Active Ecuador & Peru

Arrive independently to Quito and transfer to the hotel for your included overnight stay. Depending on your arrival time you may have time to explore some of this fascinating and historic city set high in the Andean foothills that is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. We can recommend an optional city and equator tour, or a ride on the sky tram up Volcán Pichincha.

In the evening your tour representative will meet you at the hotel for a briefing on what lies ahead and what to expect from your exciting tour.

One night's accommodation at Hotel Mercure, or similar.

On day 2 you will travel by bus into the Amazon Basin and enjoy the incredible scenery en route to the jungle town of Tena. Watch as it changes from towering mountains to lush jungle, passing by waterfalls and deep river valleys. After your approximately 6 hour journey you will check in to your accommodation and enjoy an evening of relaxation before the adventure truly starts tomorrow.

Day 3 will see you navigate the wild Jatunyaku River in the surrounding lush cloud forest on your included Jatunyacu River Whitewater Rafting Excursion. Experience the thrill of white water rafting on this full-day excursion through a wide and relatively calm waterway, with some large waves. Take on Class 3+ rapids, which include a good balance of rapids and open water. Give it a try, even if new to the sport – this experience is accessible even for those without any previous rafting experience. And the cool water and air make this an excellent change from the tropical Amazon climate.

2 nights’ accommodation at Casa del Abuelo, or similar, with breakfast and 1 lunch included.

Day 4 sees you travel by bus to Baños, a town surrounded by lush cloud forest. Enjoy a free afternoon for optional activities like canyoning, ziplining, visiting local waterfalls, or exploring the town on foot. The town is the perfect setting for outdoor pursuits, including horseback riding, hiking and rafting on the Patate River. Please note, no activities are included today but can be booked separately.

Accommodation on day 4 will be at Hotel La Floresta, or similar.

On day 5 you will transfer by private vehicle to the starting point of your exhilarating trek in Llanganates National Park, famous for its amazing landscapes and storied mystery. Legend has it that the Inca General Ruminahui has a large sum of gold hidden somewhere in the Tungurahua mountain range. Think you can find it? Your trek will start at 3,200m (10,498 ft) above sea level and travel upwards to 3,800m (12,467 ft) through lush cloud forest. See a variety of changes in vegetation while trekking to higher elevations and expect stunning views of the Tungurahua Volcano and the Sangay Volcano (if visibility is good).

On the evening of day 5 you will spend the night camping under the stars at a local trout farm in the National Park, enjoying nature at its best. There will be the opportunity to catch and prepare fresh trout. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included during your camping experience.

Rise early on Day 6 surrounded by incredible landscapes and continue trekking in Llanganates National Park, reaching the entrance on foot. Here you will meet your transfer back to the hotel in Baños where a delicious lunch will be waiting for you. For the rest of the day you may wish to simply relax in the hotel after your strenuous trek. Or you could choose to visit Baños’ famous hot springs and thermal baths at the base of Tungurahua Volcano to soak your weary muscles while surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery.

Accommodation on day 6 will be at Hotel La Floresta, or similar.

Enjoy a free morning in Baños to explore the area on foot or take on one of the many optional activities that the region has to offer. After lunch, travel by public bus through spectacular Andean scenery arriving at a hacienda near the base of Cotopaxi Volcano. Enjoy a choice between a biking excursion through Polilepys forest or horseback riding with views of the volcano. You will take in amazing views of one of the world's highest active volcanoes, whilst keeping an eye out for wildlife along the way.

1 night’s accommodation at Tierra del Volcan Hacienda, or similar.

First thing in the morning, travel by private van into the Cotopaxi National Park, home to Cotopaxi Volcano, to start the trek up to the refuge. The beautiful cone-shaped, snow-covered volcano is Ecuador’s second highest peak and the highest active volcano in the world. Keep an eye out for park wildlife, including condors, foxes, deer, spectacled bears, and more. Visit Limpiopungo lake for a boxed lunch. Enjoy lunch and catch your breath before transferring back to the capital city for a final night out on the town.

One night’s accommodation at Hotel Mercure, or similar.

Explore Quito before flying to Lima in the evening. Your transfer to the airport and your flight to Lima are included in this trip. Please note that this flight is unescorted and your transfer will be waiting for you at the Lima airport and will bring you to your hotel.

One night’s at Hotel Santa Cruz, or similar, with breakfast included.

This morning take a transfer to the airport for your included flight to Cusco. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and exploring this fascinating city, and getting used to the altitude.

Optional activities available today for an additional fee include a Cusco city tour, museum visits and a highly recommended Cusco coking class where you will visit the market to source your ingredients before heading back to the kitchen for a hands-on lesson in Peruvian cooking.

1 night’s accommodation at Hotel Prisma, or similar, with breakfast included.

Enjoy a full-day guided tour of the Sacred Valley. Stop at the operator-supported women's weaving co-op before visiting a local pottery making community. Break for lunch at the operator-supported Parwa Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosco. After lunch, opt to head out on a hike to the Ollantaytambo storehouses and look out over the ruins. Or, wander around the cobblestone streets and visit a local Chicheria (corn beer bar).

1 night’s accommodation at Hotel Inka Paradise, or similar, with breakfast and lunch included.

On day 12 you will depart Ollantaytambo by van to km 82 where the Inca Trail begins. Ease into the adventure with a straightforward day of hiking the meandering streams, stunning Andean scenery, and ancient Incan ruins. Trek through beautiful scenery, with a variety of flora that changes with the seasons, passing several smaller ruin sites like Llactapata. On each evening of your 3-night trail your group will set up camp for a night under the canvas.

Day 13 will bring an early start as you set off to climb the long steep path to Warmiwañusca, better known as Dead Woman’s Pass. With amazing views, this is the highest point of the trek at 4,198m (13,769 ft). Most hikers reach camp by early afternoon, with ample time to rest and relax.

On day 14 you will cross two more passes and ruins on today's trek. The first pass is Runquraqay at 3,950m (13,113 ft) where, on a clear day, hikers can catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba. Hike through the cloud forest on a gentle climb to the second pass of the day, walking through original Incan constructions. The highest point of the pass is 3,700m (12,136 ft). On a clear day, enjoy the spectacular views of the Urubamba Valley. At 3,650m (11,972 ft), reach the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, the "town above the clouds." Camp here or go another 1.5 hrs to the Wiñay Wayna ruins ("forever young") located at 2,650m (8,694 ft).

3 nights camping with breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Please note: A crew of local porters, cooks, and guides will take care of all the details for the duration of the hike. Porters carry the majority of the gear so you’ll only need to carry a small daypack with water, rain gear, snacks, a camera, etc.

The final day of the hike starts pre-dawn to reach the Sun Gate before sunrise. Catch the first views of the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu on a clear day. Hike down for a guided tour of these famous ruins and some free time to explore. Follow the local guide to learn about its history at and gain local insight into the Inti Mach’ay cave, Inti Watana, the Temple of the Water, the Temple of the Condor, and the Room of the Three Windows. Take time to sit and feel the energy of this 15th-century site, now both a UNESCO World Heritage site and voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

Later you will catch a train back to Cusco and enjoy some time to relax after your exhilarating and strenuous Inca Trail hike.

The following morning, after checkout, your Peru & Ecuador adventure will sadly come to an end and it will be time to bid farewell to your fellow travellers.

1 night’s accommodation at Hotel Prisma, or similar, with breakfast included.