Ecuador: From Quito to the Heart of the Amazon Rainforest

Location: South America
Duration: 9 Days
Price: From $4,995
Activity Level: Active

Ecuador: From Quito to the Heart of the Amazon Rainforest

Location: South America
Duration: 9 Days
Price: From $4,995
Activity Level: Active

Overview

From the cobblestone heart of an ancient capital to a worlds-away adventure in the Amazon rainforest, experience the multi-faceted wonders of Ecuador. Discover Quito’s fabled colonial charms and its old-world traditions that hold fast. Spend time with the women who carry them forward through unique and time-honored crafts.

Head east of the Andes into the Ecuadorian Amazon, its breathtaking biodiversity unmatched anywhere else in the world. Guided wildlife hikes, nocturnal forays, lagoon paddles, and motorized canoe adventures—interwoven with inspiring visits to remote indigenous communities—invite all of your senses to surrender to this unexpected wonderland.

Main Attractions

One country, two unique experiences

Discover Quito’s cultural urban charms; explore the wild wonders of Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest.

Women-to-women, a cross-cultural kaleidoscope

Meet Quito’s uniquely talented craftswomen; engage with remarkable Amazonian indigenous communities.

Stay in the best of both worlds

Enjoy the comforts of Quito’s national landmark hotel; wake to birdsong in a rainforest eco-lodge.

Quito, Ecuador map.
Amazon rainforest in Ecuador.
Dusky-headed Parakeet flock on riverbank clay lick Amazon River, Ecuador.
A traditional boat used for transportation purposes on the river Rio Negro.
Virgin de El Panecillo statue on top of El Panecillio hill, Quito, Ecuador from San Francisco Plaza.
Amazon rainforest in Ecuador.
Dusky-headed Parakeet flock on riverbank clay lick Amazon River, Ecuador.
A traditional boat used for transportation purposes on the river Rio Negro.
Virgin de El Panecillo statue on top of El Panecillio hill, Quito, Ecuador from San Francisco Plaza.

Itinerary

Aerial view of a bustling city square with a central statue, surrounded by manicured gardens, historical buildings, and a hillside backdrop under a blue sky.

Welcome to Quito!

Welcome to Ecuador’s exquisitely preserved and ultimately charming capital city. Settle into your gracious 16th-century hotel, a designated national monument in Quito’s historic center. Your adventure begins on a sweet note, with a chocolate tasting in the company of the entrepreneurial women who turned their cacao-bean dreams into the production of the city’s finest confections.

Meals dinner
Monument with a globe on top, surrounded by gardens and flags, under a partly cloudy sky.

Quito’s Colonial Heart / Equator Monument

Take in stunning city and volcano views from El Panecillo hill, crowned by a towering aluminum Virgin Mary statue. Follow ancient cobblestone lanes to Quito’s vibrant epicenter, Independence Square, its opulent Baroque church a stunning standout. Enjoy an engaging visit with women whose life’s work—and a generations-old tradition—is designing and embroidering clothing for cherished Baby Jesus figurines. Straddle the Equator at the Middle of the World monument, one foot in each hemisphere. A local community of artisans welcomes you to their mazapán workshops—a fanciful world of colorful, hand-sculpted folk figures.

Meals breakfast, lunch
Two wooden boats are docked on a calm river surrounded by lush green forest under a partly cloudy sky.

Quito to the Amazon Rainforest

Your adventure continues with an eastbound flight to the port town of El Coca on the banks of the Napo River. Spend the next week exploring this major Amazon tributary, the source of all life—and extraordinary biodiversity—enshrined in the pristine Ecuadorian rainforest. Travel by motorized canoe to your jungle lodge, an airy lagoon-side retreat a world away from everything familiar. As darkness approaches, a canoe foray introduces you to resident caiman, owls, bats, and boas.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
A woman walks on a rope bridge surrounded by lush green foliage.

Towers, trails, and canoeing 

Climb a treetop observation tower 124 feet above the forest floor for an astonishing eye-level view of colorful birds. Follow a loop trail deep into the forest in search of rare botanicals, frogs, and fascinating local insects (the perfect opportunity to conquer those creepy crawly phobias!). – delete if it doesn’t work- I’m probably just projecting anyway J). Take a leisurely canoe ride through a serene flooded forest, watching for branch-hopping monkeys and the elusive slow-motion sloth. A nocturnal walk—serenaded by a high-decibel chorus—spotlights the reptiles, birds, and mammals working the forest night shift.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
Brightly colored macaws perch on a clay cliff, surrounded by lush greenery.

