8-Day Ecuador Mountains & Hot Springs Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Quito

Arrive at Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, where your professional bilingual guide will meet you and transfer you to your boutique hotel in the historic center. Quito sits at 2,850 meters (9,350 feet) above sea level, so take the afternoon to acclimatize with a gentle stroll through the UNESCO-listed colonial quarter. Admire the ornate facade of La Compania de Jesus church, covered in seven tons of gold leaf, and the neo-Gothic Basilica del Voto Nacional. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at one of Quito’s renowned restaurants serving Ecuadorian cuisine. Overnight in Quito.

Day 2: Quito to Otavalo – Indigenous Market & Cuicocha Crater Lake

After breakfast, drive north through the dramatic landscape of the Pan-American Highway, passing snow-capped Cayambe Volcano en route to Otavalo. The Otavalo Market is one of the most famous indigenous markets in the Americas, where Otavalenos in traditional embroidered dress sell alpaca wool ponchos, tapestries, jewelry, and Panama hats. Spend time browsing the colorful stalls and bargaining for souvenirs. After lunch, continue to the Cuicocha Crater Lake, a stunning caldera filled with turquoise water and two forested islets at its center. Take a boat ride across the lake and hike part of the crater rim trail for panoramic views over the Imbabura region. Return to Otavalo for an overnight stay at a charming hacienda.

Day 3: Cotopaxi National Park – Limpiopungo Lagoon & Refuge Ascent

Depart early for Cotopaxi National Park, crossing the fertile Inter-Andean Valley before entering the windswept paramo ecosystem at 3,800 meters. Your first stop is the Interpretation Center to learn about the volcano’s geology and history of eruptions. Then drive to the parking lot at 4,500 meters and begin the hike across the volcanic plain to Limpiopungo Lagoon, where the reflection of Cotopaxi’s perfect cone shimmers on the water. Spot Andean gulls, carunculated caracaras, and wild horses roaming the grasslands. For those who wish to push higher, continue ascending on foot to the Jose Ribas Refuge at 4,864 meters – the starting point for summit attempts. Return to a cozy mountain lodge in the Cotopaxi area for a well-earned dinner and rest.

Day 4: Quilotoa Crater Lake – Emerald Waters & Indigenous Villages

Today’s destination is Quilotoa, a breathtaking volcanic crater lake whose emerald-green waters change hue with the shifting Andean light. The crater formed after a massive eruption approximately 800 years ago, leaving a 3-kilometer-wide caldera with mineral-rich water 250 meters deep. Begin at the crater rim viewpoint at 3,914 meters, taking in the sweeping panorama before descending on foot or by mule to the lakeshore. Those with energy can kayak across the emerald surface. The ascent back up takes roughly 45-60 minutes. Along the way, pass through traditional indigenous villages like Tigua, famous for their colorful paintings on sheepskin canvases depicting daily life and Andean cosmology. Overnight at a highland hacienda near Quilotoa.

Day 5: Banos – Swing at the End of the World & Pailon del Diablo

After breakfast, drive down the spectacular Pastaza River gorge to Banos de Agua Santa, a lively town perched between towering green mountains and steaming thermal springs. Your first stop is the Casa del Arbol, home to the iconic Swing at the End of the World, which arcs out over a deep canyon with Tungurahua Volcano looming in the background. Continue to the Route of the Waterfalls, culminating at Pailon del Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron), Ecuador’s most powerful waterfall. Descend stone staircases and cross a suspension bridge to stand meters from the thundering cascade, feeling the spray on your face. In the afternoon, you have free time to explore Banos – try the local melcocha taffy, relax in the thermal baths that give the town its name, or zip-line across the Pastaza River gorge. Overnight in Banos.

Day 6: Chimborazo Volcano – Highest Point from Earth’s Center

Journey south through the central highlands to Chimborazo Province, home to Ecuador’s highest peak. At 6,263 meters, Chimborazo’s summit is the farthest point from Earth’s center due to the equatorial bulge, making it technically closer to the sun and stars than Mt. Everest. Enter the Chimborazo Fauna Production Reserve and drive to the first refuge at 4,800 meters, then hike to the Whymper Refuge at 5,000 meters. At this altitude, you will stand among icy glaciers and be rewarded with views across the Andean cordillera stretching into the horizon. Look for vicunas, elegant wild camelids that roam the reserve’s high-altitude grasslands. After descending, visit the nearby town of Riobamba, the Sultana de los Andes, for a brief tour of its colonial center. Overnight at a historic hacienda near Chimborazo.

Day 7: Papallacta Hot Springs – Geothermal Pools in the Andes

This morning, drive north across the eastern cordillera, crossing the Papallacta Pass at over 4,000 meters with views of Antisana Volcano’s glacier-covered summit. Descend into the cloud forest and arrive at Papallacta Hot Springs, a complex of naturally heated geothermal pools set in beautifully landscaped Andean gardens. The mineral-rich waters, heated by nearby volcanic activity, emerge from the ground at temperatures between 35C and 70C and are channeled into multiple soaking pools of varying warmth. Spend the day alternating between hot pools, cold plunge pools, and the spa’s wellness facilities. The surrounding mountains, often cloaked in mist, create an ethereal atmosphere. This is the ultimate relaxation after six days of hiking and exploration. In the late afternoon, enjoy a farewell dinner featuring fresh trout from the region’s mountain streams. Overnight at Papallacta.

Day 8: Return to Quito – Departure

After a final soak in the thermal waters and breakfast, drive back to Quito, descending through cloud forest and into the Inter-Andean Valley. Depending on your flight time, you may have a few hours for last-minute sightseeing or souvenir shopping in Quito’s La Mariscal district. Transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport for your onward flight, taking with you memories of Ecuador’s volcanoes, markets, crater lakes, and thermal springs that will last a lifetime.