Ecuador Vacations Quito, Mindo and Cuenca: Ecuador’s Nature & Culinary Tour

We will pick you up at the airport and drive you to your hotel in Quito. As you make your way into the city, enjoy the beautiful landscapes that surround the capital, including majestic mountains, lush valleys, and impressive Andean scenery.
Once at your hotel, take some time to settle in, relax, and enjoy the views. This smooth arrival sets the perfect tone for the unforgettable experience ahead.
Get ready to explore Quito, a vibrant city where history, culture, and natural beauty come together in a truly unique way. 

Overnight: Quito – Hotel Mama Cuchara or similar
Meal Plan: None

Get ready for an immersive day that will awaken your senses. We’ll pick you up from your hotel and begin with a visit to a Coffee Lab in La Mariscal, where you’ll learn about Ecuadorian coffee from crop to cup and sample highland varieties.

We then continue to the Historic Center of Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From El Panecillo and its Winged Virgin to the Basilica of the National Vow and the Church of San Francisco, you’ll explore iconic sites while walking through colonial plazas and cobblestone streets. Along the way, you’ll taste traditional Quito treats such as pristiños, quesadillas quiteñas, and colaciones.

For lunch, we’ll visit Runa Tulpa Andina, a restaurant that revives ancestral cooking techniques around the sacred tulpa fire and highlights Andean heritage and community values. In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a hands-on cooking class. With a local chef, you’ll visit a traditional market to select fresh ingredients and prepare a recipe that reflects Ecuador’s culinary diversity.

Your day continues with a chocolate workshop led by Steven Gaviño, awarded in 2024 as the World’s Best Young Chocolatier in Spain. You’ll learn about fine Ecuadorian cacao and create your own chocolate. To finish the experience, we’ll visit a traditional fonda for a local craft beer or a warm canelazo drink. At the end of the day, we will take you back to your hotel.

Overnight: Quito – Hotel Mama Cuchara or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

We will pick you up at your hotel to begin your journey to Otavalo, a vibrant Andean town framed by the Imbabura Volcano. Your morning starts at the famous Otavalo Market, the largest Indigenous market in South America, where colourful textiles and handwoven crafts showcase centuries of tradition. You’ll then continue to the sacred Peguche Waterfall, a natural sanctuary connected to Kichwa purification rituals and spiritual heritage.

Nearby, you’ll visit a traditional weaving workshop, where artisans preserve ancestral techniques using natural dyes and both backstrap and pedal looms. As you observe their meticulous process, you’ll discover how colours, patterns, and textures embody the cultural identity and storytelling of Andean communities. At the end of the day, you will return to your hotel in Quito.

Overnight: Quito – Hotel Mama Cuchara or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

We will pick you up from your hotel to begin a day filled with culture, flavor and connection. Your journey starts with the Kawsaymi Gastronomic Experience, an intimate and hands-on cooking encounter guided by Kichwa women. You will prepare traditional dishes using fresh local ingredients while listening to stories, customs and ancestral knowledge that bring Andean cuisine to life.

In the afternoon your immersion continues with a visit to an Andean Musical Instrument Workshop. Skilled artisans will walk you through the creation of instruments such as zampoñas, charangos, quenas, bombos and chajchas. You will observe each stage of the crafting process and even try playing some of them, an inspiring way to connect with the musical traditions that define Andean identity. At the end of the day you will be taken back to your hotel in Quito.

Overnight: Quito – Hotel Mama Cuchara or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

Today we travel to the northwestern region of Ecuador for a full-day excursion to the town of Mindo. The journey takes about two hours, and along the way you’ll notice the landscape gradually change to misty mountains, deep gorges, and lush green forests typical of the Andean cloud forest.

In Mindo, we’ll explore an ecological reserve within the Chocó Andino biosphere, covering over 14,000 acres and home to a wide variety of wildlife, including hundreds of bird species, orchids, butterflies, and spectacled bears. Upon arrival at the lodge, you’ll be welcomed, receive rubber boots, and take a walk along the reserve’s forest trails, observing moss-covered trees, streams, and the local flora and fauna.

After a full day of exploration in the cloud forest, we will return to Quito at the end of the day.

Overnight: Quito - Hotel Mama Cuchara or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

In the morning, we will depart from Quito and embark on an unforgettable journey along the iconic Avenue of the Volcanoes, a scenic route flanked by towering Andean peaks, leading to the majestic Cotopaxi National Park, home to one of the highest active volcanoes in the world.

The adventure begins with a gentle walk around Limpiopungo Lagoon, a shimmering body of water nestled in the Andean páramo, where you may spot endemic birds and admire landscapes that feel almost otherworldly. You will then have the option to hike for about 45 minutes up to the José Rivas Refuge, located at over 4,800 meters, where the raw energy of the Andes can truly be felt.

