How to Spend 3 Weeks in Ecuador

Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in South America and it often gets overlooked in favour of its neighbours Peru and Colombia. Most visitors only put Ecuador on their bucket list to visit the Galápagos Islands, one of the world’s best destinations for wildlife spotting. However, the mainland boasts just as many jaw-dropping places to see as its neighbours. In this guide, we’ve put together a great itinerary on how you can spend 3 weeks in Ecuador.

At the time of our visit, we didn’t have the budget to visit the Galápagos Islands. Some people in that same situation might consider skipping the country altogether. We’re very glad that we didn’t do that and decided to spend 6 weeks in Ecuador. The country surprised us in many ways and the experiences we had there became some of the most memorable we had during our time in South America. So we hope that this post will inspire you to visit Ecuador even if you can’t make it to the Galápagos Islands. Don’t forget, you can always return to a place in the future!

We also documented all of our adventures on YouTube where you can now watch the entire Ecuador series for some visual inspiration.

How to Start Planning Your 3 Week Ecuador Itinerary

Although Ecuador is small, it’s a very diverse country and is filled with endless places to visit. So we can totally appreciate that if you’re short on time, it can be tricky to cram everything in.

Below we’ve highlighted a few points that you should consider when you’re planning your trip:

Step 1: Are You Going to Visit the Galápagos Islands?

The way we suggest starting to plan your 3 week Ecuador itinerary is to decide whether you want to visit the Galápagos Islands or not. If yes, then you would need to save at least a week for that trip on its own. Therefore, you would then only have about 2 weeks left to see some of mainland Ecuador.

As you’ll see below, we’ve highlighted our suggested timeframes in each destination. This will hopefully help you to see how you can fit in a Galápagos tour and also most of the main attractions on the mainland.

Step 2: Entry and Exit Points in Ecuador

Once you know if you’re heading to the Galápagos Islands or not, it’s good to know your entry and exit points from the country. Are you only visiting Ecuador and flying in and out of Quito? Or are you on a backpacking trip across South America? This means you might be crossing the land borders with Peru or Colombia. If so, your itinerary might be slightly different and you could start from one end of the country and exit at the other.

Step 3: Your Personal Interests

It’s also important to think about your interests. Do you want to spend some time on the beach or are you more interested in hiking? Are you interested in wildlife or would you much rather wander the streets of a city? Is this your first time in one of the South American countries where you can visit the Amazon Rainforest?

Once you know the answer to these questions, then it’ll be a lot easier to figure out your 3 week Ecuador itinerary.

Note that we personally gravitate more towards hiking destinations and the outdoors, therefore this guide is geared more towards outdoorsy places and the cities around them rather than beaches.

Step 4: Acclimatisation Time in Ecuador

We’d like to emphasize that you should take into consideration some acclimatisation time when visiting Ecuador. Quito, Ecuador’s capital, is located at 2,850 m (9,350 ft) above sea level and is considered one of the highest capitals in the world.

Other places such as Cuenca, Cotopaxi National Park and Cajas National Park are located at high altitude. Therefore, it’s important that you acclimatise before completing any high-altitude hikes and day trips.

Trust us, you don’t want to feel ill during your time in Ecuador.

Step 5: Method of Transport in Ecuador

Luckily, mainland Ecuador is small compared to other popular South American countries. This means that travel distances are much shorter and you don’t need to plan full days getting from A to B.

The most convenient and affordable way to travel across Ecuador is via local buses. If you’re short on time, many day trips to the main touristy locations can be reached by joining an organised tour. Booking private transport or hiring a car can also be a good option. Although the cost would quickly rack up if you only used the private transport method.

Lastly, flying to certain places in Ecuador is definitely the fastest way to travel. However, it is way more expensive and there are many popular places that don’t even have an airport.

3 Weeks in Ecuador Itinerary

Note that this 3 weeks in Ecuador itinerary is fully customisable. You can add or skip a destination depending on your interests. We’re big hikers, so we were automatically drawn to places around the Andes that involved hiking. However, if you enjoy other types of destinations such as beaches, then definitely add those to your own itinerary.

We have many detailed guides for each location on this list too, which give you a more in-depth look at each place. So, make sure to check them out whilst you’re planning.

