• 6 Breakfast (B)
• 3 Dinner (D)

• Quito: Stroll around the colourful streets of the old town. See Independence Square, La Basilica de Volo Nacional and all the other highlights.
• Quito: Your inner science nerd will love this museum all about the Equator. 
• Tena: Tucked away in Ecuador’s upper Amazon Basin, this cute lodge is the perfect jungle escape for adventurous souls. You’ll get epic views of the mighty Napo River surrounded by the rainforest. Get ready for laid-back comfy hangs, tasty local food, and awesome Amazon vibes. Plus, while you’re here, you’ll have the chance to dive into the wild with guided tours led by expert native guides (think jungle treks, river canoeing, and wildlife spotting).
• Baños: Live out all your rainforest hiking dreams as you climb past this monumental waterfall. 
• Baños: Hungry after all that travelling? Fill up on some mouth-watering BBQ seasoned with the freshest Ecuadorian spices.
• Baños: If you’ve always wanted to learn this Latin dance, this is your moment. We’ve booked you in for a lesson!
• Quito: Take a seat and enjoy your final included dinner in Ecuador. Enjoying a good hearty meal with your crew is one way to lighten the sting from the upcoming goodbyes.

• Lima: A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
• Mexico City: You’ll now book and pay for your Free Time Add-Ons through WeTravel — a simple website link where you can browse all the FTAs, pick what you’re keen on, and pay directly by card, in any currency. You’ll get the link in your Welcome Email, usually 3–5 days before your trip starts. Once you’re in, it’s easy: check out the pics, descriptions and prices, add your chosen experiences to your cart, then check out online. You can book before your trip starts or while you’re on the road, up until each activity’s booking deadline.Missed the link? No stress. Your Trip Manager can share it with you on trip too.
• Baños: Flexibility is key when you’re travelling in Ecuador. The itinerary will give you a good idea of what your trip is gonna look like. But routes, schedules, hotels & modes of transportation may be subject to change without prior notice because of local circumstances or events beyond Contiki’s control. 
• Parts of this trip go above 2800 metres (9200 feet) where it’s common for some travellers to experience shortness of breath, nausea or light-headedness. While it’s usually not severe in most cases, it’s always best to be prepared. That’s why we recommend that you carry your own medication and read a trusted health advisory for tips on how to combat altitude sickness. Plus, your Trip Managers will give you loads of helpful advice and before and during the trip.
• You’ll need to bring USD cash with you, as it’s the only way to pay for the Free Time Add-Ons on this trip. You’ll receive the cost of each option in your Welcome Email. Plus, we recommend you bring Visa and/or Master Card (American Express or Discover cards aren’t widely accepted). 
• It really depends on where you’re travelling to. Ecuador has lots of ATMs (just be wary of those sneaky fees). While in more rural places, you’re better off carrying cash.  
• Iguazú Falls: You’ll usually receive a 10% service charge on your restaurant bill. But tipping isn’t a requirement. Either way, if you’re pleased with your service, a tip will always be appreciated! We recommend tipping 12% of the total bill. 
• You can bring 1 hand luggage + 1 suitcase or backpack per person. The maximum suitcase size is 73cm x 50cm x 25cm (29” x 20” x 10”) & weight of 20kg (44lbs). Remember to keep it light as you’ll have to carry and lift your own luggage at times and even walk short distances with it. 
• South Plaza Island: The weather can be quite unpredictable, so it’s important to pack appropriately. Please bring these items with you:  – Comfortable walking shoes with good traction – Teva-style sandals (thongs or flip-flop sandals are not suitable for hikes) – Swimming (bathing) suit & towel – Light to medium fleece jacket – Gore-Tex (or similar) rain jacket – Shorts, T-shirts, Long pants, Long-sleeve shirt, Hat or cap – Sunglasses (preferably polarised) – Socks (athletic style socks for walking & hiking) – First aid & medication – aloe vera gel, sunblock or sunscreen of the highest SPF possible, insect repellent, hand sanitiser or gel, moisturising cream, pain relief (e.g. aspirin etc for headaches or muscle pain) motion sickness medication – Reusable water bottle – Plastic Ziplock bags (to protect valuables from drizzle, rain etc) 
• Iguazú Falls: Drinking tap water isn’t recommend. So, please stick to bottled water (even when brushing your teeth). There will be plenty of opportunities to purchase bottled water during the trip. 
• Ecuador’s climate is tropical but varies by altitude and region. Quito has a subtropical highland climate, with daytime temps around 70°F (21°C) and nights dropping to 50°F (10°C). It has a dry season (June – September) and a wet season (October – May).  The rainforest stays warm year-round at 84°F (29°C). Coastal areas, influenced by ocean currents, are hot and rainy from January to April.
• South Plaza Island: Please check the latest travel info from the Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention if you’re travelling to Ecuador. We also recommend that you consult your local health clinic or doctor for more details.
• A passport is needed to enter Ecuador for all passengers unless they are residents or citizens of Ecuador. 
• Iguazú Falls: Your Trip Manager brings the group together with all the info, fun facts and food recommendations you’ll ever need. Plus, they’ll ensure everything runs smoothly and address any issues. They’ll be there with you throughout the trip and will be your go-to person if you need anything. They’ll also fill you in on the cultural and historical context of the places you visit with some informal talks when relevant. 
• Iguazú Falls: Most places use similar plugs to the US and Europe, but it’s a good idea to bring a circular two-prong adapter just in case. No voltage converter is needed for devices like phones and laptops, but you may need one for high-powered devices (e.g., hairdryers).

