Your tour begins in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. The size of the capital Quito, which extends over 50 kilometers in a highland valley, can already be guessed at the approach to the international airport Mariscal Sucre.

Today you explore Quito and its surroundings. Quito's historic old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. During a tour through the small streets and narrow alleys, you will pass some of the most beautiful and oldest churches in America, for example, the La Compañía Church. Alternatively, you can explore Quito by bike. In the afternoon you go to the “Mitad del Mundo”, the equator, where you can visit the monument and take photos of how you stand with one leg on the southern and northern hemisphere at the same time. Afterward, you have the possibility to visit the Inti Ñan Museum. The museum houses artifacts from indigenous cultures and you can take part in various experiments related to the myths of the equatorial line. Then continue north and spend the night near the town of Otavalo.

Start the day with a visit to the famous, colorful indigenous market in central Otavalo. Here you will find whatever your heart desires: from clothing to jewelry to typical food. You will then visit the Cuicocha crater lake, which was created around 3100 years ago by a volcanic eruption. In the afternoon you drive to the small village Mindo, which is located in the middle of the Andean cloud forest and is mainly known for its birdlife.

Mindo, located in the middle of the Ecuadorian cloud forest, is a paradise for nature lovers, as the region is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. Here you will find beautiful waterfalls, clear rivers, and dense forests. Visit the butterfly farm in Mindo ("Mariposas de Mindo") and then hike to numerous small waterfalls. Or take part in a chocolate tour, during which you will learn everything about the processing of cocoa beans through to the finished chocolate. Of course, in the end, you also have the opportunity to try some chocolate! In the afternoon you return to Quito Quito to take the night bus to Cuyabeno.

In the morning you will reach “El Puente” (“The Bridge”), the main entrance to the Cuyabeno Nature Reserve. From there you will make your way to your lodge in a motorized canoe. The drive along the Cuyabeno River takes about three hours, and with a bit of luck, you can see the first species of monkeys and birds. Since the river is not too wide in this region, there is a good chance you will get a close look at the flora and fauna. After you have arrived safely at the lodge, you will have time to rest a little and go on a first tour of the area around the lodge. After dinner, your bilingual guide will give you a brief introduction to the next few days' activities.

After an early breakfast, take advantage of the quiet morning hours to explore the tropical jungle that is coming to life. During a hike through the rainforest, your guide will share his knowledge and experience with you and give you a deep insight into the incredible biodiversity of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Keep an eye out for colorful butterflies, singing birds, frogs, and other amazing animals as you learn more and more about the Cuyabeno Nature Reserve and its flora and fauna. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon you go on a canoe excursion along the Cuyabeno River, during which you get to know the thick and mystical vegetation of the national park. You will have the opportunity to see animals on the riverbank and in the surrounding trees, such as monkeys, macaws, toucans, and sloths. There is also a good chance of spotting the pink river dolphins (Iniageoffrensis and Sotaliafluviatilis). Shortly before dinner, when the night is already falling, you will explore the surroundings of the lodge again to observe nocturnal animals such as insects, snakes, frogs, and spiders. You spend the night in your rainforest lodge in the Cuyabeno Reserve.

As an early morning activity, you have the opportunity to witness the awakening of the rainforest again and observe birds and other animals that are already active. After breakfast, you will take a motorized canoe to Seoqueya village, home to several Siona families. Family members will show you how to make cassava, a yucca bread typical of the region. Besides, your guide will give you some information about their past and present culture and way of life. In the afternoon you will go canoeing again to get to know the flora and fauna of the Cuyabeno Reserve. You will reach the "Laguna Grande" (English: large lagoon) and get to know the "Igapó", the flooded rainforest. This is a very special ecosystem of the rainforest, in which there are huge Macrolobium trees, which in turn provide important habitats for various bird species. After exploring the lagoon, cool off with a swim and enjoy the spectacular sunset to the full. You will then look for caimans at dusk and take in the nocturnal landscape. Return to the lodge for dinner. You will spend the night again in your rainforest lodge in the Cuyabeno Reserve.

In the early hours of the morning, you have one last opportunity to look out for birds, enjoy the quiet, and say goodbye to the rainforest. After breakfast at the lodge, you will have enough time to take the last photos and pack your bags. The motorized canoe will bring you back to the bridge on the Cuyabeno River. From there you will take the bus back to Quito.

You leave Quito and follow the "Road of the Volcanoes" towards Cotopaxi National Park, home of the impressive Cotopaxi Volcano - one of the highest active volcanoes in the world! You will stop at the Limpiopungo lagoon, which is the habitat of a wide variety of birds and is often visited by wild horses. If time and strength allow, you can climb the Cotopaxi to the refuge, which is around 4,800 m above sea level, and enjoy (in good weather) the spectacular view of the national park and the surrounding mountains. After a long day in the Andes, you will be driven to your hotel in the area.

