For such a small country, Ecuador packs a powerful punch. At only 110,000 square miles, Ecuador is one the smallest countries in South America, however what it lacks in size it makes up for in incredible diversity. There are few places on the planet that are as diverse in landscape as Ecuador. Here you can drive from the tropical regions of the coast, to the high altitude mountains of the Andes, to the jungle of the Amazon in ONE day if you wanted to. In addition, you can visit the famous Galapagos Islands which feels like an entirely different universe.
We loved Ecuador so much we put together the best 2 week Ecuador itinerary that covers a little of everything–the Andes, the jungle, and of course, the amazing Galapagos.
You might think because Ecuador is a small country, what can you possibly do for 14 days? Let me tell you, it was VERY challenging to narrow down where to go in 2 weeks (we spent 4.5 months here)! However, if you’re like us and want to experience the most adventurous destinations and witness epic scenery, we’ve put together the best 2 week Ecuador itinerary that combines both.
This 2 week itinerary will start in Quito, where you will spend 2 days visiting some of the highlights of this beautiful city nestled in the Andes, before heading south to take in the views of the breathtaking Cotopaxi volcano and the Quilotoa crater. After a few days in the Andes, you will make your way to Banos, the adventure capitol of Ecuador. Here you will witness waterfalls galore and participate in adventure sports like whitewater rafting and canyoneering. From there, you will head to the final destination in Ecuador: the Galapagos Islands, where you will sail in a boat to different islands and witness wildlife and nature like you’ve never seen before.
Day 1-2: Quito
Quito is one of two major international airports in Ecuador, and a great access point to many destinations in the country such as the Amazon basin. You should also know that Quito sits in the foothills of the Andes at 10,000 feet (2,800 meters), so if you’re not used to high altitude, come prepared. The best thing to do to prevent altitude sickness is to drink a lot of water, get plenty of sleep, don’t do anything too strenuous the first couple of days, and to bring some altitude sickness medication with you just in case.
Constructed on the foundations of an ancient Incan city, Quito is known for its well-preserved colonial center, rich with 16th- and 17th-century churches and other structures blending European, Moorish and indigenous styles together. It is a beautiful city to spend a week here, however if you only have a couple of days in Quito, you want to spend it wisely.
If you plan on staying somewhere in the Old Town, La Mariscal, or La Floresta area (which we would recommend), you should be able to explore Quito on your own, mostly on foot or by Uber. We loved staying right in the historic area at Chakana Boutique Hotel–super charming! Here is a great list of hotels for families in Quito.
There are quite a few noteworthy places that you should definitely try to squeeze in if you only have 48 hours in Quito. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its well-preserved historical center, beautiful colonial architecture, and many incredible churches, Old Town is a place where you could easily spend a few hours.
Start at Plaza Grande, also known as Independence Square and wander through all the cobblestone streets lined with cute shops and cafes. Don’t miss the gold church, La Compania de Jesus, and one of Quito’s most notable squares, Plaza San Francisco, where also stands the Roman Catholic San Francisco Church. So many beautiful churches and buildings!
If you’re going to visit any churches, Basilica del Voto Nacional should be at the top of your list. It is the largest neo-Gothic basilica in all of the Americas, and can be seen from any vantage point in downtown Quito. Don’t miss climbing to the top of the tower as the views are out of this world! If you have a fear of heights, the stairs are a little steep, however it’s worth it!
Another must-do in Quito is ride the TeleferiQo, which is a cable car that takes you up the east side of the Pichincha Volcano. Here you will get views of the entire city and other volcanoes in the nearby surroundings. If you want, you can also take a hike to Rucu Pichincha or just enjoy the views and ride the swing. This would be a great place to go for sunset!
Some other places worth visiting over 2 days in Quito is Mitad del Mundo, which is a museum and monument that sits on the equator. It’s about a 45 minute drive north of Quito, and you will want to spend a couple of hours here. At the center of the Mitad del Mundo stands the centerpiece of the park: a 30m-high, stone trapezoidal monument topped by a brass globe containing a viewing platform and a museum, which provides a good introduction to the indigenous peoples of Ecuador in the 4 different regions of the country.
Day 3-4: Cotopaxi and Quilotoa
Not too far from Quito is Cotopaxi National Park which boasts one of the most famous and active volcanoes in all of South America. Cotopaxi is an active stratovolcano in the Andes Mountains, located about 50 km south of Quito. It is the second highest summit in Ecuador, reaching a height of 19,300 feet (5,897 m). Technically you could take a day trip from Quito to Cotopaxi, but we recommend spending 2 nights closer to the park.
