Ecuador literally means “Equator” — the country is named after the line that divides the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Have you ever stood in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere at the same time? Talk about a bucket-list experience! Ecuador is also known for it’s four “worlds” all encapsulated within one country. The four worlds or regions include – the Galapagos Islands, the Andes Mountain Range, The Amazon Jungle, and the Pacific Coast. While touring with G Adventures on the Ecuador’s Amazon and Volcanoes/ National Geographic Tour we got to experience the incredible mountainous regions of the Andes and the iconic Amazon Jungle! Don’t worry – I have a hunch I will be back soon to explore the Galapagos Islands and the scenic Pacific Coast!
Why G Adventures?
G Adventures is a global travel company specializing in small-group tours and immersive travel experiences. Founded in 1990, they focus on responsible, sustainable tourism and connecting travelers to local cultures, communities, and environments around the world. As I go through this incredible itinerary- you will see these key components come to life and understand why traveling with G Adventures is all about adventure, authenticity and impact.
Day 1: Quito City Tour and Equator Museum
This trip both starts and ends in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Quito! Travelers will fly into Quito International Airport (UIO) – most flights from the US will get you in pretty late in the evening – mine landed around midnight! We all know travel day can be stressful, tight connections, weather and other unforeseen circumstances can make getting to your destination feel like an uphill battle. For this reason I highly recommend adding a pre-night option to your tour so you can fly in the day before the official tour begins. G Adventures makes this really easy and our pre night option was only an additional $75. Definitely worth it – if not for your peace of mind only. The Quito City Tour is optional and is specifically for guests who choose to do the pre-night option. Travel Agent Pro Tip: This tour is also available as a post-trip option, allowing you to extend your adventure with an extra night at the end. From personal experience, after 9 days of traveling in another country, most people (myself included) usually prefer to take it as a pre-trip option, since by the end of the main tour many are ready to start heading home.
I opted for the pre-night package (including the hotel and Quito City Tour) since my flight was arriving at midnight. Had I chosen to arrive on the first official day of the tour I would have missed the Quito City Tour and our first welcome check in with our CEO (local tour guide referred to as CEO – Chief Experience Officer). The Quito City Tour is a absolute MUST when visiting Ecuador – especially since it’s the start and end for most people’s journey to Ecuador! We started off the tour by traveling to the Virgin of Quito Statue (La Virgen de El Panecillo) which towers over the city below and sits on El Panecillo hill. This iconic statue was designed by Spanish artist Agustin de la Herran Matorras and was completed in 1976! It’s made of 7,4000 aluminum pieces and stands 41 meters tall. We were lucky enough to get there early morning and were the only group there taking in the statue and the beautiful views of the city below. You can also see many volcanos off in the distance from this spot – we even spotted Cotopaxi Volcano peering in the distance!
Leaving El Panecillo hill we headed towards the Basilica del Voto Nacional, La Compañia Church and San Francisco Square! The Basilica del Voto Nacional is the largest neo-Gotchic church in the Americas! It’s construction began in 1887 and is still technically unfinished – legend says completing it would signal the end of the world! La Compañía Church is one of the most photographed landmarks in Quito! The church is entirely covered in gold leaf, including altars, ceilings and columns! San Francisco Square is Quito’s oldest public squares, dating back to the 16th century! The San Francisco Church and Monastery are located within the Plaza- here you will also find artisans, street performers and weekend markets!
Day 2: Otavalo: Indigenous Artisan Markets and Kawsaymi Lunch
I love sightseeing in big cities – but I was excited on day two to adventure out of Quito and into the Andean Highlands to explore Otavalo. Otavalo is home to the largest outdoor indigenous market in South America. I could’ve explored this market for an entire day and still felt like I didn’t see it all! The market had the most beautiful textiles, colorful blankets, ponchos, handmade jewelry and vibrant artwork! Visiting local markets is always a MUST- especially when you get to put your best bargain faces on and haggle on prices- which is totally acceptable and expected here! After exploring the market, we headed to Kawsaymi for a delicious lunch and cultural experience. We enjoyed live music, toured a traditional kitchen, and visited their garden, which provides all the fresh ingredients used in their cooking. From here we ventured to our hacienda accomodation – Hacienda Pinsaqui. In the 19th century, the estate hosted Simón Bolívar, the Venezuelan military and political leader, during his campaigns to liberate South American colonies from Spanish rule. Additionally, the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Ecuador and Colombia took place at Hacienda Pinsaquí – how cool!
