Journeys: Ecuador’s Amazon and Volcanoes
From AUD $2671 Was AUD $3339
Small Group
Light
Rating
(11 reviews)
Journeys: Ecuador’s Amazon and Volcanoes
9 days
Small Group
Moderate
Light
English
Experience Overview
Ecuador is a small country that packs a punch when it comes to natural beauty, biodiversity, and indigenous heritage. Discover this South American jewel on a memorable adventure, travelling from the emerald-clad Andes to the Amazon’s thriving jungles.
Ecuador is a small country that packs a punch when it comes to natural beauty, biodiversity, and indigenous heritage. Discover this South American jewel on a memorable adventure, travelling from the emerald-clad Andes to the Amazon’s thriving jungles. Come face-to-face with unique creatures on a nighttime walk through the forest and on a tour of an animal sanctuary; hike through awe-inspiring Cotopaxi National Park, crowned by the soaring Cotopaxi Volcano; and delve into indigenous culture on a visit to an Amazonian community and Jardin Botanico Las Orquideas.
Highlights
- Visit the Otavalo Weaving studio and get a lesson from local weaver
- Explore villages and learn about traditional handicrafts and folk art from locals
- Traverse the Amazon jungle with a local naturalist guide
- Learn about the relationship between cultures and the plants around them at the Jardín Botánico Las Orquídeas
- Be surrounded by towering volcanoes
Trip Details
9 days
Private van, motorized canoe, walking.
Small Group
English
Quito, Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador
Moderate
National Geographic Journey
Light
Itinerary
Day 1: Quito
Day 2: Quito/Otavalo
Spend a night in the Otavalo area and visit its world famous handicrafts market, the largest in South America. Villagers from the surrounding countryside come here every week to sell handmade goods as well as livestock, fruits, and vegetables.
One of the most obvious signs of the Otavaleños' cultural integrity is their traditional dress. This is not just worn for the tourists at the Saturday market, but is worn throughout their daily life.
Day 3: Otavalo/Papallacta
Day 4: Papallacta/Tena
The lodge is located along the bank of the Arajuno River approx. 40min. from Tena. We stay in comfortable cabañas next to the river, which have private bathroom with hot water in the rainfall-shower, electricity and a balcony. From your balcony, you can relax in a hammock or deck chair and observe hummingbirds, shore river birds and butterflies. In the evening, listen to the night music of the multitude of frogs and other nocturnal creatures. The Lodge also has an open-air lounge with pool and full service bar, all connected by a raised and roofed boardwalk to guests rooms.
The lodge is dedicated to protecting the pristine jungle environment and has a dedicated recycling program, energy conservation program and offer biodegradable amenities including shampoo and shower gel in the bathrooms.
Day 5: Tena
Day 6: Tena/Baños
Baños is one of the most popular spots in the country. Many Ecuadorian families vacation here. One look at this delightfully green mountain town and you will know why. Baños means “baths” and this is precisely what the town is famous for. Some are thermal springs from the base of Tungurahua Volcano, which means “Throat of Fire” in Quichua. Other baths have melt water running into them from Tungurahua's glaciated flanks. Locals swear that the baths are good for your health; it's definitely worth rising early to watch the dawn creep over the mountains from a hot spring vantage point.
Day 7: Baños
The town is the perfect setting for outdoor pursuits. Activities include hiking, mountain biking, and rafting on the River Patate.
Day 8: Baños/Quito
Day 9: Quito
- 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.
From
AUD $3339
Duration: 9 days
Trip Type: Small Group
Activity Level: Light
Ecuador is a small country that packs a punch when it comes to natural beauty, biodiversity, and indigenous heritage. Discover this South American jewel on a memorable adventure, travelling from the emerald-clad Andes to the Amazon’s thriving jungles.
Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 19 Dec 2025
Customer Reviews
03/19/2023
This is a relaxed yet full itinery, a great introduction to Equador , accommodation , guides, varied landscapes, with insights culture , surperb trip by Gadventured.
02/19/2024
This tour exceeded my expectations. We were shown some truly amazing locations in Ecuador. Our guide (Franklin Vinansaca ) was informative and always generous with his time. He had a genuine affection for this country that infected everyone on this tour. So many "WOW" moments in such a
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
03/19/2023
This is a relaxed yet full itinery, a great introduction to Equador , accommodation , guides, varied landscapes, with insights culture , surperb trip by Gadventured.
02/19/2024
This tour exceeded my expectations. We were shown some truly amazing locations in Ecuador. Our guide (Franklin Vinansaca ) was informative and always generous with his time. He had a genuine affection for this country that infected everyone on this tour. So many "WOW" moments in such a
12/04/2023
Very nice tour, well organized
03/16/2020
This was a wonderful trip, everyone was so gracious and informative and professional. Thank you
03/01/2020
Travelling with Gaventures is for sure a guaranteed successful vacation. Touradar was very professional with my booking and all my questions. I really recommended touradar
02/20/2020
This was an amazing trip. The tour director was highly knowledgeable and accommodated the needs of every tour group member. The itinerary provided an opportunity to fully explore Ecuador, and its culture.
08/20/2018
It was great! We had a lot of fun and saw so much. Everything was arranged very efficiently and was very well organized!
06/01/2017
It's been awhile but went on small group tour to Ecuador. Had never been. Two thumbs up. Went where couldn't have gone on own~~stayed with indigenous community in the jungle. Hiked the jungle with the indigenous host. Rafted. Soaked in Banos and drove BEHIND the volcano for a kick ash good time. Days in Cuenca, dancing. Hacienda with a fireplace in each room. Went to one of the equator spots. Who knows which is really it? Lastly we were in Otavalo for animal market. What a truly fabulous trip.
01/16/2020
It was a very interesting trip visiting diverse and vibrant places. Otavalo with its colorful market and the Hotel Hacienda Pinsaqui, very beautiful and historical place. Papallacta and the hot spring pools provided us with relaxing moments in a hypnotic setting. Two nights in Tena, in the Amazon rainforest, unique experience. The visit to Baños, perhaps the most exciting place with many radical opportunities and the unforgettable "Caldrón del Diablo" waterfalls. Finally, as Ecuador is the land of volcanoes (84), we could not fail to visit Cotopaxi National Park. Good hotels, reasonable transportation (with great driver) and exceptional guide (CEO), Maria.
12/03/2019
This was a great tour. We had an excellent group, great leader and a superb driver. We saw most of the Ecuador highlights in an efficient but well paced way. Thoroughly enjoyed it!
09/05/2019
Franklin is the best. He handled everything in detail. His professionalism is above and beyond. Thank you for a wonderful experience!
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