ITINERARIES IN ECUADOR

In no other country in South America you can travel so easily and discover such a diversity of interesting cultures and beautiful nature than in Ecuador. We have set up several itineraries for you, like classical Ecuador roundtrips, Ecuador in modules and Ecuador in special themes, on which you can experience the best of Ecuador in a limited period of time.

The itineraries depend on arrival and departure times of different airlines, ships and the train to the legendary 'Devil's Nose'. The following examples are only proposals and can be altered any time according to your wishes and interests. We are more than glad to put together for you your individual travel itinerary free of charge and without obligation.

Ecuador in special themes:
"Avenue of the volcanoes" - Ruta del sol - Adventure route - Extreme adventure - Naturalist route - Cultural route - Relaxation route

Day 1: Quito, pearl of South America and World Cultural Heritage Site
Day 2: Pululahua Reserve, volcanic crater
Day 3: Pasochoa, nature reserve
Day 4-5: Cloud Forest , paradise for nature lovers
Day 6-7: Cotopaxi National Park, hiking and relaxing
Day 8-9: Riobamba, Chimborazo and train ride
Day 10-11: Cuenca, colonial city and Cajas National Park
Day 12-14: Vilcabamba, the "Valley of longevity"
Day 15-16: Machala, Bosque Petrificado de Puyango
Day 16-19: Machalilla National Park, diverse coastal paradise
Day 20: Module to continue or return flight

Day 1: Quito
Arrival in Quito and transfer from the Mariscal Sucre Airport to hotel. This attractive and especially beautiful city is surrounded by snow-covered volcanoes, and lies only 22 kilometres from the Equator Line.

Day 2: Pululahua Crater
Visit to Geobotanic Reserve Pululahua (3383 ha), which lies about 26 km north of Quito. Admire the volcanic crater of the extinct Pululahua, apparently formed when the volcano collapsed, leaving a huge crater of 400m depth and 5 km across. It is sometimes difficult to observe due to the swirling clouds and mist. Optional city sightseeing tour.

Day 3: Pasochoa Nature Reserve
Continue your journey to Pasochoa Refuge, located 30km southeast Quito. More than 100 species of birds, along with rabbits, squirrels, deer, foxes and pumas have been encountered in this undisturbed humid Andean forest. Within its 500ha, it also contains a wide range of highland trees and shrubs. Several trails are available, ranging from easy half-hour paths, to all-day hikes. It is possible to hike up to Pasochoa summit – 8-hour trail.

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Day 4 - 5: Cloud Forest
Prepare yourself to visit cloud forests, located in the steep slopes of the Andes, ranging from 900m to 2500m of altitude. Cloud forests contain a high biodiversity and constitute a real paradise for nature lovers. Let one of our recommended partners in this area guide you through unique birdwatching activities. Biking, trekking and other naturalist activities are also available, within an inviting warm weather.

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Day 6-7: Cotopaxi National Park
Visit Cotopaxi National Park, located just 2 hours from Quito. Including 33.393ha, this park is the most visited in the mainland –nevertheless, it is never crowded. The snow-capped Cotopaxi Volcano, Ecuador’s second-highest peak (5897m), constitutes its main attraction. Volcanic activity is limited and can only be seen by mountaineers who climb up to the icy crater. There are also other peaks within the park, of which Ruminahui (4271m) is the highest one. Wildlife is very interesting and the Andean condor constitutes one of the main attractions, though it is rarely seen. Ducks, deer, rabbits, pumas, llamas, Andean spectacled bears, among others, have also been seen within the park. Enjoy astonishing views while walking or hiking. Biking and horseback riding tours can be also organised for you.

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Day 8: Riobamba
Panorama drive through the area of Chimborazo Volcanoe to Riobamba, provincial capital of Chimborazo, which is situated at an altitude of 2.750m and offers a variety of nice parks and squares as well as many interesting museums. The unique view of five of the most important volcanoes of Ecuador - Chimborazo, Altar, Tungurahua, Carihuairazo - attracts many tourists. Chimborazo Volcano, with 6.310m, the highest mountain in Ecuador, and Carihuairazo (5.020m) are both within a big reserve and you can go on hiking, walking or climbing tours.

Day 9: Riobamba - Train ride
Experience the train ride to the Devil’s Nose (La Nariz del Diablo) from Riobamba to Alausí. Extraordinary here is that most passengers do not sit in a compartment but rather on top of the train. This renders the ride of ca. 4 hours an unforgettable experience! Continue to Cuenca.

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Day 10: Cuenca
Cuenca is the third largest and probably the most beautiful city in Ecuador providing a unique flair with cobblestone streets and colonial buildings. Beside numerous cathedrals, churches and museums also the Abdón Calderón Park, the heart of Cuenca, is worth a visit. City Sightseeing Tour.

Day 11: Cuenca - El Cajas National Park
Drive to one of the most beautiful parks, famous for its many astonishing lakes – more than 200 -, located just 30 km west of Cuenca. Bird watchers will be delighted observing the many different species found on the lakes, in the typical ‘quinua forests’ and in the surrounding páramo landscape. There are a number of signed trails in the most popular area (around Laguna Toreadora) – suitable for hikes of a few hours, as well as multiday treks all the way across the park.

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Day 12 - 14: Vilcabamba - Podocarpus National Park
Continue your trip to the southernmost 146.280ha national park, which covers a wide range of habitats, with altitudes ranging from over 3600m, in the páramo and lake-covered mountain area southeast of Loja, to about 900m, in the rainforests south of Zamora Province. The countryside is wild and rugged, and home

to many rare animal and plant species. Enjoy the unique surroundings in the 'Valley of longevity"!

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Day 15 - 16: Bosque Petrificado de Puyango
This itinerary will lead you to the coastal region of Ecuador, where you will reach the ‘stone forest’ of Puyango, a small petrified forest which became a reserve in 1988 to protect the fossil remains and wildlife in the area. Fossilised tree trunks, millions of years old and up to 11m long and 1,6 m in diameter, have been found. It is considered to be one of the largest petrified forests in the whole continent. This unique forest is well-known for its birds –over 130 bird species have been identified. Flora and geology are also of great interest.

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Day 16 - 19: Machalilla National Park
Flight to Guayaquil and transfer to Machalilla National Park, Ecuador´s only coastal national park. It was created in 1979 to protect 50km of beach, 40.000ha of tropical dry forest and cloud reserve and about 20.000ha of ocean, including off-shore islands, of which Isla de la Plata is the most important. This island nestles colonies of seabirds –some of which can only be seen as well in the Galápagos Islands-, as well as dolphins and hump-back whales especially from June to August, an amazing experience.

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Day 20: Module to continue or return flight
Return flight to Quito or Guayaquil, Module Galápagos

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Ecuador Roundtrip I - Ecuador Roundtrip II - Ecuador in modules - Ecuador in special themes