Ecuador Multisport: Self-Launched Adventure from Quito

Fly into Mariscal Sucre International Airport and take the Aeroservicios airport bus (~£2) or a metered taxi (~£12) to your hostel in the Mariscal Foch or La Floresta neighbourhood. Spend the afternoon wandering Quito's stunning UNESCO-listed Old Town independently — visit Plaza Grande, the Cathedral, and La Compañía de Jesús church (entry ~£2). Take the Teleférico cable car up Volcán Pichincha for sweeping city views (£7). Grab dinner on Calle La Ronda. No guide needed — Old Town is very walkable and safe during the day.

🚌Airport bus Aeroservicios to city centre (~£2) or metered taxi (~£12)

🛏Hostal Masaya Quito or Casa Helbling (dorm ~£12–15/night, private ~£25–35/night)

• →Explore Quito's UNESCO Old Town independently — Plaza Grande, Cathedral, La Compañía de Jesús church (~£2 entry)
• →Ride the Teleférico cable car up Volcán Pichincha for panoramic views (~£7)
• →Evening stroll and dinner on Calle La Ronda

Take an early public bus from Quito's Quitumbe terminal towards Latacunga (~£2, 1.5 hrs). From Latacunga, join a shared day-tour to Cotopaxi National Park (~£20–25pp, widely available at hostels and local agencies), which includes transport into the park and a guided hike around Limpiopungo Lagoon with jaw-dropping views of Cotopaxi volcano and Rumiñahui. After the park, hop on a bus from Latacunga to Baños (~£2, 1.5 hrs) in the afternoon, passing the dramatic Avenue of Volcanoes. Check into your hostel in Baños.

🚌Quito Quitumbe → Latacunga public bus (~£2); Latacunga → Baños public bus (~£2)

🛏Hostal Plantas y Blanco or La Casa Verde, Baños (dorm ~£8–12/night, private ~£20–28/night)

• →Shared day-tour to Cotopaxi National Park including Limpiopungo Lagoon hike and volcano views (~£20–25pp, book via local Latacunga agencies or GetYourGuide)
• →Scenic bus ride along the Avenue of Volcanoes to Baños

Baños is the adventure capital of Ecuador and this is one of the country's most iconic day activities. Rent a bike or book a guided mountain bike descent (£10–15pp) from Llanganates cloud forest down through the Pastaza River Canyon — a classic route passing multiple waterfalls. Most bike rental shops on the main street offer this with a van shuttle back up. Stop at the famous Casa del Árbol 'Swing at the End of the World' (£3 entry + short hike, or £8 by cable car). Spend the afternoon exploring Baños town — visit the local taffy ('melcocha') makers and the thermal baths.

🚌Local within Baños; bike hire included in tour price

🛏Hostal Plantas y Blanco or La Casa Verde, Baños (same as night 2)

• →Mountain bike descent from Llanganates cloud forest through Pastaza River Canyon (~£10–15pp including bike hire and shuttle, book locally)
• →Visit Casa del Árbol — the iconic 'Swing at the End of the World' (~£3–8)
• →Explore Baños town: watch melcocha candy-making, visit thermal baths (~£3)

Start the morning on the Ruta de las Cascadas — take a local chiva bus (£1) or cycle to visit Bridal Veil (Velo de Novia) waterfall and the spectacular Pailón del Diablo waterfall (£1 entry). Cross the Pastaza River by Tarabita cable car (~£1). Book a canyoning tour through a local Baños agency (~£30–40pp) for waterfall canyoning in the Llanganates area. In the afternoon, take a bus from Baños to Tena (~£4, 3 hrs), gateway to the Amazon. Arrange a guided rainforest exploration with a local native guide through your lodge or a community-run agency in Tena (~£20–30pp).

