We are going to Ecuador in December and I am getting ready to plan the details of the trip.
We know we are <b>not</b> going to include the Galapagos this trip.
How does this look?
What would you add for the TBD days?

Arrival: Arrive Quito (not counting this as a day because we arrive at midnight)
Day 1: Explore Quito during the day, afternoon/evening drive to Quito
Day 2: Explore Otovalo market (This will be a Saturday)
Day 3: Cotocachi with friend (Visiting our friend who lives here)
Days 4-6: Cotopaxi Trekking -- Have not decided yet on companies or what volcanoes to trek. Input most welcome
Days 7-10: TBD: Considering Isla de la Plata or Puyo and will be guided by distances to travel and input from you Fodorites
Days 11-14: Amazon Basin (internal flights from Quito? and probably at stay Napo Wildlife Center per a friend's rec)
Day 15: Leave Ecuador (early a.m. so no time for an activity)

We were in Ecuador a few years ago and did a similar two week trip (Mindo and birding instead of Islas). Just walked up to the ranger station? at Cotopaxi though. Great drive and interesting to see. Enjoyed Otovalo. Sounds like a nice itin to me! You will love Napo!!

Thanks!

Would love to hear from anyone else, too!

trying to decide if it makes more sense to start out in the Amazon then go back to Quito and do activities there. Not sure what is the most efficient way to move around the country.

Also very seriously considering moving around far less than usual for us and doing this:

First 4 days: Amazon basin
Remaining 10 days: Basing ourselves near either Cotacachi or Cotapaxi and driving to see the parks, Quito, etc. Looks like there is a decent variety in a small area.

Although Isla de la Plata itself looks interesting, it looks like we would be going out of our way to go there and there isn't a whole lot more to offer in that area beyond beaches? Beaches don't really appeal to us.

Also, Puyo looks like it would basically duplicate Napo Wildlife Center?

Echo, echo, echo....LOL.

Well, in case curious minds or people making their own plans are interested, here's the itinerary that we are going to finalize.

Day 1: Depart USA

Day 2: Quito

Days 3-7: 5 day trek/bike to explore Cotopaxi and surrounding area.

Day 8: Based in Quito (probably day trip to La Mitad del Mundo)

Day 9-12: Napo Wildlife Lodge

Days 12-15: Otavalo: Explore Otavalo market, see friend, local hiking (Maybe Peguche Waterfalls)

Day 15: Bus back to Quito

Day 16: Depart for USA