ECUADOR NATIONAL PARKS & CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS TOUR
10 Days – Nature, Culture & History in One Epic Journey
10 Days tour
Complete national Parks Tour (10 days).
- $ 1399*
After Machalilla return to Quito (6 days)
- $ 999*
After Machalilla return to Quito (6 days) via Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve (7 days).
- $ 1099*
Start in Cuenca and Finish in Guayaquil (5 days).
- $ 999*
- *Prices per person
Payment methods
All payments must be made via bank transfer, credit card, (we use the platform WETRAVEL (2.9% fee) or deposit. All payments are required 30 days BEFORE the program begins.
Read the itinerary
Discover Ecuador as few travelers ever do. With a network of 70 protected areas, Ecuador features
some of the most spectacular ecosystems on Earth—yet most remain off the radar of traditional tours.
We know them all intimately, as our Cuyabeno Lodge owner, Dr. Daan Vreugdenhil was a member
of the United Nations team in the 1970s that selected and shaped Ecuador’s protected areas system.
This insider knowledge allowed us to craft an experience unlike any other.
On this 10-day adventure, you’ll explore the country’s cultural gems, Otavalo, Guayaquil, Cuenca,
and Ingapirca, while immersing yourself in the astonishing diversity of eight national parks that reveal
the full spectrum of Ecuador’s continental landscapes. From the icy glaciers of the Andes to the misty
cloud forests, from windswept páramos to semi-deserts and coastal lowlands, this journey is a living
showcase of Ecuador’s natural beauty and rich history.
WHY CHOOSE THIS TOUR?
- Explore 8 diverse national parks in just 10 days;
- Experience all mainland ecosystems of Ecuador in one trip;
- Meet several indigenous communities, learning their traditions and way of life;
- Have fun in Ecuador’s center of outdoors sports Baños;
- Taste authentic local cuisine, from highland specialties to coastal flavors;
- Walk through Inca and Cañari archaeological sites and colonial cities rich in history;
- Blend cultural highlights with natural wonders for the most complete Ecuador experience;
- Flexible options: start in Quito, Cuenca, or Guayaquil, or choose a shorter 6-day Andes & Coast itinerary;
- Perfect as a stand-alone adventure, or as an extension to your Galapagos or Amazon trip;
- Ecuador is more than a destination—it’s a living masterpiece of nature and culture. This tour brings it all together in one unforgettable journey.
ITINERARY
Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve & Peguche Waterfall
- Depart Quito for the stunning Cuicocha Crater Lake, a sparkling lake within the CotacachiCayapas Ecological Reserve;
- A scenic boat ride takes you around the island at its center of the crater lake;
- Continue to the famous Otavalo market, bursting with color, textiles, and crafts;
- Just outside town, visit the sacred 20-meter-high Peguche Waterfall in a lovely forest, revered by local communities for centuries;
- Spend the night in Ibarra.
El Ángel Ecological Reserve
- Journey north to the mystical high-altitude páramo of El Ángel, on the Colombian border;
- Walk among surreal landscape of towering frailejones and ancient Hercules Club bromeliads, some reaching up to 5 meters;
- Discover the serene Voladero Lake and keep your eyes open for some of the reserve’s 320 bird species, including the elusive Andean condor;
- Return to Quito to spend the night.
Machalilla National Park & Los Frailes Beach
- Fly Quito – Manta;
- Drive to Machalilla National Park, a sanctuary for Ecuador’s rare tropical dry forest;
- In the afternoon, unwind at Los Frailes, a pristine sandy beach one of the most beautiful on the Pacific coast;
- Hotel in Puerto Lopez.
Isla de la Plata
- Embark on a boat trip to Isla de la Plata, often nicknamed the “Poor Man’s Galapagos”;
- Watch sea turtles glide through the clear waters upon arrival at the harbor of the island;
- Spot nesting blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and between June and September humpback whales breaching offshore;
- spend the night in Puerto Lopez.
Guayaquil City Tour
- Travel to Guayaquil;
- Discover Ecuador’s largest city, Guayaquil;
- Stroll the lively Malecón 2000 waterfront, explore the beautifully restored historic district with its colonial houses and churches, and soak in the city’s dynamic urban spirit;
- Spend the night.
Churute Ecological Reserve & Cuenca
- In the morning, xplore Churute, home to South America’s southernmost mangroves;
- Glide through channels rich in birdlife: herons, spoonbills, and pelicans;
- Then head inland to watch the fearless Howler Monkeys in the upland forest;
- In the afternoon, travel to Cuenca;
- Enjoy a magical nocturnal walk through its romantic colonial streets;
- Spend the night in a beautiful historic mansion in Cuenca.
Ingapirca Archaeological Site
- Travel to and step back in time at Ingapirca, Ecuador’s largest pre-Columbian complex;
- Wander through ruins that blend Inca precision with Cañari style;
- Lunch at a charming local restaurant;
- In the afternoon, continue to Riobamba, the center of the Andean highlands, for an overnight stay.
Chimborazo Fauna Reserve
- Visit the mighty Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest peak and the highest point on Earth measured from its core;
- Walk a bit at the high altitude parking lot near the Refugio (4,800 m), where herds of wild vicuñas roam and condors soar overhead;
- Head for Baños to stroll the lively nightlife and/or immerse in a thermal bath and enjoy a massage (activities in Baños not included);
- Spend the night.
Baños, Ecuador’s Center of Thermal Baths and Outdoors Activities
In Baños you are in for some great fun and relaxation in its thermal baths and massage parlors.
- Chose your activities with your guide;
- Spend the night near Cotopaxi National Park.
Cotopaxi National Park & Return to Quito
Conclude your journey at Cotopaxi, the tallest active volcano on the planet.
- Rise to the parking lot near the first shelter;
- Visit the high paramo;
- Explore Lake Limpiopungo, a peaceful haven for Andean waterfowl and with some luck, spot White-tailed Deer or an Andean Fos;
- Returning to Quito in the afternoon;
- Drop off at your hotel.
FLEXIBLE OPTIONS
- Partial itineraries available
- 5–6 day modules from Cuenca or Guayaquil
- Customizable routes to suit your specific travel plans
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