Ecuador Highlands
From AUD $1925
Small Group
Average
Rating
(18 reviews)
Ecuador Highlands
9 days
Small Group
Moderate
Average
English
Experience Overview
From the heights of the Andes to the depths of the Amazon Jungle, this nine-day trip will take you through diverse Ecuador.
From the heights of the Andes to the depths of the Amazon Jungle, this nine-day trip will take you through diverse Ecuador. Walk through the Amazon Jungle with an Indigenous guide leading the way, hike in Cotopaxi National Park – home to one of the world’s largest active volcanos – and canoe to your river-side eco-lodge accommodation on the edge of the rainforest. Get a glimpse into everyday life during a homestay with a local family, where you’ll connect with them and participate in a Pachamanca food ceremony, perhaps also brushing up on your Espanol. There’s so much to see, do and learn in this South American paradise and you’ll take it all on with a local leader and likeminded travellers.
Highlights
- Stay on the edge of the Amazon Rainforest in eco lodge-style accommodation on the banks of the Arajuno River and enjoy a special evening walk through the jungle under the night sky.
- Walk in the rainforest with an Indigenous guide by your side to lead the way, point out local birds and teach you about the plant life that thrives here.
- Hike to Pailon del Diablo – an 80-m-high waterfall so fierce that you’ll need to carry a poncho to keep dry from its wrath!
- Marvel at the snow-capped Cotopaxi volcano – one of the largest and highest active volcanos in the world – while hiking through Cotopaxi National Park.
- Learn from a local Indigenous community during your homestay in the La Calera Community. Take part in the Pachamanca food ceremony, which has been a part of South American culture for centuries.
Trip Details
9 days
Private vehicle,Public bus
Small Group
English
Quito , Ecuador
Quito , Ecuador
Moderate
Explorer
Average
Itinerary
Optional Activities:
- Quilotoa - Quilotoa Lagoon (Full day) - minimum 2 people (150 USD)
- Quito - Urban Adventures: Legends and Culture Tour (50 USD)
- Quito - Papallacta Hot Springs (Full day) (70 USD)
Included Activities:
- Amazon Rainforest - Night Walk
Included Activities:
- Amazon - Guided rainforest hike and visit to animal rescue centre
Included Activities:
- Banos - Walking tour
- Banos - El Pailon del Diablo Waterfall
Optional Activities:
- Banos - Bellavista Viewpoint - Free
- Banos - Hot springs (5 USD)
- Banos - Swing at the End of the World (2 USD)
- Banos - Route of the waterfalls (2 USD)
Included Activities:
- Cotopaxi - National Park walk
- Cotopaxi - Flower plantation visit
- Cotopaxi- Tour of historical hacienda
Included Activities:
- Cotacachi- Pachamanca and village experience
Included Activities:
- Cuicocha - Lagoon viewpoint
- Otavalo - Market Visit
- Flights to and from origin and destinations
- Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
- Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
- Recommended gratuities/tipping
- Optional activities/tours
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.
You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.
Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.
This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.
Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.
If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).
If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.
Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
- Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
- Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Duration: 9 days
Trip Type: Small Group
Activity Level: Average
From the heights of the Andes to the depths of the Amazon Jungle, this nine-day trip will take you through diverse Ecuador.
Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 23 Jan 2026
Customer Reviews
12/17/2023
Johanna was an exceptional tour leader across all aspects of her role in ensuring a successful group trip in Ecuador.
11/25/2023
Ecuador Highlights was not worth it. Three of the seven days were spent on the bus, going from one destination to another. Activities were not done or done poorly. Not given time to do much in the locations we spent so much time traveling to. Tour guide average.
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
12/17/2023
Johanna was an exceptional tour leader across all aspects of her role in ensuring a successful group trip in Ecuador.
11/25/2023
Ecuador Highlights was not worth it. Three of the seven days were spent on the bus, going from one destination to another. Activities were not done or done poorly. Not given time to do much in the locations we spent so much time traveling to. Tour guide average.
11/30/2023
Just do it! Don't think twice about going to Ecuador. It's a beautiful land with amazing food and people. Worth to see and protect.
