Ecuador may look small on the map, but this under-rated South America country really punches above its weight. In just a few hours, you can journey from the Andes to the Amazon, from misty cloud forests to the Galápagos Islands. Yet, don’t be fooled by its size—winding mountain roads and high elevations mean you can’t see it all in one trip. It’s best to focus your travels around one region at a time, spending a week to ten days exploring deeply rather than rushing through.
These three curated one-week Ecuador itineraries highlight different sides of the country: the wildlife wonders of the Galápagos paired with a relaxing stay on the mainland; the cultural richness of the Andean highlands paired with the bird-watching paradise of the Cloud Forest; and the UNESCO Heritage city of Cuenca with the volcanic beauty of Cotopaxi. Whichever you choose, you’ll discover that Ecuador’s beauty lies in its contrasts—and that it’s a destination worth returning to.
Skip Ahead:
- Itinerary 1: Galapagos and Hacienda La Danesa
- Itinerary 2: Quito, Cloud Forest and Hacienda Zuleta
- Itinerary 3: Quito, Cotopaxi, and Cuenca
Do you need help planning your trip? If you are feeling overwhelmed and don’t have the time or resources to wade through tons of information and question your decisions, I help clients plan a custom itinerary, tailored to your interests and travel style. Learn more about my Travel Advisor and trip planning services.
Itinerary 1: Galápagos Islands + Hacienda La Danesa
Best for: Nature lovers, couples, and families wanting a balance of adventure and relaxation
Few places on earth capture the imagination like the Galápagos Islands. This is where sea lions nap beside your snorkeling gear and blue-footed boobies perform their comical courtship dance just feet away. The best way to experience the Galápagos is to island hop on five-day Galapagos cruise.
There are many cruise options to choose from, depending on your budget, required style and amenities, and your desired itinerary. Each cruise will offer naturalist-guided excursions and the small yachts that have a max of 16 to 32 passengers will mean less time waiting and more time exploring. I can help you select the right cruise for your travel style.
Days 1–5: Cruise the Galápagos
Begin your journey with a flight from Quito or Guayaquil to the Galápagos, where a five-day cruise offers the perfect introduction to this UNESCO World Heritage archipelago. Each day brings new encounters—marine iguanas basking on black lava, frigatebirds puffing their scarlet throats, Galápagos penguins darting through the surf, and giant tortoises lumbering through the highlands.
Between snorkeling excursions, guided hikes, and Zodiac rides, you’ll experience the islands’ astonishing biodiversity while enjoying the comfort of an intimate yacht. This trip can be tiring so five to seven days is the perfect amount of time to see many of the islands and check off many of the wildlife sightings off your bingo card.
Read my full review of my experience on the Galaxy Yacht and download my printable Galapagos packing list.
Days 6–7: Unwind at Hacienda La Danesa
After the Galápagos adventure, fly back to Guayaquil and travel an hour inland to Hacienda La Danesa, a family-run countryside retreat set among cacao fields and teak trees.
Here, the rhythm slows: spend your days biking through the estate, floating down the river on an inner tube, or learning how chocolate is made from bean to bar. The Garden Cottages and Stables rooms blend rustic charm with modern comfort, and the cuisine—much of it sourced from the farm—showcases Ecuador’s coastal flavors.
It’s the perfect way to ease back into mainland life before your flight home.
Read my full Hacienda La Danesa Review
Itinerary 2: Quito, Mashpi Lodge & Hacienda Zuleta
Best for: Nature lovers, bird watchers and culture seekers looking for luxury with purpose
This route highlights Ecuador’s incredible range—from the bustling capital to the lush cloud forest and the tranquil Andean highlands.
Day 1: Explore Quito’s Historic Heart
Start in Quito, Ecuador’s capital and a UNESCO World Heritage city framed by volcanoes. Check into Casa Gangotena, a restored mansion on Plaza San Francisco, or Mama Cuchara, a boutique hotel in the San Marcos neighborhood.
Spend the afternoon exploring the Old Town’s ornate churches and colonial plazas. Stop at Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, a Baroque masterpiece gilded in gold, and ride the TelefériQo cable car for sweeping views—if the weather cooperates. For dinner, reserve a table at SOMOS, where chef Alejandra Espinoza reimagines Ecuadorian classics in stylish surroundings.
