Experience the land of contrasts with this comprehensive tour across three of Ecuador’s distinct regions, each offering unique biodiversity and cultural experiences. Led by expert bilingual guides, this adventure unfolds with exciting activities like canoe excursions, jungle hikes, and river rafting. The thrills are balanced by peaceful visits to iconic Andean sites and relaxing dips in natural hot springs. Discover historical sites and vibrant indigenous markets during city trips to Quito and Cuenca, where you’ll engage with local communities and learn about their traditions.
Tour Summary
Gallery
Highlights
Amazon RainforestExplore the rainforest with the bilingual guide and listen to his tales and knowledge.
Isla de la PlataSpot the Humpback Whales from June to September, and see the Blue Footed boobies, turtles and tropical fish.
Papallacta Hot SpringsThese volcanic waters that will help you to gently exfoliate your skin and relax your body.
Cotopaxi VolcanoOne of the highest active volcanoes in the world, covered with an iced peak.
Quilotoa LagoonOne of the most beautiful lagoons in South America with its turquoise waters.
Baños RaftingRafting in the Pastaza River with level III/IV rapids.
Itinerary
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DAY 1 ARRIVAL
Today your Relax Ecuador tour starts. Once you will arrive at Quito Airport, you will have a private transfer to your hotel.
Activity:Transfer in.
Transport:Car.
Accommodation:Hotel Ikala or similar.
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DAY 2 CITY TRIP QUITO – EQUATOR LINE – PULULAHUA CRATER
After your breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel to start your Quito city tour. First, you will go to Panecillo Hill with its famous Virgin Mary statue. You will have an amazing view of the whole city. Then, you will visit the highlights of Quito’s Old Town, like the la Basilica church, the main squares, and the San Francisco church. After a typical Ecuadorian lunch, you will go to the Middle of the World Museum called Intiñan. After this, you will also visit the Pululahua crater, before you finally go back to Quito at the end of the day.
Activity:Exploring. Sightseeing.
Transport:Car.
Meal:Breakfast. Lunch.
Accommodation:Hotel Ikala or similar.
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DAY 3 FREE DAY QUITO
Today you will have time to relax and explore Quito by yourself. For example, you can visit the Teleferico, museum or do any other attractions the capital city of Ecuador offers. It is also possible to do an optional day tour. At 11:00 PM a semi-private night bus will bring you to the Cuyabeno Reserve in the Amazon, which will take about 8 hours.
Activity:Exploring. Relaxing.
Transport:Bus.
Meal:Breakfast.
Accommodation:Overnight during transportation.
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DAY 4 ARRIVAL TO CUYABENO
The bus you took the night before will bring you to the Cuyabeno Bridge, which is the starting point of your Amazon adventure. From here, you will have a canoe trip down the Cuyabeno River to the lodge. The guide will share information about the Reserve, important recommendations, and other tips to begin the two-hour navigation on the Cuyabeno River. Once you arrive at the lodge, you will be shown to your rooms and you can relax a little before enjoying a delicious dinner.
Activity:Exploring.
Transport:Bus. Canoe.
Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
Accommodation:Cuyabeno Eco-Lodge or similar.
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DAY 5 CANOE EXCURSION – AMAZON HIKE – ANIMAL SPOTTING
Early in the morning, you will go on a canoe excursion. During the brisk morning hours, you will have the best time to see the rainforest’s thriving activity. After breakfast, you will trek in the primary rainforest with the naturalist and native guides, who will explain more about the practical and medicinal uses of the plants. After lunch, you will go out either paddling, or by motorized canoes, to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Amazon, and try to find species of monkeys and dolphins. After having a nice dinner at the lodge, you will venture into the forest to find several species of insects and, with a bit of luck, different kinds of snakes or frogs.
Activity:Exploring. Hiking. Wildlife Watching.
Transport:Canoe.
Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
Accommodation:Cuyabeno Eco-Lodge or similar.
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DAY 6 KICHWA BIRDWATCHING TOWER
An early activity will allow you to enjoy nature with a good chance to watch some playful monkeys and colorful birds. Then, you will return to the lodge for breakfast. After breakfast, you will return to the forest, and the native guide will share his wealth of knowledge, showing the medicinal and practical uses of the rainforest’s flora and fauna. After your lunch, you will navigate along the Cuyabeno River. After that, you will visit the Kichwa Birdwatching Tower. Here, above the canopy, you can appreciate breathtaking views of the surrounding rainforest and observe a variety of species. After dinner, you will venture out on a night excursion to search for caimans (alligator family) and nocturnal birds.
Activity:Bird-watching. Exploring. Hiking. Wildlife Watching.
Transport:Canoe.
Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
Accommodation:Cuyabeno Eco-Lodge or similar.