Explore Quito’s historic centre on a group walk through streets lined with colonial-era buildings. See Independence Square, the civic heart of the old town, and the soaring Gothic Revival facade of the Basílica del Voto Nacional.

Set high in the Andes, Quito was among the first cities inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Its plazas and churches reveal layers of Indigenous, Spanish colonial and republican history within one of the Americas’ best-preserved historic centres.

Contiki

Walk beside a powerful waterfall near Baños, climbing the trail for closer views of water plunging through the green Andean foothills. Feel the spray and hear the falls over the surrounding vegetation as the path brings you into the landscape.

Baños sits where the Andes descend toward the Amazon, a setting of steep valleys and fast-flowing rivers. This included hike offers a ground-level encounter with the scenery that has made the area a centre for outdoor exploration.

Gather for a barbecue in Baños featuring meats seasoned with Ecuadorian spices. Share the meal with fellow travellers and sample the smoky, savoury flavours of a group dining experience included in the trip.

Set against Baños’ lively mountain-town atmosphere, the barbecue is more than a routine dinner: it is a chance to sit down together over a spread prepared with local flavours. It offers an easy, convivial introduction to the food enjoyed in this part of Ecuador.

Raft a river near Tena on an optional white-water outing through Ecuador’s upper Amazon region. Paddle with your group as the current carries you between forested banks, with splashes and changing river conditions adding to the excitement.

Tena is a well-known base for rafting thanks to the rivers flowing down from the Andes toward the Amazon Basin. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; ask your Trip Manager about the available route and its suitability for you.

Visit a local Indigenous community in the Tena region for an opportunity to meet residents and learn about aspects of community life. The itinerary describes a chance to meet a shaman and play football with local children, subject to the community’s arrangements.

Approach the visit with curiosity and respect, allowing your hosts to share their own perspectives and traditions. This community experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; bringing small gifts is not required.

Zipline above the landscape around Baños on an optional aerial adventure. The described activities may include suspended bridges, rock climbing elements and a Superman-style ride, combining height and movement with views across the green valleys.

Baños’ steep terrain makes it a natural setting for adventures above the forest. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; check the available course and activity requirements locally, as the elements offered may vary.

Ride on horseback near Baños for a different perspective on the area’s mountain scenery. Follow the available route at a pace suited to the outing, taking in the open air and views of the valleys around this Andean town.

Horseback riding offers a less height-focused alternative to Baños’ ziplines while still making the landscape the centre of the experience. The ride is at additional cost and bookable on tour; confirm the route and any riding requirements locally.

Visit the Intiñan Museum near Quito for an interactive introduction to the equator. Explore exhibits and demonstrations about the imaginary line dividing the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, with the chance to pose for a photograph at the marked line.

The visit connects Ecuador’s name to its geography while introducing perspectives on the equator’s significance in local culture. It is a playful, hands-on way to consider how location has shaped the country’s identity.

Experience a rainforest lodge stay near Tena, surrounded by the greenery of Ecuador’s upper Amazon Basin. Take in views of the Napo River and listen for the sounds of the forest from a base designed for time close to nature.

The Napo is part of the vast Amazon river system, and this region is known for its dense vegetation and rich birdlife. The lodge offers a distinctive setting for the Tena stay; guided jungle activities are separate opportunities rather than guaranteed parts of it.

Soak in the hot springs of Baños, taking time to relax in warm water amid the town’s Andean surroundings. The bathing experience offers a quieter way to enjoy a destination better known for waterfalls and adventure activities.

Baños de Agua Santa takes its name from its thermal waters, long associated with the volcanic landscape around Tungurahua. The springs are a distinctive part of local life and provide a restorative contrast to the region’s more active pursuits.

Learn the basics of salsa with a local teacher in Baños. Follow the rhythm, practise the steps and try dancing with the group in a welcoming lesson where participation matters more than polished technique.

Salsa’s music and social style are enjoyed across Latin America, and a lesson offers a lively way to engage with that tradition rather than simply watch it. This included experience brings a distinctly social energy to an evening in Ecuador’s adventure town.

Travel by canoe with a local guide in the Tena area, watching the riverbanks and treetops for birds. Moving at water level gives you time to notice the sounds and shifting light of the upper Amazon rainforest.

This region’s rivers form corridors through a biodiverse landscape, though wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed. The guided birdwatching outing is at additional cost and bookable on tour, offering a slower-paced way to explore the forest than the area’s adventure sports.

Explore a canyon near Baños on an optional canyoneering adventure. Move through the area’s water-carved terrain on a guided activity that brings you close to the rock, streams and waterfalls characteristic of Ecuador’s Andean foothills.

Baños is surrounded by steep valleys and fast-flowing water, giving the region its reputation as an outdoor-adventure hub. Canyoneering is at additional cost and bookable on tour; ask locally about the route, equipment and physical requirements before choosing this activity.