Luxury Ecuadorian Highlands Getaway: Culture, Adventure & Open Skies - 7 Days

Highlights

• Stroll the cobbled streets of historic Quito and stand right on the equator
• Stay at a luxurious family-run hacienda in the Andean highlands
• Visit Indigenous markets and explore mountain trails on horseback
• Soar over Laguna de San Pablo in a private hot-air balloon

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Quito, Private Chef Cooking Workshop

Welcome to Ecuador! Besides its famous natural beauty, this country is filled with rich history, from the era of the Spanish colonialists to the Indigenous cultures that long predate it. You'll get a heaping helping of both, starting with your arrival in Quito. Ecuador's capital sits high in the Andes mountains and is the epicenter of Spanish colonial history in the country. You'll not only experience this heritage, but you'll stay right in the midst of it. At the airport, a driver will pick you up for the ride to Hotel Plaza Grande, located in Quito's UNESCO-listed Old Town (historic center).

This 5-star luxury hotel occupies a beautifully restored colonial mansion dating to the 16th century. Inside, it's all first-class modernity, offering a mere 15 suites, each outfitted with plush bedding, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and marble bathrooms with Jacuzzis. There's also a must-try gourmet restaurant fusing Ecuadorian and international flavors complemented by an extensive wine cellar. If you like, after checking in, you can make a beeline to the hotel spa and relax with a massage or facial to take the edge of the flight.

Later, you'll transfer to Casa Gangotena, another luxury hotel in Old Town. Head to the kitchen in the hotel's gourmet restaurant, where you'll participate in a one-of-a-kind culinary experience. The head chef will hand you an apron and kitchen knife, letting you take the reins and craft your own memorable menu of traditional Ecuadorian favorites.

Day 2: Day Trip to Mitad del Mundo & Museums, Agave Tasting & Dinner Show

Rise and shine! After a decadent breakfast at the hotel, you'll meet your private driver/guide for the trip just north of Quito to Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World), a park dominated by the 98-foot-tall (30 m) Monument to the Equator. It marks the precise location of the equator, the invisible line that divides the Earth's Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Straddling the yellow line here means you'll have one foot in each hemisphere.

While at the park, you can also visit the Ethnographic Museum and the Planetarium, the latter of which features a small-scale model of Quito. For lunch, enjoy a traditional Ecuadorian meal at El Crater, a restaurant uniquely positioned atop the nearby Pululahua volcano. Not only will you enjoy a delicious meal, but you'll also learn a bit about Quito's past and present from a respected historian.

Then, visit the nearby Intiñan Museum, an interactive science and cultural center. Highlights include hands-on experiments demonstrating equatorial phenomena (such as water draining in different directions on either side of the line), ancient astronomical calendars, and ethnographic exhibits of Ecuador's diverse Indigenous cultures. End the day at the Agave Museum to taste the fine spirits Ecuador has created using a plant traditionally associated with Mexico. Dinner tonight is a special affair as you enjoy a gourmet meal in a former convent accompanied by a ballet performance. 

Day 3: Transfer to Otavalo via Cuicocha Lagoon

Your driver will pick you up this morning for the two-hour ride north to the mountain town of Otavalo, passing dazzling highland scenery and stopping several times to enjoy the surroundings. The first stop is in the charming town of Cotacachi, where you can browse its famous artisan leather shops. Next, stretch your legs with a gentle hike around the volcanic crater lake of Cuicocha. Long ago, this volcano's caldera filled with water after an eruption to form a lake featuring two iconic islands. Stroll along the shore to admire its midnight blue water and beautiful flowers as you listen to the flutter of hummingbirds.

Afterward, you'll arrive at Otavalo, famous for its massive local market, selling everything from textiles and handicrafts to jewelry and traditional sweets. You'll be staying in the countryside at Hacienda Zuleta, a colonial-era farm dating to the 17th century. It offers beautifully appointed rooms decorated with antique furniture, hand-embroidered linens, and local artwork—many also feature private fireplaces. The hacienda's restaurant serves delicious meals made with fresh, organic ingredients sourced right from its own farm and garden, and there are plenty of exciting activities on offer.