(Tip: avoid walking around the Old Town at night; use trusted drivers. Be sure to keep your valuables, including your passport, secure.)
Days 2–3: Into the Cloud Forest at Mashpi Lodge
From Quito, journey three hours northwest into the mist-shrouded Chocó cloud forest, home to Mashpi Lodge, one of Ecuador’s most acclaimed eco-luxury retreats.
Set deep within a private reserve, Mashpi immerses guests in a world of waterfalls, lush plantlife and rare birds. Ride the Sky Bike through the canopy, glide silently on the Dragonfly gondola, or photograph jewel-toned hummingbirds at the Life Center. Guided hikes and optional night walks reveal frogs, butterflies, and the forest’s unique flora.
Evenings are for gourmet dining and gazing into the clouds from your glass-walled suite—a rare blend of wilderness and comfort.
Read my Mashpi Lodge Review
Days 4–6: Cultural Immersion at Hacienda Zuleta
On your return, you can either stopover back in Quito or continue on to the Andean Highlands. Stop at the Equator line in Cayambe for the classic photo op and taste the town’s famous bizcochos—flaky biscuits traditionally served with dulce de leche or fresh cheese, plus coffee or fruit juice. Continue to the Otavalo Market, one of South America’s oldest, where local artisans sell woven textiles, alpaca scarves, and leather goods.
Then settle in at Hacienda Zuleta, a 17th-century estate still owned by the family of two former Ecuadorian presidents. Each night, a family member joins guests for cocktails and conversation in front of the fire. Days here revolve around horseback rides through the valleys, hikes to pre-Incan earth mounds, visits to the Condor Huasi rehabilitation project, and farm-to-table meals featuring cheese made on-site.
Read more: Hacienda Zuleta Review
Day 7: Return to Quito and Depart
After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive back to Quito. If time allows, visit the Casa del Alabado Museum for a glimpse of pre-Columbian art before heading to the airport. Since most flights leave early in the morning, it may be easiest to avoid fighting Quito traffic and just spending the night at the airport hotel. The Wyndham Quito Airport is located adjacent to the airport with a 24-hour shuttle and includes free breakfast.
Itinerary 3: Quito, Cotopaxi & Cuenca
Best for: Active travelers and culture enthusiasts who love dramatic landscapes and hands-on experiences
Ecuador’s Avenue of the Volcanoes—a chain of snow-capped peaks and lush green valleys that shadow the Pan-American Highway—offers one of the most breathtaking views in South America. This itinerary follows that route south through Cotopaxi National Park before reaching the colonial elegance of Cuenca.
Days 1–2: Quito
Before setting out along Ecuador’s famed Avenue of the Volcanoes, spend a couple of days discovering Quito, a city that beautifully blends colonial heritage with a modern creative spirit. Sitting at 9,350 feet in the Andes and surrounded by dramatic peaks, Quito is a perfect introduction to the history and culture of Ecuador.
Stay in the heart of the Historic Center at Casa Gangotena, a meticulously restored mansion and luxury hotel overlooking Plaza San Francisco, where you can sip a cocktail on the terrace and watch the sun set over the volcanoes in the distance. For a more contemporary vibe, Mama Cuchara offers boutique style in the artistic San Marcos neighborhood, with easy access to both Old Town and the newer districts.
Start your visit with a walking tour of the Old Town, one of the best-preserved colonial centers in Latin America. Wander through narrow cobblestone streets lined with colorful facades and visit some of Quito’s most iconic landmarks:
- Plaza Grande (Independence Square): The political and cultural heart of Quito, surrounded by the Presidential Palace and the Cathedral.
- Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús: A stunning Baroque church covered in nearly half a ton of gold leaf—one of the most ornate in South America.
- San Francisco Church and Convent: A vast complex dating back to the 1500s with beautiful cloisters and religious art.
- La Ronda: A lively pedestrian street filled with artisan shops, cafés, and local musicians—best visited in the late afternoon for shopping and people-watching.
