical Amazon rainforest. Stay with a Quichua family and enjoy the hospitality of these wonderful people, and experience life in the jungle firsthand. Included Activities: Amazon Jungle Experience Transport: Local bus (3.50 hour(s)) Private Vehicle (0.75 hour(s)) |
| Day 5 | Tena | Day 5 Tena (1B, 1L, 1D) Enjoy a full day in the Amazon learning about local life in the jungle. Enjoy nature walks and visits with the local shaman. Spend the night in rustic jungle huts in a Quichua community. Included Activities: Amazon Jungle Experience |
| Day 6 | Papallacta | Day 6 Tena/Papallacta Take a local bus to Papallacta and relax in the natural mineral hot pools with volcanic views. Transport: Local bus |
| Day 7 | Quito | Day 7 Papallacta/Quito (1B) Enjoy a relaxing morning at the hot springs before travelling back to Quito for free time to explore. Included Activities: Papallacta Hot Springs Visit Transport: Local bus (1.50 hour(s)) |
| Day 8 | Otavalo | Day 8 Quito/Otavalo (1B) Explore the largest handicraft market in South America, Otavalo market. Villagers from the surrounding countryside come every week to sell handmade goods as well as livestock, fruits, and vegetables. Included Activities: Otavalo Handicrafts Market Visit Transport: Private Vehicle (2.00 hour(s)) |
| Day 9 | Cotopaxi | Day 9 Otavalo/Cotopaxi (1B) Travel by bus to Cotopaxi National Park. Opt to visit a lagoon at elevation, hike national park trails, or mountain bike with views of Cotopaxi Volcano. Spend the night in a mountain lodge near the national park. Transport: Local bus (2.00 hour(s)) Private Vehicle (2.00 hour(s)) |
| Day 10 | Alausi | Day 10 Cotopaxi/Alausi (1B) Enjoy the morning in Cotopaxi before continuing on to Alausi. Transport: Private Vehicle (4.50 hour(s)) |
| Day 11 | Cuenca | Day 11 Alausi/Cuenca (1B) Enjoy Ecuadors most spectacular train journey. The famed Nariz del Diablo (Devil's Nose) ride descends to the coast in a spectacular display of engineering around stunning mountain terrain. The journey returns back to Alausi after more than 1000m (3280 ft) in elevation loss. Included Activities: Devils Nose Excursion Transport: Private Vehicle (3.00 hour(s)) |
| Day 12 | Cuenca | Day 12 Cuenca (1B) Explore the city's sights, including cobblestoned streets, red-tiled roofs, art galleries, flower markets, shaded plazas, and museums. |
| Day 13 | Montanita | Day 13 Cuenca/Montanita (1B) Head to the coastal laid-back surf town of Montanita. En route, stop at a traditional cacao hacienda. Included Activities: Traditional Cacao Hacienda Transport: Local bus (3.50 hour(s)) Private Vehicle (2.50 hour(s)) |
| Day 14 | Puerto Lopez | Day 14 Montanita/Puerto Lopez (1B) Head to the beach town of Puerto Lopez and the beautiful Machalilla National Park that surrounds it. There are tons of activities in the area to take part in over the next few days. Transport: Local bus (1.00 hour(s)) |
| Day 15 | Puerto Lopez | Day 15 Puerto Lopez (1B) Enjoy free time to explore. Optional activities include hiking in Machalilla National Park, relaxing on white-sand beaches, or whale- watching (when in season). Or, opt for the popular day-trip to Isla del Plata, home to a variety of seabirds including blue-footed boobies and fantastic snorkelling that rivals the Galapagos. |
| Day 16 | Quito | Day 16 Puerto Lopez/Quito (1B) Fly Back to Quito and enjoy free time. Opt to take a city tour, ride the cable car up the nearby volcano, or relax in one of the citys many cafEs and restaurants. Transport: Flight (1.00 hour(s)) Private Vehicle (3.00 hour(s)) |
| Day 17 | Quito | Day 17 Quito (1B) Depart at any time. Additional Notes: We recommend booking pre or post nights in Quito for additional time to explore. The optional activities may require additional time, speak to your CEO for assistance booking these activities on trip. |
- Disclaimer
Local Flights: All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.
Dossier Disclaimer:The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer: While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