🚌Local chiva bus along Ruta de las Cascadas (~£1); Baños → Tena public bus (~£4, ~3 hrs)

🛏Hostal Christian's Palace or La Casa del Suizo area lodge, Tena (budget ~£12–18/night)

• →Ruta de las Cascadas: visit Velo de Novia and Pailón del Diablo waterfalls (~£1–2)
• →Tarabita cable car crossing of Pastaza River (~£1)
• →Canyoning tour through waterfall canyons (~£30–40pp, book via local Baños agencies)
• →Guided rainforest walk with local native guide near Tena (~£20–30pp)

The Jatunyacu River near Tena is one of Ecuador's top rafting destinations. Book a half-day Class III white-water rafting trip directly with a local operator in Tena (~£25–35pp, includes equipment and guides). This is easily arranged the night before at your hostel or through agencies on the main street. After rafting, take an afternoon bus back towards Quito, stopping at Papallacta (~£5 bus, 3 hrs). The famous Papallacta volcanic hot springs are open to the public for ~£7 (public pools) or £12 (resort pools). Soak away the adventure aches and spend the night in the village.

🚌Tena → Papallacta via public bus/shared taxi (~£5–8, ~3 hrs)

🛏Hostal Coturpa or Termas de Papallacta budget rooms, Papallacta (~£15–25/night)

• →Class III white-water rafting on Jatunyacu River (~£25–35pp, half-day, book locally in Tena)
• →Soak in Papallacta volcanic hot springs (public entry ~£7–12)

Take a morning bus from Papallacta back towards Quito and connect to Otavalo (~£5–8 total, 3–4 hrs with connection at Quito's Carcelén terminal). Arrive in Otavalo for the famous indigenous handicraft market — one of the largest and most colourful in South America, open daily but best on Saturdays. Browse handwoven textiles, leather goods and jewellery. For the authentic cultural experience, book in advance directly with the Sacha WarmiKuna women's collective in Pijal village (~£15–20pp, includes traditional lunch and hands-on learning about textile weaving and Aji sauce preparation). This community project is bookable via local Otavalo agencies.

🚌Papallacta → Quito Carcelén terminal (bus ~£3); Quito → Otavalo (bus ~£2.50, 2 hrs)

🛏Hostal Doña Esther or Hostal Valle del Amanecer, Otavalo (dorm ~£8–12/night, private ~£18–28/night)

• →Explore Otavalo's world-famous indigenous handicraft market (free entry)
• →Hands-on cultural experience with Sacha WarmiKuna women's collective in Pijal village — traditional lunch, Aji sauce making, textile weaving (~£15–20pp, book in advance via Otavalo agencies)

Take an early shared taxi or local bus from Otavalo to Cotacachi (~£1.50), then a taxi to Cuicocha Crater Lake (~£5 one-way). The stunning Cuicocha loop trail (approx 4–5 hrs, 8km) circles the twin-crater lake inside the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve (entry ~£2). A short boat ride to the island in the centre of the volcanic crater offers incredible views and the chance to observe volcanic activity (~£5pp). Return to Cotacachi by taxi and take a bus back to Quito (~£2.50, 2.5 hrs). Check into your Quito hostel for a final night — celebrate with dinner in the Mariscal neighbourhood.

🚌Otavalo → Cotacachi shared taxi/bus (~£1.50); Cotacachi → Cuicocha taxi (~£5); return to Quito bus (~£2.50)

🛏Hostal Masaya Quito or Casa Helbling, Quito (same as night 1, ~£12–35/night)

• →Hike the Cuicocha Crater Lake loop trail (~4–5 hrs, Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve, entry ~£2)
• →Boat ride to the centre of the volcanic crater (~£5pp)
• →Return to Quito — farewell dinner in Mariscal neighbourhood

Enjoy a final breakfast at your hostel. Depending on your flight time, you may have time to revisit the Old Town, pick up last-minute souvenirs at the Mercado Artesanal, or grab a coffee at one of Quito's excellent speciality cafés. Take the Aeroservicios airport bus (~£2) or taxi (~£12) to Mariscal Sucre International Airport in good time for your departure. Farewell Ecuador!

🚌Hostel to airport: Aeroservicios bus (~£2) or taxi (~£12)

• →Final breakfast and optional last morning exploring Quito's Old Town or Mercado Artesanal
• →Transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport