Highlands of Ecuador
Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply
From AUD $1311 Was AUD $1749
Small Group
Average
Rating
(20 reviews)
Highlands of Ecuador
Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply
8 days
Small Group
Budget
Average
English
Experience Overview
If you’re short on time it doesn’t mean your cultural experience in Ecuador shouldn’t be colossal.
Includes
Activities
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Otavalo Handicrafts Market visit
- Cotopaxi volcano stay
- Cotopaxi National Park visit
- City Tour of Cuenca
- Internal flight
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels (5 nts), rustic mountain lodge (2 nts).
- 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch
Transport
- Local bus, plane, private vehicle.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Highlights
- Wander Quito and colonial cities on your own
- Marvel at an active volcano
- Shop at the Otavalo Market
Trip Details
8 days
Local bus, plane, private vehicle.
English
Quito, Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador
Budget
Classic, Budget
Average
Itinerary
Day 1: Quito
There are no activities planned until the evening. Please check at the hotel reception for a welcome note from your CEO advising on the time and location of the welcome meeting.
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Accommodation - Hotel Kituandes
Day 2: Quito/Otavalo
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Activity - Discover some amazing local art, tapestries, and textiles at Otavalo’s famous artisan market, the largest handicraft market in South America. Wander the stalls to meet local artists, and find one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Try to arrive early for the best bargains (it starts at dawn), and try your hand at haggling – it’s expected for every purchase. A good negotiator could get at least 20 per cent off the starting price.Accommodation - Hotel Santa Fe
Day 3: Otavalo/Cotopaxi
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Free_time - Get out and explore the natural beauty of Cotopaxi.Accommodation - Tierra del Volcan
Day 4: Cotopaxi/Cuenca
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Visit Cotopaxi National Park, home to Cotopaxi Volcano, which stands at 5,897m (19,342 ft). The beautiful cone-shaped, snow-covered volcano is Ecuador’s second highest peak and the highest active volcano in the world. Keep an eye out for park wildlife, including condors, foxes, deer, spectacled bears, and more. For those who want to hike, there are options available (weather permitting). Please ensure you have proper hiking shoes or boots, a waterproof/windproof jacket and warm hats and gloves. Hike is approximately 1.5 hours.Accommodation - La Casona Cuenca
Day 5: Cuenca
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Head out into this stunning colonial city with your expert local CEO. First visit the Turi viewpoint with sweeping views of the city and surrounding mountains before stopping by a Panama hat factory. Then continue to the historical centre to discover the highlights like the new and old cathedrals and the flower market. Learn first-hand why this city deserves it’s UNESCO designation.Accommodation - La Casona Cuenca
Day 6: Cuenca
Explore the city's sights, including cobblestoned streets, red-tiled roofs, art galleries, flower markets, shaded plazas, and museums.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Head out and explore this colonial city!Accommodation - La Casona Cuenca
Day 7: Cuenca/Quito
Your CEO will escort you and assist you at the airport in Cuenca and once you arrive to Quito our G representative will be there to escort you to the hotel and give you additional information for optional activities in your free day in Quito.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Get out and explore this beautiful city. Accommodation - Hotel Kituandes
Day 8: Quito
Depart at any time.We recommend booking pre or post nights in Quito for additional time to explore. The optional activities may require additional time, speak to your CEO/ G representative for assistance booking these activities on trip.
Meals included: Breakfast
- Flights to and from origin and destinations
- Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
- 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 will do 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.
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.
From
AUD $1749
Duration: 8 days
Trip Type: Small Group
Activity Level: Average
If you’re short on time it doesn’t mean your cultural experience in Ecuador shouldn’t be colossal.
Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 20 Mar 2026
Customer Reviews
04/03/2024
Great trip with excellent guide and a good group of peop
03/26/2024
Good trip, which could be improved with some small adaptations as per my suggestions!
Tour Operator
G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.
In Business Since 1990
04/03/2024
Great trip with excellent guide and a good group of peop
03/26/2024
Good trip, which could be improved with some small adaptations as per my suggestions!
03/20/2024
With the exception of our experience in Quito the tour was gre
03/18/2024
The tour of the Highlands was very worthwhile. I loved the scenery and the side trips as well. Compliments to all!
03/12/2024
LOVED Cotopaxi - accom, horseriding, meals, vibe, relaxation - awesome. Enjoyed the Otavalo markets. Enjoyied hiking in the Cajas mountains and time in Cuenca. Quito is a cool city. Tour was fun. Enjoyed my time in Ecuador. Would have liked an extr...
03/08/2024
Great CEO and pleasant travel companions
02/24/2024
We have been on 5 G Adventure and this has been the most average.
04/21/2024
Great tour overall would recommend to others
04/20/2024
I enjoyed the trip , the ceo and the country
04/20/2024
I had a great time, I learnt a lot about Ecuador Ian culture and about some of the amazing sites there as well.
04/07/2024
Overall experience is great just because of Angie
02/09/2024
We had a great time.
02/09/2024
Great tour. Learned a lot about the culture and people of Equador
02/09/2024
Another exceptional experience with G Advebtures.
01/31/2024
Ecuador is a gorgeous country full of wonderful people! The variety of activities and the inclusion of both city and nature experiences made the trip perfect.
01/31/2024
Great trip! Lots of optional activities and Frank was a great guide!
01/26/2024
That’s was a good tour, a little disappointed for me because I would love it to be more active and have more things to do.
01/05/2024
While Ecuador is synonymous with the Galapagos Islands, the Highlands of Ecuador tour provides a diverse set of city and nature experiences. These were brought to life by an experienced, enthusiastic, knowledgable and extremely personable guide.
12/06/2023
Great itinerary. Enjoyed the variety of the cities.
12/04/2023
Great experience and views, the tour guide was very good, enthusiastic and had great recommendations.
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