Ecuador sits astride the equator yet rises into the sky on the Andes’ Avenue of the Volcanoes. In a single week, you can wander Quito’s UNESCO-listed streets, ride a cable car to 4,000 meters, and meet vicuñas on the slopes of Chimborazo—the point on Earth’s surface closest to the sun.

Quito’s layered history runs from Inca foundations to Baroque churches gilded in gold leaf. Fun fact: locals nickname Riobamba the “Sultana de los Andes,” a hub for market culture and mountain expeditions. Expect big flavors—hornado (slow-roasted pork), locro de papa (potato soup), artisanal chocolate—and crisp mountain air.

Practical notes: the US dollar is the currency; tap water is not recommended. Quito’s altitude (2,850 m/9,350 ft) favors a gentle first day, hydration, and sunscreen. June–September is typically drier in the highlands, but weather shifts quickly—pack layers and a rain shell.

Quito

Framed by Pichincha Volcano, Quito pairs colonial grace with creative neighborhoods like La Floresta (street art, indie cafés) and La Carolina (park life, museums). The Centro Histórico is a showstopper—plazas buzzing with vendors, church domes, and rooftop views of El Panecillo.

Don’t miss the Teleférico for sweeping city-and-volcano panoramas, the equator line at Mitad del Mundo, and the Capilla del Hombre, an artful tribute to Ecuador by painter Oswaldo Guayasamín. Coffee obsessives will find single-origin pour-overs and cacao tastings on nearly every corner.

• Where to stay (Quito): Search stays in Centro Histórico (for heritage hotels), La Floresta (boutique/arty), or La Carolina (modern, parkside) on VRBO and Hotels.com. Look up Casa Gangotena (Old Town classic), Illa Experience (design-forward boutique), or Swissotel (amenities and pool).
• Getting to Quito: Fly into UIO (Mariscal Sucre). Compare fares and routes on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. Typical roundtrips from North America run ~$500–$900 depending on season.

Day 1: Arrival in Quito, golden Old Town, and Andean flavors

Morning: Travel day. Hydrate on the plane and keep plans light to adjust to altitude.

Afternoon: Land at UIO and transfer to your hotel. Take a gentle stroll around Plaza Grande to admire the Presidential Palace and La Compañía de Jesús’s ornate facade (no heavy exertion yet).

Evening: Dinner in the historic center: try Hasta La Vuelta, Señor for homestyle Ecuadorian dishes (llapingachos, locro) in a storied courtyard. For a casual pint, Bandido Brewing pours small-batch ales inside a former chapel—pair with their wood-fired pizzas. Cap the night with a warm canelazo (spiced cinnamon-and-naranjilla toddy) on La Ronda.

Day 2: Quito city highlights, Teleférico and the Equator

Morning: Coffee and breakfast at Isveglio in La Floresta—order a V60 pour-over and a croissant sandwich. Head up the Teleférico for views at ~4,000 m; walk the short trails if you feel great, or simply take photos and sip coca tea.

Afternoon: Join a guided city and equator day for efficient logistics and insights: Private and Personalized City Tour of Quito Teleferico and Middle of the World.

Expect Centro Histórico landmarks, the Teleférico ride, and Mitad del Mundo’s line-straddling photos.

Evening: Dinner upgrade: Urko’s seasonal tasting menu traces Ecuador’s ecosystems (reserve ahead). Prefer something relaxed? De La Llama riffs on Andean staples—trout, quinoa, and a standout ají de tomate de árbol.

Day 3: Quito food, chocolate, and artful neighborhoods

Morning: Join a downtown tasting walk to decode Ecuador’s pantry: Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings.

You’ll sample fresh juices (look for naranjilla), hornado bites, and artisanal chocolate while hearing market lore.

Afternoon: Explore La Floresta’s murals and indie galleries; recharge with a flat white at Café Galletti (noted for Ecuadorian microlots). If you love modern art and social history, visit Guayasamín’s Capilla del Hombre for a moving, humanist series.

Evening: Dine at Nuema, Ecuador’s highly acclaimed kitchen championing native ingredients (tasting or à la carte). Nightcap at La Vid, where you can try a flight of Andean-grown wines.

Day 4: Day trip—Cotopaxi National Park and Quilotoa Crater Lake

Trade city spires for volcano cones on this full-day Andean classic: Cotopaxi & Quilotoa Volcanoes Tour All-in-One Day Trip from Quito.

