Mailand Ecuador Itinerary: How to Spend One Week in Ecuador (+ Map)
TL;DR
Our 7 day Ecuador backpacking itinerary shows you exactly what to do in Ecuador for a week – from Quito to Cotopaxi, Baños, and Cuenca – so you can experience the best of mainland Ecuador without missing a thing.
Wondering how many days in Ecuador are enough? We think 7 days is the minimum amount of time to experience the country’s highlights. But then comes the next big question: What to do in Ecuador for a week? With the Andes, the Amazon, and charming colonial cities all within reach, it can feel tricky to design the right balance.
That’s why we’ve created this Ecuador backpacking itinerary – a realistic one-week route that shows off the best of mainland Ecuador. It blends adventure and culture so you can hike volcanoes, wander historic centres, chase waterfalls, and even get a taste of the Amazon.
Perfect for backpackers and independent travellers, this itinerary is paced to maximise your days. Think of it as advice from a friend who’s already figured out the buses, day trips, and hidden gems that make Ecuador unforgettable.
7 Day Ecuador Itinerary
7 Days in Ecuador Map
3 Days in Quito
Day 1 – Free Walking Tour & Centro Historico
We love to start our time in a new city with a free walking tour, and Quito was no different. We chose the Free Quito Walking Tour and can highly recommend it.
Of course, we ticked off all the highlights, such as the Basílica del Voto Nacional, the Plaza Grande, and the St. Francis Church and Monastery. What made this tour stand out were the hidden gems (we won't give away spoilers) and the tastings.
In the afternoon, tick off the points in Quito’s historical centre that you didn’t visit with your free walking tour. Here are our favourites:
- You can enter the Basílica del Voto Nacional and enjoy the views from the tower.
- Quito is famous for its churches. If you don’t want to pay, we can recommend the Church of the Tabernacle, Church of the Society of Jesus, and St. Francis Church.
- Free museums like the Antiguo Círculo Militar and the Museo Numismático are real hidden gems – even if you only go for the stunning architecture.
- There are art exhibitions at Biblioteca Municipal “Federico González Suárez”, and you can check out the rooftop for amazing free views.
- We loved the rooftop terrace of Hotel Sucre Quito.
- The Palacio Arzobispal is great for food. Despite the horrific reviews, we had a nice traditional Fanesca at Menestras del Negro.
- End your day at Virgen del Panecillo for lovely views across Quito.
Here’s our full 3-day Quito itinerary:
Day 2 – Mitad del Mundo & TelefériQo
Did you really visit Ecuador if you skipped the equator? Luckily, Mitad del Mundo (“Middle of the World”) is just a short ride from Quito by taxi, tour, or public transport.
Its centrepiece is a 30 m (98 ft) monument honouring the 18th-century French Geodesic Mission. Around it, you’ll find theme-park-style attractions, quirky “museums,” photo ops, and even a tiny train.
Next door, the Intiñan Equator Museum mixes science, experiments, and plenty of kitsch – but it’s fun all the same.
Another Quito highlight is the TelefériQo, a cable car that climbs from 3,117 m (10,226 ft) to 3,945 m (12,943 ft) in 20 minutes, making it one of the world’s highest. The ride offers sweeping views of Quito and the Andes.
At the top are panoramic lookouts, photo spots, cafés, and a trailhead for hiking up Pichincha Volcano. Be prepared for cooler temperatures, sudden fog, and the effects of altitude.
Day 3 – Day Trip to Cotopaxi
You can’t think of Ecuador without thinking of Cotopaxi, and a day trip from Quito is by far the easiest (and a surprisingly cost-efficient) way to visit one of the highest active volcanoes on earth.
Yes, it’s a long day trip, but Cotopaxi is only around 50 km (30 mi) south of Quito, so we think that Quito is the best base you can choose.
On your Cotopaxi tour, you will
- Visit the Laguna de Limpiopungo, where you can spot some birds.
- Learn about the local flora, fauna, and geology at the interpretation centre.
- Hike up to the José Rivas Refuge at 4864 meters (15960 ft) above sea level.
2 Days in Baños
Day 4 – Ruta de las Cascadas, Casa del Arbol & Hot Springs
Start your day at the Ruta de las Cascadas or Waterfall Route, where you can swim, zipline, and adventure around different waterfalls.
We opted to rent a bicycle. If that’s not not thing, you can also rent a quad or go on a guided tour.
In the afternoon, visit the Casa del Arbol with the famous Swing at the End of the World.
End your day in one of the hot springs in Baños. We chose Termas de la Virgen for a local experience and can recommend El Refugio Spa Garden for more of a spa feel.
Here’s our full Baños travel guide:
Day 5 – Day Trip to the Amazon
We visited the Amazon in Peru, but in case you only visit Ecuador and you’re a bit short on time, a day trip from Baños to the Amazon rainforest can give you a great taste of what to expect.
The most common destination for day trips to the Amazon is Puyopúngo (short Puyo).
2 Days in Cuenca
Day 6 – Walking Tour & Centro Historico
As you know by now, we love a good walking tour to get a feel of a new city, and the walking tour through the historic centre of Cuenca was simply amazing. Tomás brought us to all the highlights as well as many super unique hidden gems we would have never found without him. Additionally, we tasted some of the local delicacies.
In the afternoon, tick off the points in Cuenca’s historical centre that you didn’t visit with your walking tour. Here are our favourites:
- Parque Calderón, surrounded by the Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción, Seminario San Luis, Corte Superior de Justicia, and Casa del Parque.
- Free museums like Museo Pumapungo, Centro Interamericano de Artes Populares, Panama Hat Museum, Museo de la Ciudad, Museo Remigio Crespo Toral, and Museo Municipal de Arte Moderno.
- Markets like Mercado 10 de Agosto and Mercado 9 de Octubre, San Francisco Craft Market, and Cuenca Flower Market.
- Churches like the Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción and the Church of Todos Santos.
Here’s our full Cuenca travel guide:
Day 7 – Day Trip to Ingapirca
The Inca ruins of Ingapirca are the largest ones in Ecuador and one of the main reasons to visit Cuenca. You can visit Ingapirca by direct local bus from Cuenca or opt for a guided tour.
What makes them unique is the blend of Inca and Cañari cultures. Originally a Cañari moon temple, the site later became home to the Inca Sun Temple, symbolising the union of the two civilisations.
Dating back over 500 years, Ingapirca likely served as a fortress, ceremonial centre, and stop along the Inca Trail between Cusco and Quito. Today, visitors can admire its impressive stone walls, enjoy sweeping Andean landscapes, and meet the llamas that roam the site.
There’s a longer trail around the archaeological site, including the Cara del Inca, which we can fully recommend doing.
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