Day 1-3: Quito (Explore the Capital City of Ecuador)

Quito is a huge city spread out along a valley on the eastern slopes of Pichincha Volcano. Situated at 2,850 m (9,350 ft) above sea level, the city is also one of the highest capital cities in the world.

Quito is most likely going to be your first stop during your 3 weeks in Ecuador. It is a huge city, and to see all its main attractions we recommend spending around 3 days there.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can spend your first day exploring its Historic Centre whilst acclimatising to the high altitude. This area of the city is filled with interesting churches – one is covered in gold leaf – huge squares, picturesque streets and plenty of viewpoints.

You can then spend the next few days going on two of the most popular day-trips from Quito. One of them is the city’s cable car, called TeleferiQo, which runs from the northwest edge of the city centre all the way up to a lookout called Cruz Loma on the eastern side of Pichincha Volcano. It opened in 2005, and is considered one of the highest cable cars in the world. If you want to, you can also hike up to the summit of Pichincha volcano from here.

You also cannot leave Quito without taking a trip to the equator line at Mitad del Mundo. The Middle of the World City in Quito is the best place to visit the equator since it’s the only location in the world where the equator runs right through a big city.

Day 4-5: Otavalo (Visit the Best Market in Ecuador)

Situated at 2,532 m (8,307 ft) above sea level and surrounded by impressive volcanoes, lakes, and waterfalls, Otavalo is on many visitors’ 3 weeks Ecuador itinerary. The main reason many people come to Otavalo is the indigenous market, which is considered the largest of its kind on the continent.

The market is open every day, although the main day is Saturday, when it expands beyond Otavalo’s Plaza de Ponchos. However, Otavalo and the surrounding area has a lot more to offer than just the market. You can take a trip to Laguna Cuicocha, a 3 km wide crater lake created by an eruption thousands of years ago. Peguche Waterfall is another popular activity in Otavalo, located in a lush nature preserve.

Plus, if Otavalo’s market wasn’t enough, you can also visit nearby small towns which have specific markets selling leather and wood products.

Are you in a hurry? – We would recommend spending at least one night in Otavalo to see more than just its market. However, if you have less time then you can just join a day tour that leaves from Quito in the morning and returns in the evening. 

Day 6-8: Mindo (Explore the Cloud Forest)

Mindo sits in a lush valley to the northwest of Quito, behind Pichincha Volcano. The valley is home to the Mindo-Nambillo Ecological Reserve, and within the reserve is the beautiful Mindo-Nambillo Cloud Forest, covering over 19,000 hectares. The cloud forest and reserve are known for their biological diversity and countless natural attractions.

One of the top things to do in this small town is completing the Mindo Waterfall Hike. It has three different hiking routes with a total of seven waterfalls along the trails. The cloud forest is also a bird watchers’ paradise, especially because it’s home to a special bird called the Cock of the Rock. You can also visit a butterfly sanctuary, go on some night walks and indulge in a chocolate tasting tour. A visit to Mindo should be on everyone’s 3 weeks in Ecuador itinerary.

How long to spend in Mindo? We generally recommend spending a minimum of 2 nights in Mindo. The waterfall hike on its own could take up the majority of your day, and there’s plenty more to do in the area.

Day 9-12: Amazon Rainforest (Visit the ‘Lungs of the Earth’)

A trip to the Amazon Rainforest is a must if you’re in one of the nine countries that the jungle stretches across in South America. 42,000 sq miles of the Amazon Rainforest is located in Ecuador and is known as El Oriente which means ‘the East’. Whilst it may seem tiny compared to the Brazilian Amazon, it’s just as diverse.

There are a few popular areas where you can enjoy a few nights’ stay in the Amazon. One of them is Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, located in the northeast corner of the Ecuadorian Amazon. It’s a biodiversity hotspot with hundreds of species of birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals calling it home. There are also over 12,000 species of plants in the reserve.

During your visit you’ll be doing a lot of different activities such as sunset canoe rides, swimming in the lagoon, and nightly canoe rides to spot wildlife such as tarantulas, snakes and caiman. You’ll also have the chance to hike through the jungle during the day and at night. Most tours will also offer a visit to one of the indigenous communities to learn about their way of life, and you’ll also get to meet their shaman.