10/21/2023
Amazing tour that brings you to so many different parts of Ecuador. Our tour guide, Jo, was excellent, very knowledgeable, and well-connected. Ecuador has a variety of diverse ecosystems, so be prepared for hot and humid as well as cold and rainy. And do not let the home stay detour you, it is a very welcoming community and the host families are very friendly
10/21/2023
This was my first time on South America, and it was a FANTASTIC introduction to the continent. It whetted my appetite for Latin culture. I can't wait to explore more this wonderful place.
10/25/2023
Excellent whistle stop tour of Ecuador if you don’t have much time. Amazon stay is incredible. Needed more time in Banos though! Tour leader Johanna was very approachable and knowledgable and loved her country!
09/26/2023
This journey got so much in it, from the amazon rainforest over the waterfalls around banos to the heights of the cotopaxi volcano and a lot more. Was an amazing experience on very adventures days. Our guide and our group was amazing and wholesome, we were also all in a similar age category (all between 28-43). Special note goes to the swimming in the rainforest river, which was truly extraordinary, there were monkeys jumping from tree to tree while you have to go back to either the raft our your tube because small rapids were ahead. (really small ones) There is not really something negative about this trip, just note that you will be travelling in a bus a lot and always get eggs for breakfest. I am not going to bus travel and eat eggs for some weeks now.
10/02/2023
I enjoyed the trip a lot. We have seen a lot in a really short time. Analu is an excellent guide and she knows a lot about her country. Not sure if "Highlands" is the right titel for this trip. Would be great if there would be a trip which included more mountainactivities like hiking up a volcano.
09/27/2023
This trip was fantastic. From Amazon to cloud forest to Cotopaxi - it was wonderful to see a range of things in Ecuador. Analu was an amazing guide - so knowledgeable
10/08/2023
We loved our trip to the Ecuador Highlands. We got to experience the wonders of the Amazon rainforest, stay with a wonderful family at the community stay and see other amazing sites of Ecuador. We would highly recommend this trip to others!
08/30/2023
Amazing trip of diverse locales. From the hot, lush Amazon rainforest, the waterfalls of Banos, the green mountains of the cloud forest, the spectacular volcano Cotopaxi; this trip has it all
09/11/2023
An amazing trip with a varied itinerary. The stay in the amazon eco lodge was incredible, the night in baños was so fun, and we couldn't have asked for a better guide than Etiel! I would 10/10 recommend this trip as a great introduction to Ecuador and its remarkable landscapes.
09/02/2023
Highly recommend, great trip! Learnt a lot about Ecuador and was impressed by the accommodation and inclusions.
07/30/2024
The Ecuador Highlands trip was fantastic value for money and gave a great overview of the incredibly beautiful country. I was constantly in awe of how scenic the place is - it far exceeded my expectations. From hiking through the Amazon, to immersing myself in the culture during the home stay, I loved it all. We were also incredibly lucky to have Etiel as our leader, whose enthusiasm was contagious and whose knowledge was enlightening.
07/30/2024
This trip was amazing! In such a short period of time we coved so much of the country. Ecuador is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever been to. This is a very jam packed itinerary, so if you love constant action this trip is perfect for you. Count yourself lucky if you get Etiel as a leader. He was exceptional!
05/18/2024
The guide Etiel was wonderful and Tena was great. Too short a time in Baños and Cotopaxi hike was tiny, felt like a waste of the drive as we didn’t even see it, 2 night should be spent here so in the rainy season you have the chance to see in the morning on an early hike, the community stay was good and nice to speak Spanish with the family, this was too long though as 2 nights. Also no time in Baños if you want to do any adventure activities as you arrive too late in the day and leave early the next.
06/25/2024
An amazing experience from start to finish, guided by the most knowledgeable, warm and friendly soul - Etiel, thank you for everything, I hope our paths cross again!
12/16/2023
We got glimpses of the various beautiful regions and their ecosystems with many memorable experiences. The home stay was wonderful (thanks to google translate). Can’t say enough about the knowledgeable guides and fabulous food.
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