Original
Explorer
Ecuador Highlands
9 days • 4.8
5
Excellent
circle41 reviews
location_on 9 days
location_on
Start
Quito, Ecuador
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Finish
Quito, Ecuador
tour
Trip Code
GGSH
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Min Age
15
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Trip Size
1 - 16
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Physical Rating
restaurant_menu
Meals
8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
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Transport
Private vehicle, Public bus
bed
Accommodation
Hotel (5 nights), Jungle Eco Lodge (2 nights), Homestay (1 night)
From £867(9 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
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Stay on the edge of the Amazon Rainforest in eco lodge-style accommodation on the banks of the Arajuno River and enjoy a special evening walk through the jungle under the night sky.
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Walk in the rainforest with an Indigenous guide by your side to lead the way, point out local birds and teach you about the plant life that thrives here.
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Hike to Pailon del Diablo – an 80-m-high waterfall so fierce that you’ll need to carry a poncho to keep dry from its wrath!
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Marvel at the snow-capped Cotopaxi volcano – one of the largest and highest active volcanos in the world – while hiking through Cotopaxi National Park.
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Learn from a local Indigenous community during your homestay in the La Calera Community. Take part in the Pachamanca food ceremony, which has been a part of South American culture for centuries.
Is this trip right for you?
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This trip visits places that are at high altitude, and as a result some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the Medical and health information section of the Essential Trip Information for more detail.
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Temperatures in the Amazon can fluctuate from daytime humidity to night-time chill. Insects, especially mosquitoes, are common. We recommend tropical-strength insect repellent and light cotton clothing that covers your arms and legs, with warmer layers for the evening.
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This trip includes jungle hikes, which can be strenuous due to the humidity. A decent level of fitness is required to feel comfortable when exploring the jungle.
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While accommodation in the Amazon is clean, comfortable and ideally located, it can seem basic. Please remember that this is a very remote part of the world.
Itinerary
Be moved by the natural beauty of Ecuador, from the Andes to the Amazon
From the heights of the Andes to the depths of the Amazon Jungle, this nine-day trip will take you through diverse Ecuador. Walk through the Amazon Jungle with an Indigenous guide leading the way, hike in Cotopaxi National Park – home to one of the world’s largest active volcanos – and canoe to your river-side eco-lodge accommodation on the edge of the rainforest. Get a glimpse into everyday life during a homestay with a local family, where you’ll connect with them and participate in a Pachamanca food ceremony, perhaps also brushing up on your Espanol. There’s so much to see, do and learn in this South American paradise and you’ll take it all on with a local leader and likeminded travellers.
- DAY 1Day 1 • Quito
- DAY 2Day 2 • Tena - Amazon
- DAY 3Day 3 • Tena - Amazon
- DAY 4Day 4 • Banos
- DAY 5Day 5 • Banos
- DAY 6Day 6 • Cotopaxi National Park - Quito
- DAY 7Day 7 • Cotacachi Community Stay
- DAY 8Day 8 • Otavalo - Quito
- DAY 9Day 9 • Quito
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
airport_shuttle Transport
Private vehicle, Public bus
bed Accommodation
Hotel (5 nights), Jungle Eco Lodge (2 nights), Homestay (1 night)
festival Included activities
circleAmazon Rainforest - Night Walk
circleAmazon - Guided rainforest hike and visit to animal rescue centre
circleBanos - Walking tour
circleBanos - El Pailon del Diablo Waterfall
circleCotopaxi - National Park walk
circleCotopaxi - Flower plantation visit
circleCotopaxi- Tour of historical hacienda
circleCotacachi- Pachamanca and village experience
circleCuicocha - Lagoon viewpoint
circleOtavalo - Market Visit
museum Optional activities
circleQuilotoa - Quilotoa Lagoon (Full day) - minimum 2 people - USD150
circleQuito - Urban Adventures: Legends and Culture Tour - USD50
circleQuito - Papallacta Hot Springs (Full day) - USD70
circleBanos - Bellavista Viewpoint - Free
circleBanos - Hot springs - USD5
circleBanos - Swing at the End of the World - USD2
circleBanos - Route of the waterfalls - USD2
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Friday Jun 13, 2025
Saturday Jun 21, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 6 spaces left
£1,128£1,015
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Friday Jul 04, 2025
Saturday Jul 12, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 8 spaces left
£1,111£1,000
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Friday Jul 25, 2025
Saturday Aug 02, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 5 spaces left
£1,111£1,000
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Friday Aug 15, 2025
