10 days in Ecuador itinerary

From the lush Amazon rainforest, to the towering peaks of the Andes, and from the pristine beaches of the Pacific Coast, to the glorious wildlife-rich Galapagos Islands, Educador covers a whopping range of landscapes. As such, it can be pretty tricky to decide how to focus your trip, which is where the Ecuador 10 day itinerary shared below will come in useful. Taking you from the capital, Quito, to a thrilling 4-day tour of the Galapagos — via the awe-inspiring Andean mountains — it sure packs mighty punch.

Is 10 days enough in Ecuador?

As you’ll see in the itinerary below, 10 days is plenty of time to hit up some of the best places to visit in Ecuador — and with a decent Ecuador trip planner, you can go deeper than the usual highlights. From cloud forest hikes to local markets, it’s possible to get a real feel for the country without rushing.

To do just that, you’ll need to prioritize destinations, consider travel times between them, and also decide when to go to Ecuador in order to enjoy the experiences at the top of your wish list. 

For example, you’ll want to think about seasonal rains, and the impact they might have on your plans, and the impact high season prices will have on your budget.

Not fixed on a 10-day trip? If you’re short on time, our 7-day Ecuador itinerary might be just what you’re looking for.

You could also contact our local experts to have them curate your ideal Ecuador trip for any duration.

10 days in Ecuador overview

Before diving into the day-by-day breakdown, here’s a quick overview of what to expect from this 10-day Ecuador itinerary.

• Day 1: Arrive in Quito, settle in
• Day 2: Uncover culture in Quito
• Day3: Transfer to Banos via Quilotoa Lake
• Day 4: Transfer to Cotopaxi via Pailon del Diablo waterfall
• Day 5: Hike Cotopaxil, return to Quito
• Day 6: Fly to the Galapagos, see giant tortoises
• Day 7: Cruise to Isabela Island and explore
• Day 8: Wildlife cruise to Fernandina Island
• Day 9: Explore the islands of Santiago and Rabida
• Day 10: Visit Black Turtle Cove; return to the airport

Day 1: Arrive in Quito, settle in

This epic Ecuador 10 day itinerary kicks off in Quito — Ecuador’s colonial capital, which will be your base for a couple of nights.

As a packed itinerary of adventure lies ahead, we suggest spending your first afternoon and evening relaxing, maybe taking a leisurely stroll around your accommodation for your first flavor of the country. 

Where to stay

Most visitors to Quito stay in the new town, where you can take your pick from a huge range of accommodation across all price ranges.

Most new town accommodation is located in the downtown zone of La Mariscal, especially around José Calama.

More recently, the old town’s regeneration is making it a more popular choice, with several luxurious colonial conversions available. For families traveling in Ecuador with kids, quieter areas on the edge of the old town or well-reviewed spots in La Mariscal can offer a more relaxed base.

Just be aware it’s not wise to walk around the blocks around the Plaza Independencia after dark and wherever you stay, it’s always best to take a taxi from your arrival point straight to your hotel and to avoid wandering the streets with your luggage.

Day 2: Uncover culture in Quito

Day 2 of this Ecuador itinerary is devoted to discovering Quito’s top cultural attractions, beginning with a morning guided tour of the city.

With the entire city declared a UNESCO Heritage Site, it’ll come as no surprise that it’s loaded with historic sights.

Tours include exploring the Plaza Grande, the charming churches of La Compana and La Basilica, and the city’s oldest street — La Ronda.

We also recommend taking a cookery class experience, with great options located in the atmospheric old town. 

Come the afternoon, head to the Mitad del Mundo equatorial monument just outside town to stand on the equator line and visit the associated museum.

Day 3: Transfer to Banos via Quilotoa Lake

Day 3 will see you depart Quito early for Quilotoa Lake — a breath-taking volcanic crater lake in the Ecuadorian Andes.

How to get from Quito to Banos

It’s best to book a tour or private driver to transfer from Quito to Quilotoa Lake — a winding 160 km route that’ll see you soaking up landscapes of verdant valleys and waterfalls — and onto Baños later in the day. It’s one of those routes that shows how important planning is when getting around Ecuador, where distances may look short on a map but can take time due to winding roads and mountainous terrain.

On arrival, you can hike down to the lake’s edge (about 30 minutes), or walk along the rim trail for spectacular vistas of the vivid water. The extraordinary turquoise hue comes as a result of dissolved volcanic minerals.

Into adventure? You could opt to kayak the lake.

Come the afternoon, you’ll continue to Baños de Agua Santa — a charming town that’s known for its lush landscapes, thermal springs and waterfalls.

Where to stay

Being a beautiful resort town that attracts many international visitors, Banos is blessed with a range of good-value hotels, among them the cozy, centrally located La Floresta.

Meanwhile, Hostal Plantas y Blanco is a good budget-friendly option.

At the other end of the scale, Samari Spa Resort offers a taste of luxury.

Day 4: Cotopaxi via Pailon del Diablo waterfall 

Day 4 starts in exciting style, thanks to a trip to Pailon del Diablo waterfall en route to Cotopaxi, where more Andean majesty and hiking adventures await.

How to get from Banos to Cotopaxi

Pailon del Diablo waterfall is located just 30 minutes from Baños, and is easily reached by car.

On arrival, it’s just a short hike to reach the viewing platforms, where you’ll get to see the wonder of a powerful cascade plunging into a rocky canyon. 

