About this trip
Eight days through Ecuador's highlands, moving between volcanoes, crater lakes, markets and hot springs. It's a route built around the country's mountain scenery rather than one single destination.
You start in Quito before heading north to Otavalo's markets and the still waters of Cuicocha, then work south past Cotopaxi and Quilotoa's green crater lake toward Chimborazo and the Pailon del Diablo waterfall.
The trip winds down at the Papallacta hot springs, a chance to properly rest after days of altitude and travel.
What you'll do
- Browse the market stalls at Otavalo
- Walk the crater rim at Cuicocha
- See Cotopaxi volcano up close
- Gaze into Quilotoa's emerald crater lake
- Visit the Pailon del Diablo waterfall
- Soak in the Papallacta hot springs
- Moderate pace with a lot of ground covered across the highlands
- Partially guided, so expect some sections without a leader alongside you
- Suits families and groups travelling together
Worth it if you're flexible about group composition and value expert guides and smooth logistics. Think twice if you're paying premium prices expecting a full group or need reliable AC and bug-free rooms.
- Tour ran with solo traveler despite being advertised as group tour; no group vibe meant lonely evenings.
- Quito hotel location unremarkable; Banos had mosquitoes, no AC, no window screens despite being pricey.
- Guides consistently praised as knowledgeable and friendly; logistics handled efficiently by office team throughout.
- Meeting instructions sometimes unclear; language barriers with some drivers in remote areas without cell service.
Distilled from real traveller reviews on TourRadar — we don't edit out the bad bits.
The same-vibe trips, side by side — price, value per day, and how each is moving. Only we can lay two operators' trips out honestly.
Sorted by fit — never by who paid. Price moves and fill fill in from our own tracking as it builds.
Getting there
Opens Trip.com, pre-filled — one-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown there.
Where to stay
A night before your tour in Quito · 23 Jul – 24 Jul
Booked on their own sites, separate from your tour. We may earn a commission — it never changes your price.
Sort the essentials
Partner offersWe may earn a commission from partner offers. It never changes your price or our ranking.
More trips like this
Ranked on real fit — in case this one isn't quite yours.
Booked with the operator via TourRadar · we may earn a commission.
Want longer in Ecuador?
Working holidays, volunteering & more — £50 off with code 18TO35TRAVEL.
Powered by Global Work & Travel · we may earn a commission on bookings.