Amazon Wildlife and Indigenous Traditions

Experience one of the Amazon’s most unique wildlife spectacles—numerous colorful parrots and parakeets vying for space at a mineral-rich clay lick. Learn about indigenous tribal traditions from the welcoming Pilche community. Embark on a scenic one-hour walk to the beautiful Mandi Cocha Lagoon featuring a flooded forest with a distinct landscape and vegetation and watch for endangered giant otters. Reconnect your body and soul with nature during an immersive Cacao Ceremony—a sacred rewilding experience. Conclude your day with a group dinner, reflecting on the day’s adventures amidst the enchanting backdrop of the Amazon rainforest.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
A person in a green jacket and shorts hikes on a rocky forest trail surrounded by dense foliage.

Coco Trail Walk and Moretal Paddle

The Coco Trail offers a fantastic walk from the lodge to the edge of the Garza Cocha Lagoon. Your naturalist guide will provide insights into the creatures you encounter along the way, while our native guide shares knowledge about the medicinal plants used for centuries. A canoe ride back to the lodge adds the perfect finishing touch to this activity. Wrap up your morning adventure with a group lunch at the lodge. The main creek that feeds the lagoon of Garza Cocha is a beautiful place to paddle through. Observe the difference between the Terra Firme Forest and the swamp forest, also known as Moretal. Enjoy dinner at the lodge with your group this evening.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
A young crocodile resting on a log partially submerged in water.

Explore Yasuni National Park

Explore the distinct landscapes of Yasuni National Park by vehicle and on foot and witness its kaleidoscopic biodiversity. Proudly introduce your newfound inner naturalist as you identify an array of birds and mammals along the forest trails. The rare chance to interact with local indigenous people here reveals their deep connection with this extraordinary, life-sustaining rainforest.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
A woman in a spa robe sits on a recliner in a lush garden setting, receiving a bowl from a staff member. A table with tea is nearby.

Continue Yasuni National Park Exploration and Farewell Dinner

Continue your exploration of the vast wonders of Yasuní National Park this morning, immersing yourself further in its natural beauty and biodiversity. After a captivating adventure, return to the lodge for a group lunch. Indulge in a leisurely afternoon at La Selva Lodge, where you can unwind and rejuvenate amidst the tranquil surroundings. Treat yourself to optional yoga sessions or pamper yourself with spa treatments available at an additional cost. Enjoy a farewell dinner with your new AdventureWomen friends. Reflect on the cherished memories you’ve created and celebrate the conclusion of an amazing journey.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
Aerial view of a riverside lodge surrounded by dense trees, featuring thatched buildings, a dock, and a small pavilion on the water, under a partly cloudy sky.

Depart the Amazon

Your departure will begin with an early wake-up call followed by breakfast before leaving the lodge where staff will assist with luggage. Embark on a motorized canoe ride upstream back to Coca. Upon arrival, representatives will escort you to the airport, where you will be assisted to ensure a seamless departure process.

Meals breakfast
Sunset over a calm river with lush greenery and trees on both sides, reflecting vibrant colors of orange, pink, and blue in the sky and water.

Accommodations

Please note that all amenities were current when written and are subject to change at any time.

A large, bright atrium with plants, wooden tables, colorful decorations, and a glass ceiling, surrounded by two levels of arched balconies.

Patio Andaluz Hotel

Hotel Patio Andaluz is an elegant boutique hotel showcasing a colonial and classic style from the late 16th century. As a national monument, its walls are steeped in centuries of history and art, adorned with grand arches and luminous inner courtyards filled with vibrant gardens. Hotel Patio Andaluz boasts a prime location in the heart of Quito, just 490 feet from Independence Square, the city’s main square.

AMENITIES: complimentary toiletries, hair dryer, safe, satellite / cable TV, tea / coffee, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi

Aerial view of a resort with thatched-roof buildings surrounded by dense forest and a brown river. A wooden walkway leads to small docks with boats.

