Luxury Southern Ecuador Exploration: Guayaquil to Cuenca - 7 Days

Highlights

• Enjoy hacienda activities, like horseback riding, near the Ecuadorian coast
• Venture into the cloud forest to spot rare birds and wildlife
• Taste artisan rum and shape your own clay at a pottery workshop in Cuenca
• Walk in the footsteps of pre-Hispanic history at the ruins of Ingapirca

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Guayaquil, Half-Day City Tour

Welcome to Ecuador! Famous for its diverse ecosystems from the Andes to the Amazon, this luxury itinerary focuses on Ecuador's beautiful coast and historic Spanish colonial cities. Even better, you'll immerse yourself in the nation's rich heritage with visits to historic haciendas to enjoy outdoor adventures. But first, a bit of city fun as you arrive on the coast in Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city.

At the airport, a driver will pick you up for the ride into the city and Hotel del Parque. This 5-star accommodation is something of a green oasis itself, located within the city's Parque Histórico in a beautifully restored 19th-century building. The elegant rooms and suites blend traditional and contemporary decor and feature plush beds with high thread count linens. Many offer views of the nearby gardens and the Río Daule.

After settling in, meet a local guide for a tour of Guayaquil. This private half-day excursion begins at the enchanting Malecón 2000. As you stroll this 1.5-mile (2.4 km) waterfront promenade, you'll enjoy prime views of the Río Guayas River. Head farther north to Las Peñas, a colorful neighborhood that dates to the 16th century and is the city's colonial heart. It's famous for its cobbled streets and pastel-colored hilltop homes. Be sure to climb the 444 steps from Las Peñas to the top of Santa Ana Hill, where you can visit the little chapel and a lighthouse and enjoy gorgeous views of the city skyline and the Gulf of Guayaquil.

Day 2: Tour Parque Histórico, Transfer to Hacienda La Danesa

Leave the hotel in the morning and head out for a private guided stroll around the nearby Parque Histórico, which meticulously recreates a natural mangrove habitat. Spanning 20 acres (8 ha), you'll spot native wildlife such as sloths, monkeys, and parrots in the trees of this urban oasis. The architectural design also harkens back to the 19th century, when Guayaquil was a major player in the booming cacao (cocoa) trade.

Afterward, meet your private driver for the ride into the countryside east of the city to Hacienda La Danesa, where you'll spend the next three nights. The historic building dates to the 19th century and features luxury rooms and suites with handcrafted furniture, private terraces, and modern conveniences. However, the real star here is the real estate. The hacienda is set on a 1,235-acre (500 ha) working dairy farm and cacao plantation, which you can see on a walk around the grounds. You'll also enjoy a welcome cocktail on the terrace, followed by dinner.

Day 3: Day Trip to Cloud Forest Reserve

After a farm-fresh breakfast in the hacienda's gardens, you'll take a half-day trip to Reserva Natural La Esperanza. This reserve protects 5.6 square miles (14.5 sq km) of pristine cloud forests. This ecosystem is home to an array of exotic flora and fauna, including orchids, bromeliads, hummingbirds, trogons, coatis, spectacled bears, and many more. Upon arrival, you'll set off from a trailhead for a guided hike through this natural wonderland. Besides spotting exotic birds, you'll also visit three different waterfalls. You'll return to Hacienda around midday, just in time for lunch, followed by an in-room massage. 

Day 4: Plantation Tour & Chocolate Tasting

Enjoy another leisurely morning at the hacienda. Later, you'll participate in a workshop highlighting the region's highlight export: cacao. Discover the delicious heritage of Ecuadorian chocolate as your guide leads you on a walk around the hacienda's cacao plantation to learn about this fruit and its prized beans. Then, at the farmhouse, you'll receive an overview of the entire production process from bean to bar. Not only will there be chocolate tastings, but the workshop ends with you making your own decadent hot chocolate drink.

After lunch, you'll participate in more farm activities, like milking cows. There will also be the option for fun afternoon activities like lazy tubing down the river, mountain biking, and horseback riding. You'll return to the hacienda at the end of the day in time for dinner.

Day 5: Transfer to Cuenca via Cajas National Park, Evening Rum Tasting

Say goodbye to Hacienda La Danesa this morning as your driver takes you inland to El Cajas National Park, whose 200 glacial lakes and many hiking trails make it one of Ecuador's most spectacular natural sites. Enjoy the views from the various lookout points or stop to stretch your legs with a walk to one of the many lagoons. With a bit of luck, you may spot one of the endemic or endangered species that call the park home, such as the Andean condor, the spectacled bear, or the giant hummingbird.

Later, continue to Cuenca. Known as the "Athens of Ecuador" due to its well-preserved buildings, this city is a great place to stroll amid colonial history. Speaking of which, your accommodation is a part of this history. ITZA is a 5-star boutique hotel occupying a creatively restored colonial building that mixes old-world charm and modern design. Each room features luxurious bedding with high thread-count linens, elegant chandeliers, and mod-cons like flat-screen TVs and minibars. There's also a chic rooftop bar/restaurant where you can dine on traditional Ecuadorian cuisine amid views of historic church domes.

After dinner in the city, you'll head over to La Cava San Miguel, a historic rum house located on the banks of the Río Tarqui, which runs through Cuenca. During a private tour, you'll learn about the processes, innovation, and heritage that have turned Ron San Miguel into Ecuador's premier rum (tastings included).

Day 6: Cuenca City Tour & Artisan Workshops

See more of Cuenca this morning on a guided city tour. During this private, half-day excursion, you'll browse artisan shops as you stroll Cuenca's cobbled streets and visit landmarks like the 16th-century Iglesia El Sagrario, known as the "Old Cathedral." Another highlight is the 19th-century Catedral Metropolitana de la Inmaculada Concepción, aka the "New Cathedral." While the old cathedral has been converted into a museum, the new one, with its famous blue and white domes, is still a working church.

Later, stop by a family-run pottery business. Here, you'll take a seat behind the wheel and learn to shape clay under the tutelage of local masters. The workshop also has plenty of artisanal pieces for sale, like pots and tableware, as well as sleek and elegant black pottery items. The creative theme continues afterward when you browse the gallery of Eduardo Vega, a luminary in the Ecuadorian art world famous for his murals and ceramics. You'll also stop at a toquilla straw hat factory to see how the city's famous handmade Panama hats are produced.

Day 7: Visit Ingapirca's Ruins, Depart Cuenca

Your final activity in Ecuador will take you back in time to the days of the Inca. In the morning, leave Cuenca on a 1.5-hour drive north to the ruins at Ingapirca, which sit at an altitude of 10,498 feet (3,200 m). Dating to the 15th century, the site was vital to the Indigenous Cañari people and the Inca, as they coexisted peacefully for many years. On a guided hike around the site, you'll visit the Temple of the Sun, ancient terraces, and a Cañari tomb, among other highlights. Afterward, your driver will take you back to Cuenca and on to the airport, where you'll catch your flight home. Adiós!

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