Visit Cotopaxi National Park’s high moorlands (keep eyes peeled for wild horses), then continue to emerald Quilotoa for rim views or a hike down to the lakeshore. Pack layers, a hat, and cash for local crafts in Tigua and Zumbahua communities. Back in Quito, celebrate with cacao-forward desserts at Cyril—macarons and bonbons inspired by Ecuadorian fruit.

Riobamba & Chimborazo Province

South of Quito, Riobamba is your launchpad for Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve. The city blends wide plazas, weekend markets, and a skyline rimmed by snowy peaks. Nearby Guano is renowned for handwoven rugs; traditional life hums through bakeries and produce stalls.

Chimborazo dominates the horizon at 6,268 m (20,564 ft). Thanks to Earth’s equatorial bulge, its summit is the farthest point from the planet’s core—stand at the refuges and you feel the Andes’ breath. Expect páramo grasses, hardy chuquiragua flowers, and herds of elegant vicuñas.

• Where to stay (Riobamba): Center yourself near Parque Sucre for walkability, or choose a countryside hacienda for fireplaces and gardens. Search VRBO or Hotels.com for places like Hacienda Abraspungo (gardens and hearty breakfasts) or Hacienda La Andaluza (historic charm near Guano).
• Getting from Quito to Riobamba: Morning buses (Terminal Quitumbe) take ~3.5–4 hours, ~$6–$10. A private transfer runs ~$140–$180/car. No trains currently. Depart Quito after breakfast to arrive for a late lunch.

Day 5: Transfer to Riobamba, plazas and markets

Morning: Simple breakfast near your hotel—try an arepa-style bolón de verde (green plantain dumpling) and coffee. Depart Quito by bus or private car along the Panamericana (E35), watching volcano silhouettes stitch the horizon.

Afternoon: Check into your Riobamba stay and stretch your legs around Parque Sucre and the Cathedral. Browse Mercado La Merced or San Alfonso for fruit (taxo, babaco), fresh juices, and street-side llapingachos with peanut sauce.

Evening: Dinner at a local stalwart: Quinta Macají’s restaurant serves grilled meats, locro de papa, and tree-tomato salsas in a rustic setting. If you’re curious about sweets, seek out espumillas (meringue-like fruit foam) from a trusted vendor on a busy corner.

Day 6: Day trip—Chimborazo Volcano & Condor Cocha

Spend a full day in the Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve: Chimborazo Volcano and Condor Cocha Lagoon Day Tour.

Drive to the Carrel Refuge (~4,850 m) and, conditions permitting, hike to the Whymper Refuge (~5,000 m). Look for vicuñas and shy Andean kestrels; at Condor Cocha, the silence of the páramo is profound. Pack a down layer, gloves, sunglasses, and 2 liters of water. Lunch is often arranged at a nearby community spot—order hornado with mote and try colada morada if available.

Day 7: Guano textiles, last tastes, and departure

Morning: Coffee and a simple desayunito (eggs, fresh cheese, bread) at a central café. Ride or taxi to Guano (15–20 minutes) to browse handwoven rugs and leatherwork; vendors are happy to explain patterns and dyes.

Afternoon: Return to Riobamba for a final market lunch—share a hornado platter with crackling, llapingachos, curtido, and ají. Pick up cacao bars for the road. Transfer back to Quito airport (~4 hours from Riobamba) for your afternoon flight, or overnight in Quito if preferred.

Evening: If you’re flying tomorrow, enjoy a restful night near La Carolina in Quito—walk the park at dusk and grab a comforting bowl of locro and empanadas de viento sprinkled with sugar.

Optional swaps and add-ons (time permitting)

• Mindo Cloud Forest from Quito for hummingbirds, waterfalls, and ziplining: Mindo Cloud Forest Private Day Tour.

  

  (Swap for Day 3 if you’re more into nature than food.)

Departing Ecuador: For your outbound flight from Quito, compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Leave generous drive time from Riobamba to UIO, especially on weekends.

In seven days you’ve walked golden churches, tasted Andean comfort foods, stood where the world’s curve feels close, and watched vicuñas thread the high páramo. This Quito–Riobamba–Chimborazo route balances culture and mountain drama—an Ecuador itinerary you’ll remember in crisp mountain light.