Our Ecuador program offers travelers with disabilities the opportunity to visit this diverse South American country with accessibility in mind. Located directly on the equator, Ecuador is unique for its four distinct regions -- the Highlands, the Amazon, the Coast, and the Galapagos Islands. All have their own distinct characteristics, and all are located within close proximity of each other, which makes visiting multiple regions in one day easy.

World On Wheelz works with individuals and groups to plan accessible trips to Ecuador. Tell us what you want to see and do, or choose from our sample itineraries below. Tours can be customized to meet your special needs, interests, and budget. Contact us at worldonwheelz@aol.com to plan your accessible trip to Ecuador!

Sample Itineraries:

11-DAY HIGHLANDS AND AMAZON TOUR

11-DAY GALAPAGOS AND AMAZON TOUR

11-Day Highlands and Amazon Tour

Day 1
Arrival in Quito. Pick up from airport and transfer to hotel. Depending on arrival time, lunch and free afternoon to rest. After dinner briefing about the program by our tour leader. (lunch and dinner included)

Day 2
After breakfast we leave Quito and drive towards San Pablo Lake (2 hours). On our way we will stop at Calderón, which is a small town outside Quito where the famous “mazapan dolls” (bread dough) are manufactured. We will learn how they are produced and watch the talented old ladies manufacture one mazapan doll for us!! We will continue our trip towards San Pablo Lake. We will admire the beautiful views of the snow-capped Andes mountains, with the indigenous people working and harvesting their land. San Pablo Lake will be our headquarters for visiting Otavalo, Cotacachi and the surrounding lakes. We will have a typical lunch which includes potato tortillas, pork, avocado, peanut sauce and boiled corn. Check in at a very cozy hotel at the Lake shore. In the afternoon we will visit the town of Ibarra where we will enjoy “helado de paila” (typical ice cream) and tour around the city (very nice little parks and plazas around the town). We will return to the hotel for dinner. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 3
After breakfast we will visit Otavalo, the most famous indigenous market. We will experience a mix of exotic colors, sounds and smells. Hundreds of local artists offer their products in this market. We can learn about the process of manufacturing the handicrafts, while we have a conversation with the indigenous. Lunch in Otavalo and then we will head towards Peguche Village, where we will learn how to manufacture traditional wind music instruments. We will also witness a typical dance presented by local artist. Dinner and return to the hotel. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 4
Ecuador is known worldwide for the excellent quality of its roses, so after breakfast we will visit a rose farm plantation. Fascinate yourself with all the rose varieties you can imagine and get to know the process from the time they are grown until they arrive to a flower store in North America or Europe. Each of us will receive a small bouquet as a present. After a delicious lunch we will visit Cotacachi, which is the most famous town in Ecuador for leather products made by local indigenous people. You will have the remainder of the afternoon to rest at the Lake shore and prepare for departure next day. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 5
After breakfast we leave Lake San Pablo and drive to the Amazon. On our way we will cross two mountain chains and will drive though seven different climate floors. Depending on the weather, we will see some volcanoes and try food specialties on the way. We will have several stops which include a visit to an Environmental Communication Centre in the entrance to the Amazon Region, where we will hear about the most important facts for the Amazon conservation. Arrival at Huasquila Amazon Lodge (accessible) around 5:00 pm, followed by a welcome cocktail and briefing. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 6
Breakfast and the rest of the morning to relax and enjoy the beautiful views from the lodge. After lunch we will visit an animal rescue center with local animals that have been recovered from illegal animal trade. If we are lucky, we may be able to take a picture of a monkey jumping around. Return to the lodge for dinner. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 7
In the morning we will travel to the Anzu river (a 90-minute drive), where we will take a raft in a very calm river (class II). We will start our adventure down the river admiring the Amazon nature on each side of the river. During the trip we can stop at several points of interest to take pictures and relax in the river. Even though the river is very calm, we will cruise down the river with several kayakers alongside at all time for safety reasons. We will finish our journey around 3:00 pm and start our way back to the lodge. Dinner and rest of the evening for chatting at the lodge (play games, cards, etc) and enjoying a delicious tropical juice or wine. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 8
Today we will visit a typical indigenous community called Rukullacta. There we will learn learn about the way the indigenous from this area keep their traditions and at the same time have adapted to 21st century costumes. We will also see some typical dances performed by an indigenous group, and for the ones who are more adventurous, a shaman (indigenous doctor) will be ready to perform a limpieza (cleaning of the body and the soul). After lunch we will visit the town of Tena, the capital for the Napo province. In the evening we will return to Huasquila Lodge. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 9
After breakfast we will drive back towards Quito. On the way we will make a 2 hour stop for lunch at one of Ecuador´s hot spots for birdwatching. The views of the landscape from this area are simply magnificent. We will arrive at Quito late afternoon for dinner. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 10
Visit Quito’s Colonial Center, declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Visit the churches and squares and get to know their history and interesting facts. Then we will visit the Middle of the World monument, which is located on the Equator and where you can actually move between the southern and northern hemispheres in one second. We will visit the Inti-Ñam museum where we will observe some experiments that prove we are in the Middle of the World. After dinner we will give you a final overview of the trip with a presentation of all the pictures we have taken during the excursions. We will give every guest a CD with pictures as a remembrance gift. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 11
Departure (all meals before flight included)