We would also suggest renting a car in Quito for the next several days since it will make getting around easier and faster than relying on public transportation. Plus, you will need a car to get to Banos, which is where you will spend days 5-7 before flying to the Galapagos.
We stayed at Hosteria Papagayo in Machachi and absolutely loved it! It’s a sustainable hotel and farm tucked in the foothills overlooking the surrounding mountains (to include Cotopaxi!). We especially loved all the animals which are very kid-friendly. They had horses, llamas, dogs, goats, rabbits. In addition to activities they offer at the hosteria such as horseback riding, mountain biking, tree climbing, and yoga. They can also arrange tours to places like Cotopaxi and Quilotoa.
Here are some more lodging options in Machachi to suit your budget and needs, or if you want to be close to Cotopaxi National Park AND Quilotoa crater, there are plenty of hotels in Latacunga. As far as how to spend your day in Cotopaxi National Park, it really depends on what kind of activities you prefer. You can choose from horseback riding (this is what we did), mountain biking, sightseeing, and of course, hiking. Several tour operators in the area operate these activities, just arrange this with your hotel.
About hiking to the summit of Cotopaxi: it is not advisable to do this if you only have a day in the park because you have to acclimatize first which can take a few days. It is also a very strenuous hike and it requires a guide (plus kids need to be over 16). Andean Summit Adventure are well-experienced guides that take people to the summit of Cotopaxi. Alternatively, you can hike to the refuge which sits below the glacier, or as mentioned, do a mountain biking tour.
Laguna Quilotoa
Laguna Quilotoa is not to be missed while you’re in Ecuador. It’s one of the most popular destinations in all of Ecuador with multi-day trek options (such as the famous Quilotoa Loop) or a day hike option, which takes you around the rim of the crater. We opted for the day hike and it was definitely an experience we will never forget. Be prepared though because like many hikes in the Ecuadorian Andes, this hike is high altitude! Even though the rim trail is rated moderate, it is more difficult due to the altitude.
The area around Quilotoa is home to many indigenous peoples, who make their living farming on the land much as they have for thousands of years. You’ll see their homes and farmland dotting the hillsides and even meet them on the trails nearby, usually wearing traditional Andean clothing and often herding sheep with a llama or two. We met a sweet family along our hike and gave them some candy!
The hike itself along the crater rim is up and down and in some places, may require some scrambling as the trail has much erosion. It is a long day hike, around 6-7 miles (10-11 km) so come prepared with plenty of water, protective clothing (and layers since it can sometimes be cold and windy!), and snacks/food. Also note that because you will be hiking in high altitude, you should bring and reapply sunblock frequently. The sun is strong here.
Once you arrive to the crater via your vehicle, there is a lookout/mirador that looks out over the crater. You can take the trail to the right or the left, however we were told by some locals to go left and hike the rim clockwise because it is slightly easier. The entire hike you will be rewarded with breathtaking views along the whole trail–it truly is like nowhere else we’ve hiked before!
Day 5-7: Banos
The city of Banos de Santos Agua is only a few hours from Quito, so if you’re staying in Machachi or Latacunga, it’s even closer. By bus that may take a bit longer with stops, but if you have a car (which is what we recommend for this trip), it’s only around two hours from either of those places. Known for its lush, green scenery, Banos is also considered the “adventure capital” of Ecuador, full of rapid rivers, waterfalls, mountains and volcanoes, hot springs and of course, adventure sports.
We spent a little over two weeks in Banos during our 4.5 month trip to Ecuador. Out of all the cities we stayed in, Banos was our favorite for the breathtaking beauty and the close proximity to so many outdoor activities. If you’re following this itinerary, you will only have 3 days here, which means you will need to maximize your time in Banos. That’s why we provide a list to our MUST-DOS in Banos, and depending on your interests and level of adrenaline, you can pick and choose what activities suit your interests best.
There are lots of accommodation options in Banos–from hostels, low to mid-range budget hotels, luxury resorts, boutique hotels and of course, Airbnb‘s. We chose to stay in an Airbnb since we stayed in Banos for over 2 weeks, but there are a few hotels I would highly recommend here. A little bit of a splurge, but worth it if you want incredible views is Luna Volcan Spa. They also offer day passes to their spa and pool if you just want to just spend a few hours here. Also beautiful is Casa Giralda and Samari Spa Resort. On the lower to mid-range end is Sangay Spa & Hotel, Iti Moon, and Posada J.