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DAY 7 CUYABENO – PAPALLACTA
After breakfast, you will navigate once again along the Cuyabeno River towards the Kichwa Community where your naturalist guide will explain the culture and traditions of the native people, from the past to the present. Then, you will travel by canoe down the river back to the Cuyabeno Bridge from where you will take a bus to Papallacta. After 6 hours approximately, you will be dropped off at Papallacta, where you can enjoy the beautiful hot springs hotel.
Activity:Exploring. Relaxing.
Transport:Bus. Car. Canoe.
Meal:Breakfast. Lunch.
Accommodation:Spa Hotel Papallacta or similar.
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DAY 8 PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS
Today you can enjoy the hot springs of Papallacta and the surroundings. The Papallacta hot springs are one of the highlights of this Relax Ecuador tour. Additionally, there are some great self-guided hikes you can do, and a complete spa where you can enjoy some beauty treatments or massages. This relaxing time is well deserved after the Cuyabeno jungle adventure. At the end of the day return to Quito in private transportation.
Activity:Relaxing.
Transport:Car.
Meal:Breakfast.
Accommodation:Hotel Ikala or similar.
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DAY 9 CONDOR PARK – OTAVALO – PEGUCHE WATERFALL
On the ninth day of your Relax Ecuador Tour, you will be picked up from your hotel to go to Condor Park. Here, you will learn about the birds and you can enjoy a bird show. After that, you will go to the Otavalo market, where you can walk through the market, and enjoy the people and typical Ecuadorian products that they sell. After the market, you will go to the Peguche waterfall. Here you can enjoy the forest while you are hiking to the waterfall. At the end of the day return to your hotel in Quito.
Activity:Exploring. Hiking. Sightseeing. Wildlife Watching.
Transport:Car.
Meal:Breakfast. Lunch.
Accommodation:Hotel Ikala or similar.
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DAY 10 COTOPAXI HIKING / BIKING / HORSEBACK RIDING
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel to go to Cotopaxi National Park. You can choose which activity you would like to do in the park. You can choose between horseback riding, mountain biking, or hiking. In the afternoon, you will be dropped off at a local hacienda where you can see alpacas and enjoy the beautiful mountains.
Activity:Biking. Hiking. Horseback Riding.
Transport:Car.
Meal:Breakfast. Lunch.
Accommodation:Hacienda Papagayo or similar.
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DAY 11 QUILOTOA LAGOON
In the morning, you will be picked up by your guide to drive for about 1,5 hours to go to the Quilotoa crater lagoon which is a beautiful lagoon in the middle of the mountains with an amazing hike down the crater. After a local lunch, you will be brought to Baños, a little town in between the Andes and Amazon region, where you will stay for a couple of days. At night, the town is full of entertainment with pubs, restaurants, and bars, all within walking distance.
Activity:Exploring. Hiking. Sightseeing.
Transport:Car.
Meal:Breakfast. Lunch.
Accommodation:Hotel Sangay or similar.
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DAY 12 BAÑOS RAFTING – PM BIKING
The atmosphere in Baños is laid back and relaxed, and this is complemented with a sub-tropical climate. Today, you will go rafting at the Pastaza River with level III / IV rapids. Later in the afternoon, you can go biking. There is a beautiful route through the most impressive waterfalls of Ecuador, called Ruta de las Cascadas. You will bike this route without a guide, but you will be provided with a good bike and a helmet.
Activity:Biking. Exploring. Rafting. Sightseeing.
Transport:Car.
Meal:Breakfast. Lunch.
Accommodation:Hotel Posada J or similar.
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DAY 13 ANDES ROUTE
After breakfast, you will start to drive down to the beautiful city of Cuenca through the Andes with your guide. It is possible to make some stops in Guamote, Alausi or Ingapirca.
Activity:Sightseeing.
Transport:Car.
Meal:Breakfast.
Accommodation:Hotel Victoria or similar.
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DAY 14 CUENCA HALF DAY CITY TOUR
After breakfast, your guide will pick you up for a private tour through the colonial city of Cuenca. In the afternoon, you will have some free time to explore the city by yourself.
Activity:Exploring. Sightseeing.
Transport:Car.
Meal:Breakfast.
Accommodation:Hotel Victoria or similar.
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DAY 15 CAJAS NATIONAL PARK
Today, you will visit the Cajas National Park. This national park offers incredible hikes through tundra vegetation and polylepis forests which almost feels like a setting from Lord of the Rings. In the afternoon, you will have some free time to relax or do some other activities in Cuenca.
Activity:Exploring. Hiking. Relaxing.
Transport:Car.
Meal:Breakfast.
Accommodation:Hotel Victoria or similar.
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DAY 16 PUERTO LOPEZ
After breakfast, your Relax Ecuador tour will continue in Puerto Lopez, located in the coastal part of Ecuador. At this point, your days of relaxing on the beach will begin. Here, you can have optional surf lessons and even Spanish lessons.