11-Day Galapagos and Amazon Tour

Day 1
Arrival in Quito. Pick up from thev airport and transfer to hotel. Depending on arrival time, lunch and free afternoon to rest. After dinner briefing about the program by our tour leader. (lunch and dinner included)

Day 2
After breakfast we will drive to the Amazon. On our way we will cross two mountain chains and will drive though seven different climate floors. Depending on weather, we will see some volcanoes and will try food specialties on the way. We will have several stops, including a visit to an Environmental Communication Centre in the entrance to the Amazon Region, where we will be hear some most important facts for the Amazon conservation. Arrival at Huasquila Amazon Lodge (accessible) around 2:00 pm, welcome cocktail, lunch and briefing. After lunch we will visit an animal rescue center with local animals that have been recovered from illegal animal trade. If we are lucky, we may be able to take a picture of a monkey jumping around. Return to the lodge for dinner. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 3
In the morning we will travel to the Anzu river (a 90-minute drive), where we will take a raft in a very calm river (class II). We will start our adventure down the river admiring the Amazon nature on each side of the river. During the trip we can stop at several points of interest to take pictures and relax in the river. Even though the river is very calm, we will cruise down the river with several kayakers alongside at all time for safety reasons. We will finish our journey around 3:00 pm and start our way back to the lodge. Dinner and rest of the evening for chatting at the lodge (play games, cards, etc) and enjoying a delicious tropical juice or wine. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 4
After breakfast we will drive back towards Quito. On the way we will make a 2-hour stop for lunch at one of Ecuador´s hot spots for birdwatching. The views of the landscape from this area are simply magnificent. We will arrive at Quito late in the afternoon for dinner. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 5
After breakfast we will visit the Middle of the World monument, which is located on the Equator and where you can actually move between the southern and northern hemispheres in one second. We will visit the Inti-Ñam museum where we will observe some experiments that prove we are in the Middle of the World. The afternoon is free in order to prepare for the Galapagos trip. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 6
We will leave towards the Galapagos Islands. We arrive at San Cristóbal around lunch time. We will be staying at one beautiful house overlooking the ocean (wheelchair friendly). After lunch we will take a walk on San Cristobal's downtown, admiring the sea lions on the beach, boardwalk, and sidewalk. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 7
Today we will safely transfer into kayaks. We will go to observe iguanas, as well as bluefooted boobies, always with the observation of the sea lions. A professional kayaker will join you (2 persons per kayak). As a security measure we will always be joined by a motor boat. After lunch we will go back to the hotel and spend the afternoon at a location called Playa Man, which is a beach located 100 meters from our hotel. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 8
After breakfast we will drive across the Island to the Galapaguera. There we will see the famous Galapagos Turtles. On our way back we will stop at the Environmental Communication Centre where we will learn about the Island´s history, as well as the most important facts about the conservation and hazards of the Islands. For the rest of the evening we will go by horseback to the highest point of San Cristobal, where we will put together a camp for the night. We will have a delicious barbecue at this location and enjoy the company of the stars. We will camp here for the night. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 9
In the morning we will drive back to the hotel for a refreshing shower. After breakfast you will have a couple of hours to enjoy a massage, get a cooking lesson, learn how to manufacture a handicraft with the locals of the Island. Around 1 pm we take our flight back to Quito. Arrive in Quito at approximately 4 pm. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 10
Visit Quito’s Colonial Center, declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Visit the churches and squares and get to know their history and interesting facts. Then we will visit the skylift of Quito, where we will reach an altitude of 4100 meters. From this altitude we will have a great overview of Quito and the surrounding mountains (if lucky, we will be able to observe the snow covered mountains that surround Quito). We will have a hot drink at this location and then come back down to Quito. After dinner we will give you a final overview of the trip, with a presentation of all the pictures we have taken during the excursions. We will give every guest a CD with pictures as a remembrance gift. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 11
Departure. (all meals before flight included)

Contact us at worldonwheelz@aol.com to plan your trip to Ecuador!