As mentioned above, there are plenty of adventure activities within Banos. Here you can go whitewater rafting, rock climbing, canyoneering, hiking and biking. Banos is surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, so hitting the trail if you’re into hiking is definitely a good idea. Probably the most famous hike in the area is to the summit of Tungurahua Volcano, which is best to go with an organized tour and experienced mountain guide. This is a difficult hike, but if you’re going for “epic”, this is the one to do.
Here is our list for our top picks of outdoor activities and adventures in and around Banos.
Casa del Arbol swing
You can’t come to Banos without visiting this famous “Instagrammable” tree swing. Set high up on a mountain top about a 30 min bus or taxi ride from town is Casa del Arbol. Side note: Try to visit when the weather is ideal, otherwise the views will be less than impressive since it can often be rainy and overcast here. We actually went to Casa Del Arbol twice–the first time it rained and we couldn’t even see the valley or surrounding mountains; the second time we had great conditions.
You really only need a couple hours max for this activity depending on how busy it is.
Fortunately, the admission fee to the swing at the “end of the world” is only $1 and to be honest, the park itself isn’t all that impressive. There are some mini zip lines, a cafe and then the swings, of course. Depending on when you go, you might have a line of people waiting to swing and take photos, so be prepared to wait. We got lucky and only waited a few minutes and then enjoyed the swings to ourselves for awhile. I would suggest going first thing in the morning if you can.
You will want to get photos from different angles of this swing because each view offers something unique. From one side, you see the Tungurahua Volcano looming above, from another you can see the mountains and valley below. Casa del Arbol might be a popular, touristy spot but it’s that way for a good reason!
Bike the Ruta de las Cascadas
There are not many better places in Ecuador where you can see several waterfalls along the road’s short stretch than Ruta de las Cascadas in Banos. Rent a bike in town for the day and follow the road from Baños to Puyo. We rented bikes from Geo Tours for $7 each. They also gave us a map and outlined the main points of interests (with Pailon del Diablo being the final destination).
It is worth mentioning that the route is mostly flat and downhill, making this is a fairly easy ride! And if you don’t want to bike back to Banos (uphill), there are trucks at Pailon del Diablo that will take you back to town (cost around $5 each person).
Many people choose to bike all the way to Puyo, but the first 12 miles or so (around 20 km) are rewarding enough – we saw at least seven waterfalls and stopped along the route several times to take photos and enjoy the views. For most of the route, you are sharing the road with cars, however there are a few sections where the path splits off for bikes only. There are also a couple of tunnels you will bike through.
At some of the waterfalls along the way, there are cable cars and zip-line stations across the gorge; you can combine this activity with the biking trip. We stopped at Manta de la Novia to ride the cable car across the gorge–what a thrill! Save the best waterfall for last though–the famous Pailon del Diablo is one of the most breathtaking waterfalls in Ecuador and all of South America.
When you visit Pailon del Diablo, there are actually two entrances. We suggest going to both because you will get two different viewpoints and experiences. From the upper falls, you will witness the power of the waterfall (seen from the photo below), but from the lower entrance, you will see views of the falls from the hanging bridge which are out-of-this-world. From here you can walk across the bridge and up the short trail and stairs, and even walk behind the waterfall! Be prepared to get wet though!
Canyoneering and Whitewater rafting
If you’re into adventure sports like we are, you can’t come to Banos without going canyoneering or whitewater rafting. Both of these activities are popular in the area because Banos is the perfect destination with all the waterfalls and rivers! We spent a day canyoneering with Geo Tours and had an absolute blast jumping off, sliding, and rappelling down several waterfalls. We also waded through rivers, shimmied our way through narrow canyons!
If you have young kids, likely this will not be activity that you will be able to do with small children. Most tour companies have an age requirement of 10 or 12 and up. This is for safety reasons. Whitewater rafting is another activity that you could do just as a half day excursion. In fact, if you really wanted to, you could combine the canyoneering and the rafting in one day! Geo Tours has plenty of options for whitewater rafting too and can arrange those tours for you. Costs range from $30-70 per person.
Other Banos activities:
If you choose to do the waterfall bike route one day, another day you go to Casa del Arbol, and then the last day you go canyoneering and whitewater rafting, then that would likely cover most of your time in Banos for your 3 days. You might have a little extra time on the day you go to Casa del Arbol, or if you choose not to do BOTH whitewater rafting and canyoneering activities, you would have some some free time that day too.
If you find that you are looking for a few extra things to do in Banos, we have a few other suggestions. One is to relax and soak in some hot springs. In fact, the “baths” is what gave Banos de Agua Santa its name (Bath of Holy Water), so you can expect that there would be some famous hot springs here. The hot springs themselves are heated by the massive and active Tungurahua volcano!