Day 3: Tahuantinsuyo Weaving Workshop, Bizcochos & Papallacta
Leaving Otavalo behind, we visited the Tahuantinsuyo Weaving Workshop, a living testament to Ecuador’s rich textile heritage. Miguel Andrango, a master weaver, and his family have been practicing traditional backstrap weaving for generations. Their workshop, nestled in the Agato community near Otavalo, offers visitors a rare glimpse into this ancient craft. We observed the meticulous process: from gathering and carding wool to spinning and dyeing using natural ingredients like indigo, cochineal, and walnut husks. The family employs eco-friendly methods, using native plants to clean wool in nearby streams, ensuring both sustainability and authenticity in their work. Each piece is unique, reflecting the deep cultural significance and artistry passed down through generations. If you’re in Otavalo, a visit to Tahuantinsuyo is a must for an authentic cultural experience.
On our way to Papallacta we drove through Cayambe – famous for their traditional Ecuadorian biscuits called Bizcochos! In Cayambe, bizcochos are traditionally enjoyed with queso de hoja (leaf-wrapped fresh cheese) and manjar de leche (sweet caramel spread), often accompanied by hot chocolate or coffee. Some bakeries make over 1,500 bizcochos a day! I grabbed a bag of about eight and saved them as the perfect bus snack.
Papallacta – a high altitude sanctuary tucked between the Cayambe and Antisana Volcanoes at about 11,000 feet in elevation! Although Papallacta is best known for its thermal pools, it’s also surrounded by incredible hiking trails—making it the perfect place to hike by day and soak by night. We stayed at Termas de Papallacta, where the hot pools were just steps from our room! Guests visiting for the day can enjoy the public pools, while hotel guests have the added perk of private pools right outside their rooms.
Day 4: El Quetzal Protected Forest & Tena
It was hard to say goodbye to Papallacta, but the promise of lunch, birdwatching, and a nature walk in El Quetzal Protected Forest made it a little easier! El Quetzal is a family project orientated on the conservation of the cloud forest! This 22 acre reserve has been reforested with native plants, and has become a refuge for birds amphibians, reptiles, insects and mammals! Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about preserving the forest, and thanks to him we were able to spot some truly amazing birds! After our delicious trout lunch we headed to Tena, known as the gateway to the Amazon!
One of the most anticipated parts of the trip for me was staying at the Itamandi Eco Lodge. To get there, we loaded our luggage into a motorized canoe and cruised down the Arajuno River—it felt straight out of a movie! Arriving at the lodge was breathtaking: everything was open-air, surrounded by lush greenery, with our rooms perched right by the river. Sleeping with only screens between us and the sounds of the jungle made for the best rest of the entire trip. That evening, our guide Octavio led us on a night walk where the forest came alive—we spotted spiders, a poison dart frog, crickets, moths, and more spiders! The Amazon at night is truly something unforgettable.
Day 5: Amazon Jungle
Today was our first full day in the Jungle and no time was wasted! We woke up early and went for a quick canoe ride down the river to a saladero, often referred to as a natural salt lick – clay or mineral-rich spots where animals like parrots, tapirs, or monkeys gather to eat minerals. We were lucky enough to spot vibrant green parrots and parakeets perched along the cliffside—until they were startled by what we suspect was a nearby predator, sending them flying off for the day, only to return the following morning.
After a quick return to the lodge for breakfast, we set out for the AmaZOOnico Animal Rescue. This is not a zoo, but a rehabilitation center dedicated to animals rescued from illegal trafficking, with the goal of preparing them to return to their natural habitats. Most of the animals that visitors are able to see, however, are “lifers”—meaning they have characteristics that prevent them from being released.
The rescue is run almost entirely by volunteers who dedicate months of their time to care for these incredible creatures. Our guide, Jonas from Germany, showed us around and introduced us to a variety of animals, including playful squirrel monkeys (who roam freely thanks to a steady food supply), colorful parrots, toucans, howler monkeys, anacondas, peccaries, and turtles.
After a very humid and sweaty tour of AmaZOOnico, we returned to the lodge for a refreshing shower—or a quick dip in the pool—and lunch before preparing for the highlight of the day. Our hotel guide, Octavio, invited us to visit his family’s village down the river, along with other village families.
