Ecuador
The essentials of Ecuador: from the Andes to the Amazon
Réf : UEQGOX
In summary
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Sports
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Duration13 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationAmerica / Ecuador
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions22.48 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
Spanish
In a few words
Experience a unique and intimate exploration into the heart of Ecuador 's contrasts. This journey begins on the legendary Avenue of the Volcanoes , where the lunar landscapes of Cotopaxi National Park unfold before you. You then traverse the wild slopes of Chimborazo , a pristine high-altitude sanctuary that shelters rare vicuñas .
The next part of the trip begins with a total immersion in the Amazon , near El Capricho . Alongside your local hosts, you'll uncover the secrets of this rainforest with its abundant biodiversity by navigating along winding rivers.
Finally, the end of the journey gives pride of place to local culture and traditions. You discover the effervescence and warm exchanges of the Guamote market , before being charmed by the colonial atmosphere of Cuenca , an architectural jewel listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This balanced itinerary perfectly combines wild nature and authentic encounters to offer a total disconnection, without any compromises.
The highlights
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The Avenue of the Volcanoes: we walk alongside the ice giants, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo
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Amazon Immersion: Two nights in a lodge to live at the rhythm of the lush jungle
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Culture, traditions and encounters: the soul of Andean markets, from Quito to Guamote
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Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
For those wishing to hike for 4 to 5 hours a day, covering an elevation gain of around 600m on trails. You hike occasionally and are in good physical condition.
The expert's opinion
This trip is classified as level 2 because it is accessible to all, alternating between cultural discoveries and nature walks without major technical difficulties. Although some sections are at high altitude, the itinerary is designed for gradual acclimatization.
The difficulty of the stay is adjustable: more intense activities, such as mountain biking, climbing Rumiñahui or rafting in the Amazon, are only offered as an option and do not affect the overall rating of the circuit.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 2h30
- Average distance/day: 88 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 144 m
- Average daily descent: 57 m
Autre
- Average duration/day: 2h
Management
During this stay, a supervisor will be present to guide and assist you.
Languages spoken:
French
Spanish
French
Spanish
Supervisor
Supervisor
From day 1 to day 9 (excluding day 2)
- For groups of 2 or 3 people, private excursion and transport with our local French-speaking private guide who has his own vehicle.
- For groups of 4 or more, there will be a private local French-speaking guide and a Spanish-speaking driver.
Days 2 and 10: Free time to explore Quito and Cuenca. You will be without a guide or driver.
Day 11: You will be without a guide or driver. Group transport will be provided by minibus or bus depending on the number of passengers.
Amazon: Transportation and group tours. Bilingual Spanish/English local naturalist guide. Our French-speaking guide will be available to provide translation if needed.
Our guides: Our Ecuadorian guides are all licensed (postgraduate training) and all speak French. They also have excellent knowledge of the country, which they will be happy to share with you.
Our drivers: Our drivers speak only Spanish and have extensive experience. They will drive you safely to your destination. While you will have a great deal of freedom, you can visit the sites on your own, although the driver will do their best to provide you with information.
