Ecuador Highlands & Rainforest Tour 2025: An Honest Review

I was really looking for a vacation that was, you know, more than just lying on a beach. It’s almost a feeling you get when you want something with a bit more substance, that actually gives you stories to tell. So, when I found this ’13 Days Exploring Ecuador Highlands and Rainforest’ trip for 2025, it sort of just clicked. The thing is that I went into it with a very open mind, more or less ready for anything. I mean, you have to be, right? This piece is basically my brain dump of the whole experience, the good stuff and the things you should probably know ahead of time. I really just want to give you a genuine feel for what these 13 days are like. As a matter of fact, I’m just going to walk you through it as I remember it, you know, from the start.

First Impressions: Arriving in the Heights of Quito

So, landing in Quito is a pretty wild experience, to be honest. You step off the plane and the air is just different, it’s almost thin and cool in a way that’s hard to describe. Your body is basically trying to figure out what’s going on at 9,350 feet. Our guide was great about it, he told us to just take it easy, drink lots of water, and maybe some coca tea, which you find pretty much everywhere. We spent the first couple of days just getting used to the altitude, and frankly, exploring the city. The Old Town is absolutely a UNESCO World Heritage site for a reason; you’re just surrounded by these incredible colonial-era buildings with really ornate balconies and huge wooden doors. It honestly feels like you’ve stepped back in time a little bit. We saw the Basílica del Voto Nacional, which, by the way, you can climb, and the view is seriously out of this world. Instead of gargoyles, it has native Ecuadorian animals like iguanas and turtles carved from stone, which is a very cool detail. Clearly, there’s a deep sense of history here that you can feel on every single street corner.

Walking around the Plaza de la Independencia, you really get a sense of the local life. I mean, people are just going about their day, sitting on benches, and there’s a kind of gentle hum to the city. One afternoon, we just sat at a little cafe, drinking some amazing local coffee and watching the world go by, which was a pretty perfect moment. The tour was structured in a way that gave us a bit of free time, so it wasn’t just go-go-go. This was good, because I could, for example, wander into a small shop that sold hand-woven textiles or another one that was all about artisan chocolate. I have to say, that Ecuadorian chocolate is some of the best I’ve ever had, it’s really something else. The first part of the trip was a gentle introduction, I think, and it set a very nice tone for the adventures that were apparently just around the corner.

The Avenue of the Volcanoes: A Road Trip Like No Other

Alright, so leaving Quito, the landscape just dramatically changes. You’re suddenly on this road they call the Avenue of the Volcanoes, and frankly, you can see why. There are these huge, cone-shaped peaks just lining the horizon on both sides of the Pan-American Highway. Cotopaxi was the first big one we really saw up close, and honestly, pictures just don’t do it justice. It’s this almost perfectly symmetrical, snow-capped volcano that just dominates the view; you can’t stop looking at it. We stopped at the national park and did a short hike around a lagoon at its base, which, you know, was a little breathtaking in more ways than one because of the altitude. But the views were so worth it. The air is so clear up there, you can literally see for miles and miles.

One of the best parts of this section was our stop at a local market. It was an explosion of color and activity, really. You have Indigenous women in their traditional clothing selling everything from fresh produce to live chickens and beautifully crafted ponchos. We bought some little trinkets, and I tried some street food that was surprisingly delicious. It was kind of an authentic look into the everyday commerce and culture of the region, not just a tourist trap. In the evening, we checked into a hacienda, which is basically an old, sprawling estate that’s been converted into a hotel. Ours had these thick, white-washed walls and a courtyard full of flowers. At night, it got really chilly, and we all gathered around this huge fireplace in the main hall. To be honest, it was just an incredibly cozy and unique place to stay, completely different from a standard hotel.

You know, it’s one thing to see a volcano in a picture, but it’s another thing to be standing there, with the wind in your face, just looking up at this immense force of nature. It’s a very humbling experience, actually.

Plunging into the Amazon: The Rainforest Beckons

So, the transition from the cool, airy highlands to the rainforest is, frankly, a complete sensory shock. We drove for hours, descending from the mountains, and you can just feel the air get thicker and more humid with every mile. Eventually, we reached a river, left our bus, and got into these long, motorized canoes. That canoe ride was pretty much the real start of the Amazon leg of our trip. For about two hours, you’re just gliding down this wide, brown river, with nothing but an endless wall of green on either side. We saw some monkeys in the trees along the bank, and the sounds were already starting to build, a sort of constant chirping and buzzing.

Our home for the next few days was a sustainable eco-lodge, which was a really amazing experience. The rooms were basically wooden cabins on stilts, with screened windows, so you could hear all the sounds of the jungle at night while still being protected from the bugs. I mean, sleeping there was like listening to a nature soundtrack that was just on full volume all the time, a really cool thing. Each day, we had different activities planned with a local guide who, frankly, knew the forest like the back of his hand. We went on night walks to spot nocturnal creatures like huge insects and tiny frogs, and on day hikes where he pointed out medicinal plants and explained how the local communities use them. Another day, we took the canoes out on a blackwater lake, and we saw a family of giant otters, which was just an incredible sight. It’s pretty amazing to see these animals in their own world. At the end of the day, it was a truly immersive few days.

What They Don’t Always Tell You: Practical Tips and Thoughts

Okay, so let’s get into some practical stuff that I sort of wish I had known better before going. First, packing is really a game of layers. You might start your day in the highlands needing a fleece and a jacket, but then the sun comes out and you’re down to a t-shirt, so you need to be prepared for that. And for the Amazon, you really need lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants, plus a serious amount of insect repellent. A good waterproof jacket is absolutely non-negotiable, you know, it’s a rainforest for a reason. Seriously, just pack one. Another thing is the food, which is generally fantastic. You should definitely try the locro de papa, which is this really comforting potato and cheese soup. And the fresh fruit juices are just out of this world. As for the famous delicacy, cuy (guinea pig), I honestly didn’t try it, but some people in our group did and said it was a bit like eating rabbit. So, if you’re feeling adventurous, that’s an option for you.

On another note, while the tour is well-paced, you should be prepared for some early mornings and long travel days, especially when moving between the highlands and the rainforest. It’s just the nature of covering so much ground in a country with such diverse geography. And you should definitely bring some cash, especially smaller bills. I mean, many of the smaller shops and market stalls don’t take cards, and it’s just easier for buying souvenirs or tipping. The wifi is also pretty spotty once you leave the big cities, and almost nonexistent in the Amazon lodge, which, to be honest, I found to be a good thing. It forces you to disconnect and just be present in this amazing place, which is really what it’s all about anyway, right?

My Key Takeaways from 13 Days in Ecuador

In short, if I had to boil it down, this is what I’d want you to know. The experience was pretty much transformative. At the end of the day, here’s a quick list of what really stuck with me:

The Sheer Diversity: You really get to see three completely different worlds in one trip. That shift from historic city, to majestic mountains, to the dense, living jungle is just something you have to experience.
People Are So Welcoming: Everyone we met, from our guides to the shopkeepers, was just incredibly warm and happy to share their culture. That makes a big difference.
Altitude Is Real: Take it easy your first few days in Quito. Just listen to your body, and don’t push it too hard.
Disconnecting Is a Gift: The lack of constant internet in the rainforest was actually a huge plus. You get to properly connect with your surroundings and the people you’re with.
It’s an Active Trip: This is not a lie-on-the-beach vacation. There’s a fair bit of walking, hiking, and moving around, which is great, but just be ready for it.

Read our full review: 2025 Ecuador Highlands Rainforest Tour Review Full Review and Details

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