Luxury Ecuador Adventure (The Ecuadorian Andes & Amazon) 10D9N

Arrive in Ecuador’s vibrant capital, Quito, nestled high in the Andes at an elevation of 2,800 metres (9,186 feet) above sea level. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted with your English-speaking guide and transferred to your accommodation for the night.

You’ll stay at The Illa Experience, a stylish boutique hotel nestled within a beautifully restored 17th-century colonial house in the vibrant heart of Quito, you’ll indulge in a blend of history and modern luxury. Unwind on the charming terrace or soak in the hot tub, and savor a refreshing drink at the elegant bar.

This evening, indulge in a culinary adventure at the hotel’s exquisite restaurant, where every dish is a masterpiece crafted for discerning palates. Led by the talented duo, Juan Carlos and Cristina, both trained in some of the world’s finest Michelin-starred establishments, you’ll embark on a journey through a symphony of flavors and textures that promise to tantalize your taste buds.

This morning enjoy a delicious breakfast, and frame your mind to explore a charming, historic capital with your private guide. Quito is renowned as the historic centre of South America for being the oldest capital in the continent, founded in 1534 by the Spaniards. Moreover, it is home to the most preserved, least-altered, and largest historic centres in the Americas. It is so historic that it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and there is much to see and explore here, especially its 16th and 17th-century churches.

We begin the private tour of the Basilica del Voto Nacional – the most enormous neo-Gothic Cathedral in the Americas, famed for its iconic architecture that dominates the skyline with two clock towers. Next is the Church of La Compania de Jesus, a Baroque ornately designed building that took 160 years to complete from 1605 to 1765. Remarkably, the façade of this Cathedral was made entirely from volcanic stones. We then proceed to the Basilica of San Francisco in the historic centre. The Basilica is the oldest and most important historic site in Ecuador and the largest architectural edifice in the historic centres of South America.

The next significant tour of the day is Middle of the World City, a tract of land in the centre of Quito, home to the Equator – a straight line that divides the world into Northern and Southern hemispheres. This attraction, also known as La Mitad Del Mundo, is geographically and historically pivotal in the country as the name Ecuador was derived from the Equator. There is a monument marking the Equator on the site, which is also a park where we can take photos as you cross your legs across the Equator – one foot in the Northern hemisphere and the other in the Southern hemisphere.

Afterward, we will move to El Crater restaurant near the monument, where you can enjoy lunch at your expense before retiring to your hotel at Illa Experience.

Breakfast opens the day this morning, followed by a transfer to Otavalo, a cultural and historic town. Once here, we check into our hotel for the next two days – The Hacienda Zuleta, a 17th-century hotel on a 4,000-acre working farm owned by the former president of Ecuador, Galo Plaza Lasso, and his family. The hotel sits deep in the Andean Valley, framed by peaks draped in greenery and surrounded by lush pastures. As your stay lasts, you’ll enjoy tantalising Andean farm-to-plate-cuisines created with homegrown ingredients and various exciting activities on the farm and beyond.

The activities include cooking classes for Andean fares, visiting the farm’s breed of horses, visiting a chapel, horseback riding, exploring the farm, discovering hidden trails, and hiking or biking on them. Also, we will see and learn about some endangered species of animals at the farm’s Condor Huasi Facilities, and you can take an embroidery class instead of a cookery lesson when we visit the local community.

For those who would like to hike, there are 60 km (37 miles) of self-guided trails to explore the charming Andean scenery and see bears and condors. You can also see the Caranqui Archaeological site, one of the best-preserved mound sites in Ecuador. This site reflects a bygone era when chieftains ruled before the Incan era took over. It is important to note that the cooking class, bicycle tour of the farm, and horseback riding come at an extra cost.

After exhausting all activities according to your preference, retire to one of the hotel's antique rooms with garden or mountain views for a good night’s rest.

This morning, transfer from Hacienda Zuleta to Quito Airport for a 30 minutes flight to Coca over the eastern Andes Mountain range (NOTE: the domestic flight from Quito to Coca is not included).

After landing, about mid-morning, 5 min transfer will take you to “La Mision” Port, where you will embark onto a comfortable covered motor boat. Here we start a canoe ride along the Napo River for about 2 hours, box lunch and coffee is provided in route. Along the way, birds like herons, kingfishers and others can be spotted. After arriving at the entry dock we take a majestic and peaceful 2 hours’ paddle canoe ride surrounded by trees, paddling along a narrow creek that connects to the lake where your tranquil lodge is located. Chances

Late afternoon arrival to Napo Wildlife Center with an overwhelming view of the Añangu Lake, welcome drink followed by a briefing of the local manager. You’ll stay at the serene Napo Wildlife Center Eco-lodge, a luxury eco-friendly lodge by Anangucocha Lake and within the Yasuni National Park, a biosphere reserve protecting the most unsullied rainforest in Amazonian Ecuador.

