This adventure takes you deep into Ecuador’s wild side—from paddling rainforest rivers in the Amazon to galloping across golden highland plains in the Andes. You’ll hike past volcanoes, explore crater lakes, and optionally, soak in the rhythm of Quito, where colonial charm and equatorial magic come together.
Trip Info
-
Bus and Vans
-
7 Nights at Specified Hotels and Lodges
-
4.800 Above Sea Level
-
Quito International Airport
-
Year-Round
-
Adventure Tour
-
All meals included, unless specified
-
English, Spanish
-
Moderate
-
6
-
80
Andes and Amazon: 8 Days of Adventure and Culture
You’ll explore the twin peaks and golden páramo of the Ilinizas, step onto glacier trails in Cotopaxi National Park, and plunge into the lush Amazon rainforest around Tena, where white-water rafting, as well as waterfalls, jungle wildlife, and peaceful lagoons await. Add in the steamy magic of Papallacta Hot Springs and the cultural heart of a Kichwa village, and you’ve got Ecuador’s essence in one sweeping journey.
Highlights
- Raft Class III rivers through the Amazon basin
- Ascent to the José Ribas Refuge at Cotopaxi (4,800m)
- Horseback riding across high-altitude páramo landscapes
- Encounters with Amazonian traditions and nature while rafting
- UNESCO-listed Quito city tour or equator experience (optional)
- Paragliding over Quito’s skyline and volcanic ridges (optional)
- Authentic Ecuadorian meals
- Certified Adventure Guides, and Top of the Line Equipment
- Insured Tour Package
- Unique Shamanic Ritual
- Thermal water springs
Adventure Itinerary
Start with scenic horseback riding across the windswept páramo beneath the Ilinizas, then climb to Cotopaxi’s glacier refuge for high-altitude thrills. Paddle through the rainforest on a white-water rafting adventure in the Jatunyacu River, hike through tropical trails and waterfalls, and float in a calm Amazon lagoon. Day six invites you into a women-led Kichwa community to share in traditional rituals, ending with a healing shamanic “limpia.” Wrap things up in the highland spa town of Papallacta, where thermal pools and mountain mist offer the perfect finish.
📝 Quick Look
After landing in Quito International Airport, we will take a bus trip to the heart of the
✈️ Arrival
- Transfer from the airport to the hotel or to optional activities (depending on flight schedule).
🌆 Optional Activities
- Quito City Tour (4 hours)
- Visit to the Middle of the World (4 hours)
🍽️ Meals
- Breakfast ❌
- Lunch ❌
- Dinner ✅ (at lodge)
🏨 Lodging
- Ilatoa Lodge
📝 Quick Look
Ride like a traditional Andean “chagra” through breathtaking highland landscapes with panoramic views.
🍽️ Meals
Breakfast ✅
Lunch ✅
Dinner ✅
🏨 Lodging
Corrales Viejos Lodge
🚌 Transport
Ilatoa Lodge → Corrales Viejos Lodge (1.5 hours)
🧭 Main Activity
Horseback ride to the Ilinizas Paramo (4 hours)
📝 Quick Look
Explore one of Ecuador’s most iconic volcanoes and hike to a high-altitude refuge in the Andes.
🍽️ Meals
Breakfast ✅
Lunch ✅
Dinner ✅
🏨 Lodging
Corrales Viejos Lodge
🚌 Transport
Lodge ↔ Cotopaxi National Park (1 hour each way)
🧭 Main Activity
Hike to Cotopaxi Volcano Refuge (3.5 hours, up to 4,800 m / 15,750 ft)
📝 Quick Look
Travel from the Andes mountains into the Amazon rainforest and discover the vibrant town of Tena.
🍽️ Meals
Breakfast ✅
Lunch ✅
Dinner ✅
🏨 Lodging
3-Star Hotel in Tena – Hotel Villa Belen or similar
🚌 Transport
Corrales Viejos Lodge → Tena (5 hours)
🧭 Main Activity
Tena City Tour including visit to Parque de la Isla (2 hours)
hike to the Volcano Refuge (3.5 hours)
Max altitude: 4,800 m (15,750 ft)
📝 Quick Look
Enjoy a thrilling full-day rafting descent through Class III rapids, surrounded by lush Amazon scenery. Includes a safety briefing before starting.
