6 Days in Ecuador - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Active Cultural Adventure: Quito & Cotopaxi

Get a taste of Ecuador in six days on this active cultural adventure, comprising three nights in Quito and two in Cotopaxi National Park. See the capital city's highlights, soak in the volcano-heated waters of Termas de Papallacta and hike around multiple volcanoes in the national park.

Land in Quito and check out two of the city's most important churches, La Compania and La Basilica, then climb to the top of Panecillo Hill for remarkable views of the city. On a walking tour, see the Mitad del Mundo equatorial monument, where you can stand on the equator line to have one foot in each hemisphere. Take a day trip to the Termas de Papallacta spa resort to soak in its geothermal pools heated by nearby volcanoes. Jump on the TeleferiQo cable car to prepare for a six-hour hike around the Rucu Pichincha Volcano. Enjoy the views from the top, then transfer to Cotopaxi.

The following day, travel to the Illinizas Ecological Reserve for a hike to Iliniza Norte. You'll admire the sweeping views of the Ecuadorian highlands as you trek across various terrains. Spend a morning in Cotopaxi National Park at Lake Limpiopungo, which offers incredible views of Cotopaxi Volcano, before heading back to Quito Airport to catch your departing flight. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Culture, Nature & Adventure: Quito, Mindo & Cotopaxi

Adding another location into the mix, this six-day culture and nature tour showcases the best of Quito, Mindo, and Cotopaxi. See Quito's most prestigious churches and take an authentic cooking class, shop for traditional crafts in Otavalo Market, explore the Mindo Cloud Forest, and head on horseback through Cotopaxi National Park.

Upon arrival in the capital city of Quito, you'll head straight for the UNESCO-listed historical center to see the La Basilica and La Compania churches, wander down La Ronda street, and head up Panecillo Hill for panoramic city views. Venture to a local colonial house for an authentic cooking class where you'll learn to cook traditional Ecuadorian dishes. Travel 16 miles (26 km) north of the city to Mitad del Mundo, an equatorial monument determined as the divide between the two hemispheres. Visit the nearby museum to check out exhibits such as the planetarium and the cocoa and chocolate displays.

Next, drive to the province of Imbabura, where you can spend hours perusing the stalls at Otavalo Market. Try local dishes such as salted mango and fritada (braised pork). Embark on a day trip on Day 4 to the Mindo Cloud Forest to experience one of the most biologically diverse forests in the world. Spot butterflies, enjoy waterfall hikes, zipline through the rainforest, try your hand at river tubing, and sample homemade chocolate and coffee. Visit a traditional hacienda in Cotopaxi National Park for an afternoon of horseback riding, then hike around the crater rim of the stunning Quilotoa Lagoon before flying out of Quito. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Off the-Beaten-Path Adventure in Quito

This Quito-focused itinerary offers an in-depth look at Ecuador's capital. Navigate the quieter neighborhoods of Quito via bicycle, take part in a Salsa dancing class, indulge in a chocolate-tasting experience, and hike around Rucu Pichincha Volcano.

When you arrive in Quito, your first activity will be a two-hour craft beer tour to learn about the city's beer culture and sample a few tipples along the way. Allocate a morning to explore the historic city center before participating in a traditional Salsa dancing class. Hire a bike for a four-hour tour of the northern neighborhoods of Quito. Admire the beautiful art and architecture as you cycle through La Floresta, Carolina Park, and Inaquito. Save your appetite for a chocolate-tasting experience in the afternoon, where you'll learn about chocolate production in Ecuador while sampling some of the local delicacies.

Swap the city for Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve on Day 4 to explore Pululahua Volcanic Crater. Tuck into a traditional Ecuadorian lunch at El Patio Restaurant, then take a tour of Casa Agave to learn about the production of Andean agave juice and agave liquor. If you're feeling adventurous, take a cable car to the Cruz de Loma viewpoint, where you'll begin the five-hour hike through the páramo (typical Chilean vegetation) to the summit of Rucu Pichincha Volcano. Spend a final morning in the historic center of Quito before heading to the airport for your departure. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Highlights of Northern Ecuador

See a little more of the country and check out Ecuador's northern highlights, spending the majority of your time in Apuela. Tour the capital, kayak San Pablo Lake just outside the Andean town of Otavalo, follow the Cuicocha Lagoon trail, and choose from various hikes in the lush Intag Valley.

Kick off this northern Ecuador itinerary in lively Quito. Discover the capital city at your own pace, then transfer to Otavalo. Hire a kayak for a leisurely paddle around San Pablo Lake, taking in the views of the mighty Imbabura Volcano. Continue to Otavalo Market to purchase local artisanal crafts and produce. On Day 3, stop in the picturesque town of Cotacachi, known for its leather production and shops, on your way to Cuicocha Lagoon at the foot of Cotacachi Volcano. Follow an expert tour guide who will show you numerous viewpoints around the crater rim before heading to Apuela in the Intag Valley to spend the night.

Part of the South American Chocó Biological Reserve, the Intag Valley is one of the lesser-known regions of Ecuador that offers plentiful hiking opportunities among vast and varied wildlife and nature. Spot wild mountain tapirs, jaguars, bears, and toucans as you traverse the terrain. Coffee aficionados will relish the chance to learn more about Ecuador's coffee culture with a visit to a local coffee farm on Day 5, then returning to Quito the following day. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Bird-watching & Nature Photography in the Galápagos

Calling all bird-watchers and nature photographers! Spend six days in the Galápagos and experience the wilder side of Ecuador. Begin in Quito before flying to the Galápagos Islands for several days of boating, hiking, photographing, and nature-spotting in beautiful destinations such as San Cristóbal Island and Puerto Ayora.

Spend a night in Quito before swapping the city for island life as you transfer to San Cristóbal Island in the Galápagos. Visit the Interpretation Center, then head to La Loberia to see a colony of sea lions. Depending on the national park's weather and permissions, you'll spend a day on Espanola Island or Punta Pitt. On Espanola Island, you'll begin a hike from Suarez Point and continue to the perfect snorkeling site to spot tropical fish. If Punta Pitt is the destination of choice, you'll walk along a trail that offers the chance to spot three species of booby seabirds.

Hop on a boat to Santa Cruz Island via Santa Fe Island on Day 4. Keep your eyes peeled for giant wild tortoises that inhabit the island before learning about local environmental projects at the Charles Darwin Station. Then check out the turtle rearing station before they're released into the wild. Spend your final two nights in Puerto Ayora, catching a private yacht to Bartolomé Island and Sombrero Chino ("Chinese Hat"), renowned for its distinctive shape that's home to a small penguin colony. Climb the peak of Bartolomé Island for views of Pinnacle Rock and Santiago Island, then return to the mainland for your outbound flight. Learn more

More Great 6-Day Ecuador Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Ecuador? Check out these other six-day Ecuador itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.