Program
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Paris - Quito
- Transportation 01h
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Individual arrival in Quito during the day and transfer to the hotel at your own expense. Depending on your arrival time, free time to visit the historic center and the city center. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight stay at a hotel near the bohemian La Floresta district. *Airport pick-up and airport/hotel transfer included if you book your flights with us.Day 1 -
Explore Quito at your own pace
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Today, we experience Quito at our own pace, without a guide or driver. The UNESCO-listed city unfolds before us like a playground, which we explore as we please. We can choose to lose ourselves in the narrow streets of the historic center, admiring the gilded decorations of the Church of the Compañía or the lively atmosphere of the Plaza Grande. For a more bohemian vibe, La Ronda street invites us to stroll in the footsteps of artists of yesteryear. Lunch is on your own. If you wish, a taxi will take you to the summit of El Panecillo to contemplate the famous winged Virgin and take in the entire Andean city. The afternoon is the perfect opportunity to visit the Casa del Alabado museum and discover its pre-Columbian treasures. Dinner is on your own, and you'll spend the night in Quito at our lovely hotel. *All visits can be done on foot, except for the ascent to El Panecillo, for which we recommend taking a taxi. **For those who wish, this discovery day can also be organised with a private French-speaking guide at an additional cost: for more details, see the optional activities in the section "to be paid on site".Day 2 -
Quito - Cotopaxi National Park
- Transportation 02h30 - 1km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 2h
- Positive elevation gain 225 m
- Negative elevation 225 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Today we meet our private French-speaking guide who will accompany us throughout our Andean adventure. We set off with our driver towards Cotopaxi National Park to discover one of the world's highest active volcanoes. Amidst the lunar landscapes typical of the Andean highlands, we observe the volcanic terrain, wild horses, and the famous chagras, the region's horse-farming farmers. Our stop at Limpiopungo Lagoon allows us to observe numerous Andean bird species. Lunch is at your leisure in the heart of Cotopaxi National Park. For the more adventurous, we can hike up to the José Ribas Refuge at 4,864 meters. Finally, we arrive at the Tambopaxi Hacienda, facing the volcano, for dinner and an overnight stay in the heart of the mountains.Day 3 -
Cotopaxi National Park - Baños
- Transportation 03h
- Activity Autre
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
This morning we enjoy a free morning in the heart of the park to explore its landscapes at our own pace. We have several options: - Two possible hikes with your guide, lasting from 1 to 5 hours (no extra charge) - A horseback ride on the slopes of the Rumiñahui volcano for approximately 3 hours (supplement to be booked and paid for locally) - A mountain bike excursion through the Andean páramo (supplement to be booked and paid for locally) Around midday, we set off for Baños. Lunch is on your own along the way. Baños is a charming spa town located at an altitude of 1800 meters. At the crossroads of the Andes and the Amazon, this town boasts lush vegetation. At the end of the day, as an optional extra (approximately $3 per person), we have the opportunity to relax in the town's famous thermal baths before returning to our hotel in the town center. Dinner is on your own. *Morning activities to be booked and paid for on site: see "program details" for the price.Day 4 -
Baños - Pailon del Diablo Waterfall - Amazon (El Capricho)
- Transportation 03h - 1km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 1h
- Distance 120 km
- Positive elevation gain 120 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After a free morning, we set off around 11:00 AM with our driver and guide, heading east towards the secondary Amazon rainforest. Our first stop is the spectacular Pailón del Diablo waterfall, where a short walk allows us to admire its power. We'll have lunch near the waterfall. We'll also visit the Manto de la Novia gondola, which offers a panoramic view of a canyon with multiple waterfalls. In the afternoon, we arrive at our lodge in the heart of the jungle. We'll spend the afternoon exploring the marked trails, discovering extraordinary flora, or simply relaxing in this enchanting setting. Overnight stay and dinner at the lodge.Day 5 -
Amazon (El Capricho)
- Transportation 00h30 - 1km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Activity Autre
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We begin the day with a free morning, followed by a short transfer to begin our immersion in the heart of the jungle. We hike for approximately four hours, discovering lush flora and fauna. Along the way, we observe mysterious petroglyphs carved into the rock before returning to our lodge for lunch. The afternoon is dedicated to visiting a cacao plantation, from harvesting to processing the fruit. In addition to the demonstration, we have the opportunity to purchase some products. For thrill-seekers, a tubing trip down the nearby river is organized afterward. We end the day with dinner at the lodge, soothed by the peaceful atmosphere of the Amazon rainforest. Dinner and second night at the lodge. *Alternative option: rafting instead of tubing (see "program details").Day 6 -
Amazon (El Capricho) - Riobamba
- Transportation 04h45
- Activity Autre
