60 days in Ecuador Itinerary

A special set of environmental factors helped create Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, one of the most biodiverse national parks in Ecuador.

On the 2nd (Wed), explore the activities along Laguna Grande and then stroll through Cuyabeno Reserve. Keep things going the next day: surround yourself with nature on Cuyabeno Dolphin Lodge.

To see where to stay, ratings, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve visit planner.

New York City, USA to Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is an approximately 14.5-hour flight. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Thu) early enough to catch the bus to Tena.

A jump-off point for exploring the rainforest and its rivers, Tena boasts a well-established commercial and tourist core, with a small airport and bus terminal and plenty of operators offering organized wilderness tours.

Step out of the city life by going to Kayaking & Canoeing and Jatun Sacha Biological Reserve. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Centro Ecoturismo Comunitario Kamak Maki and Ricancie. There's more to do: get to know the resident critters at Amazoonico Animal Rescue Centre and Head underground at Jumandi Caves.

For maps, where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Tena online tour itinerary planner.

You can take a bus from Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve to Tena in 7 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Banos.

A trip to Banos, a relatively small town in the picturesque Andean highlands, ensures plenty of chances for outdoor activities like horseback riding, hiking, climbing, canyoning, and mountain biking.

Get some historical perspective at Church of the Virgin of the Holy Water (Nuestra Senora del Agua Santa) and La Catedral de Ambato. Discover out-of-the-way places like Pro Bici and Zipline. Change things up with these side-trips from Banos: Museo del Canton Guano (in Guano) and Ambato (Parque Provincial de la Familia & Mausoleo de Montalvo). The adventure continues: get impressive views of Tungurahua, get engrossed in the history at Museo Fray Enrique Mideros, stop by Jacinto Guevara & Hijos Evanistas, and admire the sheer force of Cascada el Manto de la Novia.

To see ratings, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Banos travel route site.

Traveling by car from Tena to Banos takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Thu) so you can drive to Quito.

High in the Andean foothills, Quito remains one of the world's most photogenic capital cities, featuring two dramatic mountain ranges as its backdrop.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Cotopaxi National Park and Walking tours. Get some historical perspective at Catedral Metropolitana de Quito and Guapulo. Explore Quito's surroundings by going to Mindo (Zipline & El Escampadero), Cascada de Peguche (in Peguche) and Condor Park (in Otavalo). Saddle up on the 14th (Mon) and explore with a tour on horseback. There's lots more to do: see the interesting displays at Museo Casa del Alabado, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Santo Domingo Church, and shake up your sightseeing with a climbing tour.

To find other places to visit, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Quito trip planning tool.

You can drive from Banos to Quito in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In June, daytime highs in Quito are 73°F, while nighttime lows are 59°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Tue) so you can travel to Cuenca.

Packed with impressive colonial architecture and a historic town center, Cuenca stands as perhaps the most charming city in the nation.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Museo Catedral Vieja and El Museo de Las Conceptas. Museum-lovers will get to explore Pumapungo Museo and Museo de las Culturas Aborigenes. Go for a jaunt from Cuenca to Chordeleg to see Parque Chordeleg about 1 hour away. Next up on the itinerary: take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback, take in the exciting artwork at Eduardo Vega Galeria Taller, explore the world behind art at Museo Municipal de Arte Moderno, and examine the collection at Homero Ortega.

To see where to stay, other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, read our Cuenca tour planner.

Traveling by flight from Quito to Cuenca takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Plan for little chillier nights when traveling from Quito in June since evenings lows in Cuenca dip to 52°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 29th (Tue) so you can go by car to Ingapirca.

In the shadow of a famous archaeological site of the same name, the tiny village of Ingapirca serves as an excellent stop-off point adding a dose of history and culture.

Start off your visit on the 30th (Wed): explore the ancient world of El Tambo and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Santuario de la Virgen del Rocio. On the 1st (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take in the dramatic natural features at Cara del Inca, then pause for some serene contemplation at Parroquia de Ingapirca, then delve into the distant past at Ingapirca Archaeological Complex, and finally delve into the distant past at Ingapirca Ruins.

