Best of Archidona

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Archidona
Southeast of Quito on the edge of the Amazon basin, Archidona is a sleepy settlement with pastel-hued houses and a lively market on Sundays. While there isn’t much to the town itself, you can head off on a wide range of adventures in the area. Jungle trails, waterfalls, caves and thundering rivers make Archidona a fine base for experiencing the unique Oriente region while overnighting in a rainforest lodge.   

Some of the best whitewater rafting in Ecuador is just a short hop from Archidona. Along the Río Napo and Río Misahuallí, you’ll find rapids ranging from class II to class IV, offering easy-going paddles and more thrilling descents, with everything in between. Rainforest hikes offer ample opportunities to encounter monkeys, parrots, sloths and other wildlife. There are also trails leading to waterfalls and forested natural pools where you can cool off after the day’s walk. Just north of Archidona, you can explore the Cuevas de Jumandy, a labyrinth of natural caves and tunnels that extend several miles underground.
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Explore some of Ecuador's most spectacular waterfalls
Map of Ecuador Getaway: Quito, Baños & Archidona - 7 Days
Ecuador Getaway: Quito, Baños & Archidona - 7 Days

Escape from it all on this exhilarating seven-day journey through Ecuador. Start in the capital of Quito, which sits between two impressive mountain peaks. Take a road trip to Baños to follow the Avenue of Waterfalls along the Río Pastaza, relax in the natural hot springs, and observe the active volcano of Tungurahua. Continue to Archidona for two nights in a rainforest lodge, with canoeing and wildlife-spotting in a lush biosphere reserve.

Take a memorable ride on the Swing at the End of the World
Map of Ecuador Adventure in the Andes & Amazon - 7 Days
Ecuador Adventure in the Andes & Amazon - 7 Days

This active and incredibly scenic tour hones in on Ecuador's distinct landscapes. Kick off the adventure in Quito where you'll meet your guide, and then head south creating a simple loop through the Andean highlands and Amazon rainforest, exploring volcanoes, caves, and waterfalls along the way. You'll also participate in hiking, canyoning, and river rafting—with plenty of free time to chill and enjoy the tasty cuisine (and chocolate) along the way.

Volcanic peaks and dense jungle near Macas
Map of Ecuador Glamping Adventure: Cities, Jungles & Highlands - 9 Days
Ecuador Glamping Adventure: Cities, Jungles & Highlands - 9 Days

Immerse yourself in Ecuador's natural splendors on this 9-day glamping adventure. From the capital of Quito to the depths of the Amazon and the volcanic slopes of the highlands, you'll spend your days hiking, kayaking, and rafting through breathtaking landscapes. Meanwhile, nights are spent close to nature in a series of unforgettable "glamorous camping" sites.

Butterflies in Mindo's Cloud Forest
Map of Ecuador Adventure Loop: Amazon, Pacific Coast & Andes - 13 Days
Ecuador Adventure Loop: Amazon, Pacific Coast & Andes - 13 Days

See the many faces of Ecuador on this epic, 13-day adventure that takes you through the Andean foothills and the Ecuadorian coast to the rainforests of the Amazon. You'll witness colonial history in Quito, journey into the cloud forests of Mindo to discover birds, chocolate, and waterfalls, and head to the Pacific coast to swim with the marine life. Settle into an Amazon lodge to hike through El Gran Cañon and go whitewater rafting, then stop at hot springs and crater lakes on the way back to Quito.

Cycle in the shadow of Cotopaxi
Map of Mainland Ecuador Multi-Sport Tour: Quito, Cotopaxi, Baños, Archidona & Papallacta - 9 Days
Mainland Ecuador Multi-Sport Tour: Quito, Cotopaxi, Baños, Archidona & Papallacta - 9 Days

Combine sightseeing with high-adrenaline adventures on this nine-day tour of mainland Ecuador. You'll acclimatize while touring Ecuador's capital, Quito, before biking in Cotopaxi National Park. Then transfer to Baños for hiking, kayaking, and canyoning. In Archidona, get your thrills whitewater rafting on the Río Jatunyaku before ending your tour soaking any aches away in the hot springs of Papallacta.

