Trip Overview
Follow the famous German naturalist, Humboldt’s path through Ecuador while exploring the breathtaking Avenue of the Volcanoes.
Start the journey in Quito and take the road to the south of Ecuador to discover the textures and colours of the crops on the Ecuadorian Andes. Ride the country’s first train and see this engineering feat through some of the most extreme topography in South America. Stay in some of the most beautiful and historic haciendas of the region, and enjoy the unique flavours of Ecuador's gastronomy.
Just one week in Ecuador will show you some of the most amazing natural highlights in mainland Ecuador and will leave you with the feeling that your next trip to Ecuador should be much longer (and perhaps sooner than you had originally thought).
Start the journey in Quito and take the road to the south of Ecuador to discover the textures and colours of the crops on the Ecuadorian Andes. Ride the country’s first train and see this engineering feat through some of the most extreme topography in South America. Stay in some of the most beautiful and historic haciendas of the region, and enjoy the unique flavours of Ecuador's gastronomy.
Just one week in Ecuador will show you some of the most amazing natural highlights in mainland Ecuador and will leave you with the feeling that your next trip to Ecuador should be much longer (and perhaps sooner than you had originally thought).
Customise this trip for a perfect match
Private, Personalised TravelNo generic group tours. Just the activities you love, and nothing you don't.
Insider Local KnowledgeAccess insider tips, hidden gems and authentic experiences known only to locals.
End-to-end ServiceFrom the initial planning to full support while travelling, Designer Journeys provides seamless service every step of the way.
Travel With ConfidenceFeel assured travelling with an accredited Australian company with comprehensive financial guarantees and a local emergency system.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival to Quito
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As soon as you arrive at Quito, an airport representative will be waiting for you at your gate. They will assist during the immigration process and escort you to your accommodation. The rest of the night will be at your leisure to rest after your travels.
Accommodation
Hotel Patio Andaluz★4 star
Transportations
Private Driver from AIRPORT to Patio Andaluz
Destinations
Quito
Day 2
Quito Old Town and Mitad del Mundo
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Discover Quito's beautiful historic centre, named a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Quito is a city rich in history that hides the most fascinating legends such as forbidden love stories, political insurrection plans, and more. Learn about the different architectural styles in the Old Town, stroll through cobblestone streets and meet some artisans who've kept traditions alive for centuries. You will also visit the Middle of the World Monument, situated at 0o0’0” latitude!
Accommodation
Hotel Patio Andaluz★4 star
Activities
Quito Full Day City Tour
Quito Mitad del Mundo
Intinan Solar Museum
Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve
Quito Old Town
Church of the Jesuits
Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Destinations
Quito
Pichincha
Day 3
Cotopaxi National Park
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Discover Cotopaxi, a beautiful snow-capped volcano that is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. Then walk around the Limpiopungo lagoon. If conditions allow it, climb to the Jose F. Rivas refuge, located at 4,800 metres. You'll stay in a local Andes hacienda that now turned in a comfortable hotel.
Accommodation
Tierra del Volcán El Porvenir★3 star
Activities
Cotopaxi National Park Tour
Cotopaxi National Park
Laguna de Limpiopung
Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Destinations
Quito
Cotopaxi Province
Pichincha
Day 4
Baños Town and Pailón del Diablo
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Half way through your one week in Ecuador, you'll arrive in the quaint little city of Baños, at the bottom of the Tungurahua volcano. You will go through the avenue of the cascades until you reach the powerful “Pailón del Diablo.” Enjoy lunch while absorbing the beauty of the views of Baños and continue your journey until you reach Riobamba. This small city is located right in the heart of Ecuador.
Accommodation
Hotel Hacienda Abraspungo★4 star
Activities
Baños and Riobamba
Pailon Del Diablo
Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Destinations
Pichincha
Banos
Tungurahua
Riobamba
Day 5
Devil's Nose Train and Ingapirca Ruins
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Today we will venture down the “Devil’s Nose”, a zig-zag road in between towering mountains. It’s a breathtaking journey! Ecuador’s train took many years to build, especially because of its complicated topography; it connects the coast with the Andes region, becoming an important icon of engineering for its time. Continue to the fascinating Ruins of Ingapirca, the largest Cañari-Inca ruins in Ecuador, you'll spend some time exploring before you go to Cuenca.
Accommodation
Hotel Santa Lucia★4 star
Activities
Devil's Nose Train and Ingapirca Ruins
Ingapirca Ruins
Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Destinations
Riobamba
Alausi
Cañar Province
Cuenca
Day 6
Cuenca UNESCO World Heritage City
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Enjoy the beautiful cobblestone city of Cuenca. Visit the Plaza San Francisco, surrounded by handcrafts shops where you can find the delicately embroidered skirts of the cholas for sale. For lunch, visit one of Ecuador’s most acclaimed restaurants, for a real gastronomic experience. After lunch, drive up to the hill of Turi to admire the city and then visit a ceramic shop and workshop where Panama straw hats are made.
Accommodation
Hotel Santa Lucia★4 star
Activities
Cuenca City Tour
Cuenca Historic Centre
Iglesia del Carmen de la Asuncion
New Cathedral of Cuenca
Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Destinations
Cuenca
Day 7
Goodbye Ecuador!
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This is the final day of your one week in Ecuador. You will depart from Cuenca with great memories and connect in Quito for your international flight.
Transportations
Private Driver from Quito to Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre
Plane from Cuenca to Quito
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Cuenca
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What’s included?
- 6 nights accommodation
- 17 activities
- 6 breakfasts and 5 lunches
- Airport transfer
- Domestic flights
- Entrance fees
- Ground transportation
- Licensed English speaking guides
What’s not included?
- Alcohol beverages
- Entry visas / airport departure tax
- Gratuities
- International flights
- Laundry
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Trekking permits
Starting From
AU$ 3,433/ per traveller sharing
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Benefits of this trip
Ecuador in 7 days
4-star, 3-star accommodation
24/7 in-destination support from your local designer
Unique local experiences you can’t find elsewhere
More Inclusions
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All the activities you love, and nothing you don't
Inspiration for you
Explore the authentic activities in Ecuador
Quito Full Day City Tour, Pichincha, Ecuador|Quito Old Town, Pichincha, Ecuador|Church of the Jesuits, Pichincha, Ecuador|Intinan Solar Museum, Pichincha, Ecuador|Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador|Quito Mitad del Mundo, Pichincha, Ecuador|Cotopaxi National Park Tour, Cotopaxi Province, Ecuador|Cotopaxi National Park, Cotopaxi Province, Ecuador|Laguna de Limpiopung, Pichincha, Ecuador|Pailon Del Diablo, Tungurahua, Ecuador|Baños and Riobamba, Tungurahua, Ecuador|Ingapirca Ruins, Cañar Province, Ecuador|Devil's Nose Train and Ingapirca Ruins, Chimborazo Province, Ecuador|New Cathedral of Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador|Iglesia del Carmen de la Asuncion, Azuay, Ecuador|Cuenca Historic Centre, Azuay, Ecuador|Cuenca City Tour, Azuay, Ecuador
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