Self-Launched Active Ecuador & Peru: Quito to Cusco

Arrive in Quito at any time. Check into a hostel in the lively Mariscal or La Floresta neighbourhood. Spend the afternoon acclimatising to the altitude (2,850m) and exploring the historic Old Town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Grab dinner at a local chifa or traditional ecuadorian restaurant.

🚌Airport to city: Trolleybus or city bus (~£0.50) or shared taxi (~£5)

🛏Community Hostel Quito or Secret Garden Hostel (~£15-18/night)

• →Explore Quito's UNESCO-listed Old Town on foot
• →Visit Plaza Grande and the Metropolitan Cathedral (free)
• →Acclimatise with a gentle evening walk and local dinner

Take an early morning bus from Quito's Quitumbe terminal to Tena, the gateway to the Ecuadorian Amazon. The ride takes around 4–5 hours through spectacular scenery — mountains give way to cloud forest and then lush jungle. Check into a hostel in Tena and explore the riverside town in the evening.

🚌Quito (Quitumbe bus terminal) to Tena by bus (~£5, 4–5 hrs)

🛏Hostal Los Yutzos or similar budget guesthouse in Tena (~£12-15/night)

• →Scenic bus journey through the Andes into the Amazon Basin
• →Explore Tena's riverside malecón on foot
• →Arrange white-water rafting for Day 3 at a local operator

Join a locally-operated white-water rafting trip on the Jatunyaku River — one of Ecuador's best rafting spots, weaving through lush cloud forest. Most local operators in Tena offer half-day trips with all equipment included. The cool water and fresh jungle air make for an exhilarating contrast to the Amazon heat. Return to Tena for the night.

🚌Local transfer to river put-in included with rafting operator

🛏Hostal Los Yutzos or similar budget guesthouse in Tena (~£12-15/night)

• →White-water rafting on the Jatunyaku River with a local operator (~£25-35pp)
• →Relax by the riverfront in Tena in the afternoon
• →Optional: kayaking lesson on calmer stretches of river

Take a bus from Tena north to Ambato, then connect to Baños — a buzzing adventure town nestled between the Tungurahua Volcano and the Pastaza River canyon. Arrive early afternoon and spend the rest of the day exploring. Baños is famous for its ziplining, canyoning, and waterfall tours — book one for the afternoon or evening.

🚌Tena to Ambato by bus (~£3, 2.5 hrs), then Ambato to Baños (~£1.50, 45 mins)

🛏La Casa Verde Hostel or Hostal Plantas y Blanco (~£12-15/night)

• →Zipline over the Pastaza Canyon (~£20-30pp via local operator or GetYourGuide)
• →Visit the Ruta de las Cascadas (Waterfall Route) by chiva bus (~£3-5)
• →Try the famous Baños taffy (melcocha) being hand-pulled in shop windows

Arrange a guided day/overnight trek into Llanganates National Park through a local operator in Baños. The park is one of Ecuador's most biodiverse and least-visited, shrouded in cloud forest with views of Tungurahua Volcano. Transfer by shared taxi or private hire to the trailhead, then hike into the park. Camp overnight under the stars.

🚌Shared taxi or private hire from Baños to trailhead (~£8-12pp)

🛏Camping in Llanganates National Park (~£10-15 including basic gear)

• →Full-day trek into Llanganates National Park cloud forest
• →Spot Andean wildlife including hummingbirds and spectacled bears (if lucky)
• →Overnight camping in the park (~£10-15pp for basic camping gear hire)

Rise early and continue trekking through Llanganates before returning to Baños in the afternoon. In the evening, treat yourself to a soak in Baños' famous thermal springs, fed by the Tungurahua Volcano. The baths are a great way to ease tired muscles after two days of hiking.

🚌Return transfer from trailhead to Baños included with trekking operator

🛏La Casa Verde Hostel or Hostal Plantas y Blanco (~£12-15/night)

• →Morning trek and return from Llanganates National Park
• →Visit the Complejo de las Piscinas Termales hot springs (~£3-5pp)
• →Explore Baños' local food market for fresh fruit and local snacks

Depart early from Baños by bus to Latacunga, then arrange a shared taxi or tour transfer to a hostel or guesthouse near Cotopaxi Volcano. In the afternoon, join a locally-operated mountain biking excursion descending from the slopes of Cotopaxi — one of the world's highest active volcanoes at 5,897m. Alternatively, opt for a horseback riding trip through the páramo highlands.

🚌Baños to Latacunga by bus (~£2, 1.5 hrs), Latacunga to Cotopaxi by shared taxi (~£8-12pp)

🛏Hostal Tambopaxi or Secret Garden Cotopaxi (~£18-25/night)

• →Mountain biking descent from Cotopaxi slopes (~£25-35pp via local operator)
• →OR horseback riding through the páramo (~£20-30pp)
• →Visit Cotopaxi National Park entrance (park fee ~£2pp)

Spend the morning exploring the stunning Cotopaxi National Park — hike to the José Rivas Refuge at 4,800m for sweeping views of the volcano and surrounding páramo. Return to Latacunga and take a bus back to Quito. Spend the evening in the city, visiting the famous González Suárez neighbourhood for dinner and nightlife.

🚌Cotopaxi to Latacunga by shared taxi (~£8pp), Latacunga to Quito by bus (~£2, 1.5 hrs)

🛏Community Hostel Quito or Secret Garden Hostel (~£15-18/night)

• →Morning hike to the Cotopaxi Refuge at 4,800m (free with park entry)
• →Explore the Laguna Limpiopungo volcanic lake within the park
• →Evening free in Quito — explore La Mariscal neighbourhood

Fly from Quito to Cusco (typically via Lima). Budget airlines like LATAM and Sky Airline offer the best fares — book in advance for prices from ~£80-120 one-way. On arrival in Cusco (3,400m), take it easy to acclimatise. Drink coca tea, explore the San Blas neighbourhood on foot, and have an early night ahead of the Inca Trail.