Some of the best hot springs include: Termas de la Virgen (right below a waterfall and most popular with the locals), El Salado (less crowded, but not as hot as Virgen), El Refugio, and Luna RunTun (these are the hot springs at Luna Volcan hotel and perhaps boast the best views!). Soaking in some hot springs is the perfect way to end an adventure-filled day!
Other activities to consider in Banos should you have time are rock climbing (also popular in Banos!) and if you’re really into extreme sports, bungee jumping and paragliding. We spent half a day rock climbing with Geo Tours and it was so much fun! We also did the bungee jumping (because why not!?) and that was such an adrenaline rush! Geo Tours set us up with the guide who operates the bungee jumping and reassured us that it was 100% safe and legit. We were very impressed with the equipment and the professionalism dedicated to making sure we were safe.
Did I mention you jump off a bridge over a river? Yep.
Day 8-14: The Galapagos Islands
Banos is about equal distance to Guayaquil and Quito (around 4 hours), the two major airports in Ecuador that you fly from to get to the Galapagos, so you will need to coordinate flights to the islands. We would suggest checking both airports and seeing whichever is cheapest. If you rented a car in Quito, likely you will return to Quito (unless the rental company allows you to drop off the car in Guayaquil).
There are two airports on the islands, one in Baltra (the main one) and another on San Cristobal (Puerto Baquerizo Moreno). Most tourists fly into Baltra which is adjacent to Santa Cruz (a short 5 min ferry), the most popular tourist hub in the Galapagos Islands. Another reason Baltra is the go-to airport is because if you are going on a cruise, this is where you would start. You can book tickets through domestic airlines with LAN or Avianca. We use Sky Scanner and Momondo for finding the best deals on flights.
Because you only have a little less than a week in the Galapagos (unless you have the flexibility to stay longer), we highly recommend doing a small cruise with Galagents Galapagos Cruises if your budget allows for it. Why? You will see MORE places and get the BEST Galapagos Islands experience in just 5-6 days. We spent a total of 10 days on the Galapagos Islands and our 5 day cruise was hands-down the highlight of our time on the islands.
If you choose to do the cruise, you will want to fly into Baltra. Depending on the itinerary with the cruise, you might plan it so that you start the cruise the day you arrive (this is what many people do). This would be ideal because the cruise company will arrange to pick you up directly at the airport and take you to the ship. However, if you end up having a day or two before the cruise starts, we would recommend staying on the island of Santa Cruz (a short 5 minute ferry ride from Baltra).
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is the main tourist hub, as well as the most populated island in the Galapagos. Puerto Ayora is the port city on the island where the largest variety of hotels, restaurants, tour companies and shops are located. There are plenty of activities and places of interest on Santa Cruz, most notably the Charles Darwin Center, Fish Market, El Chato Tortoise Reserve, Tortuga Bay, and others.
Santa Cruz has a wide range variety of accommodations ranging from hostels, B & B lodges, high-end hotels and resorts, as well as Airbnb’s. Our top choice in Santa Cruz is the Royal Palm Hotel, located in the highlands away from the hustle and bustle of Puerto Ayora. It is peaceful and beautiful, private and spacious, and offers great amenities for nature lovers and people who want to get away from it all. The Royal Palm mainly consists of private villas of different sizes to accommodate couples or families.
If you only have a day or two to spend on Santa Cruz before your cruise, we would recommend prioritizing Tortuga Bay and the El Chato Tortoise Reserve (unless your cruise itinerary stops here). Theoretically you could get to both of these places in one day, however you might feel rushed and want to just choose one. El Chato is a must if you want to see the famous giant tortoises. It is very fascinating to watch the tortoises in their natural habitat and you will learn a lot about these incredible creatures that can live over 200 years old and weigh up to 700 lbs. Your hotel can arrange for a taxi to take you to El Chato.
If you decide to go to Tortuga Bay, you will not be disappointed. It’s probably the most famous beach on the whole island and for good reason–it’s insanely gorgeous and offers a little of everything for beach and nature lovers. Here you will see plenty of wildlife such as marine iguanas, birds, sea turtles, rays, and even sharks! If you’re looking for more information and details on Tortuga Bay and things to do on the island of Santa Cruz, make sure to check out our full itinerary for the Galapagos Islands.