How long to spend in the Amazon Rainforest? You can normally choose between a 3-day, 4-day or 5-day tour depending on how long you can spare. If you’d like to get the most out of your visit, we recommend booking either the 4 or 5-day tour. This way you’ll be able to do all the main activities Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve has to offer.

Day 13-15: Cotopaxi National Park (Cycle Down an Active Volcano)

One of the things you should definitely do during your 3 weeks in Ecuador is visit Cotopaxi National Park. It is the second largest national park in the country and also home to the second highest peak: Cotopaxi volcano.

The national park is filled with countless different outdoorsy activities. You can hike up to José Rivas Refuge on Cotopaxi volcano (4,864 m /15,958 ft) or go a bit further up to the glacier located at around 5,000m (16,400 ft) above sea level. If you have more mountaineering experience and want to challenge yourself, you can even summit Cotopaxi volcano.

Another popular activity in the park is mountain biking down Cotopaxi. It’s a really fun and memorable experience. After all, how often can you cycle down the side of an active volcano?

There are plenty of other volcanoes you can summit in the national park such as Pasochoa and Rumiñahui.

If you’re not a keen hiker, then you could consider a more relaxing activity, such as horseback riding. It’ll give you the chance to see more of the national park surrounding Cotopaxi and the other volcanoes.

Are you in a hurry? – We generally recommend staying for a few nights in Cotopaxi National Park. That way, you’ll have the chance to see and experience more of the national park’s attractions. However, if you don’t have enough time, then you can just visit Cotopaxi as part of a day trip from Quito.

Day 16-17: Baños (Visit the ‘Adventure Capital’ of Ecuador)

After Cotopaxi, you can spend the next few days of your 3 weeks in Ecuador in Baños. Often referred to as the adventure capital of Ecuador, Baños de Agua Santa is a place where you definitely won’t run out of things to do.

Possibly the No.1 thing to do in Baños is to visit Pailon del Diablo Waterfall. The 80m tall waterfall is definitely one of the most impressive waterfalls you’ll see in Ecuador. A fun way to get there is by cycling down the Ruta de las Cascadas, or the ‘waterfall route’ in English. This stretch of road has a few impressive waterfalls along it and countless stops for some fun activities such as zip-lining.

You can also visit La Casa del Arbol (The Treehouse) to swing at the ‘End of the World’. The treehouse is built on the edge of one of the mountains next to Tungurahua volcano, providing a very scenic setting for some creative photos.

If you enjoy more adrenaline pumping activities, then Baños is the place to be. You’ll find a wide variety of options in the city such as zip-lining, canyoning and rappelling. For a more relaxing activity, you can also visit one of the many hot springs in Baños.

The city is also filled with plenty of viewpoints such as Las Manos de la Pachamama, Mirador la Virgen or Mirador Bellavista.

How long to spend in Baños? We recommend reserving around 2 to 3 days for Baños. The more the merrier, especially if you want to do a few more activities that we didn’t such as zip-lining or rafting.

Day 18: Quilatoa Lake (The Most Beautiful Crater Lake in Ecuador)

Laguna Quilotoa (Quilotoa Lake) is located to the south-west of Quito, to the west of the city of Latacunga. Quilotoa is the westernmost volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes. Its stunning 3 km wide caldera lake attracts visitors from all over the world.

The best way to visit Quilotoa Lake would be to spend at least a night in the nearby town, or hike the Quilotoa Loop. However, if you’re short on time then a day trip is a great option as well. Probably the most popular place to go on a day trip to Quilatoa Lake is from Quito. If you cannot fit one in from the capital, you can also book one from Baños.

Day trips normally include a hike down to the shore of the lagoon. They also include a few extra stops at viewpoints, markets and other places along the way.

If you want to complete the Quilatoa Lake rim hike, then we recommend staying a night in Latacunga. You can also challenge yourself with the Quilatoa Loop, which is a 3-day long hike through the Ecuadorian countryside to the crater lake. You would need to adjust your itinerary to fit in the additional days for a multi-day trek though.

Day 19-21: Cuenca (Explore the ‘Athens of Ecuador’)

Located in the southern part of Ecuador, the beautiful city of Cuenca sits around 2,560 m (8,500 ft) above sea level and is Ecuador’s third-largest city. It is easily one of the most beautiful cities in Ecuador, so you shouldn’t skip a visit when planning your trip.

