Whether you get your adrenaline fix holding a paddle, an ice axe, or the bars of a mountain bike, satisfy your addiction with some high-energy fun in some of Ecuador’s wildest spots. If you have a few more days at the end to cap things off by climbing a serious peak—say, Cotopaxi or Chimborazo—then you’ll have to work in ascents of a few peaks over 4,000 meters along the way to acclimatize.

DAY 1
Fly to Quito. Visit Old Town to see some of the city’s highlights, starting at the Plaza Grande and venturing out from there. Take a taxi to El Panecillo or Itchimbia for an overview of the historic center, and don’t miss La Compañía and the Iglesia San Francisco. Take it easy to let yourself adjust to the altitude. Make reservations for Friday night accommodations in Otavalo, if applicable (see DAY 3). Stay in New Town.

DAY 2
Visit New Town, booking any tours for upcoming trips to the jungle or the Amazon. Stop by the Casa de la Cultura and do some browsing along Avenida Amazonas. Spend one more night in Quito.

DAY 3
Head north by bus to the indigenous market town of Otavalo, ideally on a Friday evening to catch the Saturday morning market. Stay in town or, better yet, at the Hacienda Cusín near Lago San Pablo.

DAY 4
Take a tour of the surrounding crafts villages and the Laguna Cuicocha at the foot of Volcán Cotocachi. If you have time in the afternoon, rent a mountain bike or take a ramble through the countryside. Stay here again or head back to Quito for the night.

DAY 5
Point yourself south to the Avenue of the Volcanoes and the Central Sierra. Take a day tour or rent a taxi to take you to the parking area at 4,600 meters on the flank of Cotopaxi, higher than any point in the continental United States. Spend the night in Baños.

DAY 6
Explore the rugged countryside around Baños, either on foot, mountain bike, or tour vehicle. Don’t miss the hot springs and the glow of erupting Tungurahua at night. Stay in Baños.

DAY 7
More fun and relaxation in and around Baños. The adventurous can rent mountain bikes for the ride down the old road to Puyo, stopping at waterfalls along the way. Head to Cuenca for the night.

DAY 8
Spend the day in Cuenca soaking up the historical ambience and maybe a Spanish lesson or two. Visit the Inca ruins of Ingapirca in the afternoon.

DAY 9
Visit the lake-dotted wilds of El Cajas National Park on a day tour or some of the nearby indigenous villages, such as Gualaceo and Chordeleg. Fly to Guayaquil for the night.

DAY 10
Explore Ecuador’s coastal metropolis. Don’t miss the Malecón 2000, Cerro Santa Ana, or Las Peñas, and be ready to stay up for some seaside nightlife.

DAY 11
Start making your way up the coastline, spending the first night at Montañita (for surf and partying) or Alandaluz Ecological Tourist Center (for relaxing).

DAY 12
Visit Machalilla National Park on a day tour, spending the night at either Puerto López or Manta.

DAY 13
Bahía de Caráquez is an anomalously pleasant seaside city to spend a day and a night in. Alternatively, head to Canoa for an even more relaxed scene.

DAY 14
Finish your coastal tour at the beach towns of Súa, Same, and Atacames. Head back up to Quito for the night by bus via Esmeraldas.

DAYS 15–16
Recreation wild card: Take your pick from a horseback ride with Ride Andes, white-water rafting with Yacu Amu, or birding in the cloudforest around Mindo. Be back in Quito in time to get your things ready for the rainforest.

DAYS 17–21
Head to the jungle for a five-day Amazon trip. Save time by flying to a gateway city such as Coca (for Sacha Lodge, La Selva Jungle Lodge, or the Napo Wildlife Center) or Macas (for Kapawi Ecolodge), and venturing on from there by boat or plane.

DAYS 22–23
By now you could probably use a rest, so catch those sights you haven’t seen yet in Quito, and treat yourself to a great meal at a restaurant such as Il Risotto. Do some shopping and dig out your sunscreen and hiking boots for the next leg of your journey.

DAYS 24–30
Saving the best for last, finish up with a one-week trip to the Galápagos Islands. Choose from a land or diving tour, but bring plenty of film (or digital camera memory) regardless, and be ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.