Trip of Ecuador by rental car

Day 2 | Quito

This day is free to spend as you wish! Quito, situated at an altitude of around 2,800 metres in the Andes valley, is a charming city with a rich history and a beautiful colonial centre. From almost anywhere in the city, you can see one of the many volcanoes that surround it. The old colonial part of the city centre (Centro Histórico) has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The colourful, picturesque streets, the bustling squares and the authentic local atmosphere make it well worth a visit. In the morning, it’s well worth taking the telefériQo (cable car) to alight at an altitude of 4,000 metres, with views over the entire city. In the newer part of the city centre, you’ll find charming little shops and markets. In the old town centre, you’ll find the beautiful squares of Plaza de la Independencia and Plaza San Francisco. Within walking distance of the Centro Histórico is the Basílica del Voto Nacional, where you can climb the 115-metre towers. From here, you’ll have a magnificent view over the city.
Accommodation: Hotel Casona de la Ronda | bed and breakfast

Day 3 | Quito – Otavalo

(approx. 100 km | 2-hour drive)
In the morning, you will be collected from your hotel and, accompanied by an English-speaking guide, taken to the car hire company. Here you will collect your rental car and, once you have it, you will drive independently to your accommodation in Otavalo, situated north of Quito. On the way, you can visit the ‘Mitad del Mundo’ monument, where you will cross the equator. You’ll drive through a hilly area and, as you leave the city behind and get closer to Otavalo, you’ll also see some farmland here and there. The predominantly indigenous population of Otavalo wears intricately woven traditional dress, which you will also find at the market. The women wear richly embroidered blouses and gold-coloured necklaces, whilst the men are dressed in white with blue ponchos. Some of the men have now switched to Western-style jeans, but they have remained faithful to the traditional hairstyle: a long black ponytail or plait beneath a black hat. Thanks to their entrepreneurial spirit and love of travel, the Otavaleños are the most prosperous group of indigenous people in Ecuador. The music groups that play ‘Andean music’ in the streets of European cities almost all come from Otavalo.
Overnight stay: Hacienda Pinsaqui | bed and breakfast

Day 4 | Otavalo

This day is free to spend as you wish. The Otavaleños are also famous for their weaving skills. At Plaza de Ponchos, the central market square, you can buy woven rugs, hammocks, jumpers and, of course, ponchos. The extensive, famous market is held throughout the town on Saturdays. It’s a lovely place to buy souvenirs to take home. Don’t forget to pop along to the cattle market early in the morning. In the area around Otavalo, you can go horse riding, hiking, mountain biking and rafting. Just outside Otavalo, you can visit the Cuicocha crater lake. This was formed when the summit of the mountain collapsed during a violent eruption (around 3,000 years ago). As you walk along the edge of the lake, you’ll be surrounded by the peaks of the Imbabura and Cotacachi volcanoes. The Peguche waterfall is also ideal for a walk or a cycle ride. Other possible excursions include a visit to the surrounding villages of Cuicocha, Cotocachi and San Antonio de Ibarra. These villages are renowned for their excellent textiles, leatherwork and woodcarving.
Accommodation: Hacienda Pinsaqui | bed and breakfast

Day 5 | Otavalo – Cotopaxi

(approx. 200 km | 3.5-hour drive)
After breakfast, you’ll set off again for your next destination, Cotopaxi. You’ll be driving along the ‘Avenue of Volcanoes’. Along the way, you can make a number of interesting stops, such as the town of Latacunga, situated on the Pan-American Highway. At first glance, this may not seem like a particularly remarkable town, but behind the grey blocks of houses built from volcanic stone lies a picturesque centre with cobbled streets. In the indigenous language, the name Latacunga means ‘the land of my choice’. On Saturdays, there is a large market in this town on the Plaza de San Sebastián. You may also wish to visit the market in Zumbahua, which is also held on Saturdays. Here you can soak up the rural atmosphere amongst the indigenous people. The Zumbahua market is one of the most colourful in the country and is not yet overrun by large crowds of tourists.
Accommodation: Hacienda Hato Verde | bed and breakfast

Days 6 and 7 | Cotopaxi

These days are free to plan as you wish, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of your accommodation. A visit to Cotopaxi National Park, home to the 5,897-metre-high volcano, is a highlight of any trip to Ecuador for many visitors. In Quechua, the word ‘Cotopaxi’ means ‘Neck of the Moon’. In this nature park, you can enjoy a páramo landscape and have the chance to spot various animals, such as llamas, foxes, falcons, deer and, with a bit of luck, a condor! As well as being a national park, Cotopaxi is also a stratovolcano. Cotopaxi is also one of the highest active volcanoes in the world and the second-highest mountain in Ecuador. In Quechua, the word ‘Cotopaxi’ means ‘Neck of the Moon’. You can also visit Lake Quilotoa. Tucked away amongst the Serrania, you’ll find one of Ecuador’s most beautiful natural wonders; from here, you can walk along the most picturesque paths to Lake Quilotoa. This particular area has unique features found nowhere else. Desert, bizarre mountain landscapes and small, colourful villages complete this stunning scenery. These small Andean villages are surrounded by Andean forest and páramo.
Accommodation: Hacienda Hato Verde | bed and breakfast