After exploring the sight — you can also walk a path that takes you right behind the cascade — it’s time to continue to the Cotopaxi region, which is presided over by Cotopaxi Volcano in Cotopaxi National Park. This drive will take 3.5–4 hours.

Where to stay

With just one night in the Cotopaxi region, you’ll want to base yourself someplace pretty and convenient, with the historic Hacienda San Agustin de Callo coming recommended for travelers who are looking for an upscale stay.

For easy access to trails, note that the mid-range Tambopaxi Lodge is located in the national park.

Day 5: Hike Cotopaxil, return to Quito

Day 5 starts early with a morning hike in Cotopaxi National Park, starting with a nature walk around Lake Limpiopungo.

The easy 1.5 km trail around this handsome high-altitude lagoon offers breath-taking views of Cotopaxi volcano, and opportunities to see wildlife, including Andean foxes, wild horses, and a huge variety of birds.

Want something more challenging? You could hike to the José Rivas Refuge. Though it only takes around 1.5 hours, you’ll need to be acclimatized to avoid altitude sickness — it’s located at an altitude of 4,864 meters (15,958 feet). 

After exploring the park, it’s time to return to Quito, ready to transfer to the Galapagos Islands for the next leg of this Ecuador itinerary. 

How to get from Cotopaxi National Park to Quito 

The road transfer from Cotopaxi National Park to Quito takes around 2 hours.

Where to stay

To keep things simple, we suggesting returning to the accommodation you opted for when you arrived in Quito — this is just a one-night stopover before you head to the Galapagos. 

Day 6: Fly to the Galapagos, see giant tortoises

On day 6, fresh landscapes and adventures are in store when you’ll transfer to the Galapagos Islands for a fabulous four-night cruise. 

How to get from Quito to the Galapagos Islands

You’ll need to take an early flight (2.5 hours) from Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport to Seymour Airport (Baltra) — the main gateway to the Galápagos Islands.

On arriving, you’ll need to clear the Galápagos entry process — which includes paying the Galápagos National Park Fee (USD 100) and passing a biosecurity inspection — before transferring to your cruise vessel.

This typically involves taking a taxi or bus to the Itabaca Channel, followed by a short ferry ride to Santa Cruz Island to meet your cruise team.

Come the afternoon, your exploration of the Galapagos begins in iconic style with a visit to the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center at the Charles Darwin Research Station — a fascinating place that plays a vital role in conserving the islands’ iconic giant tortoises. 

Where to stay

Your home for the remainder of this itinerary will be your chosen boat, such as the Archipel I.

Day 7: Cruise to Isabela Island and explore

Your first full day in the Galapagos begins with trip to the Western Islands area, starting with a visit to Moreno Point on Isabela Island’s northern coast.

Known for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, — think black lava fields speckled with lagoons and tidal pools — a guided hike will uncover the island’s unique ecosystems, and offer opportunities to see the likes of flamingos, pintail ducks and white-cheeked pintails. 

In addition, the lagoons play host to sea turtles and rays. 

In the afternoon, it’s time to head to Urbina Bay — an area that’s famous for the geological uplift that pushed coral reefs above sea level.

During a guided nature walk, you’ll most likely see giant tortoises, land iguanas and Darwin’s finches, while snorkeling the bay will showcase colorful fish, rays and reef sharks.

Day 8: Wildlife cruise to Fernandina Island

More unforgettable wildlife experiences will be enjoyed on day 8, when you’ll cruise to Espinoza Point on Fernandina — the youngest and most pristine island of the archipelago. 

While walking its lava formations and sandy paths, you’ll get to see huge colonies of marine iguanas and flightless cormorants, plus Galápagos hawks and playful sea lions around the shoreline.

On the afternoon your boat will take you to Vicente Roca Point on the north-western tip of Isabela Island. 

Here you’ll have the chance to spot iconic blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and Galápagos penguins, with sea turtles, sunfish, and a huge variety of vibrant fish species rewarding snorkelers. 

Want to see particular wildlife? You’ll want to wise up on the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands to make sure you’ll get to see species at the top of your wish-list.

Day 9: Explore Santiago and Rabida islands

A fresh duo of islands will be visited on day 6, starting out on Santiago Island. 

Here the coastal area of Puerto Egas serves a vista of black sand beaches and tidal pools teeming with wildlife, including fur seals, marine iguanas and crabs. It’s also another top spot to snorkel.

In the afternoon, you’ll cruise to Rábida Island, with its striking red-sand beaches, and trails through arid landscapes speckled with palo santo trees and opuntia cacti. 

This island is also home to lions, brown pelicans, and Darwin’s finches. 

Day 10: Visit Black Turtle Cove; return to airport

The last day of this Ecuador 10 day itinerary unveils Black Turtle Cove — a tranquil mangrove lagoon on the northern coast of Santa Cruz.

Accessible only by dinghy, here you’ll glide through the channels of the mangrove ecosystem, looking out for blacktip sharks, green sea turtles, and spotted eagle rays. 

It’s also wonderful birdwatching spot, with stacks of pelicans, herons and lava gulls.

Around midday, it’s time to return to Baltra to fly back to Quito ahead of your homeward flight.

Inspired to visit Ecuador? Arm yourself with our Ecuador travel tips while planning your trip.

Not keen on planning? Contact our local experts to have them curate your ideal Ecuador itinerary.