THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Travel from Quito through the Amazon and high Andes on a compact 10‑day route that includes canoe rides, jungle wildlife, volcano viewpoints and cultural visits to Kichwa communities. Practical, multi‑terrain adventure with early starts and high‑altitude highlights.
Travel from Quito through the Amazon and high Andes on a compact 10‑day route that includes canoe rides, jungle wildlife, volcano viewpoints and cultural visits to Kichwa communities. Practical, multi‑terrain adventure with early starts and high‑altitude highlights.
You step off the shuttle into Quito's thin, cool air and the mountains press in like an invitation.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by BM TOURS SA · Quito, Pichincha
You step off the shuttle into Quito's thin, cool air and the mountains press in like an invitation.
From the city’s colonial plazas the route drops and climbs: a motorized canoe threads the Arajuno River as the jungle dares you to look closer; later the high volcanic shoulders of Chimborazo and Cotopaxi rise, their scree and puna grasslands shaping the day. Early mornings bring the parrot clay lick—hundreds of parrots descending to a scar of mineral earth—while afternoons in Baños offer waterfalls and whitewater options.
This route stitches together Ecuador’s main landscapes: the Amazon basin’s alluvial soils and dense primary forest; the eastern Andean slopes of deeply incised rivers; and the high páramo shaped by volcanic eruptions, ash deposits and glacial scouring. Indigenous Kichwa communities maintain agricultural and craft traditions that provide cultural context to the routes between towns like Tena, Baños, Riobamba and Quito.
Expect a mix of travel modes—van transfers, 20-minute canoe rides, short train segments and guided walks of 2–3 hours. Elevations vary dramatically (from ~400 m in the Amazon to refugios near 4,800–5,000 m on Chimborazo), so plan for altitude adjustment.
Practical guidance: carry binoculars for clay licks, layer for rapid temperature swings, hydrate well before high-altitude days and limit heavy exertion the morning you ascend above 4,000 m. Comfortable hiking shoes and a light rain shell will cover most terrain and weather on this active, logistics-driven 10‑day tour.
moderate.
10 days (approx.).
Suitable for travelers in good general health able to walk 2–3 hours on uneven terrain and tolerate short periods at high altitude.
Elevation ranges from lowland Amazon to refugios near 4,800–5,000 m; mild symptoms are common—headache, shortness of breath. Acclimatize in Quito, hydrate, and avoid heavy exertion the first 24–48 hours at altitude.
Breakfasts and specified transfers (airport–hotel and intersite transportation) are included; other meals and optional adventure activities may be extra—confirm with the operator.
The itinerary notes suitability for all fitness levels but is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with serious spinal or cardiovascular conditions; families should assess comfort with long transfers and altitude changes.
Routine vaccinations are recommended; consult a travel health clinic about yellow fever and other region‑specific advice depending on recent guidance and your itinerary.
The route links Spanish colonial Quito—once the administrative heart of the Audiencia of Quito—with indigenous highland communities and Amazonian settlements whose histories predate the colonial era.
Travel through protected areas and sensitive forest; stick to trails, avoid single‑use plastics when possible, and follow guide instructions to minimize impact on clay licks and wildlife viewing sites.
BM TOURS SA operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You step off the shuttle into Quito's thin, cool air and the mountains press in like an invitation.
You step off the shuttle into Quito's thin, cool air and the mountains press in like an invitation.
From the city’s colonial plazas the route drops and climbs: a motorized canoe threads the Arajuno River as the jungle dares you to look closer; later the high volcanic shoulders of Chimborazo and Cotopaxi rise, their scree and puna grasslands shaping the day. Early mornings bring the parrot clay lick—hundreds of parrots descending to a scar of mineral earth—while afternoons in Baños offer waterfalls and whitewater options.
This route stitches together Ecuador’s main landscapes: the Amazon basin’s alluvial soils and dense primary forest; the eastern Andean slopes of deeply incised rivers; and the high páramo shaped by volcanic eruptions, ash deposits and glacial scouring. Indigenous Kichwa communities maintain agricultural and craft traditions that provide cultural context to the routes between towns like Tena, Baños, Riobamba and Quito.
Expect a mix of travel modes—van transfers, 20-minute canoe rides, short train segments and guided walks of 2–3 hours. Elevations vary dramatically (from ~400 m in the Amazon to refugios near 4,800–5,000 m on Chimborazo), so plan for altitude adjustment.
Practical guidance: carry binoculars for clay licks, layer for rapid temperature swings, hydrate well before high-altitude days and limit heavy exertion the morning you ascend above 4,000 m. Comfortable hiking shoes and a light rain shell will cover most terrain and weather on this active, logistics-driven 10‑day tour.