Settle into your room in the eco-friendly lodge with jungle views. It features a private bathroom, ample ventilation, hot water, electricity, and a balcony with views of landscaped gardens. Relax for the rest of the evening and night, preparing for the next day’s adventure.

In the morning, wake up to the fresh scent of forest leaves and the sounds of birds tweeting above the Lake. The first of many will be the Parrot Clay Clicks, one hour from the lodge. Early arrival is paramount to witness the parrots' activities between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. At the clay lick, you can see 11 species of parrots, parakeets, and macaws.

Later in the day, hike through a trail in the forest to the local Kichwa community of Anangu and interact with the natives at the Community Interpretation Centre run by women. Return to the creek, and we hike into the Terra Firme forest to see another parrot clay click harbouring more parrot species that we can see if the weather conditions permit. At noon, savour a hearty lunch at the Napo Cultural Center while creating a rapport with the locals and learning about their intriguing lifestyles. Enjoy a paddle back to the lodge to relish a sumptuous dinner before calling it a day.

After a delightful early breakfast, we set off from the lodge to ascend a remarkable 36-meter-tall canopy tower, offering breathtaking views of the rainforest. This second tower at the Napo Wildlife Center, situated about 30 minutes from the lodge deep within the lush terra firme forest, promises a unique glimpse into the vibrant life above the ground.

As you climb the 12 floors, you'll traverse the various layers of the forest until you reach the top of a majestic Ceiba tree. Here, a wooden platform seamlessly integrated into the tree awaits, granting you an unparalleled perspective once reserved for the birds. Constructed with the utmost care and safety in mind, the metal tower is galvanized and meticulously inspected by engineers, while the platform was designed by specialists in tree platforms. This is the pinnacle of canopy experiences in Eastern Ecuador.

From your lofty perch, you’ll be surrounded by a dazzling array of wildlife—colorful tanagers flit through the branches, Blue-and-yellow Macaws soar gracefully by, and Spider Monkeys playfully search for fruit nearby. The calls of large toucans echo in the morning and afternoon, immersing you in the vibrant life of the forest canopy. Here, birds that are nearly impossible to spot from the forest floor come into clear view, blissfully unaware of your presence.

We begin our day with an early departure for our final adventure—canoeing back along the winding creek to the Napo River. As we glide through these tranquil waters, you might catch sight of Giant Otters frolicking, Monk Saki Monkeys swinging through the trees, or a myriad of rare birds gracing the canopy above.

After soaking in these enchanting moments, we’ll transfer to a motorized canoe for our return journey to Coca. The ride takes approximately two hours, allowing you to reflect on the wonders of the rainforest. Once we arrive, we’ll check in for your flight from Coca to Quito (NOTE: the flight is not included).

Upon arrival into Quito, enjoy a seamless private transfer to your hotel, where your Ecuadorian adventure continues. During your stay, immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Ecuador’s history at the museum, which boasts an impressive collection of around 5,000 artifacts. Crafted from ceramic, stone, shell, metal, textile, and wood, each piece serves a ceremonial or utilitarian purpose, connecting you to the spiritual, social, and political practices of the diverse cultural groups that once thrived across Ecuador—from the stunning Pacific coast to the majestic Andean mountains and the lush tropical forests.

You’ll stay at the elegant colonial style hote at Casa Gangotena, one of Ecuador's most magnificent boutique hotels and a member of Relais & Châteaux. The hotel is nestled in Quito’s historic centre, with rooms and suites offering views of San Francisco Plaza. History, Andean warmth, and luxury permeate all rooms and suites within its walls. Relish traditional Ecuadorian dishes at the restaurant, exquisitely crafted with organic farm produce, ensuring the flavours are authentic and reflect their Andean roots.

After breakfast this morning, you will experience Quito, the largest historic centre in South America, and the Middle of the World City from a nightfall perspective. Witness the city’s nightly vibes as you roam its streets on foot with a tour guide. Explore a mansion for about 45 minutes, tour its iconic churches of mediaeval architecture and capture their nightly elegance, then taste Ecuadorian chocolates to pamper and satiate your sweet tooth. You also partake in an ancestral cleansing ritual by Curanderas (traditional healers) tonight, who will do the Limpi, a spiritual cleansing meant to ward off ill luck and cure traumatic experiences. Since you're a tourist, the ritual will be diluted as a tonic or spiritual quasi-massage, and it's entirely up to you whether you participate or not, depending on your beliefs.

Dinner tonight is at your expense. As you return to your hotel room, blessed with good luck from the spiritual cleansing, journal your final experiences as you set your heart towards home.

This morning, wake up with memories of the city's nightlife that you stored the previous day and enjoy your last nourishing breakfast of the trip. Your private guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departing flight or connect to your Galapagos cruise as the trip ends while the memories endure.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.