Circuit 1 - Ecuador: From North to South

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Self-Guided Tour
Ecuador: From North to South

Presentation

Discover the marvels of Ecuador on your own, from the central valleys dominated by volcanoes to the stunning primary forest of the Amazon. Continue the journey with a visit to Chimborazo Reserve, site of the highest peak in Ecuador at 20,564 ft (6,268 m) and end at the capital of the tropical coast: Guayaquil.

A One-Of-A-Kind Program

• Latitude 0 or "Mitad del Mundo"
• Otavalo and its traditional market
• Hike in the heart of Chimborazo Reserve, home of the legendary and tallest volcano in Ecuador
• Relax in the hot springs of Papallacta
• Explore the primary forest of the Amazon and discover the unique flora and fauna
• Meander through the streets of Zaruma: a Jewel of Ecuadorian architecture

Details

Distance: 1.932 km with 98% of roads paved / 2% unpaved

Duration: 16 days / 15 nights

Estimated Time Driving: 40 hours

Climate: montane cloud forest, tropical rain forest, tropical dry forest, desert, altiplano and páramo

Maximum Elevation: 20 564 ft (6 268 m)

Minimum Elevation: 0 ft (0 m)

Time of Year: Anytime of the year!

Summary of Driving Times *

*DISCLAIMER/WARNING

All the trip times are approximate. The driving time will depend on the weather, traffic or any alternative routes chosen. After driving 4.5 hours, it is required to take a minimum break of 45 minutes. The estimated times don’t include sightseeing stops.

Day 1

QUITO : Arrival at MARISCAL SUCRE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 
37 km / 0h45 / 2850 masl

Yo will have this day free to begin your trip tasting the delicious Ecuadorian cuisine at some rooftops and restaurants suggested by us. 

Accommodation in Ikala Hotel or similar.

DAY 2

QUITO : CITY TOUR & MITAD DEL MUNDO
0 / 0H00 / 2850 m

This day will include a guided visit to Quito Old Town area and Mitad del Mundo Museum. 

• Old Town: Museums, theaters, churches, buildings dating back to the 16th century and street performers all reside in the Old Town of Quito. In 1978, Quito was the first city in the world declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Mitad del Mundo Museum: Go inside this museum and witness the unique phenomenons and experiments that only happen in this point of the planet.

Suggested Visits

• Intiñan Museum: Ethnographic museum where you can meet and know more about the lifestyle and philosophy of some ethnic groups that live or have lived in Ecuador.
• Pululahua Crater: With 4 km diameter and 300 meters deep, it’s the second largest active volcano crater in the world. Pululahua is one of the rare volcanoes in the world where humans reside. Currently, roughly 100 families live around the volcano as farmers.

Accommodation in Ikala Hotel or similar.

Day 3

QUITO – TABACUNDO– OTAVALO
132 km / 2h50 / 2550 m

Suggested Visits

• Otavalo Indigenous Market: For hundreds of years, Otavalo has hosted one of the most important markets in the Andes. This crafts market is occupied every day with vendors selling woolen goods, such as rugs, blankets, ponchos, sweaters, scarves, gloves and hats as well as paintings and jewelry made from tagua nut. Don't be shy about asking for a deal, but don't be ruthless either

• San Pablo Lake: 1 km before arriving at Otavalo, follow signs to the right for San Pablo (and the lake). The San Pablo Lake is one of the more beautiful areas in the province of Imbabura. The San Pablo Lake shelters species such as herons, ducks, some amphibians and many aquatic plants.

• Condor Park: Located close to Otavalo, 15 from the town, this place is a foundation dedicated to the conservation, rescue and rehab of Ecuadorian birds of prey like the Condor. This place teaches its visitants about the environmental dangers that faces the Condor and several other species.

Accommodation in Hacienda Pinsaqui or similar.

DAY 4

OTAVALO – PAPALLACTA – BAEZA – TENA 
258 km / 4H30 / 510 m

Suggested Visits

• Papallacta Hot Springs: One of the most famous and popular destinations that offers Ecuador, thanks for the comfort of its facilities as well for the health benefits that provides the hot springs of volcanic origin. The true beauty of Papallacta Hot Springs lies on the leisure time you can have there while appreciating the surrounding landscape: the stone talon Andes mountains combining with the Amazon rainforest.

Accommodation in Casa del Suizo Lodge or similar.

Day 5

TENA: discovering the rainforest

This day will include activities provided by the selected lodge.
You can see the elaboration of local chocolate, take walk through the Amazon rainforest and make some photos of crawling monkeys or toucans, visit a Kichwa community or explore the Jumandi Caves*.

*Activities may change depending on the selected lodge. 

Accommodation in Casa del Suizo Lodge or similar.

Day 6

TENA – PUYO – PAILON DEL DIABLO – BAÑOS
140 km / 2H45 / 1850 m

After your departure to Baños de Agua Santa, you can enjoy a short visit to the butterfly farm or a short walk in the Amazon jungle*.

*Activities may change depending on the selected lodge. 

Suggested Visits

•  "Las Orquídeas" Botanic Garden:  Situated 4 km from Puyo, this is a remarkable botanic garden. Enjoy a guided tour with Omar, the person who planted every plant in the garden around 40 years ago.

• Pailón del Diablo: Popular destination near to Baños and one of the most famous places in Ecuador. This site is called so due to the natural stone face located behind the waterfall.

• Casa de la Balsa: Established 30 years ago, this shop exhibits handcrafted products and goods elaborated using “balsa”,” chonta”, clay and seeds from plants from over the Coast, Andes and Amazon regions. These crafts created bu expert artisans, are part of the cultural identity of some indigenous and ethnic groups that inhabit Ecuador.
• Ethnic-archeological Museum: Opened in 1996, the museum offers an approach to the cultural and social diversity of the province, one of the most diverse of the country.

Accommodation in Sangay Spa Hotel or similar.

Day 7

BAÑOS DE AGUA SANTA : Free day.
0 km / 0H00 / 1850 m

Suggested Visits

• Baños de Agua Santa Church: The city is located at the foot of Tungurahua Volcano (5100m). We recommend you visit Baños Church, inside it you can appreciate paintings of previous eruptions of the volcano.

• Ruta de las Cascadas in « chivas » (open air buses): Head through the old route between Baños and Puyo and watch the waterfalls of the area. You can also rent bicycles to complete the same “Route of the Waterfalls.”

• Extreme Sports: For its location, Baños offers to the visitors a sort of extreme sports options: practice rafting in the Pastaza River, A 2km-path Canopy to arrive to “Manto de la Novia” waterfall or Canyoning in Blanco River.

• Melcocha: See yourself how local artisans elaborate “Melcocha” (sugar cane bonbon), a traditional candy of Ecuadorian Andes central area.

• Casa del árbol: Head towards Puyo, at km 4 a to the right. Panoramic view of Tungurahua Volcano and its surroundings.

   

• Tagua Workshops: Also known as marfil nut, Tagua is the seed of the palm tree Phytelephas macrocarpa that grows in the tropical forests of the Pacific region in Panama, Colombia and Ecuador.

Accommodation in Sangay Spa Hotel or similar.

Day 8

BAÑOS DE AGUA SANTA – CHIMBORAZO - RIOBAMBA
159 km / 3H45 / 2754 m

Suggested Visits

• Chimborazo Reserve (20,564 ft / 6,268 m): Protected area where you can find the highest volcano of the country and the closest point to the sun. You can access the volcano shelter by car.

• Walk from Whymper Shelter: Very high altitude at 16,404 ft (5000 m). Bring warm clothes as the average temperature is between 0° and 10° C. When you reach or surpass the 5 000m of altitude, you can get a sign of that achievement in your passport, so don’t forget to bring it!

Accommodation in Bambu Hotel or similar.

We suggest going ahead to Alausi or Guamote for accommodation. Both sites are closer to Nariz del Diablo, making it much comfortable to travel there and don’t get worried of time or schedule. Please notify us if you want to make this change so to arrange the accommodation.

Day 9

RIOBAMBA – INGAPIRCA - CUENCA
293 km / 5H20 / 2560 m

Suggested Visits

• Nariz del Diablo:  Close to Alausi, 90 km south of Riobamba. One of the most interesting attraction of Mount Pistishi is the severe wall of rock that resembles to a face with an enormous nose. This face was renamed after the difficulties found during the construction of the railway during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, after many deaths among the workers.

