Ecuador's must-sees
2024
Highlights of the trip
During your stay you can enjoy the following highlights: Culture / Heritage, Faune and flora, Adventure / Sports & Leisure, Free time.
Best times to go
The best time(s) to go is/are : Printemps, Eté, Automne, Hiver.
Where to stay - Quito ?
The map of your stay "Ecuador's must-sees"
Detail of the stay : Ecuador's must-sees
How to get there - Quito
Visit Quito
Steps: Quito
Visit the colonial city, its churches and colonial houses. Enjoy the views from Panecillo Hill, the Telefériqo or Itchimbía Park.
Places of interest : VIRGEN DE EL PANECILLO PARQUE ITCHIMBIA TELEFERIQO
Continuation of Quito tour
Steps: Otavalo
Morning in Quito, to complete the tour of the historic center or discover the superb Archaeological Museum of the Central Bank. Afternoon departure for Otavalo - a Wednesday or Saturday is best for visiting the market.
Places of interest : MUSÉE DE LA BANQUE CENTRAL
Otavalo market
Early in the morning, visit the animal market and then the gigantic craft market. Return to Quito in the late afternoon.
Heading for the Amazon
Immersion in the Amazon rainforest (4 to 5 days). Prefer the Cuyabeno region (in the northeast of the country) to see more animals. Allow two days for the round trip from Quito and the transfer by pirogue to the lodge.
Amazonian explorations
In the programme: daytime and night excursions in the forest, observation of wildlife and flora, visit of indigenous communities.
Amazonian explorations, next
Continue exploration.
Amazonian explorations, next
Continue exploration.
Direction Cuenca
Return to Quito in the afternoon. Possible connecting flight to Cuenca. Evening and overnight in Cuenca.
Visit this jewel of colonial architecture
Steps: Cuenca
Discover the colonial city of Cuenca, a historic jewel and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Transit via Quito
Return to Quito or stopover in Guayaquil before boarding your flight to the Galapagos or heading for the Pacific coast.
Off to the Galapagos?
Steps: Mompiche
Cheaper option: departure from Quito or Cuenca for Puerto Lopez and/or the surrounding area. Choose from Montañita for surfers and party-goers, or Canoa or Mompiche for those seeking peace and quiet. This tour is described in more detail below.
Amore expensive option: a cruise around the Galapagos Islands, including the islands of Santa Cruz, San Cristobal and Isabela. Travel organized via a local agency (this option saves time and allows you to take part in as many activities as possible: boat excursions, discovery of the islands and certain islets, visits to must-see sites, diving opportunities). Choose to arrive on Santa Cruz Island.
Frailes Beach Beach
Steps: Parque Nacional Machalilla
Around Puerto Lopez, visit the National Park of Machalilla to the beautiful beach of Los Frailes, where you will spend a whole day, between hiking and swimming.
Isla de la Plata, the "Galapagos of the poor
Steps: Atacames
VisitIsla de la Plata, home to frigate birds, blue- and red-legged boobies and other birds, and take part in snorkeling activities. In season, boat excursions to observe humpback whales (June to September).
