Impact Trip Ecuador

Day 1: Arrival in Quito

After your arrival at Quito airport, our driver will be waiting for you at the exit and will take you to your hotel in the middle of the lively capital city of Quito. The geographical location of the capital of Ecuador is stunning: Quito is situated in a high valley, around 2,800 meters above sea level, and is surrounded by snow-capped peaks.

Day 2-3: Experience the Yunguilla community reserve

After breakfast, you will be taken to the village of Yunguilla, surrounded by breathtaking nature, mountains and rivers. Here you can experience the everyday life of the community at first hand and take part in projects such as reforestation and organic gardening. You will be accommodated in welcoming host families and experience everyday life. You can also learn how to make jam, cheese and traditional crafts. Yunguilla is actively committed to the preservation of nature and culture in tourism.

Day 4-5: Back to the capital

After breakfast, you say goodbye to your new family and drive back to Quito, where you check back into your centrally located hotel. Today and tomorrow you have time to explore Quito on your own.

Day 6: Journey into the Amazon

Today is going to be adventurous! A transport picks you up in Quito in the morning and takes you to Shell after a four-hour drive through Latacunga, Ambato and Baños. From there, you will fly 50 minutes deep into the Amazon to the Achuar community. After a boat trip to Kapawi Lodge, you will spend four days exploring the rainforest and learning more about the protection of the region.

Day 7-10: Discovery tour through the Amazon rainforest

Kapawi Lodge offers a flexible program that you can design individually on site with your nature guide and the group. From rainforest hikes to canoe trips where you can observe birds, different species of monkeys and pink river dolphins.

You will also have plenty of time to interact with members of the indigenous Achuar community and learn more about them and their customs. You will also learn how the Kapawi Tourism Project contributes to the protection of the rainforest and indigenous culture.

Day 10 - 11 : Back from the Amazon - Baños de Agua Santa

Early in the morning, your nature guide will accompany you to various locations around the lodge to observe different bird species again. At around 10 am, the boat will take you to the community of Kusutkau. From there, a light aircraft will take you back to Shell, where you will be transported to your hotel in Baños. After arrival, you have today and tomorrow at leisure.

Day 12-13: Riobamba

After breakfast, continue to Riobamba, where you can explore the colonial city center. Surrounded by the Chimborazo, Carihuairazo, Altar and Tungurahua mountains, Riobamba is considered an important agricultural center of the Ecuadorian Andes. Alternatively, you can take an optional excursion to the Chimborazo volcano (6263 m) and observe wild vicuñas.

Day 14 -15: Bus trip to Cañar and Turismo Rural

In the morning, you will be taken from the hotel to the bus station in Riobamba. Upon arrival in Cañar, your host family will welcome you. Today and tomorrow you will explore the community, visit the herb garden with local healers who offer a medicinal drink, and visit a textile workshop. In the Sangay National Park, you will learn more about alpacas and environmental protection.

Day 16: Bus trip to Cuenca and exploration of the old town

After breakfast, your host family will take you to the bus station. From there, you will take the bus to Cuenca. Here you can enjoy the special atmosphere of this wonderful city, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sights worth seeing include Calderon Park, the old and new cathedrals, the flower park, the Museum of Modern Art, the Cañari culture, the Tomebamba River and the Mirador de Turi (viewpoint).

Day 17: Transfer to the Pacific coast or back to Quito

It's time to say goodbye to Cuenca. A private transfer will take you on to Guayaquil. Guayaquil is the largest city in Ecuador and the country's most important port. Explore the “Pearl of the Pacific” on your own.

Alternatively, you can return to Quito from here for your flight home.

Day 18: Departure or onward journey along the coast of Ecuador

The last day of the trip is at leisure.

At the agreed time, your driver will pick you up at the hotel for the private transfer to the airport in Guayaquil or Quito. We wish you a safe flight home!

Extension: From here you can continue to Puerto Lopez. Near the Machalilla National Park there are beautiful white beaches for snorkeling, excursions to de la Plata Island and whale watching (June - November) or the community of Agua Blanca, which is located in an archaeological site. Or you can add on a trip to the impressive Galapagos Islands. Please contact us for more information.