La Selva Lodge

What People Are Saying

Traveling with AdventureWomen Ecuador is a dream come true. Each experience is filled with unexpected wonders, including cultural interactions, wildlife encounters, and the best of all, new friends.

What People Are Saying

Awesome, amazing – worth every penny. Every detail is taken care of and each adventure is life changing. The dedication the Adventure Women team put into their trips blew me away last year on my first trip with them. I was nervous not knowing anyone on the trip; by the end of the first day we had all bonded.

What People Are Saying

I love the mixture of activities on AdventureWomen trips – they are fun, challenging and educational.
Meeting other remarkable women was the icing on the cake for me. I’m already planning my next trip!

Dates & Pricing

Start Date End Date Availability Pricing Booking Link
Mar 19 Mar 27
Space Available
$4,995*
Standard Room, Single
$6,195 total, $1,500 deposit
Standard Room, Double
$4,995 total, $1,500 deposit

*Additional Pricing Information: 2026 Optional Single Accommodation: $1,200

Arrival: Arrive at Quito International Airport (UIO) by 12:00 PM on Day 1.

Departure: Depart from Coca to Quito Airport (UIO) after 5:00 PM on Day 9.

What's Included

  • Accommodations as per itinerary based on double occupancy
  • Activities as indicated in the itinerary
  • All meals as listed in the itinerary
  • Airport transfers on arrival and departure
  • All transportation throughout the trip
  • Domestic airfare
  • English-speaking guide(s) throughout the trip
  • Supplied expedition gear: water container and small backpack during your stay at La Selva Lodge
  • Yoga sessions and use of kayaks during your stay at La Selva Lodge
  • Raincoat and rubber boots during your stay at La Selva Lodge
  • Access to the coffee station providing water, American coffee and herbal tea during your stay at La Selva Lodge

What's Not Included

  • International airfare to and from Ecuador
  • Optional activities
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Soft beverages: juices, sodas, sparkling water, other types of coffee beverages that are not American coffee.
  • Alcoholic beverages (unless otherwise specified)
  • Fees for passport, visas, immunizations, or travel insurance
  • Cost of hospitalization or evacuation
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Gratuities

FAQs

Absolutely! We happily welcome all women regardless of race, creed, or sexual preference, as long as you are physically capable of doing the activities on your chosen trip. Our guests range from 18-85+! It is important to us to talk to each guest to make sure each woman chooses the right trip for her physical ability and interest.

You can process your registration on our online booking system or over the phone. Most deposits are $800. In many cases, and unless otherwise indicated, your deposit is transferable if you notify us in writing 120 before your trip departs.

Be sure to check the ‘What’s Included’ section of the trip you are interested in. Once you get to the departure city and meet the group, we often include most meals, all accommodations, all activities (although there might be an optional activity at an additional cost), transportation while on the adventure, qualified local guide(s) and some trips also include an AdventureWomen Ambassador. Our trips do not include airfare to/from the arrival and departure cities. However, internal flights are included in some itineraries so please read the itinerary carefully.

Absolutely! In fact, we encourage it! Many of the women who travel with AdventureWomen come solo. For those that do not choose a single supplement, we pair you with a roommate. Usually, when we change accommodations on a trip, we will change roommates if we can, so you get a chance to know others in our group. A limited number of single supplements may be available for an additional charge.

That depends entirely on the trip! AdventureWomen adventure travel trips are rated according to the physical fitness level demanded by the included activities.

  • Moderate: These adventures exercise your mind more than your body and are designed for women who prefer a leisurely, less rigorous experience. For example, you could walk up to 2 miles per day through cities and villages, stand in museums for a few hours, relax on a boat, or view wildlife from a vehicle.
  • Active: Adventures that get you on your feet! You should be in good physical condition where you are comfortable walking on uneven surfaces, such as cobblestone streets, biking manicured nature trails or kayaking calm waters.
  • High Energy: These adventures are designed for women who enjoy a physical challenge and crave being on the go! You should be prepared for itineraries that include (but are not limited to): a full day of biking on a rolling terrain, hiking 5-8 miles on moderate to steep trails, being active at high altitudes, whitewater rafting, or skiing.
  • Challenging: Adventures that get your heart rate pumping, these are demanding yet deeply rewarding and designed for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts. You should be in excellent physical condition, and be able to hike up to 10 miles, in steeper, more rugged terrain.