To conclude this unforgettable day, you will descend and enjoy a delicious lunch with panoramic views of Cotopaxi Volcano, a perfect opportunity to relax, savor local cuisine, and take in the breathtaking natural surroundings. Afterwards, you will drive to Latacunga for a Barley experience and visit a community at the slopes of Chimborazo Volcano that has preserved the traditions of Andean llamas and its museum. At the end of the day, we will take you to your hotel in Riobamba for the overnight stay.

Overnight: Riobamba - Hacienda Abraspungo or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

In the morning, We will depart by road from Riobamba (or Quito, depending on your route) and travel to Guamote, a culturally rich town predominantly inhabited by indigenous communities. Guamote canton stands as the epitome of Ecuadorian tradition, with 95% of its population belonging to indigenous groups, a striking contrast to the national average of 25%. If your visit falls on Thursday, you can experience the lively market, where villagers from surrounding areas bring color and life to the town plaza.

During your visit, you will have the opportunity to explore the community, visit small mountain villages, and meet local families, observing their traditional “choza” huts and daily life. After Guamote, the journey continues to Alausí, where you can optionally experience the Andean Train. This includes a visit to the Train Museum, a scenic viewpoint over the Devil’s Nose canyon, and the chance to ride along part of this legendary railway. The day concludes in Cuenca, where you will visit an Inca-Cañari archaeological site, including the Temple of the Sun, a remarkable example of ancestral architecture and cultural heritage.

Overnight: Cuenca - Hotel Itza or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

We will pick you up at your hotel to begin a guided walking tour of Cuenca, a colonial gem nestled in the Andes and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the city’s cobblestone streets, grand churches, lively squares, and charming flower-filled balconies that transport you to another era. Highlights include the New and Old Cathedrals, Calderón Park, and the San Francisco Market. As you wander through the historic center, you’ll be captivated by Cuenca’s timeless atmosphere, its architectural wonders, and the stories reflected in every corner, offering a deep connection with the living soul of Ecuador.

After the tour, enjoy lunch at La María, located in Cuenca’s Historic Center within the iconic Casa Yangoe. Led by Ronald and Manolo Morocho, along with María Verónica Herrera and Mary Urgilés Guerrero, the restaurant offers an innovative take on Cuencano cuisine, blending local ingredients with modern techniques for a fresh and elevated gastronomic experience.

Overnight: Cuenca - Hotel Itza or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

We will pick you up at your hotel to begin a journey exploring the artisanal villages surrounding Cuenca, Chordeleg, Bullcay, and Bulzhun, where tradition and creativity come alive.

In Chordeleg, you’ll visit local workshops and admire the delicate filigree jewelry for which the town is famous. Next, in Bullcay, experience the intricate embroidery crafted by skilled artisans, preserving centuries-old techniques. Finally, in Bulzhun, discover the beautiful ikat weaving of traditional makana shawls, learning how patterns and colors carry cultural significance.

Throughout the day, enjoy authentic encounters with local artisans, gaining insight into their craft, cultural heritage, and the living traditions of the region. At the end of the day, we will return you to your hotel in Cuenca.

Overnight: Cuenca - Hotel Itza or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

Your day begins with a comfortable transfer from the historic city of Cuenca to the vibrant coastal city of Guayaquil, passing through breathtaking landscapes that stretch from the majestic Andes mountains to the lush tropical lowlands. Along the way, you’ll stop at Hacienda La Danesa, a charming, working family farm surrounded by cacao plantations, fruit trees, and abundant nature, offering a perfect blend of Ecuadorian hospitality, tradition, and a deep connection to the land. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed with fresh juices and an introduction to the hacienda’s history and philosophy, followed by countryside activities such as artisanal chocolate making, milking, cycling, or horseback riding. Afterwards, savor a delicious lunch prepared with fresh, local ingredients, inspired by traditional Ecuadorian cuisine with a contemporary twist, completing this unforgettable sensory experience. In the afternoon, your journey continues toward Guayaquil.

Overnight: Guayaquil- Hotel Casa García or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

After a hearty breakfast, you'll embark on an unforgettable journey to Dos Hemisferios Vineyard, one of Ecuador’s most celebrated wineries. Upon arrival, you'll be welcomed with a fascinating introduction to the vineyard’s story, its founders, and the bold vision that turned the impossible into reality: cultivating world-class grapes in a tropical climate. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll stroll through the vineyards and tour the winemaking facilities, gaining insight into every step of the process  from planting to bottling while discovering the passion and craftsmanship behind each bottle. The experience culminates under the majestic Gran Samán tree, where you'll indulge in a premium wine tasting featuring Bruma Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay, Enigma, Travesía Cabernet Sauvignon, and Paradoja wines, all perfectly paired with a three-course countryside lunch prepared with fresh local ingredients. To complete your journey, you'll take home a personalized bottle of Paradoja wine, a lasting memento from this magical Ecuadorian terroir.

Overnight: Guayaquil - Hotel Casa García or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, a scheduled transfer will take you from your hotel to Guayaquil Airport for your return flight. Everything is arranged to ensure a smooth and hassle-free departure.

Overnight: None
Meal Plan: Breakfast