Saturday Aug 23, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 9 spaces left
£1,100£880
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Friday Aug 22, 2025
Saturday Aug 30, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 12 spaces left
£1,084£867
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Friday Sep 12, 2025
Saturday Sep 20, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 12 spaces left
£1,084£975
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Friday Sep 19, 2025
Saturday Sep 27, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 13 spaces left
£1,128£1,015
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Friday Oct 10, 2025
Saturday Oct 18, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 1 space left
£1,287£1,223
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Friday Nov 14, 2025
Saturday Nov 22, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 10 spaces left
£1,172£1,113
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Friday Dec 05, 2025
Saturday Dec 13, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 12 spaces left
£1,172£996
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Friday Dec 19, 2025
Saturday Dec 27, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 11 spaces left
£1,172
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Friday Jan 09, 2026
Saturday Jan 17, 2026
Trip size max: 16 - 8 spaces left
£1,183
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Friday Jan 23, 2026
Saturday Jan 31, 2026
Trip size max: 16 - 15 spaces left
£1,183
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Friday Feb 06, 2026
Saturday Feb 14, 2026
Trip size max: 16 - 16 spaces left
£1,183
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Friday Feb 27, 2026
Saturday Mar 07, 2026
Trip size max: 16 - 15 spaces left
£1,183
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Important notes
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1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 7 (Homestay) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Reviews (42)
5 stars
39
4 stars
1
3 stars
1
2 stars
1
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Lucy
May 17, 2025
If you love experiencing a culture and country, it’s definitely worth including the highlands and Amazon as well as a visit to the Galapagos. Loved this trip, full of contrasts, awesome landscapes and warm, friendly local hosts :)
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Minta
Apr 24, 2025
Our trip to Ecuador wouldn’t have been the same without Johanna! From day one, she felt more like a friend than just a guide. Her warmth, patience, and sense of humor made every part of the journey feel personal and meaningful. She was incredibly knowledgeable—not just about the history and culture of Ecuador, but also about the local wildlife, hidden gems, and how to make the most of each day.
If you're lucky enough to have Johanna as your trip leader, you're in for an unforgettable experience. Thank you for everything, Johanna!
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Minta
Apr 21, 2025
The trip was amazing! We had Johanna as our guide and if she is your guide you are so lucky!!! The trip covered a lot of ground from the Amazon Jungle, mountains and urban stays. I would recommend this trip to friends and family.
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ANNA
Apr 14, 2025
Ecuador what an amazing Country the food the people the scenery the Amazon Jungle the Andys the volcanos the lakes the waterfalls the hummingbirds just beautiful
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Adrien
Mar 22, 2025
I had a wonderful experience in Ecuador and would highly recommend this trip. Johanna was an amazing guide with lots of knowledge and enthusiasm.
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Gillian
Feb 16, 2025
Our trip was so well organised and when they say that they use local guides they really do. Each of our guides were so knowledgable and this clearly wasn't just from a text book its. because they lived or grew up there . The groups were small and friendly too . You didn't feel like part of a herd! Definitely recommend.
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Janice
Feb 15, 2025
We had some spectacular adventures on this trip through Ecuador. The beautiful mountains, the dense jungles along the river, the magnificent waterfalls. The friendly & warm people, the vibrant and colorful culture. I'm so pleased that we added this trip to our cruise in the Galapagos. I have a much better understanding of Ecuador.
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Kerryn
Jan 21, 2025
Ecuador Highlands gives a little insight into some of Ecuador's diverse ecosystems- the Amazon Rainforest, the Cloud Forest, Kichwa communities and the incredible volacanos and mountains that flank the country. Johanna was an insightful, fun and knowledgable leader whose enthusiasm enhanced the trip. The jungle lodge and homestay were highlights!
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Ned
Dec 31, 2024
This was my first visit to Ecuador and Intrepid made it wonderfully memorable. I normally travel independently. Using Intrepid meant that we easily accessed some interesting places, and learnt a lot. This was largely down to our excellent guide, Joanna
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Jessica
Dec 28, 2024
Intrepid provided an amazing guide to lead an amazing trip. I’m hoping to travel with them again soon.