Ecuador Trip: The Essential Circuit

Your Ecuador essential trip begins in Quito, the country's UNESCO-listed capital. Your driver takes you from the airport to your hotel in the historic city centre. Remember that Quito sits at an altitude of 2,850 metres: take time to acclimatise to this unique atmosphere!

The day begins with a guided tour of Quito's historic centre, from the Plaza de la Independencia to the San Francisco Convent. After a typical Ecuadorian lunch, the afternoon continues with a visit to the Alabado Museum (dedicated to pre-Columbian cultures) or a stroll through the animated streets of the capital.

Discover the Mitad del Mundo: a site located almost exactly on the equator line, offering a host of fun activities related to the hemispheres. Lunch at a local restaurant, then head to the Cotacachi region, renowned for its leather craftsmanship and agricultural landscapes, where a local community awaits to share its traditions.

Breakfast in the community, then a visit to the celebrated Otavalo artisan market: one of the largest in the country. Lunch at a local restaurant, then on to the village of Peguche, renowned for its traditional weaving workshops, where you meet a family of artisans. Finally, head to Cotopaxi Volcano, whose perfect cone graces the horizon on clear days.

Discover the magnificent Cotopaxi National Park with a naturalist guide. On the programme: a hike to the José Rivas Refuge, offering a sublime panorama, and the Limpiopungo lagoon, home to many Andean bird species. Lunch at a local restaurant, then on to the charming village of Isinliví, nestled in the Quilotoa valley.

Set off to admire the turquoise lagoon inside the crater of Quilotoa Volcano. You can descend on foot and return on muleback if the altitude takes your breath away! Then head to the thermal town of Baños to bathe in the natural hot pools heated by Tungurahua Volcano.

Set off on an adventure along the Route of the Waterfalls at Baños! Must-see cascades on the way: El Monto de la Novia, San Jorge, San Pedro and the famous Pailón del Diablo. Then head into Ecuadorian Amazonia at Puyo for an eco-lodge stay in the jungle and a nocturnal walk to discover the wildlife with a naturalist guide.

After breakfast, a day of Amazonian discovery awaits! On the programme: a visit to the Omaere ethnobotanical park (medicinal plants of the Amazonian peoples, the philosophy of Kawsak Sacha…) and the 'Isla de los Monos' sanctuary: a rehabilitation centre for monkeys rescued from the illegal wildlife trade.

Early morning departure towards the Andes, crossing tropical forests and verdant mountains. Arrival at Guamote (an authentic Kichwa village in the Chimborazo province) and check-in at the Inti Sisa Foundation: a solidarity project supporting the education and empowerment of rural women. On the programme: a visit to the community workshops and exchanges with the project leaders. Night on site.

Departure towards the southern Andes to join the community of Caguanapamba, in the province of Cañar. Welcome with the Chakana ceremony, a traditional Andean welcoming ritual. After a communal lunch, discover the local projects (organic vegetable gardens, Andean farming, reforestation) before a convivial evening of traditional music and dance.

Breakfast and a final exchange with the community, then depart for Ingapirca (Ecuador's most important Inca site) with a local guide. Lunch at Santiago's home: a community member and passionate guide dedicated to the history of his people. This moment of sharing is an opportunity to exchange on Cañari culture and daily life in the Andes. In the afternoon, drive to the beautiful colonial city of Cuenca, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Your local guide takes you to explore the historic centre of Cuenca, one of Ecuador's most beautiful colonial cities, with its cobbled alleyways and iconic blue domes. In the afternoon, a visit to the Pumapungo Museum, which beautifully retraces the history of the region's pre-Columbian civilisations.

The road between Cuenca and Guayaquil is one of the most spectacular in the country: it crosses the Cajas National Park before descending towards the tropical plains of the coast. Lunch at a local restaurant, then continue to José Joaquín de Olmedo international airport for your international return flight.