🚌Flight Quito–Lima–Cusco (~£80-120pp booked in advance); airport to city by taxi (~£5-8)

🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Hostel (~£12-18/night)

• →Fly Quito to Cusco via Lima (book in advance, ~£80-120pp)
• →Explore Cusco's Plaza de Armas and San Blas neighbourhood
• →Drink coca tea and acclimatise gently — avoid strenuous activity

Spend the day acclimatising and exploring the Sacred Valley on a self-booked tour. Visit the Pisac market and Inca ruins, then continue to Ollantaytambo — the impressive Inca fortress town that serves as the traditional start point for the Inca Trail. Check in at a hostel in Ollantaytambo for the night.

🚌Shared minibus from Cusco to Sacred Valley (~£10-15pp)

🛏KB Tambo Hostel Ollantaytambo or similar (~£12-15/night)

• →Pisac Inca ruins and artisan market (ruins entry ~£5pp, or included in Boleto Turístico ~£35)
• →Ollantaytambo Inca fortress and town exploration (~£8pp entry)
• →Sacred Valley tour by shared minibus from Cusco (~£10-15pp)

Visit the Ccaccaccollo community centre and Women's Weaving Co-op — a Planeterra Foundation community tourism project. Meet local women artisans and purchase traditional textiles directly, ensuring income goes straight to the community. Lunch at the Parwa Community Restaurant, a farm-to-table program near Pisac. Both can be arranged independently via Planeterra's community tourism network or local tour operators in Cusco.

🚌Local shared taxi or minibus between Sacred Valley sites (~£5-8pp)

🛏KB Tambo Hostel Ollantaytambo or similar (~£12-15/night)

• →Ccaccaccollo Women's Weaving Co-op community visit (book via local Cusco tour operator, ~£15-20pp)
• →Lunch at Parwa Community Restaurant (~£8-12pp)
• →Afternoon free in the Sacred Valley or return to Ollantaytambo to rest before the Inca Trail

The Classic Inca Trail must be booked well in advance (permits sell out months ahead — check the official Peruvian permit system or use a licensed operator). Permits cost ~£125pp and must be purchased through a licensed agency. Day 1 follows the trail from Km 82 along the Urubamba River through cloud forest to the first camp. A moderate day of hiking with stunning scenery.

🚌Train or shared van from Ollantaytambo to Km 82 trailhead (~£5-10pp)

🛏Camping on the Inca Trail (included in licensed operator permit package, ~£125-180pp for 4-day permit + porter + camping)

• →Inca Trail Day 1: Km 82 to Ayapata campsite (~10km, moderate)
• →Pass the Inca ruins of Llactapata
• →Enjoy views of the Urubamba River valley

The toughest day on the trail — climb to Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman's Pass) at 4,198m, the highest point on the Classic Inca Trail. The ascent is steep and demanding, but the panoramic views from the top are unforgettable. Descend to camp at Pacaymayo Valley. Start early and take your time — the altitude makes this a serious physical challenge.

🚌On foot — full hiking day (~16km)

🛏Camping at Pacaymayo Valley (included in Inca Trail permit package)

• →Summit Dead Woman's Pass (Warmiwañusca) at 4,198m
• →Descend to Pacaymayo Valley campsite
• →Visit Runkuraqay ruins on the second pass

A spectacular day passing through cloud forest and a series of impressive Inca ruins including Sayaqmarka, Phuyupatamarka, and Wiñay Wayna — one of the most beautiful Inca sites on the trail. Camp at the final campsite near Wiñay Wayna, with an early night ahead of the final push to Machu Picchu.

🚌On foot — full hiking day (~16km)

🛏Camping at Wiñay Wayna campsite (included in Inca Trail permit package)

• →Visit Sayaqmarka and Phuyupatamarka Inca ruins
• →Explore Wiñay Wayna — the most impressive ruin complex on the trail
• →Walk through spectacular cloud forest rich with orchids and hummingbirds

Rise at 3:30am and hike to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) to watch sunrise over Machu Picchu — one of the world's most iconic views. Descend into the citadel and join a guided tour of Machu Picchu (book in advance via the official Machu Picchu ticket site or GetYourGuide). Entry tickets must be pre-booked — capacity is strictly controlled. Descend to Aguas Calientes by foot and take the train back to Cusco.

🚌On foot to Machu Picchu; train Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (~£35-50pp); bus/taxi to Cusco (~£5-8pp)

🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Hostel (~£12-18/night)

• →Sunrise at Inti Punku (Sun Gate) overlooking Machu Picchu
• →Guided tour of Machu Picchu citadel (entry ~£30pp, guide ~£15pp via GetYourGuide)
• →Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus/taxi to Cusco (~£35-50pp)

Your final day in Cusco — explore any last corners of this incredible Inca capital before your onward flight or bus. Visit the Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun, ~£5pp), browse the San Pedro Market, or simply soak up the atmosphere of the Plaza de Armas over a final coffee. Depart at any time.

🚌Taxi to Cusco airport (~£5-8pp) or bus to Lima (~£20-30, overnight)

🛏Check out — depart at any time

• →Visit Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) and Santo Domingo Church (~£5pp)
• →Browse San Pedro Market for last-minute souvenirs and snacks
• →Depart Cusco by flight or bus to your next destination