- Duration of the activity 2h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
We leave the jungle behind and continue our journey with our driver and guide towards the Andean highlands, heading for Riobamba. Along the way, we cross the Baños region and admire the silhouette of the imposing Tungurahua volcano, nicknamed the "throat of fire." Lunch is on your own at a local restaurant. Upon arrival in Riobamba, perched at 2,750 meters above sea level, we explore its historic center with its well-preserved colonial buildings. We immerse ourselves in the authentic atmosphere of its local market to observe the daily life of the inhabitants. This is an opportunity to taste regional specialties such as "hornado" (a type of bread) or the famous artisanal ice cream made with ice from the Chimborazo glacier. Dinner is on your own, and we spend the night in a hotel in the city center.Day 7 -
Riobamba - Chimborazo - Riobamba
- Transportation 03h20 - 1km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 2h
- Distance 230 km
- Positive elevation gain 230 m
- Activity Autre
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Accompanied by our guide and driver, we travel to the Chimborazo Reserve for an immersion in lunar landscapes of sand and stone. We hike uphill for about 40 minutes to reach the Whymper Refuge, named in honor of the first mountaineer to conquer this 6,270-meter peak. Along the way, we're sure to spot vicuñas, alpacas, and llamas roaming freely. We then retrace our steps to the community of San Francisco de Cunuguachay. We share a communal lunch before learning the art of wool spinning alongside local women. This is a special moment of exchange before we head back to Riobamba. Dinner is on your own, and we spend the night in downtown Riobamba. *Depending on availability, the encounter with the indigenous community may take place through an activity other than spinning.Day 8 -
Riobamba - Guamote - Ingapirca - Cuenca
- Transportation 04h30
- Activity Autre
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Accompanied by our guide and driver, we continue our journey south along the legendary Pan-American Highway. Our first stop is the Balbanera Church, a historical vestige of the colonial era, before we catch a glimpse of the Colta Lagoon, overlooked by Chimborazo. We then immerse ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the Guamote market, a unique rural spectacle where livestock and local produce are traded in an authentic setting. Lunch is on your own. The afternoon is dedicated to visiting Ingapirca, the most important Inca site in the country. At the end of the day, we travel to Cuenca for an overnight stay in a charming colonial hotel. Dinner is on your own.Day 9 -
Explore Cuenca at your own pace
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Today, we experience Cuenca at our own pace, without a guide or driver. This UNESCO World Heritage city invites us to wander and explore. We can choose to stroll among the 16th-century buildings, some of which still conceal the remains of the ancient Inca city of Tomebamba. Our walk might lead us to the famous hanging houses overlooking the river or to the richly decorated churches of the city center. The city is also the cradle of unique craftsmanship: a visit to a Montecristi hat factory allows us to discover the secrets of authentic Ecuadorian "Panamas." For those who wish to delve deeper into local cultures, the Pumapungo Museum or the Museum of Aboriginal Cultures offer a historical interlude. We take advantage of this free day to soak up the laid-back atmosphere of one of the country's most beautiful cities. Lunch and dinner are at our leisure, allowing us to explore local flavors as we please. *All visits can be done on foot. However, a taxi can be taken to reach the "Homero Ortega" Panama hat factory.Day 10 -
Cuenca - Guayaquil
- Transportation 04h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
We leave the Andean highlands for the Pacific coast on a self-guided day trip, without a private driver or guide. After a short taxi ride (included) to the starting point, we board a shared minibus to Guayaquil. Our route takes us through Cajas National Park and its lagoons before revealing a diverse landscape of mangroves and banana or cacao plantations. Lunch is on your own along the way. Upon arrival in Guayaquil, the final transfer to the hotel is by taxi at our own expense (approximately $3). We can then enjoy a stroll along the Malecón and through the colorful Las Peñas neighborhood to soak up the city's festive atmosphere. Dinner is on your own, and we spend the night in a hotel in the city center.Day 11 -
Guayaquil - Return Flight
- Transportation 00h20
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Your stay ends after breakfast at the hotel. Your room is available until 11:00 AM. Late check-out is possible for an additional fee (payable locally). After breakfast, you can choose to remain in Guayaquil or take your return flight. Please feel free to contact us for information on additional accommodation options or to book your airport transfer and return flight. We bid farewell to this multifaceted country, our heads filled with memories of snow-capped peaks and fascinating biodiversity. *If you travel with us, airport transfer is included. You will arrive in France on the same day or on day 13, depending on your flight schedule.Day 12 -
Arrival in France
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
If you booked the flight with us, your arrival in France is scheduled for today or yesterday, depending on your flight plan.Day 13
Note
Depending on weather and operational conditions, your guide reserves the right to modify the route for your safety and comfort.