Artisan Market
Map of Culture & Nature in Ecuador: Quito, Otavalo, Amazon, Chimborazo, & Cotopaxi - 14 Days
Culture & Nature in Ecuador: Quito, Otavalo, Amazon, Chimborazo, & Cotopaxi - 14 Days

The landscapes of Ecuador's mainland are as varied as the people who live there, and you'll get to experience both nature and culture on this 14-day itinerary. Meet the locals who call these regions home and learn about their history, way of life and relationship to Ecuador's landscapes. From the Otavaleños and Afro-Ecuadorians in the north and the Quichua and Shuar in the rainforest to the Kichwa in the central Andes, you'll dive deep into everyday life and explore Ecuador's nature. 

Hike the Pasochoa Volcano, a couple of hours south of Quito, Ecuador
Map of Hike, Rock Climb & Sightsee in Ecuador: Quito, Cotopaxi, Baños & Archidona - 11 Days
Hike, Rock Climb & Sightsee in Ecuador: Quito, Cotopaxi, Baños & Archidona - 11 Days

Outdoorsy types with a penchant for rock climbing will love this 11-day loop in Ecuador. The trip starts in Quito, the UNESCO-listed capital, where you'll tour the colonial sights and sample local cuisine, chocolate, and beer in one of the world's highest cities. Then head out into the great wilderness as you hike, boulder, rock climb, and paddle across a varied terrain peppered with volcanoes. Finish with two nights at an ecolodge in the rainforest to complete the adventure.

Sunset on the beach in Ayampe
Map of Exploring Ecuador: Andes, Rainforest & Pacific Coast - 12 Days
Exploring Ecuador: Andes, Rainforest & Pacific Coast - 12 Days

This 12-day itinerary is a thrilling introduction to Ecuador's magnificent landscapes. Begin with sightseeing and a cooking class in Quito, then continue to the natural wonders of Baños and Cotopaxi National Park. Base yourself in Archidona, exploring waterfalls in the rainforest, before heading to the Pacific coast. Tour Guayaquil, learn to catch a wave in Ayampe, and visit a cocoa plantation to finish the adventure.

Spot rare birds like the plate-billed mountain toucan in Mindo's cloud forest
Map of Ecuador's Wildlife, Volcanoes & Rainforests - 12 Days
Ecuador's Wildlife, Volcanoes & Rainforests - 12 Days

Bird and nature lovers can observe wildlife like never before on this 12-day trip through the Ecuadorian Andes and Amazon. Start in Quito to learn about its rich culture, then head for fresher air in the bird-watching heaven of Mindo's cloud forests, where you'll hike and spot the most elusive feathered creatures in the rainforest. Cross the highlands to hike Cuicocha Lagoon and Cotopaxi National Park, then journey into the rainforest as you explore Archidona's canyons, rivers, and waterfalls.

Enjoy an outing snorkeling around Kicker Rock
Map of Highlights of Ecuador & the Galápagos: Quito, Baños, Archidona & San Cristóbal - 9 Days
Highlights of Ecuador & the Galápagos: Quito, Baños, Archidona & San Cristóbal - 9 Days

Explore the Ecuadorian mainland and see the spectacular wildlife of the Galápagos, all in one trip. Begin in Quito, where you'll tour the city, visit a monument marking the equator, and take a cooking class. Go hiking at Quilotoa Lagoon, then transfer to Baños for waterfalls, hot springs, and outdoor sports. Trek through the jungle and learn about Indigenous communities near Archidona, then finish your trip on Isla San Cristóbal, where you'll go snorkeling and get to know the Galápagos' natural wonders.

Other popular travel destinations in Ecuador
Quito · Baños · Cotopaxi · Otavalo · Guayaquil · Cuenca · The Amazon · Riobamba · Papallacta · Tena · Yasuni National Park · Mindo · Quilotoa · Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve · Isinliví · Cacha · Lago Agrio