• Ingapirca Archeological Site: Ingapirca is the most important and better conserved archeological site of Ecuador. The site was built by Cañaris and Inca cultures, and it was used as a temple to honor the sun.

Accommodation in Victoria Hotel or similar.

DAY 10

CUENCA : El Turi Viewpoint & Pumapungo Museum
0 km / 0H00 / 2560 masl

Suggested Visits

• Plaza Abdón Calderón: Ancient square located in the heart of the city. In the surroundings you can find the two Cathedrals of Cuenca (the Old and the New ones), the municipality and Azuay government.

• Cuenca Old Cathedral: A gothic-style Cathedral. This Cathedral, also known as the Old Cathedral, was finished after 100 years. Is one of the most popular attractions in Ecuador.

• Tomebamba River: Take a riverside walk in the center of the city. Complementary city view with the one of El Turi. 

• Pumapungo: Archaeological Site: Located in the center of the city. This site shows you the ruins of the first Inca Empire settlement built in Ecuador.

• Museum of Indigenous Museum: Exhibition of about 8 000 archeological pieces from different cultures of Ecuador. 

• “Plaza de las Flores” (Flower Square): The sort of colors and scents that overburden the place make this popular flower market to be compared with similar ones in France, Netherlands and Thailand.

• Las Conceptas Nuns Museum: Ancient convent of the city. A little area of it is used as a current museum that exhibits the lifestyle and labors of the nuns that live there.
• El Turi Viewpoint: Famous and iconic site of the city. El Turi allows to experience an incredible sight of Cuenca.
• Homero Ortega Museum: Place that shows the true origin and history of the Panama Hat, iconic Ecuador handcrafted product.

Accommodation in Victoria Hotel or similar.

DAY 11

CUENCA – SARAGURO – LOJA
213 km / 3H40 / 2225 m

Suggested Visits

• Saraguro:  Home of the Saraguro people, one of the 14th indigenous ethnic groups of Ecuador. Saraguro town is located in the southern area of the Ecuadorian Andes.

Suggested Visits in Loja

• Free Walks Loja: Walk and explore every corner of Loja. This service of guided tours is entirely free, but the guide accepts any donation at the end of the tour.

• Calle Bolívar: walk on this famous street with churches and see the city life of Loja.

• Las Conceptas Nuns Museum: museum housed in an old convent (1597). 

• City Zoo: the zoo is set on seven hectares of land. 

• El Grito: contemporary art gallery. 

• El valle: in the north of the city there is “El Valle,” a colonial neighborhood with a church built during 1642 - 1645.

• Ronaldo Espinosa Botanic Garden: Located 5 km from the city, inside Loja National University. This place, created in 1949, seeks to emulate the environment of the montane forest with flora species from southern Ecuador.

Accommodation in Sonesta Hotel or similar.

DAY 12

LOJA – VILCABAMBA - LOJA
79 km / 1H35 / 970 m

Suggested Visits

• Podocarpus National Park: the flora of this National Park is exceptional. The park was created to protect a forested region that contains three species of Podocarpus.  

Suggested Visits at Vilcabamba

• Mandango Hill: Considered as a sacred place by the Incas people, Mandango is a hill that shows a peculiar anthropomorphic figure. It is in the heart of Vilcabamba Valley, you can get there from Vilcabamba head south-east, 10 min by car.
• Yamburara Zoo: Located 1 ½ km from the center of Vilcabamba, this zoo exhibits certain species of fauna like monkeys, parrots, macaws and the spectacled bear, endemic specie of the Andes. You can also visit the horthouse and watch the collection of 30 different species of orchids.

Accommodation in Sonesta Hotel or similar.

DAY 13

LOJA - ARENILLAS
214 km / 5H00 / 15 m

Today you’re going to cross through various landscapes, from the forests surrounding Loja to the mountainous semiarid deserts, and you will finish on the balmy tropical coast. 