🍽️ Meals
Breakfast ✅
Lunch ✅ (Special lunch at the river shore)
Dinner ✅
🏨 Lodging
3-Star Hotel in Tena – Hotel Villa Belen or similar
🚌 Transport
Hotel → Put-in site / Take-out site → Hotel (45 min each way)
🧭 Main Activity
Full-day rafting descent on the Jatunyacu River and Napo River (7 hours)
Hike (2h) + Kayak (1h)
📝 Quick Look
Connect with nature and culture through rainforest hikes and a meaningful visit to a Kichwa community.
🍽️ Meals
Breakfast ✅
Lunch ✅
Dinner ✅
🏨 Lodging
3-Star Hotel in Tena – Hotel Villa Belen or similar
🚌 Transport
Hotel → Activities → Hotel
🧭 Main Activity
Hike through ecological corridor (4 hours) + Kichwa community visit with shamanic ceremony (3 hours
📝 Quick Look
Relax in natural hot springs before returning to Quito through scenic Andean landscapes.
🍽️ Meals
Breakfast ✅
Lunch ✅
Dinner ✅
🏨 Lodging
Hotel near Quito – Holiday Inn Quito Airport or similar
🚌 Transport
Tena → Papallacta Hot Springs → Quito (5 hours total)
🧭 Main Activity
Visit to thermal springs (2 hours)
📝 Quick Look
Flexible final day with optional activities before your departure.
🍽️ Meals
Breakfast ✅
Lunch ❌
Dinner ❌
🏨 Lodging
—
🚌 Transport
Hotel → Airport / Optional Activities
🧭 Main Activity
Optional: City tour, Middle of the World visit, or paragliding
Summary
What is Included?
- Lodging (as described in the itinerary)
- Meals (all meals except mentioned in the itinerary)
- Local transportation (all ground transportation to and from airport, hotels and activities)
- 24/7 tour leader
- Certified guides
- Adventure activities (described in the itinerary)
- Top of the line gear
- Personal accident insurance and liability coverage
- Guaranteed refunds for cancelled activities due to weather or unexpected circumstances
Optional Services
- Depending on flight times:
- Paragliding (4 am – 11 am)
- Quito City Tour (9 am – 1 pm)
- Visit to Middle of the World (9 am – 1 am)
- Extra hotel night if departing the next day
Frequently Asked Questions
Destination and Tour Facts
Together, the Andes and the Amazon offer an incredible variety of landscapes and experiences within just a few days. Ecuador’s short travel distances make it easy to move from volcanic highlands and towering mountains to the lush, wildlife‑rich rainforest. Travelers love this combination because it reveals two completely different worlds, distinct in scenery, culture, climate, and biodiversity, all in a single journey.
Our Andes experiences combine high‑altitude landscapes, volcanic scenery, and traditional highland culture. Travelers enjoy activities such as scenic hikes, horseback riding, and visits to national parks like Cotopaxi, all guided at a comfortable pace to ensure safe acclimatization and meaningful exploration.
The Amazon offers an immersive blend of adventure, wildlife, river exploration, and rainforest ecology. In addition to white water rafting, expect guided jungle walks, canoe outings, and opportunities to observe animals in their natural habitat. Our certified local guides ensure safe, respectful experiences that highlight both biodiversity and Indigenous knowledge.
Ecuador is a yearround destination thanks to its location on the equator. Ecuador's Andes and Amazon regions have distinct weather patterns driven by altitude and rainforest conditions rather than traditional four seasons. The Andes feature sunnier and dryer conditions during the northern hemisphere’s summer months, while the Amazon stays hot and humid with frequent year-round rain. Our specialists can help you choose the ideal time based on your travel dates.
