A month to discover the best of Ecuador
2024
Highlights of the trip
During your stay you can enjoy the following highlights: Culture / Heritage, Faune and flora, Discovery, 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 "A month to discover the best of Ecuador"
Detail of the stay : A month to discover the best of Ecuador
How to get there - Quito
Visit the capital
Steps: Quito
Discovery of Quito. Visit its churches, convents and museums. We recommend visiting the Palacio del Gobierno, theCompania church, the Casa del Alabado and, of course, climbing the steps of the Basilica del Voto for one of the best panoramic views of the city! In the evening, enjoy the lively nightlife of the Mariscal district (modern Quito) or the trendy restaurants of La Floresta.
Places of interest : IGLESIA DE LA COMPAÑIA DE JESUS BASÍLICA DEL VOTO NACIONAL CASA DEL ALABADO - MUSEO DE ARTE PRECOLOMBINO PALACIO DE CARONDELET - MUSEO DE LA PRESIDENCIA
Halfway around the world
Steps: Mindo
You can visit the Mitad del Mundo for the symbol. From there, you can take your first excursion into the rainforest at Mindo (the 7 waterfalls walk is superb).
In Mindo's cloud forest
Steps: Mindo
Mindo is located just outside Quito, and is the ideal place for birdwatching in the cloud forest(bosque nublado), as well as rafting on the river. You can also visit a chocolate factory, a must in Ecuador.
Otavalo craft market
Steps: Otavalo
The city ofOtavalo is famous for its market, which takes place on Saturdays or, preferably, Wednesdays, and is the largest handicraft market in the country.
Walks around Otavalo
Steps: Ibarra
Numerous walks in the Otavalo area: Cuicocha lagoon, Mojanda lagoon, Peguche waterfall. Meet local communities and visit their handicraft workshops. You can also go as far as Ibarra and take a tour of Lake San Pablo.
Heading for the Amazon
Steps: Lago Agrio - Nueva Loja
For a 4-day stay in the Amazon, prefer the Cuyabeno region (north-east, via Lago Agrio). Allow two days for a round-trip to/from Quito (preferably by night bus) and transportation by pirogue to the lodge.
First Amazon Exploration
In the programme: daytime and night excursions in the jungle, observation of wildlife and flora, walks on the river, meeting with children of the country... A memorable memory! Note: it is essential to go through a local agency.
Amazonia, continued exploration
Continued exploration in the Amazon.
Amazonia, continued exploration
Continued exploration in the Amazon.
Amazonia, continued exploration
Continued exploration in the Amazon.
On the slopes of the Cotopaxi volcano
Steps: Latacunga
Reach Latacunga. From here, plan a day's trek to Cotopaxi National Park, climbing to the volcano refuge based at 4,800 m.
Places of interest : PARQUE NACIONAL COTOPAXI
Latacunga and surrounding area
Steps: Laguna Del Quilotoa
Also from Latacunga, discover the Quilotoa lagoon and the village of Zumbahua. This is the first stage of our journey through the Sierra (on a north-south axis).
Riobamba and the Chimborazo volcano
Steps: Volcán Chimborazo
Half-day tour of Riobamba: markets, cathedral, Concepción church, cobblestone streets and Maldonado Park. Take time to plan an excursion to the Chimborazo volcano, by bike for example.
Places of interest : CATEDRAL DE RIOBAMBA
The Chimborazo ice mines
Steps: Volcán Chimborazo
Weather permitting, as is often the case in the mornings, head for Cuatro Esquina, near La Moya, and climb the steep path to the ice mines, with the help of a horse. An unforgettable day with the locals in the high mountains.
Places of interest : MINES DE GLACE
Visit Cuenca
Steps: Cuenca
Spend a good half-day visiting the colonial city of Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cuenca's surroundings
Steps: San Joaquín
Visit the villages of San Joaquin, Chordeleg and Gualaceo. Spend a day discovering the lakes of El Cajas National Park, superb...
Inca ruins at Ingapirca
Steps: Ingapirca
From Cuenca, take an excursion to the pre-Hispanic site ofIngapirca, the country's only Inca site.
Take a break
Steps: Vilcabamba
Loja and Vilcabamba, south of the Ecuadorian Cordillera. Stay in the region of eternal spring and the village of Vilcabamba, where the inhabitants are said to have a longer life expectancy than others.
Take a break, then
Rest and walk in nature.
Take a break, then
Rest and walk in nature.
Heading for the Pacific coast
Steps: Guayaquil
Join Guayaquil by night bus from Loja or by plane. Visit the country's largest city. One day is enough to visit the city. Guayaquil is a good starting point for a trip to the coast or to the Galapagos. For travellers on a budget: entry to the Galapagos National Park is quite expensive.
Galapagos Islands cruise
Steps: Puerto Villamil
From Guayaquil, cruise the Galapagos Islands from theislands of Santa Cruz or San Cristobal, either as part of an organized tour (a more expensive option, but one that saves time and allows you to see and do as much as possible), or as an individual (which we recommend), with the purchase of services on site. Once in Santa Cruz, take the fast boat to Isabela, where you'll spend two nights.
Isabela (Galapagos Islands)
Steps: Santo Tomás
Second night in Isabela. Don't miss the must-do Los Tuneles diving excursion and the ascent of Wolf volcano.
Places of interest : LOS TÚNELES VOLCÁN WOLF
In San Cristobal (Galápagos)
Steps: Roca León Dormido - Kicker'S Rock
Departure for San Cristobal, where you will spend two nights. Excursions to Leon Dormido.
In San Cristobal (Galápagos)
Santa Cruz (in the Galápagos)
Steps: Puerto Ayora
Take the boat to Santa Cruz, where you'll spend a final night. Enjoy a day on beautiful Tortuga Bay and a visit to the Darwin Foundation. Then head back to Guayaquil.
Places of interest : FUNDACIÓN CHARLES DARWIN - ESTACIÓN CIENTÍFICA
Los Frailes Beach
Steps: Puerto López
Head north along the Pacific coast. From Puerto Lopez, head for Machalilla National Park and its superb Los Frailes beach.
Surfing and lounging in Montanita
Steps: Montañita
You can then head off to discover Montañita, a surf and party paradise.
Montañita, the suite
Continue to relax and party on Montañita beach.