Activity:Relaxing.
Transport:Car.
Meal:Breakfast.
Accommodation:Hosteria Mantaraya or similar.
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DAY 17 ISLA DE LA PLATA
From the dock of Puerto Lopez, you will go by boat for about 1,5 hours to Isla de la Plata. During the summer months (June – August) you will have the chance to see humpback whales. Upon arrival on Isla de Plata, you will do a hike to get to know the different birds on this island. After the hike, you will get a box lunch on board and can prepare yourself for optional snorkeling. Around 05:00 PM you will be back in Puerto Lopez.
Activity:Exploring. Hiking. Snorkeling. Wildlife Watching.
Transport:Boat.
Meal:Breakfast. Box Lunch.
Accommodation:Mantaraya Lodge or similar.
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DAY 18 PUERTO LOPEZ
Today you can relax in Puerto Lopez or take an optional tour to visit Los Frailes, go whale watching, or even go diving.
Activity:Relaxing.
Meal:Breakfast.
Accommodation:Mantaraya Lodge or similar.
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DAY 19 AIRPORT TRANSFER
Today is the last day of your Relax Ecuador tour. You will have a transfer back to Guayaquil Airport where you will catch your flight back home.
Transport:Car.
Meal:Breakfast.
Map
19-Day Ecuador Family Quest Map
Meals as described in the itinerary.
Accommodation in a double or triple room.
Transfers and activities as described in the itinerary.
Entrance fees as described in the itinerary.
Professional English speaking guide during tours.
24/7 assistance in English, Dutch and Spanish.
+ Entrance to the Kichwa Community (Amazon).
+ Entrance fee to the birdwatching tower in the Amazon.
+ Optional mules rent at Quilotoa.
+ Optional Kayak trip at Quilotoa lagoon.
+ Optional tips for guide.
+ Personal expenses.
+ Personal travel & health insurance.
Additional information
- Prices for 2026 are subject to change.
- To enter Ecuador, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your intended departure from the country.
- Prices are subject to seasonal surcharges during Christmas, New Year’s, and Semana Santa.
- For children under the age of 12, there is a 10% discount.
- Rebecca Adventure Travel cannot take any responsibility for any illnesses or missed meals & tours due to an illness.
- Bring a rain poncho otherwise buy it here in Ecuador and take it with you for the activities, because the weather could change suddenly in the rainforest and you might get wet.
- If you like to enjoy watching Animals please get some binoculars (10×40 are much better).
- Please take with you some plastic bags, to protect your Camera and important documents passports and ID from the rain.
- Some activities in the Amazon depend on weather conditions, such as caiman searching.
- Consider bringing a headlight, since it can get very dark during the night in the Amazon.
- Essential items to bring include comfortable and lightweight clothing (with a jacket as a precaution), water, sunblock, sunglasses, and your passport..
- Complimentary transportation, including pick-up and drop-off at your chosen Quito hotel, is provided; however, an additional $40 round-trip fee is applicable for hotels outside the Quito Urban Zone, such as those in the valleys, Tababela, or near the airport, payable directly to the driver.
- Keep in mind that the weather at 13,000 ft (4,000 m) can change suddenly from sunny to cold with stormy winds and wet snow.
- Since you will ride on steep mountain trails where oxygen is limited, it is our safety recommendation that the rider weighs 220 lbs (100 kg) or less.
- Inform yourself about food safety when traveling to tropical countries. Take the necessary precautions to avoid food poisoning (always wash your hands before eating, don’t eat street food, only eat peeled fruits, etc.).
- It is mandatory to have valid travel and medical insurance. Please inform us of any known medical conditions you have.
- Rebecca Adventure Travel and the respective cruise operator reserve the right to change the itinerary without prior notice due to weather conditions, availability, National Park regulations or notifications, and unforeseeable circumstances.
- If you would like to enter the Cotopaxi National Park (for example, to visit Limpiopungo or the Cotopaxi Refugio, or to stop underway to take pictures), you are required to rent the services of a local guide. The cost is USD 40.
ADVANTAGES OF BOOKING WITH REBECCA ADVENTURE TRAVEL
- Impactful Travel: Develop meaningful connections that provide mutual enrichment for both travelers and host cultures.
- Empowering Locals: Support family-owned accommodations, involving local communities and contributing to local economies.
- Sustainable Travel: Preserve cultures and environments for future generations with our Huella Positiva.
- Travel With Trust: We are here for you every step of the way with solid insurance, certifications, and rebooking facilities.
- Personalized Travel Curator: Ensures your trip meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.
- When you book a tour with us you agree to our terms and conditions.
Exact Code: 25RELA19
Accommodations
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