Day 8 | Cotopaxi – Baños

(approx. 100 km | 2-hour drive)
Today you’ll drive on to Baños. Baños (Spanish for ‘bath’) takes its name from the many hot springs found in the surrounding area. The town is also known as the gateway to the Amazon and is surrounded by beautiful green natural landscapes.
Accommodation: Luna Volcán | bed and breakfast

Day 9 | Baños

There is no shortage of natural beauty in the area around Baños. On this day, you can visit the various waterfalls in the area. From Baños, you can hire mountain bikes or drive along the Ruta de las Cascadas (Waterfalls Route) in your rental car. Along the way, you’ll find no fewer than seven waterfalls, the highlight being the Pailón del Diablo. Baños is a small town known throughout Ecuador for its miracles. The side aisle of the cathedral is lined with crutches left behind by patients who have been healed. It is said that the sick are healed by the water that flows from the thermal springs. A visit to the Casa del Arbol is highly recommended. This treehouse features two swings where you can swing above the clouds and enjoy a breathtaking view. Sangay National Park lies in the backyard of Baños. The Sangay volcano is the country’s most active volcano.
Accommodation: Luna Volcán | bed and breakfast

Day 10 | Baños – Riobamba

(approx. 80 km | 2-hour drive)
Today you’ll continue your journey to Riobamba. Near Riobamba lies Chimborazo, at 6,310 metres the highest mountain in Ecuador, which you can visit later today. For serious mountaineers, it’s possible to climb it. In the area around Riobamba, you can enjoy a lovely horse ride through the páramo landscape or go mountain biking.
Overnight: Hacienda Abraspungo | bed and breakfast

Day 11 | Riobamba – Cuenca

(approx. 320 km | 6-hour drive)
After breakfast, you’ll drive on to the beautiful colonial town of Cuenca. The Pan-American Highway really heads into the mountains at Alausi. You’ll drive through small, picturesque villages. If you follow this road later in the afternoon, there’s a chance it will be misty along the way. This mist drifts in from the coast towards the mountains in the afternoon. On the way, you can stop off at the Inca ruins of Ingapirca, at an altitude of 3,160 metres. Here you can visit the archaeological complex and learn about Inca culture and that of the Cañari people.
Overnight: Hotel Santa Lucía | bed and breakfast

Day 12 | Cuenca

Enjoy your day off in Cuenca and explore the city at your leisure. The site where the city of Cuenca now stands was once home to the Inca city of ‘Tomebamba’. When the Spanish colonised this region in 1547, the ancient Inca city was completely destroyed. Only a few remains of the walls, on the banks of the river of the same name, are left. Cuenca is also known as the ‘Athens of Ecuador’ or the ‘Athens of the Andes’. Cuenca is also renowned for the world-famous Panama hat and its extensive ceramics industry. The city owes its cultural charm to the historic centre with its narrow, picturesque alleyways, numerous churches and stately colonial buildings. The city also boasts beautiful squares and various museums. The 52 churches in the historic city centre are impressively beautiful. Be sure to visit the ‘Homero Ortega’ hat factory, where the world’s finest Panama hats are made. Al Capone, amongst others, had his hats made here. In the factory, you’ll gain a clear understanding of how the hats are made and just how much time this can take. Some hats take more than half a year to complete.
Accommodation: Hotel Santa Lucía | bed and breakfast

Day 13 | Cuenca – El Cajas – Guayaquil

(approx. 200 km | 4-hour drive)
Today you’ll drive the final leg of your journey to Guayaquil in your rental car. On the way, we highly recommend a visit to El Cajas National Park, a stunning mountainous nature reserve. The altitude in this area varies between 3,000 and 4,500 metres and consists of mountains and a large number of glacial lakes. You can go for some lovely walks here. You will then continue towards the coast to Guayaquil. It is a stunning route taking you from the Andes to the coast; you’ll leave the mountainous landscape behind and arrive in Ecuador’s coastal region, passing many banana plantations, sugar cane fields and cocoa plantations along the way. You will return your rental car at the airport and will then be taken to your hotel.
Overnight stay: Hotel Oro Verde Guayaquil | bed and breakfast

Day 14 | Guayaquil – Amsterdam

In the afternoon, you will be collected from your hotel and taken to Guayaquil Airport, where you will board your intercontinental overnight flight to Amsterdam.

Day 15 | Amsterdam

You will arrive in Amsterdam today.