One of the top things to do in Cuenca is to wander around its historic centre. Since 1999, it’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, just like Quito’s historic centre. You can relax at Calderon Park (Parque Calderón) and climb up the towers of the New Cathedral. There are also many markets you can visit around the centre. Make sure to also visit Pumapungo Museum and the huge Inca ruin behind it.

If you enjoy nature and hiking, then you can go on a day trip to Cajas National Park. The over 28,000 hectare protected park is comprised of glacial valleys, lakes, lagoons, moors and forests. It has multiple short and longer hiking trails to choose from, which are obviously easier or more challenging depending on the length.

You can also visit Amaru Biopark, where you can see a huge variety of Ecuador’s native wildlife. It’s a rescue centre committed to the conservation of biodiversity and also saves animals from bad situations like illegal trafficking.

For a relaxing afternoon, you can consider signing up for a spa circuit in one of the spas located in Baños de Cuenca.

How long to spend in Cuenca? You could spend just one day wandering around its Historic Centre, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are also many fun full-day and half-day trips you can take, so plan to spend around 3 days in Cuenca.

Additional Places to Add to Your 3 Week Ecuador Itinerary

Below are some other areas in Ecuador that you might also want to visit. If you carefully plan your days, and perhaps use our tips to shorten the time spent in some of the above locations, you could easily add some extra destinations to your 3 week Ecuador itinerary.

Do you have 4 weeks to spend in Ecuador? If so, then you can also just add these places for a longer stay in the country.

The Galápagos Islands

As mentioned throughout this post, a visit to the Galápagos Islands is often the main reason people would come to Ecuador. Located about 600 miles off the coast, these volcanic islands are home to some of the world’s most unique species.

There are two main ways you can visit the Galápagos Islands. You can either fly there and do an island hopping experience or join a cruise. There’s no right or wrong way of visiting the islands, so it’s best to do a bit of research and see which option is best suited to you.

A minimum of 5 days is recommended but we think you should allocate at least a week to really experience the islands properly. It’s an expensive place to visit, so make sure you incorporate all the potential costs into your budget.

Chimborazo National Park

If you want to visit the highest peak in Ecuador, then you can also consider adding Chimborazo National Park to your itinerary. You can stay in the nearby indigenous town of Riobamba, which is another great place to wander around.

From there you can take a day trip to the national park and do various activities like hiking, trekking, horseback riding or mountain biking.

Guayaquil

If you enjoy visiting cities, then you can consider stopping in Guayaquil during your Ecuador trip. It’s actually the largest city in Ecuador based on population and is an important port city.

Guayaquil is also a place you can leave for the Galápagos Islands from. It is filled with attractions, from colourful neighbourhoods to museums and lovely viewpoints.

The Coast of Ecuador

If you love beaches and are looking for some fun water activities, or you’ve just had enough of the altitude and want to be somewhere a bit warmer, then definitely incorporate a visit to the coast into your 3 weeks Ecuador itinerary.

Other than lying on the beach and learning to surf, you can actually visit Isla de la Plata which is a popular alternative for those who can’t fit a Galápagos Islands tour into their budget. You can take a day trip there from either Puerto Lopez or Montañita, and you’ll get to see some of the species that also call the Galápagos Islands home, such as the blue-footed booby.

Final Thoughts on 3 Weeks in Ecuador

Out of all the countries we’ve visited, mainland Ecuador surprised us the most. Prior to our visit, we didn’t know much about the country other than the fact that it was home to the Galapagos Islands. We never would’ve imagined that Ecuador was filled with so many volcanoes, waterfalls, the incredible Amazon Rainforest and countless adventurous activities. For such a small country, Ecuador definitely offers a lot of variety to its visitors.

Being a small country, it also allowed us to waste less time on travel and spend more time in each of the above locations. When we were in Peru, we spent quite a few days of our time there just sitting on long-haul buses getting from A to B. Luckily, you’re never more than a few hours away from your next destination in Ecuador.

Have you ever been to Ecuador? If so, how much time did you spend in the country and what did you see? If not, would you add mainland Ecuador to your South America bucket list? Let us know in the comments below.