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Peregrine Travel Centre

Premium Ecuador

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Premium Ecuador

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Description

From the heights of Cotopaxi volcano to the dense Amazon forest, this nine-day Premium adventure will take you through the well-travelled and lesser-known icons of Ecuador. Starting in Quito, you’ll learn why this vibrant city is a UNESCO world heritage site and take a trip to the middle of the Earth with a visit to the equator. Then, head to the highest active volcano in the world for a hike through Cotopaxi National Park before relaxing in the lush gardens of your Feature Stay. You’ll get close with the local Indigenous communities with community visits in Banos and the Amazon, while also getting close to the animals that call this diverse part of Ecuador their home.

Trip Name
Premium Ecuador
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
9
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Visit one of the highest and most active volcanoes in the world while hiking through Cotopaxi National Park while you cross off bucket-list scenery along the way in the Avenue of the Volcanoes.
  • Stay at a charming farmhouse near Cotopaxi National Park for your Feature Stay in a local hacienda with lush gardens and views of the nearby mountains.
  • Explore Quito, one of the best-preserved historical centres in the Americas and visit the middle of the Earth with a trip to the equator.
  • Spend time in the Amazon rainforest wildlife spotting, hiking, learning about medicinal plants, visiting a coffee plantation and sleeping on the edge of the rainforest in a jungle lodge with a pool.
  • Get to know the locals through an Indigenous community visit in the Amazon and at a family-run barley flour workshop to learn about this important resource in Ecuador.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Quito
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Ecuador. When you arrive at the Quito airport, an included transfer will take you to your hotel. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe step into the city and get a head start exploring Quito’s Historic Center and its cobblestone streets. You can take a stroll through the basilicas, grand plazas and museums or take a trip to the Otavalo market to start planning out your souvenirs made from locals across Ecuador. After your meeting, head out for dinner with the group where your leader will introduce you to Ecuadorian cuisine.
Day 2 - Quito
Start the morning off by exploring historic Quito, one of the best-preserved historical centres in the Americas. Filled with plazas, cathedrals and historical sites, your leader will fill you in on the rich history around every corner and bring you to meet local artisans. After, visit the Agave Museum for a tasting of Ecuadorian mezcal, agave cocktails and traditional Andean food while learning about alcohol production and the 600 years of Andean aboriginal knowledge on the health benefits of Agave sap. After, drive out of Quito to visit the equator! You'll stop by the Middle of the World Monument and Inti Nan Equator Museum for experiments that prove you’re in the centre of the Earth. Then, return to Quito for a free evening.
Day 3 - Cotopaxi National Park
After breakfast this morning, take a scenic drive to Cotopaxi National Park to see the highest active volcano in the world at 5,897 m (19,347 ft). When you get there, head out on a hike around Limpiopungo Lagoon at the bottom of the volcano and learn about the flora and fauna found at this altitude. When you’re done spotting wildlife, visit a museum in the park and the Interpretation Centre to learn about Cotopaxi, check out the showrooms and look around the souvenir shop. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing and exploring your next stay – a hacienda that’s a charming farmhouse with a garden to unwind in.
Day 4 - Banos
Leave the park behind today and head to Banos. Along the way, make a stop to a barley flour workshop. Toasted barley flour in the central Andes is a common product and the traditional machica in Latacunga is used to make caramel cookies, ice cream and beer. You'll visit a family workshop and learn about sowing, roasting barley and tasting products made with the machica. Then head to Banos where a local guide gives you the inside scoop on the city – surrounded by mountains, hot springs and waterways to waterfalls. Stop by an Artisan Candy factory where they make Melcocochas – guava sweets that are very famous in Banos.
Day 5 - Banos
In the morning, head out of town for a short hike to El Pailon del Diablo – one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the area with a mighty fall of 80 m (262 ft). Here, you can cross the suspension bridge for the full view or descend by stairs to the ‘Devil’s Balcony’ to be up close and personal to the falls. After lunch, stop by the Swing at the end of the World for a quick adrenaline pump and photo opportunity, then return to your hotel for a free evening. Maybe relax at El Refugio Spa Garden – an ecological spa – or checkout La Casa de Arbol viewpoint – a paradise for hummingbirds. For those interested in history and culture, maybe go visit the basilica Banos is famous for – the Church of the Virgin of the Holy Water.
Day 6 - Amazon Rainforest
Good morning – it's time to head to the Amazon! You’ll arrive just in time for lunch, then the afternoon is free to make the most of all the lodge has to offer. It’s a great place to relax with an onsite pool, massages and lots of optional activities available, like a butterfly house, nature walks and a sanctuary for Amazon critters and creatures. The lodge’s naturalist inhouse guides can teach you about the jungle and the incredible – and sometimes tragic – stories of the animals. You can also sit back, relax and watch locals moulding clay from the riverbed and turning it into ceramics. This evening, join back up with the group and head out on a night walk to spot the wildlife that only comes out in the dark.
Day 7 - Amazon Rainforest
Today is a full day of rainforest activities. After breakfast, start off with a hike with a local expert to discover medicinal plants that grow in the rainforest. Listen carefully as they point out how to spot them and what these magical plants are used for. Up next is a visit to a nearby coffee plantation to learn about its production – and get a tasting, of course. This afternoon, spend time with an indigenous community for a special opportunity to connect with the locals and learn about their way of life here in the Amazon. Wrap up your day with dinner back at the lodge and relax for the rest of your evening.
Day 8 - Quito
You’ll return to Quito today and along the way, you’ll stop at Papallacta for lunch and to unwind by the hot springs. Surrounded by nature, thermal pools and spas, this is an experience for all the senses and a relaxing way to break up the drive. End the day with a farewell dinner in Quito – your leader will bring your group to a local spot as you reflect on your trip together.
Day 9 - Quito
With no further activities planned after breakfast, your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak with your booking agent to organise additional accommodation.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
10-04-202618-04-2026AUD $ 3,945-
24-04-202602-05-2026AUD $ 3,496-
11-09-202619-09-2026AUD $ 5,060-
09-10-202617-10-2026AUD $ 5,060-
06-11-202614-11-2026AUD $ 5,060-
20-11-202628-11-2026AUD $ 5,060-
18-12-202626-12-2026AUD $ 5,260-
15-01-202723-01-2027AUD $ 5,245-
12-02-202720-02-2027AUD $ 5,245-
09-04-202717-04-2027AUD $ 5,450-
07-05-202715-05-2027AUD $ 5,245-
02-07-202710-07-2027AUD $ 5,245-
10-09-202718-09-2027AUD $ 5,245-
08-10-202716-10-2027AUD $ 5,245-
19-11-202727-11-2027AUD $ 5,245-
17-12-202725-12-2027AUD $ 5,450-

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights), Feature Stay (1 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle, boat

Map

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