Ecuador Meetup Tour
Ecuador may be small compared to its neighbors, but it offers the best of the best of South America: sun-kissed beaches, deep indigenous history, friendly locals, and incredibly complex bio-diversity.
We explore it all on this tour from the beautiful city of Quito to off-the-beaten-path corners of the Amazon where we immerse ourselves in indigenous life. All along the way, we will see a plethora of wildlife.
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Highlights

Spend 4 days in the amazon with the women of the Añangu indigenous community

Join in a pachamanka ancestral culinary experience

Ride horseback through Cotopaxi National Park

Soak in volcano heated hot springs right outside your hotel room

Partake in the spiritual wayusada (traditional herbal tea) making ritual with a local family

Paddle in Añangu creek, a black water ecosystem
Itinerary

Day
1
Airport Pickup in Quito

Day
2
Quito Colonial Town

Day
3
Cotopaxi National Park
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Horseback Riding
We’ll saddle up for a horse riding! We’ll learn the typical dress of the “chagras” (Ecuadorian cowboys) and even play a little dress up. Then we will ride out across the paramo to the slopes of the extinct volcano, Rumiñahui. A legendary chagra from the area will come with you and share his knowledge of the countryside and the life lived in these areas. Meals: breakfast, lunch
Cooking Class
The fun and all-inclusive cooking class is given by native women who will inspire and teach you their culinary secrets and techniques that have been passed down, generation to generation. Travel through history while learning about the most representative crops in South America and how to use ancient cooking tools. Examples of some dishes you might make are “Empanadas de Viento” with “aji”, a hot chili sauce made all over Ecuador with many varieties depending on the area and culture. Enjoy the dishes with some traditional “canelazo” after learning how to make this old as time hot tea, made especially to warm up your soul in the coldest areas of the Sierra.
Ropes Course
The adventure is made possible with ladders, nets, swings, ropes, wobbly bridges, swinging logs, and other fun surprises. The course is about 20 meters above ground. The entire course is located near the Cotopaxi Volcano standing out in the background at a hacienda near their gardens.
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day
4
INDIGENOUS VILLAGES & CUICOCHA LAGOON
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Pachamanka ancestral culinary experience
“Pachamanka” is a word derived from Incan times. In the indigenous Quichua language it means “Pacha” for Earth and “Manka” for pot. The Pachamanka is a ceremony performed during special occasions such as the summer and winter solstices and equinox of the agricultural calendar.
The pot used during the ceremony is heated by volcanic stones and filled with food like potatoes, sweet potatoes, mellocos (similar to potato), beans, carrots, beets, plantains, and meat wrapped in achira leaves. The pot is then covered with a cloth and buried in the ground to cook. The mound where the pot is buried is adorned with flowers from the region, transforming into a beautiful Andean altar where everyone can give their thanks and appreciation.
You will be able to participate in the ceremony just like the ancient Incans once did. The foods are cooked perfectly in the pot due to the intense heat produced by the stones below ground. All the nutrients are preserved in this manner of cooking, and it is especially healthy as no condiments or additional fats are used.
This delicious dish is accompanied by chicha, a non-alcoholic version of corn beer made from different types of maize. Overall, it is an amazing celebration and who cooks better than Mother Earth with friends gathered around?

Day
5
OTAVALO MARKET & PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS

Day
6
Coca to the Añangu Community

Day
7
Añangu Community

Day
8
Añangu Community

Day
9
Añangu Community to Coca to Quito

Day
10
Farewell for now!
Accommodation
Our accommodation is hand-picked to give you the best combination of comfort, location, and style. These are photos from our collection of favorite hotels and resorts to give you a sense of the accommodation you can expect with us.
Hotel Termas de Papallacta
Think volcano views and lush jungle surroundings. Soak in the hot springs right outside your door and stay warm and relaxed as the fog rolls in.

Napa Cultural Center
Located among and run by the Anagu Kichwa community, this eco lodge is located in the heart of Ecuador’s Amazon. There is a bar, restaurant, excellent food, and a jacuzzi. This place is some how both spiritual and luxurious all while supporting locals and being gentle on the environment.

Details
- Accommodation in twin rooms
- Expert guide
- Most meals, according to the itinerary
- Local transportation, including domestic flights
- Airport pickup on day one
- All entrance fees and activities in the itinerary unless specified as optional
We will pick you up from the airport any time on day one after 8am. If fellow travelers arrive around the same time, we’ll bring you to our first hotel together. More details to follow once your spot is booked.
- A deposit of $500 is required to hold your spot.
- Final payment is due 60 days before departure.
- Pay as much as often as you like until the due date.
- If you cancel your spot earlier than 45 days before departure, you can apply your payment to any trip within the next year.
- No refunds on deposits.
- Airfares
- Visa fees if applicable
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Airport drop off
- Covid PCR test (currently mandatory to enter Ecuador)
- The itinerary is subject to change due for any reason – weather, unexpected cancellations, impromptu local opportunities, or surprise additions.
- Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory or you may be refused to join the tour. See our guide for help choosing a plan.
- All bookings are subject to our terms and conditions.
Most countries are able to visit Ecuador with a visa upon arrival. Please check the requirements for your country.
What our travelers say
Best chance to get to know people in the network!
“I joined the SoFe Network on Facebook 3 years ago but joined the membership because I wanted to interact with people without the weirdness of Facebook social boundaries. It absolutely worked, and I’ve made so many friends and been on quite a few zoom events. The events are amazing, the people are amazing, best chance to get to know people in the network!” Kirsten | Membership
One of the best trips I’ve ever been on.
“I had always wanted to go to Morocco but I was hesitant to go alone which normally I have no problem doing. I saw this trip advertised on the Solo Female Traveler Network Facebook page and the more I looked into it the more I wanted to go. So I did..and let me tell you that it was one of the best trips I’ve ever been on…seriously.” Jennifer H. | Morocco
So much more than a tour.
“I have been on three tours with these ladies, and I can not even explain how amazing my experiences have been. It’s so much more than just a tour. I have made life-long friends who understand my wanderlust, met local people who taught me the warmth and kindness of the places we’ve visited, and I have left feeling empowered to travel more.” Megan S. | Bali