There, we learned how to harvest the yucca plant, carry baskets on your head, and discovered what a traditional indigenous diet consists of. We enjoyed cooking demonstrations, and I even tried a Kichwa delicacy—a live grub! (Check out my Instagram for that moment!) Our feast included yucca, piranha, catfish, bananas, and potatoes.
A huge thank you to Octavio for welcoming us into his home and sharing the daily life and traditions of families living in the Amazon. I even got to watch the village kids playing barefoot soccer with bamboo goals—next time, I hope to join in! We ended the evening with a breathtaking sunset boat ride back to the lodge, leaving us relaxed and full of unforgettable memories.
Day 6 & 7: Baños
Leaving Papallacta was bittersweet, but leaving the Amazon was even harder—I truly wished I could have stayed longer! That second night at Itamandi Lodge brought a torrential downpour, causing the river to rise 21 inches overnight. Our canoe ride back to the bus was much smoother since we no longer had to navigate the shallow areas that had caused us to get stuck on previous days. On those earlier trips, our guides even had to jump out and paddle us to deeper waters!
Our final stop on the tour was Baños, Ecuador’s bustling city of “baths,” known for its thermal pools popular with both locals and tourists. Going from the serene Itamandi Lodge to the lively streets of Baños was quite the change! Traffic turned our 30-minute drive into 2.5 hours, but our amazing CEO, Elmer, ran out to grab a pack of beer to make the delay more bearable—cheers to that! We finally arrived at the Sangay Hotel and Spa and ventured out for some much-needed comfort food at a local pizza joint.
The next day was a free day, and I treated myself to a Swedish massage and exfoliation for just $40—total vacation bliss. I also explored the city center for some last-minute shopping before our group met up for the Baños trifecta: swinging at the famous La Casa del Árbol, riding a cable car across a canyon to see waterfalls up close, and finishing at the Pailón del Diablo. Pailón del Diablo, or “Devil’s Cauldron,” is a must-see in Baños and was named one of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls by Planet Discovery.
This jam-packed day was the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and awe-inspiring scenery—an unforgettable way to wrap up our Ecuador journey.
Day 8: Cotopaxi National Park
Our last full day in Ecuador was highlighted by our long-awaited visit to Cotopaxi National Park. The dramatic Cotopaxi Volcano is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world, standing at 19,347 feet! And here I was thinking hiking Colorado 14’ers was impressive. Its name comes from the Quechua language: “coto” (neck) + “paxi” (moon), meaning “Neck of the Moon.” The Indigenous Quechua people consider Cotopaxi sacred, and it features prominently in local legends.
We had the incredible opportunity to explore the park with a local Quechua guide, which added so much depth to our experience. She shared the “pagos a la tierra” ceremony — or “payments to the earth” — which involves leaving small offerings of food and perfume at sacred sites near the volcano. I can’t quite describe it, but during the ceremony, a wave of joy and gratitude washed over me, and I even shed a tear or two. Maybe it was because I knew our trip was ending, or maybe it was truly the connection to Pachamama, or Mother Nature. Either way, it was a beautiful and humbling experience.
Our guide emphasized the importance of bringing good energy into the park. The day before, Cotopaxi had been completely hidden behind clouds, and some of our group worried we wouldn’t see it. But as we drove closer to Laguna Limpiopungo, the peak gradually revealed itself, finally showing off in all its majesty. The moment felt absolutely magical.
And of course, I had to rock my Cotopaxi hiking hat — just a Colorado granola girl living in her dream world!
Final Thoughts & Tips:
I am so grateful for the opportunity to travel on this incredible G Adventures trip with fellow travel agents, our amazing GPS Jonas, and our incredible CEO, Elmer. As a travel agent, confidence in the experiences you book for your clients is everything, and this trip fully solidified my trust in G Adventures’ tours. I now truly understand what it means to be on a G Adventures adventure firsthand.
When it comes to planning a dream vacation or bucket-list trip, you want to feel confident that your needs and desires will be met—and that’s exactly why booking with a travel agent matters. Every tour company has its own mission, goals, and style, and finding the perfect match makes all the difference. Travel agents are far from a thing of the past; in fact, in this post-pandemic travel era, we are thriving—helping clients craft the unforgettable trips they’ve been dreaming of.
Thinking of your next International adventure? Don’t wait – contact me today to help piece your adventure together and seize the day! Follow me on Instagram:
@ Highdeserthorizons
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