Your itinerary
Day 1
Day 1: Start Quito
Explore Quito’s old town on a team city tour, including Independence Square and La Basilica de Voto Nacional. Visit the Equatorial line and the Inti-Ñan Museum.
Day 2
Day 2: Quito to Tena
Travel from Quito to Tena through lush jungle scenery, with views of hills and rivers. Optional white-water rafting is available in Tena.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3
Day 3: Tena
Optional morning bird-watching canoe trip on the Amazon with a local guide. Visit a local Indigenous community, where you can take a jungle hike, play soccer with local children, and learn about community life. In the evening, enjoy a meal of traditional locally sourced meats, sauces and salads.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 4
Day 4: Tena to Baños
Travel from Tena through the rainforest to Baños, set among valleys, waterfalls and the active Volcán Tungurahua. Optional zip-lining and canyoneering are available. Enjoy a barbecue meal, followed by a salsa lesson with local teacher Edith.
Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 5
Day 5: Baños
Free time for adventure activities, including optional horseback riding, canyoneering and zip-lining. The zip-line experience includes aerial bridges and rock climbing.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6
Day 6: Baños to Quito
Travel from Baños to Quito, with another chance to explore the city. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Ecuadorian meal.
Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 7
Day 7: End Quito
The trip ends after breakfast in Quito.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s included
What’s not included
Additional information
Dining Summary
- 6 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
- 3 Dinner (D)
FAQs
- 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).
Included Experience
- 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).
- Tena: Speaking of authentic, it’s time to visit the Tena Community. We’ll learn all about their methods of sourcing food and medicine, how to cook, how to make chocolate, how to dance and much more.
- 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.
Operated By
Contiki
Quito Old Town Walking Tour
Explore Quito’s historic centre on a group walking tour, following colourful streets to Independence Square and the neo-Gothic Basílica del Voto Nacional. See the plazas and churches that give the Ecuadorian capital its distinctive Andean character.
Set high in the mountains, Quito was among the first places named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its remarkably preserved colonial streets offer a close-up view of the city’s layered history and everyday life.
Equator Line & Intiñan Museum
Visit the Equator line near Quito and explore the Intiñan Museum, where exhibits bring Ecuador’s relationship with the middle of the world into focus. Stand at the line marking the divide between the northern and southern hemispheres and learn why it has become one of the country’s best-known sights.
The museum pairs equatorial demonstrations with insights into Ecuadorian cultures. It is a playful, hands-on way to consider geography alongside the traditions of the people who live here.
Tena Indigenous Community Visit & Jungle Walk
Visit an Indigenous community near Tena to learn about local approaches to sourcing food and medicinal plants. Take part in activities centred on cooking, chocolate-making and dance, with opportunities to meet community members and join a jungle walk.
In Ecuador’s upper Amazon Basin, knowledge of the rainforest is closely connected to daily life. This hosted visit offers a more personal understanding of that relationship through the people who practise and share these traditions.
Baños Waterfall Hike
Walk through the lush landscape around Baños and climb past a monumental waterfall. Feel the spray and hear the rush of water as the trail brings you close to one of the natural features that defines this part of Ecuador.
Baños sits where the Andes descend towards the Amazon, amid steep valleys and abundant rainfall. The hike offers an active way to experience that terrain rather than simply viewing it from the road.
Ecuadorian Barbecue in Baños
Gather in Baños for an Ecuadorian-style barbecue, sharing seasoned meats prepared with local spices. It is a relaxed chance to sit down with your group and enjoy a meal shaped by the flavours of the region.
Food is part of the welcome in Ecuador’s mountain towns. The smoky aromas, generous spread and conversation around the table make this included dinner more than a routine stop for a meal.
Salsa Lesson in Baños
Learn salsa with a local teacher in Baños, practising the steps and rhythms of this Latin dance in a welcoming group setting. No previous experience is needed to join in and give the movements a try.
Salsa is a social dance as much as a set of steps. The lesson offers a lively way to connect with your fellow travellers and experience a musical tradition heard across much of Latin America.
Traditional Ecuadorian Dinner in Quito
Sit down with your group in Quito for an included traditional Ecuadorian dinner. Share a hearty meal and conversation in the country’s capital, taking time to enjoy local flavours together.
Ecuadorian cooking varies between the Andes, Amazon and coast, reflecting the ingredients and customs of each region. The menu is not specified, but the dinner provides a convivial setting for a final taste of the country’s food culture.
White-Water Rafting near Tena
Take to the water on an optional white-water rafting experience near Tena, where rivers flow through the green foothills of Ecuador’s upper Amazon Basin. Paddle with your group and feel the change of pace as the river carries you through the jungle landscape.
Tena is known as a base for river adventures, with waterways fed by the surrounding Andean slopes. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Amazon Canoe Birdwatching with a Local Guide
Cruise by canoe with a local guide near Tena, looking for birds along the waterways of Ecuador’s upper Amazon. Travelling at river level gives you time to watch the forest canopy and banks for movement while taking in the sounds of the rainforest.
The Amazon’s rivers are natural corridors for wildlife and for the communities who live beside them. This guided birdwatching experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Baños Zipline & Aerial Adventure
Zipline above the landscape around Baños on an optional aerial adventure. The experience described for this trip includes aerial bridges and rock climbing, with a Superman-style ride that lets you travel face-down through the air.
Baños’ steep, green valleys provide a dramatic setting for an activity built around height and motion. It is a choice for travellers keen to experience the scenery from above and is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Canyoneering in Baños
Explore Baños’ rugged terrain on a canyoneering experience, choosing a more hands-on way to encounter the area’s steep valleys and flowing water. This optional activity puts the focus on moving through the landscape rather than viewing it from a lookout.
Waterfalls and ravines are central to Baños’ reputation as Ecuador’s adventure hub. The exact route and activities may vary with local conditions; this experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.
Horseback Riding in Baños
Ride on horseback around Baños for an optional outdoor experience amid the town’s Andean scenery. Travelling at a gentler pace offers time to take in the green hills and valleys that make this part of Ecuador so appealing to nature lovers.
With waterfalls nearby and the active Tungurahua volcano part of the region’s landscape, Baños has a striking mountain setting. Horseback riding is at additional cost and bookable on tour.