Suggested Visits:

• Virgen del Cisne Sanctuary: Neo-gothic style temple located between rocky mountains. Inside you can find a copy of the Virgin Maria. The sanctuary is visited by the annual mass that honor the Virgin.
• Zaruma: Declared Cultural Heritage of Ecuador since 1990, the city takes advantage of its tourist attractions. You could visit the Old Town and the "Virgen del Carmen" Sanctuary. 
• Virgen del Carmen Sanctuary: Built between 1912 and 1930, is the main church of the town, using wood at all to construct it.

Accommodation in Hillary Nature Resort & Spa.

Day 14

ARENILLAS – ZARUMA - MACHALA
49 km / 0H55 / 6 m

Suggested Visits in Arenillas

• Puyango Petrified Forest: Preserved area shared between the provinces of Loja and El Oro, this area is worldwide known for its fossil fields and petrified threes date from around 120 million of years ago. One of the most popular places to visit is the “Araucaria Gigante” fossil of an ancient three that reached 80 meters height and a diameter of 8 m. Besides the fossils, Puyango is home of several species of birds and mammals like parrots, turtle doves, bee-eaters, crows, deers, wild cats, “guatusas” (a rodent specie), among others.

Suggested Visits in Machala

• Puerto Bolívar: Only harbor of the city, where you can watch how ships get lost in the sea landscape.
• Jambeli Island; Located 35 mins, by boat, from Puerto Bolivar. You can enjoy its beautiful beaches, taste the local seafood and buy products from a great sort of handicrafts. During the ride on boat, you can take photos of the mangrove and the species that live there.

Accommodation in Grand Hotel Americano or similar.

DAY 15

MACHALA – GUAYAQUIL
183 km / 3H15 / 4 m

Suggested Visits

• Guayaquil Metropolitan Cathedral: This cathedral of neo-gothic style was built of Wood around 1547 and rebuilt for XX century. En su origen fue construida en madera en 1547, siendo reconstruida en el siglo XX con un estilo neogótico. Is the main religious center of Guayaquil in the past XVI century.

• Malecón 2000: From this esplanade you can have a walk and arrive to Las Peñas Neighborhood and Santa Ana Hill, place that offers a unique view of Guayaquil and Guayas River.

• Las Peñas Neighborhood: The first settlement of Guayaquil. Las Peñas is the most emblematic site of the city, full of architectural heritage from the XX century and a privileged panoramic view.

Accommodation in Unipark Hotel or similar.

Día 16

GUAYAQUIL: International Airport JOSÉ JOAQUÍN DE OLMEDO
5 km / 20min / 4 m

Services

IncludeD: 

• 15 nights in hotels of the rating of your choice

• Hotel stays do not include lunch or dinner

• Transport to and from the airport on the first and last day

• Vehicle with unlimited mileage

• Protection PWD (Partial Damage Waiver) or Protection partial: it’s recommended to pay for the total protection insurance

• Telephone assistance 24/7

NOT INCLUDED: 

•  All visits to National Parks, museums and other tourist destinations
• All the lunches and dinners
• Liability insurance for the driver of the car
• Tips or any item not specified in the program

GENERAL CONDITIONS

The route outlined in this program is should be considered the optimal scenario. The route is susceptible to changes in case of varying circumstances (flight change, weather conditions, road closures etc.). We will do whatever we can to keep the original planned program. If anything occurs to change the original planned program, the traveler will be informed as quickly as possible.

The services outlined by our company are those described in the above program. Any services not specified in this program and/or not explicitly stated by our company are the responsibility of the traveler and will accrue separate costs.

The hotels mentioned in this program are liable to change due to their availability and/or the availability of similarly priced hotels. Likewise, the type of habitation (double or matrimonial) is subject to the availability of the contracted hotels.

It is the responsibility of the traveler to make sure their passport is up to date and check if they need an entry visa for Ecuador. Furthermore, it is up to the traveler to determine the maximum weight of luggage allowed on their airline of choice.  

The company is not responsible for any extra expenses caused by: flight delays, flight cancellations, ground transport, maritime transport, schedule changes, poor weather conditions, natural disasters, strikes, civil or international wars, due to reasons force majeure, sickness of traveler, delay or loss of luggage during the journey to Ecuador.

The company suggests that its clients purchase traveler’s insurance in case of any complications.