Accommodation
During this stay, you will sleep in several different accommodations.
Access
Departure
Quito, Équateur
Day 1
End of stay
Quito, Équateur
Day 13
Meet at the hotel in Quito on Day 3.
Go to the starting point
The nearest airport isAéroport de Quito
International transport:
In Ecuador, we use scheduled flights departing from Paris. You will primarily fly with Iberia and Air France/KLM. Outbound flights are mostly daytime flights arriving in the late afternoon with a layover. Return flights are overnight, arriving the following day in France.
IMPORTANT: This information is for guidance only. Depending on availability at the time of your registration, airlines and flight times may differ from the information mentioned above.
Travel within the country:
Private vehicle or private minibus (depending on group size) / Local public transport. Transfer times are approximate.
Would you like to travel on other dates?
Create an alert and we'll notify you by email if new departures are added.
Price details
The price includes
- All transfers, as indicated in the program
- Accommodation as described below on the basis of a double/twin room.
- Meals as indicated in the program
- The visits included in the program
- Entrance fees to the sites, museums and national parks specified in the program
The price does not include
- Return flights Paris / Quito / Guyaquil / Paris (custom flight, please contact us)
- Airport taxes if you book flights with us.
- Airport pick-up and transfers
- Optional activities
- Meals listed as "free" in the day-by-day description
- Taxi on day 11 upon your arrival in Guayaquil by bus (this is included): from the airport to your hotel (allow approximately $3)
- Personal expenses and drinks
- Optional meals: expect to pay between $5 (budget) and $50 (gourmet) per meal not included in the package, per person.
- Tips
Options
- Visit to Quito : On request
- Day 4 Options : On request
- Alternative rafting Day 6 : On request
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- Sleeping bag liner.
- Toiletries. Where possible, choose biodegradable products (Marseille soap and shampoo, especially important for nights spent with locals).
- Swimsuit.
- Quick-drying towel.
- Change of clothes for the evening.
- 1 1.5 litre water bottle or 2 equivalent (camel bag or rigid water bottles).
- A pair of sunglasses with a high protection rating.
- Headlamp, spare batteries and bulbs.
- A Swiss Army knife or equivalent (in the hold!!).
- A pair of telescopic hiking poles (optional).
Clothing to bring
Clothing, from head to toe:
- Hiking boots.
- Light shoes (tennis shoes) or sandals to put on during stops in towns, villages or in the evening at the campsite.
- Wool socks.
- Hiking pants.
- Underwear.
- Warm shirt.
- Warm sweater or fleece.
- Mountain jacket: the most effective jackets against wind and rain are made of Gore-tex, or Micropore, a "breathable" material that allows for the rapid evacuation of perspiration.
- Rain cape.
- Woolen gloves and hat.
- Hat.
- Sunglasses.
Decathlon Travel Partner
The Paulin team
4.4/5
(1440 reviews)
• 453 stays
For over 30 years, our local partner has been designing adventure walking trips around the world. Specializing in small-group treks, they cater to both casual hikers and seasoned trekkers seeking unspoiled natural environments and a return to the essentials. Their key strength? They own their own agencies in over 30 countries, guaranteeing complete trip creation from start to finish, without intermediaries. This direct, on-the-ground expertise ensures memorable active experiences and total freedom amidst breathtaking landscapes.
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