4-Day Ecuador Tour: Quito, Amazon, Baños & Cotopaxi

You trek from rainforest to active volcano in a single journey, crossing three ecosystems and four elevation zones.

A 4-day tour from Quito that descends into the Amazon rainforest, climbs to the mountain town of Baños, and ascends to Cotopaxi volcano at 16,076 feet. You hike primary rainforest trails, paddle canoes on jungle lagoons, swing at the End of the World above an active volcano, trek to a mountain refuge, and visit Limpiopungo Lagoon surrounded by Andean wildlife. A bilingual naturalist guide leads all activities. Private transport, lodge stays, meals, and park entry are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Amazon Rainforest Exploration

• Departure from Quito at 7:00 AM
• Stop at La Virgen viewpoint
• Visit Guango area for hummingbird watching
• Explore stone landscapes with flashlight
• Paddle canoe ride on Huaorani Lagoon
• Arrive at EcoLodge and relax
• Special dinner and night walk in jungle

Day 2: Primary Rainforest Hiking and Water Activities

• Transfer to Rayucocha Ecological Primary Rainforest
• Hike Sloth Bear or Tití Trail
• Box lunch at Waterfall oasis
• River tubing or kayak activity
• Chocolate Route excursion
• Dinner and jungle lodging

Day 3: Waterfalls Route and Baños Exploration

• Travel to Puyo and visit House of the Balsa
• Visit Pailon del Diablo waterfall
• Ride cable car over El Manto de la Novia waterfall
• Visit La Casa del Árbol and swing experience
• Overnight in Baños de Agua Santa
• City by Night tour at 8:20 PM

Day 4: Cotopaxi Volcano Adventure and Return

• Travel to Cotopaxi province with stop at Salasaka Market
• Register and visit Interpretation Center at Cotopaxi Park
• Trek to José Rivas refuge at 4,864 meters
• Visit Limpiopungo lagoon
• Return to Quito city

The experience

The route starts at 7 a.m. from Quito and climbs to La Virgen at 13,450 feet, where weather permitting you stop to see Antisana Volcano before descending into the Guango area near Papallacta hot springs. This is hummingbird country: up to 14 species in an hour, including the Sword-billed Hummingbird with its distinctive long bill. From there you move into the lowland rainforest around Tena, where the Jungle Eco-lodge becomes your base for the first two nights. The lodge sits in primary rainforest with trails through forest-covered mountains and a river running nearby.

Day two splits into activities you choose: the Sloth Bear Trail (3 hours) or the Tití Trail (4 to 5 hours) through uncharted Amazon terrain, both descending to a waterfall where lunch waits. Afterward you float the river by tubing or kayak, using only your hands to row on a buoy. That evening brings a night walk in the jungle with a flashlight to spot fishing bats, nocturnal monkeys, owls, tarantulas, and caimans, plus stargazing. Day three moves you west toward Baños: you visit Pailon del Diablo (Devil's Cauldron), an 80-meter waterfall on the Ecuadorian Waterfalls Route, ride a cable car over El Manto de la Novia waterfall, and swing at La Casa del Árbol (the famous Swing at the End of the World) with Tungurahua volcano smoking behind you and the rainforest canopy visible in the turn of your head. A city-by-night tour of Baños follows.

Day four takes you to Cotopaxi National Park. After a stop at the Salasaka Indian Market, you register at the park entrance, visit the Interpretation Center to learn the geology and conservation history, then trek from the 4,500-meter parking lot to the José Rivas refuge at 4,864 meters. The ascent and descent take two to two and a half hours depending on fitness. Along the way you may see moorland foxes, rabbits, deer, and Andean condors. The refuge has restrooms, a coffee shop, and you can stamp your passport with the official Cotopaxi stamp. Your final stop is Limpiopungo Lagoon at 3,800 meters, a 200-hectare lake ringed with native plants where Andean gulls and ducks gather, before the drive back to Quito.

What’s included

• Private transportation throughout.
• bilingual naturalist guide for all activities.
• two nights in a Jungle Eco-lodge and one night in Baños de Agua Santa.
• lunch on days two and four.
• entrance fees and registration for Cotopaxi National Park.
• rubber boots in sizes 35 to 45.
• all activities described in the itinerary including rainforest hikes, river tubing or kayaking, night jungle walks, cable car ride, and the Swing at the End of the World.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Live Ecuador Tours

Is this one for you?Book this four-day journey if you want to experience all three ecosystems (rainforest, cloud forest, and volcano) without splitting your time between Quito and the highlands on separate trips.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What animals might I see on the Amazon trails and river activities?

The rainforest hikes and canoe paddles on Huaorani Lagoon put you near toucans, multiple monkey species, the prehistoric hoatzin bird, paiche fish, small turtles called charapas, and caimans. Night walks add fishing bats, nocturnal monkeys, owls, tarantulas, and snakes. In the Andes around Cotopaxi, you may encounter moorland foxes, rabbits, deer, curiquingues, and Andean condors.

How much hiking is involved, and can I choose the difficulty?

Day two offers two rainforest trail options: the Sloth Bear Trail runs 3 hours, while the Tití Trail takes 4 to 5 hours. Both descend to a waterfall and are suitable for almost all ages. Day four includes a trek from 4,500 meters to the José Rivas refuge at 4,864 meters, taking two to two and a half hours depending on fitness and weather. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What is the Swing at the End of the World, and where is it?

La Casa del Árbol, nestled on the slopes of Tungurahua volcano in the Runtún area near Baños, holds the famous swing. You swing out over a drop with the active volcano smoking in the background and the rainforest canopy visible below: a single turn shows both the Andes and the jungle at once.

Do I need my passport for this tour?

Yes, bring your passport for entry to Cotopaxi National Park on day four. You can also have it stamped with the official Cotopaxi stamp as a memento of the trek to the refuge.

What elevation changes happen over the four days?

You start in Quito and climb to 13,450 feet at La Virgen, then descend to the Amazon lowlands around 1,148 feet. You rise to Baños at elevations between 5,577 and 8,202 feet, then ascend to the José Rivas refuge at 4,864 meters (15,955 feet) and Limpiopungo Lagoon at 3,800 meters (12,467 feet) near Cotopaxi volcano at 16,076 feet.