Ecuador in a Week
- Overview
- Itinerary
- What's Included
- FAQ
- Dates
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Ecuador in just one week, starting and ending in the vibrant city of Quito. Explore the historic streets of Quito's old town, marvel at the Equator's wonders, and immerse yourself in the local culture. Venture into the lush jungles of Tena, where you'll learn about indigenous traditions, try your hand at chocolate making, and experience the thrill of white-water rafting. In Baños, the adventure capital, embrace your inner thrill-seeker with ziplining, canyoneering, and salsa dancing lessons. Enjoy comfortable accommodations and delicious local meals throughout your trip, with expert guides leading the way. This cultural and adventurous tour offers a perfect blend of exploration, relaxation, and excitement, making it an ideal getaway for those seeking a taste of Ecuador's diverse landscapes and rich heritage.
Highlights
- Stroll around the colorful streets of Quito's old town and visit Independence Square and La Basilica de Volo Nacional.
- Explore the Equator at the Inti-Ñan Museum in Quito.
- Visit the Tena Community to learn about their traditional methods of sourcing food and medicine, and how to make chocolate.
- Experience the thrill of white water rafting and visit a hummingbird sanctuary in Tena.
- Hike through the rainforest and past monumental waterfalls in Baños.
- Take a Latin dance lesson in Baños and enjoy a traditional barbecue with local spices.
- Engage in adrenaline-pumping activities like ziplining and canyoneering in Baños.
International Flights
Travel Insurance
Some Meals
Optional Activities
Personal Expenses
Active
- Baños: If you’ve always wanted to learn this Latin dance, this is your moment. We’ve booked you in for a lesson!
Dining Summary
- 6 Breakfast (B)
- 3 Dinner (D)
Culture
- Quito: Your inner science nerd will love this museum all about the Equator.
- Quito: Here’s your chance to snap up some brightly coloured ponchos for everyone back home.
Foodie
- 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.
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.
- Quito: Here’s your chance to snap up some brightly coloured ponchos for everyone back home.
- 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.
Nature
- Baños: Live out all your rainforest hiking dreams as you climb past this monumental waterfall.
Mode of Transport
Accommodation
FAQs
- Lima: What does a modular trip mean? 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.
- Baños: What can I expect when travelling in Ecuador? 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.
- Should I be worried about altitude sickness? 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.
- Which currency should I bring?? 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).
- Can I get access to an ATM when in Ecuador? 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.
- Iguassu Falls: Is it customary to tip? 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.
- How much luggage can I bring? 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: What should I pack for my trip? 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)
- Iguassu Falls: Is tap water safe to drink? 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.
- What is the weather like in Ecuador? 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: Will I need vaccinations prior to travelling? 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.
- Is there any trip specific information I need to know? A passport is needed to enter Ecuador for all passengers unless they are residents or citizens of Ecuador.
- Iguassu Falls: What is the role of the Trip Manager? 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.
- Iguassu Falls: What power adapters do I need? 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).
Destinations
- Ecuador
- South America
Tour Types
- Hiking
- White water rafting
- Cultural
- Wildlife Tours
- Sightseeing
- Adventure Tours
Location: Quito
Welcome to Quito! The mood will be sky high as we gather in Ecuador's capital. This modern day city (nicknamed the 'light of America') is built on ancient Incan ruins and boasts one of the best preserved historic centers in America. It was also the first city declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. We'll jump straight in to a team tour of the city, skip between two hemispheres at the Equatorial line. Squeezing in a visit to the IInti-Ñan Museum should round off the first day on trip pretty nicely.<br/>
Accommodation Name: Ibis Quito (or similar)
Meals: Dinner
Location: Tena
It’s out of the city & into the lush jungle with spectacular views en route. Not a bad way to spend the day. This stunning landscape is composed of vibrant hills and tumbling rivers that make the option of white water rafting dream! Then we'll settle in for the night, ready for big adventures tomorrow.
Accommodation Name: Selina Tena (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Location: Tena
Today is yours to roam the city and jungle to your hearts content. Maybe unwind over a few hot sugar cane and cinnamon drinks and a traditional Guayuza, or opt to visit a local indigenous community - a pretty cool way to truly go local and give back on your trip. You'll get the chance to meet a shaman, play soccer with the local kids and really experience what tribe life is all about in this part of the world. Like the sound of this? Maybe consider packing some extra school supplies or tasty treats in your luggage - absolutely not essential but definitely appreciated by the local children. Tonight, we'll feast on delicious meats, sauces and salads, all traditional and sourced locally from the area. YUM.
