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The Ecuador Experience

18 days, Quito to Quito

A local Ecuadorian wearing traditional clothing in Otavola, Ecuador
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Sorry! There are no remaining departures for "The Ecuador Experience" (REE), but here are some similar trips.

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This itinerary is valid for departures until April 12, 2018 (and the June 7th departure). To view the itinerary from May 2018 onwards click here.

18 days

Quito to Quito

Sold Out

There are no departure dates currently available for the rest of this season. Some tours only run during parts of the year.

Trip Code: REE

Need a flight? We can help.

Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: Classic

All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.

Service Level: Basic

Simple and clean hotels and hostels; affordable public and private transport; lots of optional activities.

Physical Rating: 3 - Average

Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 16, avg 12

Age requirement: 12+

All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Check Your Visa Requirements

Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

View our Entry Requirements tool

18 days

Quito to Quito

Sold Out

There are no departure dates currently available for the rest of this season. Some tours only run during parts of the year.

Trip Code: REE

Need a flight? We can help.

Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

See how your trip uplifts communities

In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.

Trees for Days

Help us spread love around the world with Trees for Days. Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.

Trees planted for this trip: 18

Map of the route for The Ecuador Experience

Places visited

Itinerary

Day 1Quito

Arrive at any time.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Welcome Moment Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Day 2Quito/Tena

Head down winding roads to the Amazon Basin and spend the night in Tena.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 3Tena

Enjoy a free day in Tena, opt to visit an animal rescue centre or go whitewater rafting. Later, head to a local Quichua community in a small Amazonian village to spend two nights in rustic jungle huts. Enjoy nature walks and visits with the local shaman.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Local Living Moment Amazon Jungle Experience

Meals included:

Lunch | Dinner

Day 4Tena

Spend the day exploring the area around the Quichua community and learn more about local life in the jungle.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 5Tena/Baños

Travel to Baños and enjoy the numerous outdoor optional activities available. Opt to go hiking, ziplining, or soak in the hot springs.

Day 6Baños

Enjoy free time to experience all this adventurous town has to offer.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Discover Moment

Day 7Baños/Alausí

Travel to Alausí via Riobamba and take in the architecture of this local town.

Day 8Alausí/Guayaquil

Board the train for an included excursion bound for the Devil's Nose. After, continue by bus to Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador.

Day 9Guayaquil/Puerto López

Head to the beach town Puerto Lopez and Machalilla National Park. There are tons of activities in the area to take part in over the next few days.

Days 10–11Puerto López

Enjoy free time to explore. Optional activities include a day trip to Isla de la Plata, hiking in Machalilla National Park, snorkelling or relaxing on the beach. Opt to go whale watching (when in season).

Day 12Puerto López/Quito

Spend another full day in Puerto López before an overnight bus to Quito.

Day 13Quito

Arrive in the morning and enjoy a free day in Quito. Opt to take a city tour, ride the cable car up the nearby volcano or relax in one of the city's many cafés and restaurants.

Day 14Quito/San Clemente

Travel to the indigenous community of San Clemente. Interact with the locals and learn about their traditional ways during a homestay. Opt to enjoy a cultural evening and show with typical food.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Local Living Moment Indigenous Community Homestay

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 15San Clemente

Spend a full day here with optional hikes to learn about the area's medicinal plants or trek up the Imbabura Mountain. Interact with the locals and learn about their traditions.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Local Living Moment Indigenous Community Homestay

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 16San Clemente/Otavalo

Head to Otavalo, famous for its market. Opt to visit the Peguche Waterfall and Cotacachi leather market or hike around Cuicocha Lake.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 17Otavalo/Quito

Explore some more before travelling back to Quito in the afternoon for one final night out in the capital city.

Day 18Quito

Depart at any time.

Meals included:

Breakfast
View full itinerary

What's Included

  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your Local Living Moment: Amazon Jungle Experience, Tena
  • Your Discover Moment: Baños
  • Your Local Living Moment: Indigenous Community Homestay, San Clemente
  • Train excursion to Devil's Nose
  • Machalilla NP stay
  • Otavalo Market visit
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Simple hotels (12 nts), Amazon community stay (2 nts), overnight bus (1 nt), indigenous community homestay (2 nts, multi-share).

Meals

6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
Allow USD340-445 for meals not included.

Transportation

Public bus, truck, train.

Staff & experts

Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.

Departures

There are no departure dates currently available for the rest of this season. Some tours only run during parts of the year.

Please Contact Us to inquire about dates for next season, or to discuss other tour options.

The Ecuador Experience

| 18 days - Quito to Quito - Sold Out