Traveler Requirements and Experience Level
Yes. Our tours are suitable for travelers with no previous experience in adventure activities. Every activity begins with a short lesson and safety briefing, and our guides adapt the pace and difficulty to the group’s abilities.
A basic level of fitness is recommended, especially for rafting, hiking, and horseback riding. However, we always offer alternatives and adjust the pace so everyone can enjoy the experience.
Highaltitude hiking requires preparation and moderate fitness. Trails in Cotopaxi National Park reach elevations of up to 16,000 feet above sea level. Our certified guides help you manage altitude challenges by adjusting the pace and providing support throughout the hike.
The recommended minimum age for our adventure activities is 6 years old. There is no maximum age, please ask our Adventure Specialists about our softer adventure options that may be suitable for seniors.
Yes, we can absolutely accommodate vegan, vegetarian, and allergy‑specific diets. During the booking process, we collect all relevant information (dietary needs, allergies, height, weight, and any medical conditions) so our team can plan meals safely and prepare the right equipment for your adventure.
What’s Included, Accommodation and Preparation
Our tours include local transportation, lodging, meals, activities with certified guides, and entrance fees. Personal accident and liability insurance are also included. Full details and any exclusions are listed in each itinerary on our website.
We work with experienced thirdparty providers to offer a variety of lodging options. From modern hotels in Quito or rustic lodges surrounded by nature near our activity sites. Each option is selected to enhance your adventure experience. We encourage you to go deeper into accommodation details for your specific tour with our Adventure Specialists.
After booking, you’ll receive a detailed packing list tailored to your destination, including clothing, gear, and personal items.
Yes. Unless otherwise noted in the itinerary, all meals are included. Some meals feature fixed menus, while others offer a variety of options. Also, on some free time (specified in the itinerary) we will provide meal vouchers and options for dining.
Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, but it may be limited or slow on some adventure sites and lodges.
Safety, Health and Insurance
Safety is our top priority. We use top of the line, highquality gear and work with certified professional guides who follow strict safety protocols. Activities may be modified or canceled if conditions present unnecessary risks.
Our packages include personal accident and liability coverage during our services. We strongly recommend purchasing additional travel insurance to cover flight cancellations, medical contingencies, lost luggage, and emergency evacuation.
As of February 2026, Ecuador has eliminated vaccination requirements for travelers from most countries. We recommend checking your local government’s travel health guidelines before your trip.
Your tour leader and guides follow established safety protocols for common emergency situations and are trained to coordinate with local authorities when necessary.
Booking, Payments and Policies
Booking is simple. Fill out the contact form on our website, and one of our adventure travel specialists will guide you in the process of selecting your adventure package dates, and through the steps to book your tour.
You can join other travelers in a group tour or request a private experience for a more personalized adventure. Our adventure specialists are happy to assist with your inquiry in a direct conversation.
Your Andes & Amazon Tour must be booked at least 30 days before your tour date to secure availability, guides, and logistics. Some experiences may fill up earlier, so reserving with moredays ahead gives you the best chance of getting your preferred dates.
Depending on the tour dates and destination, cancellations are eligible for a full refund. In some cases, up to 20% may be deducted to cover prebooked thirdparty services. Refunds are issued to the original payment method. Full details are provided before booking. Prior to your payment, you will receive a comprehensive Terms and Conditions document, with specific details regarding your case.
Full payment is required at the time of booking. You may cancel and receive an 80% to 100% refund depending on the timing of your cancellation.
We accept all major credit and debit cards accepted in the United States. Our specialists can assist with alternative payment methods if needed.
Sustainability, Values and Why Choose Us
We are a U.S.-based company registered as Sellers of Travel in the State of Florida. We partner with top certified adventure operators in Ecuador with more than 10 years of experience creating safe, exciting, and enriching journeys.
Absolutely. We believe in responsible tourism and work with partners who collaborate closely with local communities, respect nature, and minimize environmental impact in every destination.
We don’t just sell tours, we create meaningful experiences. Through our commitment to safety, personalized service, sustainability, and transparency, you will discover Ecuador in a unique and unforgettable way.