Galapagos Islands Cruise
As mentioned earlier, the highlight of our time in the Galapagos was on a small cruise with Galagents Galapagos Cruises, one of the top cruise operators in the islands. We went on the Eco Galaxy catamaran and honestly, we couldn’t recommend it enough. It was the absolutely the highlight of our entire trip to the Galapagos! One reason we chose to cruise with Galagents is the fact that they are committed to environmentally- friendly practices.
There are a few other really important reasons we chose to cruise with Galagents: one, they only operate small cruises. All of their cruises have a maximum capacity of 16 passengers or guests, plus about 10 staff members. We love this! This makes for a more intimate experience where you get to know the other guests on the ship. After 5 days living aboard the Eco Galaxy, we had made some great friends! (*Side note: You could book a cruise with 16 family members/friends and pay the same price and basically have your own chartered boat!)
Another perk of going with Galagents Galapagos Cruises is they offer different options in terms of length of cruises and prices. We did the 5 day/4 night cruise, but they offer 4 day up to 8 day options. Make sure to check out all the itineraries and different ships to find the best one to suit your budget and schedule. If you are traveling to the Galapagos during Covid times, it’s important to note that Galagents is following every precaution and biosecurity measure to ensure guests and staff are safe. You can read about Covid requirements to travel to the Galapagos here or here.
What’s included in your cruise with Galagents? Your own private room or cabin (with a bathroom), ALL meals and snacks, a guide, the use of wetsuits and snorkels, kayaks and/or paddle boards. Basically everything is included except alcoholic drinks, tips to the staff/guide, and of course, your transportation to and from the Galapagos. We loved the cabins–they were spacious, comfortable and each had windows with views.
The staff aboard the Eco Galaxy was outstanding, helpful and extremely friendly. Our guide spoke English and was very professional and knowledgable about the islands. In fact, our specific guide (from the Galapagos!) has been guiding for over 30 years! He guided us on both land and sea excursions.
Each day on the cruise you stop at different places of interests on the islands. Depending on your schedule and itinerary, you might have longer travel times between destinations, however most of the “cruising” time happens at night while you are sleeping. This is great because it means more time on land to explore and spot wildlife, plus plenty of snorkeling and water based activities. Generally speaking, every day after breakfast is a land excursion for a few hours where you will walk/hike, and look for wildlife.
You will observe different kinds of iguanas (some endemic to the Galapagos), frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, flamingoes, pelicans, swallow-tailed gulls, Darwin’s finches, red-billed tropic birds, and more. There are also plenty of sea lions lazily sun bathing on the beach–such fun and curious creatures to watch in the wild. Probably the most significant thing about the wildlife in the Galapagos is they don’t fear humans–even the birds. They co-exist on these islands in peace and harmony because for hundreds of years the wildlife has been protected here, meaning they don’t feel threatened by humans!
Typically after a land excursion with Galagents, the pangas (small boats) will take you back to the ship where you will eat lunch and have some down time on the boat before heading out for a sea excursion in the afternoon. Some days depending on the length of the land excursion though, you might do a sea excursion first, then have lunch and head to a different island for another land excursion later in the day. It is all dependent on your itinerary and schedule. Swimming with the marine life was the best part of each day on the cruise with Galagents.
Every day you are guaranteed to see a plethora of marine animals and tropical fish–from sea turtles, marine iguanas, sting rays and eagle rays, sea lions, and even sharks. We saw several white tip reef sharks, hammerheads, and even a Galapagos shark. The sea lions were probably our favorite though because they are so playful and curious.
Living aboard a boat and cruising around the Galapagos is absolutely the best way to really experience these enchanting and unique islands because you see a side of the Galapagos that most don’t see. You get off-the-beaten-path and have a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that the whole family will never forget. For more information on your cruising options, including cost, what it includes, itinerary options, activities and more, make sure to check out the Ultimate Galapagos Itinerary.
If you decide against doing a cruise perhaps due to budget, no worries! You can still experience the magic of the Galapagos Islands via more land-based activities on the main islands of Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, and Isabela. We have included more information and details about the Galapagos in our comprehensive guide which covers what to do on some of the other islands, getting around (such as how to island hop), estimated costs for things like national park entrance fees, dining out, and MORE.
Conclusion
Ecuador is one of our favorite countries for a plethora of reasons–incredibly, diverse landscapes, wildlife, adventure, rich culture and history. We also love that it’s easy to get around since it’s such a small country! It’s one of those places that you want to return to over and over again because you just can’t get enough. If you want a unique trip of a lifetime, you don’t want to miss the best 2 week Ecuador itinerary which will give you a small taste of some of the most incredible places in all of Ecuador.