For photos, where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Ingapirca travel route planner.

You can drive from Cuenca to Ingapirca in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Salinas.

The coastal city of Salinas is the westernmost city on mainland Ecuador and a leading tourist destination.

On the 2nd (Fri), stroll through La Loberia, then head outdoors with La Chocolatera, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Las Salinas. Keep things going the next day: take a leisurely stroll along Malecón Salinas and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa de Chipipe.

To find more things to do, ratings, maps, and tourist information, read our Salinas trip itinerary builder.

Traveling by car from Ingapirca to Salinas takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or take a bus. In July, daytime highs in Salinas are 76°F, while nighttime lows are 71°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Sat) so you can go by car to Puerto Lopez.

Sitting on the edge of a bay on the Pacific coast of Manabi Province, the small fishing village of Puerto Lopez acts as headquarters for the surrounding national park.

You'll get in some beach time at Playa de los Frailes and Playa de Olon. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Scuba & Snorkeling and Montanita Spanish School - Day Classes. The adventure continues: see the vivid underwater world at Isla de la Plata, stop by Pacha Chocolates, and get outside with Aventuras La Plata.

To see more things to do, photos, maps, and other tourist information, read our Puerto Lopez travel site.

You can drive from Salinas to Puerto Lopez in 2.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. When traveling from Salinas in July, plan for somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Puerto Lopez: temperatures range from 83°F by day to 71°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Mompiche.

On the 7th (Wed), don't miss a visit to Ecua-Andino Galapagos, then get outside with Tip Top Fleet, and then stroll through Playa Mompiche.

To see reviews, maps, and tourist information, read our Mompiche trip itinerary website.

You can drive from Puerto Lopez to Mompiche in 6 hours. In July in Mompiche, expect temperatures between 84°F during the day and 75°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 8th (Thu) to allow enough time to travel to Puerto Ayora.

The largest settlement in the Galapagos, Puerto Ayora offers visitors to the islands an array of facilities and things to do.

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Galeria Aymara and Maprae. Get outdoors at El Garrapatero and North Seymour Island. The adventure continues: head off the coast to Santa Cruz Island, see what you can catch with a fishing tour, contemplate the waterfront views at Laguna las Ninfas, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Los Gemelos.

To see where to stay, photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Puerto Ayora road trip planning app.

Explore your travel options from Mompiche to Puerto Ayora with the Route module. In July, daytime highs in Puerto Ayora are 80°F, while nighttime lows are 71°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Fri) early enough to ride a ferry to Puerto Villamil.

Located in the southeast of Isla Isabela, Puerto Villamil is home to the majority of the island's 2,200 inhabitants.

Visiting Stand-Up Paddleboarding and Laguna Salinas will get you outdoors. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Isabela Island Wetlands Complex and Rosedelco- Day tour. And it doesn't end there: contemplate the geological forces at Sierra Negra, don't miss a visit to Malecon Cuna del Sol, tour the pleasant surroundings at Posada de flamengos, and learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Centro de Crianza Tortugas Gigantes Arnaldo Tupiza Chamaidan.

To see reviews, maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Puerto Villamil online trip itinerary builder.

Ride a ferry from Puerto Ayora to Puerto Villamil in 3.5 hours. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Puerto Ayora to Puerto Villamil. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Tue) early enough to catch the ferry to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

The capital of the Galapagos Islands, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is located on easternmost island of the archipelago, San Cristobal.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like La Loberia and Cerro Brujo. Your itinerary includes some good beach time at Playa Mann and Playa Baquerizo. Spend the 22nd (Thu) exploring nature at Cerro Tijeretas. There's still lots to do: discover the deep blue sea with Wreck Bay Diving Center, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Catedral Inmaculada Concepcion, get a new perspective on nature at Interpretation Center, and enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Punta Carola.

To find photos, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Puerto Baquerizo Moreno visit planner.

Traveling by ferry from Puerto Villamil to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno takes 6 hours. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Puerto Villamil to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. In July, plan for daily highs up to 80°F, and evening lows to 71°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 30th (Fri) to allow time for travel back home.