Overview & Highlights
The top highlights of Ecuador on an adventurous family-friendly holiday Fly to Quito; visit the craft market at Otavalo, and travel by road and rail along the Avenue of the Volcanoes to Cuenca and the upland wilderness Las Cajas National Park.
- Walking tour of colonial Quito
- Visit Otavalo market
- Guided excursion to Lake Cuicocha
- Avenue of the Volcanoes
- Visit Cotopaxi National Park
- Ride the Devil's Nose railway
- Explore Ingapirca Inca ruins
- Las Cajas National Park
A variety-packed holiday in Ecuador. Travel first to Ecuador’s highland capital, visit the world renowned artisan craft market at Otavalo, and travel south by road and rail along the Avenue of the Volcanoes via the Inca ruins of Ingapirca to Cuenca and the upland wilderness of Las Cajas National Park.
Ecuador sits right on the Equator, but its landscapes and climate are governed by altitude: from the sultry tropical coast to the dizzy heights of ice-mantled volcanoes at over 7,000m above sea level, there's huge diversity. It's a tiny country, you can travel from one highlight to another on relatively short, scenic drives or short domestic flights. This holiday of just over a week takes you on an amazing road and rail trip through the Andes, visiting indian villages where the inhabitants, who still wear their colourful fabrics, maintain a lifestyle little-changed since Spanish colonial times.
The colonial period is not neglected: you'll stay on one of the haciendas originally granted to the Spanish conquistadors, the restored historic core of Quito and Cuenca, a quintessential example of colonial grace and grandeur.
Outline itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Quito and transfer to hotel.
Day 2
Guided walking tour of colonial Quito.
Day 3
By road to Otavalo in the Andean highlands, visit Otavalo market overnight in hacienda.
Day 4
Guided excursions to Lake Cuicocha
Day 5
By road or rail down Avenue of the Volcanoes; visit Cotopaxi National Park, overnight at an hacienda.
Day 6
Visit local artisan markets, overnight in Riobamba.
Day 7
Take the train down the Devil’s Nose, continue via Ingapirca ruins to Cuenca.
Day 8
At leisure in colonial Cuenca, Ecuador’s second city.
Day 9
By road down to the tropical coast of Guayaquil via a stop at Las Cajas National Park.
Day 10
Transfer to the airport for your international flight
Things to do
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Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation . Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you’ll relax in utter comfort.

Ecuador & Galapagos Islands / Quito
Casona de la Ronda

Ecuador & Galapagos Islands / Otavalo and the northern highlands
Hacienda Pinsaqui

Ecuador & Galapagos Islands / Avenue of the Volcanoes
Hacienda el Porvenir

Ecuador & Galapagos Islands / Cuenca
Hotel Victoria

Ecuador & Galapagos Islands / Avenue of the Volcanoes
Hacienda Abraspungo

Ecuador & Galapagos Islands / Guayaquil
Unipark
What our clients say
97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.
Machu Picchu. What a privilege to go to such a stunning place. It was a little too busy in the morning, but walking part of the Inca Trail to the Sun Gate in the afternoon, when it had quietened down was an experience I will never forget. The train from Puno to Cusco was also something very special. In fact, most of the trip was just amazing. Well organised and we saw so much that would probably have been impossible as a solo traveller.
RW, Holmfirth
Tailor made holiday
Our specialists have been expertly crafting award-winning tailor-made holidays to Latin America for 40 years. We would be delighted to create a truly personalised trip which perfectly matches your wishes and requirements.

Mary Anne Nelson - Travel Expert
Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tour sales team.
Inspired by this trip
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Papagaio
Your edit for Latin American inspiration
Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
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