Once you've settled in, you'll head over to the famous market. It's busiest on Saturdays, but you can find vendors, primarily Otavalos, the region's Indigenous people, throughout the week. The Otavalo are best known for their colorful, hand-woven textiles, and many market stalls offer tablecloths, blankets, scarves, and more. If you like, you can pick up some items to take home as souvenirs.

Day 4: Morning Balloon Ride, Hacienda Zuleta Cultural Experiences

Your day begins at 5 am, but the early start is well worth it, as waiting for you is the adventure of a lifetime. You'll leave the hotel and transfer to the shores of Laguna de San Pablo, where you'll hop in the basket of a hot-air balloon. Then, around 6 am, you'll ascend into the sky and marvel at the sprawling Andean landscapes as they come alive with the first rays of the morning sun. The private flight lasts about 30 minutes, after which you'll land back on the lakeshore. Return to the hacienda in time for breakfast.

After eating, you'll have the rest of the day to enjoy an itinerary of private cultural experiences in and around Otavalo. Activities include visiting a local artisan shop run by the same family for generations. Here, you'll witness firsthand the traditional methods that locals employ to handcraft the region's famous textiles and garments. Then, sit down to a home-cooked lunch in a local Indigenous community. Spend the rest of the afternoon visiting other highlights of Otavalo, like a workshop specializing in traditional Andean instruments, before returning to the hacienda for another relaxed evening.

Day 5: Full-Day Horseback Ride & Picnic, Hacienda Bonfire Dinner

You're in for a treat, as today, you'll get to explore the highlands the way locals have been doing for centuries—on horseback. Meet your private guide at the hacienda's stables and hop in the saddle for an epic full-day ride around Ecuador's dazzling highlands. As you ride along scenic mountain trails, you'll spot local avian species, which include hummingbirds, tanagers, and (if you're lucky) the mighty Andean condor. One of the day's highlights is breaking for a picnic lunch in a scenic spot in the highlands. Dinner tonight will be served around a bonfire at the hacienda, accompanied by traditional music.

Day 6: Hacienda Zuleta Cultural Activities: Embroidery, Cooking & Carriage Rides

It's the penultimate day of your trip, and more immersive cultural activities are in store, with the hacienda arranging specific tours tailored to your interests. One popular option is a private embroidery lesson during which you'll learn traditional methods of producing Ecuador's famous textiles under the guidance of local experts. For something more active, you can opt for a scenic bike ride around rugged highland trails. Foodies should head back into the kitchen for a private cooking experience with the hacienda's chef, featuring produce picked straight from the garden.

Later, you'll be treated to more showstopping Andean scenery with a ride in an authentic horse-drawn carriage around the province—don't forget your camera! After some time spent at the hacienda's sumptuous spa, toast your trip with a final farm-to-table dinner overlooking the hacienda grounds.

Day 7: Transfer to Quito via Papallacta Hot Springs, Depart

Finish your brisk Ecuador adventure with a bit of relaxation. Before flying out of Ecuador, you'll return to Quito and then transfer about 1.5 hours southeast to the famous Papallacta hot springs, where you'll soak in volcanic waters. Situated at 12,100 feet (3,700 m) in an evergreen páramo (Andean high grasslands) landscape, this area is renowned for its healing waters. If the weather is clear, you'll spot the giant Artisana volcano looming above.

You'll also spend time at the Termas de Papallacta Resort and Spa, which offers nine warm and three cold pools at various temperatures, plus an on-site spa with multiple health and beauty treatments, including hydromassage, a Turkish steam bath, and a mud wrap. It's also a great spot to have lunch with local dishes such as fresh-grilled trout. When the time comes, you'll get back on the road and return to Quito and the airport, where you'll catch your flight home. Safe travels!

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