Art lovers should make time for the Museo Casa del Alabado, an intimate museum featuring exquisite pre-Columbian artifacts beautifully displayed in a restored colonial home. For modern art, head to the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo, housed in a former military hospital.
If you want to see the city from above, ride the TelefériQo, a gondola that climbs up the slopes of Volcán Pichincha to over 13,000 feet for panoramic views (weather permitting). Adventurous travelers can continue with a short hike toward the summit.
For dinner, SOMOS is a must—chef Alejandra Espinoza serves inventive Ecuadorian cuisine in a chic setting, reinterpreting traditional flavors with global techniques. The restaurant at Casa Gangotena is also supposed to be fabulous. During my two stays there I was too tired for a formal meal and just enjoyed room service, but I loved the breakfast buffet.
After two full days, you’ll have soaked in Quito’s architectural splendor, culinary scene, and cultural depth—ready to head south toward the mountains and volcanoes that define Ecuador’s heartland.
Days 3–4: The Volcanoes Route and Cotopaxi National Park
Travel south along the Avenue of the Volcanoes, a corridor flanked by some of Ecuador’s most spectacular peaks—Antisana, Rumiñahui, and Chimborazo among them. Your destination is Cotopaxi National Park, home to one of the world’s highest active volcanoes at nearly 19,300 feet.
Spend your day hiking around the Limpiopungo Lagoon, photographing wild horses grazing in the fields, or—if you’re acclimated—ascending toward the Refugio José Rivas hut on Cotopaxi’s slopes. Horseback riding is another magical way to take in the scenery.
The lodge at Tambopaxi offers an excellent lunch (don’t miss the soup and empanadas). The accommodations within the park are fairly basic, so you may want to stay a bit further away. Hacienda Abraspungo is a charming highland inn that makes a perfect base for exploring.
Tip: be mindful of the altitude: stay hydrated, move slowly, and avoid alcohol until you’ve adjusted.
Days 5–6: Cuenca, Ecuador’s Cultural Gem
From Cotopaxi, take a short flight or scenic drive to Cuenca, another UNESCO World Heritage city famed for its cobblestone streets, flower-filled plazas, and blue-domed cathedral. Stay at Hotel Cruz del Vado, a boutique hotel that blends colonial architecture with modern comfort.
Spend your days wandering along the Tomebamba River, watching artisans weave Panama hats (actually made here from toquilla straw), and browsing the flower market, one of the most colorful in South America.
Add in a cooking class, silver-making workshop, or chocolate experience to dive deeper into the city’s craftsmanship. Beyond the city, you can visit the Ingapirca ruins, soak in nearby hot springs, or even go hang gliding if you’re feeling adventurous.
Day 7: Departure
Depending on your flight, either depart directly from Cuenca or return to Quito or Guayaquil. Add an extra night if needed—this region deserves a slower pace.
Planning Your Perfect Week in Ecuador
Whether you’re snorkeling beside sea lions in the Galápagos, hiking beneath the snowcapped cone of Cotopaxi, or sipping wine by the fire in a 17th-century hacienda, Ecuador delivers outsized experiences for such a compact country. In just one week, you can explore cloud forests alive with hummingbirds, walk through UNESCO-listed colonial centers, and unwind on elegant estates where time seems to slow.
Because travel here often involves long, winding drives and high elevations, it’s worth planning carefully—or better yet, letting an expert handle the details. I can arrange private drivers, vetted guides, and fabulous hotel stays like Mashpi Lodge, Hacienda Zuleta, or Casa Gangotena.
So whether your heart leans toward wildlife, wellness, or culture, Ecuador has an itinerary that fits. The hardest part is deciding which one to do first.
Ready to start planning your own Ecuador adventure? Contact me to create a custom itinerary with the right blend of comfort, culture, and discovery—crafted just for you.
Tamara Gruber is an award-winning travel writer and the founder of Your Time to Fly. With more than a decade of professional writing experience across two travel publications and hundreds of destination guides, she specializes in crafting practical, detailed itineraries that help travelers explore the world with confidence. Her work reflects years of on-the-ground research across the globe. Tamara is a member of SATW and serves on the Board of Directors of the Family Travel Association.
