Off the beaten track Ecuador: From the Andes to the Amazon

Four scenic road journeys; one domestic flight (1hr).  

This holiday incorporates a smart, arty superior mid-range hotel with character in Quito, a comfortable eco-friendly lodge with private facilities in the Amazon  and and a colonial style hacienda in the northern Andes.

Breakfast daily, lunch day 9, full board days 4-8. Some lunches are packed lunches. 

9 days, 8 nights: Quito 2, Papallacta 1; Amazon lodge 3, colonial highland hacienda near Ibarra 2.

It is very difficult to give a guideline for essential expenses but a budget of around US$50 per person per day should cover the cost of good quality meals on those days in the holiday itinerary where they are not included, drinks and the odd souvenir. Other expenses include petrol probably no more than about $US100) and tips (see separate paragraph), optional excursions and entry fees.

Tips are welcomed and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income.

Most service industry workers will hope for a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for hotel porters, taxi drivers and the like. It is common to leave 10 - 12% in restaurants.

Tipping guidelines can be found in our Briefing Dossier.

Travel insurance is essential. Details of our recommended policy can be found on our Travel Insurance pages.

If you have purchased your flights through Journey Latin America, the international departure tax is usually included in the ticket.

This holiday is suitable for all able, reasonably fit visitors. 

The driver should have reasonable experience and be a confident driver. While most of the roads are paved, they can involve blind bends and steep gradients. The behaviour of local drivers with regard to the rules of the road is not always predictable. 4WD off-road experience is not necessary but some experience of diving on gravel roads and tracks is advisable.  Minimum age of driver 21, upper limit 80. A second driver can be added for an extra charge. See our separate document for more information about the car hire element of the holiday. .

Lying at 2,850m on the equator, the highlands have a permanent spring-like climate: altitude is the determining factor with regard to temperature. The rainy season in the Andes runs between January and April when there are showers most afternoons. The dry season is June, July and August when the sun is strong during the day, but at night the temperature drops dramatically (maybe as low as freezing point). May, September and October are less predictable, with both rainy and sunny spells. In the mountains at any time of year you should expect a variation between 15°C and 25°C. Baños has a pleasant sub-tropical climate with an average year-round daytime temperature of 25°C, where January is the hottest month, nd July the coolest and February the driest.

In the Andean foothills and rainforest you will be staying at around 300m above sea level.This means that you will not be subject to the extreme heat and humidity of the Amazon proper. You can expect temperatures of up to 30°C. It may be misty or cloudy in the cloud forest, and rain can be expected at any time but, in contrast to the highlands, the wettest months are from June to August.

For day-to-day wear you should go prepared to encounter all seasons. Both warm clothing and a sun hat are essential at altitude; a light fleece jacket and a waterproof/breathable outer shell makes a good combination. 

Strong, comfortable footwear is essential and you should bring insect repellant, sun block, hat and sun glasses. 

Don’t forget your camera, charger and cards.

Please get in touch with the office before departure if you have any doubts. Good equipment is very important and hard to come by in South America and Galápagos.

Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following: typhoid; polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. You should consult your GP for specific requirements.

You can also find helpful information on the Masta Travel Health website. 

APIS and ESTA - important flight information:

ESTA - if flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your application to ESTA online at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html

This costs $14 per person, and must be applied for by you personally.

Passports must also be e-passports with an embedded digital chip. Avoid locking suitcases if transiting the USA, as their customs authorities retain the right to break into them.

APIS - Many countries now oblige airlines to provide additional information about passengers prior to the flight departure. This Advance Passenger Information (APIS) must be supplied to us promptly in order to issue tickets and avoid fare increases. We will provide the airlines with the relevant details if we are booking your international flights. If the information is not provided you may be denied boarding.