Highlights
- Pamper yourself at hotel spas and geothermal hot springs
- Explore Quito's historic center and explore the highlands in a helicopter
- Enjoy horseback rides and nature hikes around the volcanoes of Cotopaxi
- Grab a bucket-list photo on the "Swing at the Edge of the World" in Baños
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Quito, Spa Treatment at La Palma Hotel | Quito |
| Day 2 | Helicopter Tour, Pululahua Volcano & Mitad del Mundo | Quito |
| Day 3 | Quito City Tour & Cooking Class | Quito |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Cotopaxi National Park, Horseback Ride | Cotopaxi |
| Day 5 | Day Trip to Quilotoa Lagoon | Cotopaxi |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Baños, Waterfalls Tour | Baños |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Quito, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Quito, Spa Treatment at La Palma Hotel
Welcome to Ecuador! With its Andean highlands and lower-altitude forests, few countries are better built for nature hikes and outdoor excursions than this country. But there's no need to rough it, as you'll soon see when you arrive at the airport in the capital of Quito. Your personal driver will be waiting for you at the terminal for the ride into the tranquil hills on the eastern outskirts of the city. Then, experience total Ecuadorian luxury and comfort when you check into La Palma Polo Hotel.
This 5-star hotel offers a luxurious and serene retreat on expansive grounds, with a focus on polo and equestrian activities. La Palma is an exceptional blend of comfort and sporting adventure, featuring spacious and elegantly designed rooms and suites, each equipped with plush bedding, flat-screen TVs, kitchenettes, and views looking out over the polo fields. There's also a gourmet restaurant serving a menu of international cuisine and Ecuadorian favorites, like ceviche in "tiger milk" (a citrus marinade).
Also awaiting you at La Palma is an exquisite session in the on-site spa to help take the edge off the flight. Step into a sanctuary for rejuvenation and inner harmony as technicians in the art of personal well-being treat you to an entirely personalized massage. After reaching a serene state of relaxation and tranquility, you can spend the rest of the day enjoying the hotel amenities, like it's shimmering pool.
Day 2: Helicopter Tour, Pululahua Volcano & Mitad del Mundo
Rise and shine! Early this morning, you'll transfer to a helipad where you'll get ready to enjoy a bird's-eye view of Quito and its surrounding volcanoes and Andes peaks. One of the highlights of this private flight is looking down on the green slopes of Pululahua, a dormant volcano. Even better, once you touch back down, you'll transfer to a restaurant positioned atop the volcano's crater.
After a delicious meal, you'll 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.
Then, travel to nearby Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World), a park dominated by the 98-foot-tall (30 m) Monument to the Equator. This popular landmark sits at 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. At the end of the day, you'll return to your hotel.
Day 3: Quito City Tour & Cooking Class
Hit the streets this morning on a private walking tour of the famous colonial center of Quito, named one of the first UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites in 1978. 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.
Cap the day with a fun cooking class alongside a local chef. This is your chance to enjoy an authentic Quiteño culinary experience as you prepare Ecuadorian classics from recipes passed down over generations. Dishes you might cook savory empanadas and tangy ceviche. To start, you and the chef will take a trip to a market to buy the ingredients needed for each dish. Then, learn the recipes and follow the steps to create a meal to savor.
Day 4: Transfer to Cotopaxi National Park, Horseback Ride
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
It's an early start as you hit the road with your driver on the 1.5-hour ride south of Quito to the province of Cotopaxi. On the way, you'll stop at Laguna de Limpiopungo for a short hike to enjoy the panoramic mountain views. In the park's highlands, you'll also see the El Salitre Inca ruins, dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. During the outing, keep an eye out for wildlife—Limpiopungo is home to a variety of birds and a few wild horses.
Eventually, you'll arrive at Cotopaxi National Park, a pristine nature reserve covering 129 square miles (334 sq km) in the Andean highlands. There, you'll meet a guide, hop in the saddle, and explore this wild frontier on a two-hour private horseback ride. Gallop across windswept plains and through native forests, all with the snowcapped peak of Cotopaxi volcano looming overhead. During the ride, keep an eye out for native wildlife, like rabbits, deer, and even wild horses.
Afterward, you'll transfer to your accommodation near the park. Nestled on the slopes of Rumiñahui volcano, Hacienda El Porvenir is a remote hideaway offering total comfort on a working ranch. There are only a couple dozen rooms here, which create an intimate experience. And you won't be roughing it, as each suite offers comfy beds and working WiFi. There's also a spa with Jacuzzis, as well as a restaurant that sources its hearty fare, like grilled beef tenderloin, from the ranch's own pastures.
Day 5: Day Trip to Quilotoa Lagoon
Day 6: Transfer to Baños, Waterfalls Tour
You've hiked around highland volcanoes, now it's time to experience Ecuador's natural wonders a bit lower in altitude. This morning, your driver will take you on a two-hour ride farther 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.
After settling into your room, head back out to experience one of the region's highlights. Your personal driver will take you 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 (The Devil's Cauldron). Here, the water cascades 265 feet (81 m) down through the cloud forest. After snapping some epic photos, you'll hop back in the car and return to Baños.
Day 7: Transfer to Quito, Depart
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