Accommodation Name: Selina Tena (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Location: Baños
Good morning, Amazonian roamers! Today we're off to the adrenaline capital of Baños, so time to shimmy our way out of the rainforest - our next adventure awaits... Sitting amidst tumbling valleys, waterfalls, and the still active Volcán Tungurahua, Baños is a big deal on the natural beauty front. If "Thrill Seeker" is your middle name, you'll love to opt for today's Zip Line and Canyoneering experiences. Afterwards, we'll feast on a DELISH spread of perfectly seasoned barbecue meats, before we burn away all those calories with salsa - with our friendly local teacher, Edith. Now, that's a night well spent!
Accommodation Name: Hotel Napolitano Apart Baños (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Location: Baños
The adventure opportunities are endless today, with horseback riding, canyoneering and ziplining all on the menu. And trust us, this isn’t just any regular old zipline – we’re talking aerial bridges, rock climbing and speeding through the skies, Superman style – pretty much the ultimate aerial adventure. Don’t have such a head for heights? Horsey fun and canyoneering expeditions will keep you on your toes. Oh what a tough day this will be in Banos – deciding how best to embrace your inner adventurer.<br/>
Accommodation Name: Hotel Napolitano Apart Baños (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Location: Quito
You've got another chance to explore this beautiful city - lucky you! At night, we'll dine on a traditional Ecuadorian meal as our time in this wonderful country comes to an end.<br/>
Accommodation Name: Ibis Quito (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Location: Quito
Your trip ends after breakfast today when it's time to say adios to your new bffs. Why not continue the adventure on head onto our Galapagos Island Hopper or Peru Uncovered trip?<br/>
Meals: Breakfast
Included
-
Accommodation
-4 nights in Hotels, 2 nights in Special Stay is included.
-
Fully Guided
-Expert Trip Manager, Driver Team, and Local Guides are included.
-
Meals
-6 Breakfasts and 4 Dinners are included.
-
Transport
-Private mini-coach is included.
-
Included Experience
-Stroll around the colorful streets of Quito's old town, see Independence Square, La Basilica de Volo Nacional, and visit the museum about the Equator.
-
Dance Lesson
-A Latin dance lesson is included in Baños.
Not Included
-
International Flights
-International airfare to and from Ecuador is not included.
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Travel Insurance
-Travel insurance is required but not included. Please arrange your own.
-
Some Meals
-Not all meals are covered. Some lunches and dinners will be at your own expense, giving you the flexibility to explore local cuisine.
-
Optional Activities
-Some activities mentioned may be optional and incur additional costs.
-
Personal Expenses
-Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional snacks, and drinks are not included.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
05-Aug-2025
for 0 Nights |
Single | £774.00 | |
|
05-Aug-2025
for 0 Nights |
Twin | £608.00 | |
|
05-Aug-2025
for 0 Nights |
Twin Share | £608.00 | |
|
16-Sep-2025
for 0 Nights |
Single | £774.00 | |
|
16-Sep-2025
for 0 Nights |
Twin | £608.00 | |
|
16-Sep-2025
for 0 Nights |
Twin Share | £608.00 | |
|
14-Apr-2026
for 0 Nights |
Single | £905.00 | |
|
14-Apr-2026
for 0 Nights |
Twin | £715.00 | |
|
14-Apr-2026
for 0 Nights |
Twin Share | £715.00 | |
|
02-Jun-2026
for 0 Nights |
Single | £905.00 | |
|
02-Jun-2026
for 0 Nights |
Twin | £715.00 | |
|
02-Jun-2026
for 0 Nights |
Twin Share | £715.00 | |
|
07-Jul-2026
for 0 Nights |
Single | £905.00 | |
|
07-Jul-2026
for 0 Nights |
Twin | £715.00 | |
|
07-Jul-2026
for 0 Nights |
Twin Share | £715.00 | |
|
04-Aug-2026
for 0 Nights |
Single | £905.00 | |
|
04-Aug-2026
for 0 Nights |
Twin | £715.00 | |
|
04-Aug-2026
for 0 Nights |
Twin Share | £715.00 | |
|
08-Dec-2026
for 0 Nights |
Single | £905.00 | |
|
08-Dec-2026
for 0 Nights |
Twin | £715.00 | |
|
08-Dec-2026
for 0 Nights |
Twin Share | £715.00 |