After breakfast, you will continue your journey through the Andes and arrive at the Quilotoa crater lake. The volcanic crater lagoon has a diameter of about three kilometers, is about 250 meters deep, and inspires by its play of colors depending on the amount of sunlight. If you are well on foot, you can walk around the lake on the crater rim (about five hours) and enjoy the stunning view from above. You also have the option to descend into the crater to the lagoon. If you want to make the steep climb a little easier, a mule will bring you back to the starting point. In the afternoon you drive to the subtropical town of Baños, which is located directly on the foothills of the Tungurahua volcano. The Tungurahua has been spewing ash and rocks continuously since 1999 - bathe in the hot springs for which Baños is known in front of this impressive backdrop.

Today you have time to explore Baños and its numerous waterfalls. The best way to "experience" the waterfalls is on a bike tour along the Pastaza River - guided tours are offered in Baños or you can rent a bike and set off on your own. For everyone who likes to be active, Baños offers many other outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and horse-riding tours in addition to cycling. A trip to the "Casa del Arbol" should not be missing on your list: there you have the opportunity to swing on the foothills of the Tungurahua directly above the abyss. In the late afternoon, you leave Baños and drive to the town of Riobamba where you stay overnight.

Today you will explore the Chimborazo volcano at 6,268 m, the highest mountain in the country. Catch first glimpses of the imposing volcano from afar on the journey. The ascent to the second refuge and up to the edge of the glacier begins at the first Carrell refuge (4,800 m). The Edward Whymper refuge can be reached after a 40-minute hike, from there it goes up to 5000 m to the Thilman Glacier. On the way, you will meet the graceful Andean camels "Vicuñas" and, with a bit of luck, the endemic Colibri species "Estrella del Chimborazo". Then continue south to the Andean village Guamote where you will spend the night in a local guest house.

In the region around Guamote, the indigenous Andean population lives almost among themselves - 95% of the inhabitants describe themselves as indigenous, more than in any other part of the country. Today you can choose between two excursions: on the one hand, there is the possibility to get to know the traditional way of life of the local population. To do this, you travel to small communities and visit a school or cooperative, for example. The second option is an excursion to the Ozogoche lakes. The lakes are located about 20 kilometers from Guamote and are famous for the phenomenon "El tributo" (the tribute), the cause of which has not yet been clarified: every year in September hundreds of "Cuvivis" plunge into the ice-cold water without warning and die there during their dive. You then continue your journey further south to Cuenca.

Take a stroll through the colonial center of the city past historic buildings, museums, and galleries. The symbol of the city is the cathedral, which immediately catches the eye with its azure-blue domes. Cuenca is also known for the Panama hat. Stop by Homero Ortega's workshop, who will be happy to tell you about the traditional production methods and history of the famous headgear.

It's time to trade the mountains for the tropical coast. But before you finally turn your back on the Andes, make a detour to the Cajas National Park. With over 700 small and large lakes, this national park represents a very special ecosystem. After an extensive photo stop, you can set off again and can now observe the change in climatic zones with every kilometer. The flora of the Andes is increasingly being replaced by tropical vegetation and banana and cocoa plantations shape the landscape. In the early evening, you arrive in Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador, and, thanks to the port, the economic heart of the country.

Today you leave the Ecuadorian mainland and fly to the island of Baltra. There you will be picked up by your driver and cross the Itabaca Canal with the public ferry that takes you to Santa Cruz Island. You will continue into the highlands, where you will have lunch on a ranch and then watch the giant tortoises living in the wild. In the late afternoon you will go to Puerto Ayora, where you will move into your hotel.

Today you take a trip to one of the uninhabited islands around Santa Cruz. Depending on which island you visit, you will have the opportunity to explore different flora and fauna. Not every island is visited every day, but of course, we try to book the island of your choice for you.

After a free morning, leave Santa Cruz and continue by public speedboat to the next island, San Cristobal. You have the whole afternoon free to explore the island on your own. For example, hike to one of the beaches or visit the Galapaguera breeding station.

Today you take a trip to the famous Kicker Rock, also known as Leon Dormido ("sleeping lion"). This rock formation of volcanic origin is located in the middle of the ocean and can be reached by boat. There you can swim with rays, turtles, sea lions and - with a bit of luck - even with hammerhead sharks!

In the morning you will have some free time to say goodbye to San Cristobal. A driver will then pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport, from where you will fly back to Guayaquil

If you still have a little time in the morning, take the opportunity to buy the last few souvenirs on a stroll through the city. A driver will take you to the airport in time before your flight. Make your way home with countless impressions and memories. ¡See you soon and hasta luego!