Luxury Voyage into Ecuador's Highlands & Rainforest - 10 Days

Day 2: Quito City Tour, Visit Mitad del Mundo

Rise and shine for a private walking tour of Quito's famous colonial center. Admire the intricate stone carvings of Iglesia La Compañía and wander the 16th-century Iglesia San Francisco cloisters. Wrap up the historical center leg of your tour with a walk down La Ronda, once a pre-Columbian walking trail, now a romantic pedestrian street full of cafés, live music venues, and eclectic shops.

Later, you'll continue 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 into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. You can straddle the yellow line here, which means you'll have one foot in each hemisphere. Later, visit the Planetarium, which houses a small-scale model of Quito, and various exhibitions. Afterward, you'll return to Quito.

Day 3: Transfer to Cotopaxi National Park, Visit Lake Limpiopungo, Guided Hike

After the hike, transfer to the nearby Hacienda San Agustín de Callo. Situated in the foothills of Cotopaxi volcano, this rustic yet comfortable hacienda is built on the site of an Inca palace and later a colonial estate. It offers a variety of rooms and suites, each uniquely decorated with a blend of colonial and Indigenous styles. The rooms feature antique furnishings, luxurious linens, and modern comforts such as private bathrooms and heating. Of course, the real star is the property itself, which is surrounded by lush gardens, Andes mountains, and the rugged landscapes of the national park. 

Day 4: Transfer to Baños de Agua Santa, Hike Quilotoa Lagoon

It's time to move on to the next adventure today as you take a two-hour scenic transfer west from Cotopaxi to Laguna Quilotoa. This 2-mile (3 km) wide crater lake sparkles with mineral-rich emerald waters. Upon arrival, you'll stretch your legs on a brisk three-hour hike around the lagoon. It covers a distance of about 2.5 miles (4 km), and much of it's uphill, so a decent level of physical fitness is required. That said, there's the option to hire a mule to ease some of the burden.

After the hike, you'll get back in the car and continue about three hours south to the charming town of Baños de Agua Santa. During the drive, you'll leave the highlands and arrive at the edge of the Amazon basin, a region known for its hot springs and waterfalls. Upon arrival, you'll check into Luna Volcán Adventure Spa.

Get ready for more hacienda-style living, as this idyllic property sits on a hill with prime views of Baños and the surrounding Andes. It offers an array of themed rooms and suites tailored to couples, families, friend groups, and solo adventurers. They're all equipped with plush beds, and some have garden and Andes views from private terraces. Expect even better views when you head up to the pool area, where you can take a dip or soak in the Jacuzzi.

Day 5: Canyoning Adventure Near Baños

Prepare for some adrenaline-pumping action as you transfer just outside Baños this morning to a river canyon. Here, your private guides will instruct you in abseiling (canyoning). Once you're familiar with the equipment, you'll strap into a harness, and after a fun zipline ride across the canyon, you'll start rappelling down waterfalls. Continue sliding down natural chutes until you reach the freshwater pools below, where you can enjoy a victory swim. After an action-packed morning, you'll sit down for a lunch of fresh grilled river trout before returning to your hotel in Baños.

Day 6: Waterfall Scenic Drive & Nature Hike, Fly to Quito

You've hiked and cycled around highland volcanoes; now it's time to experience natural wonders a bit lower in altitude. This morning, your driver will take you for a ride along the scenic Ruta de las Cascadas (Waterfall Route) toward the village of Río Verde. When you arrive in town, take a one-hour hike to one of the area's famous waterfalls, El Pailón del Diablo (Devil's Cauldron). Here, the water cascades 265 feet (81 m) down through the cloud forest.

After marveling at the falls, you'll head back to Baños. On the way, stop just outside of town at Casa del Arbol, where you can soar on a swing placed at the edge of a mountain. If you like, afterward, you can stop for a soak at nearby hot springs. Then, you'll transfer by vehicle three hours north back to Quito, where you'll check into EB by Eurobuilding, a 5-star hotel on the city's outskirts near the airport. If you like, you can spend the rest of the day relaxing by the pool.

Day 9: Yasuni Nature Hikes & Canoe Ride

After an early breakfast, leave the lodge with your private guide on a 30-minute hike to a tower that rises 118 feet (36 m) around a giant kapok tree. From the observation deck, you'll be treated to panoramic views of the surrounding jungle canopy. Keep your camera handy as you'll spot flocks of colorful birds flitting around, like tanagers, macaws, and toucans. You'll also probably see playful spider monkeys leaping between tree branches in search of fruit.

Lunch will be served back at the lodge. Later in the afternoon, embark on another guided nature hike to discover more flora and fauna. Within this natural menagerie, you'll spy all manner of exotic creatures, including monkeys, sloths, tree frogs, toucans, and (if you're lucky) the elusive jaguar. After the hike, explore the nearby lake and creeks by dugout canoe. There's a high chance you may run into a giant otter family on the way.

Day 10: Fly to Quito, Depart