Ecuador

After arriving the previous evening and settling into the first of many exceptional accommodations throughout our journey, we begin our exploration of Ecuador in Quito’s historic center.

On a personalized journey through one of South America’s best-preserved colonial cities… and the first city to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site… we discover its rich history, remarkable architecture and sweeping panoramic views, including a visit to the iconic Virgin of Quito overlooking the city.

Our exploration takes us to three of Quito’s most extraordinary churches. We begin at the Basilica del Voto Nacional, where those who wish can climb its towers for breathtaking views across the city and surrounding Andes. We then step inside La Compañía de Jesús, a baroque masterpiece famed for its dazzling gold-leaf interior and considered one of the most beautiful churches in Latin America. The morning continues at historic San Francisco Square and its magnificent church, a cornerstone of Quito’s cultural and religious heritage.

Along the way, we will enjoy a lunch showcasing Ecuadorian flavors and local ingredients, offering a delicious introduction to the country's rich culinary traditions, which we will continue to explore throughout the journey.

Enjoy a free evening… dinner arrangements are at your discretion, as today's main group meal is lunch.

We begin the day high above Quito, ascending by cable car into the Andean highlands, where the city and its surrounding volcanoes open up in a sweeping panorama. Weather permitting, we take an easy hike through the open landscape, pausing to take in the vastness of the Andes from above. From this extraordinary vantage point, Quito appears in a new light… framed by mountains, clouds and altitude.

We return to the city for lunch at one of Quito’s most acclaimed fine-dining restaurants, regularly featured among Latin America’s 50 Best. Focused on Ecuadorian “identity cuisine”… using ingredients from the Andes, Amazon, coast, and Galápagos… dining here is often described as a culinary storytelling experience rather than just a meal. Creative, contemporary dishes continue our exploration of Ecuador’s flavors, traditions and cultural heritage.

The afternoon is devoted to one of Ecuador’s most influential cultural figures, Oswaldo Guayasamín. Often referred to as the “Picasso of Latin America,” Guayasamín used his art to explore themes of humanity, social justice, and Ecuadorian identity. As we explore his powerful works, we gain deeper insight into the history, spirit and soul of the country. The experience continues with a private visit to his remarkable home, perched above the city with panoramic views of the same Andean landscape we admired earlier in the day.

We close with a final indulgence: a guided tasting of what is widely regarded as some of the world’s finest chocolate. Rooted in one of the most prized cacao origins on earth, it offers an intimate introduction to the depth, craftsmanship and quiet luxury that define one of Ecuador’s most celebrated exports.

Enjoy a free evening… dinner arrangements are at your discretion, as today's main group meal is lunch.

Today we leave Quito and journey into the Ecuadorian highlands, where the landscape opens into vast valleys and rolling Andean scenery on the way to Hacienda El Porvenir, celebrated for its “magical setting” by AFAR and recognized in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2026.

En route, we stop at an authentic local market to explore vibrant fruit and vegetable stalls, discovering regional ingredients and aromas that offer a taste of everyday life in the Andes.

Upon arrival at the hacienda, we settle in and enjoy lunch before the afternoon unfolds at your own pace. Those who wish may join a short hike through the surrounding highlands, while others can unwind by the fireplace and take in the quiet mountain setting.

Later, we gather for a hands-on cooking class, learning to prepare traditional Ecuadorian favorites, including cheese empanadas and canelazo, a traditional Andean spiced warm drink. We also explore the hacienda’s signature ají, a vibrant chili sauce that adds a distinctive local heat and depth of flavor to the table.

As evening settles over the highlands, we enjoy dinner at the hacienda and reflect on the day's experiences. Weather permitting, we’ll step outside to take in the clarity of the Andean night sky where the Southern Cross, the Magellanic Clouds and other southern constellations emerge in remarkable detail above the quiet countryside.

As dawn breaks over the highlands, the day begins with an authentic glimpse into life on a working Andean hacienda. Early risers may join the rhythms of the ranch…feeding horses, llamas and young calves, or gathering freshly laid eggs… while enjoying the tranquility of the countryside before breakfast.

Today is dedicated to the horses, whose presence has long been woven into the culture and landscape of the Andes. We begin with a unique horse connection experience, spending time with the herd in a peaceful natural setting. Through observation, interaction and guided reflection, we develop a deeper appreciation for these remarkable animals and the intuitive bonds they inspire.

Following lunch, we saddle up for a scenic horseback ride across the windswept Andean páramo surrounding the hacienda. The ride unfolds across a dramatic landscape of rolling grasslands and distant volcanic peaks, offering a unique perspective on Ecuador's Andean countryside. No prior riding experience is required and those who prefer a slower pace are welcome to spend the afternoon however they choose.

Upon returning to the hacienda, the afternoon is dedicated to rest and rejuvenation. The on-site spa offers a chance to unwind, including a traditional sweat lodge experience inspired by ancestral Andean wellness practices. As evening falls, we gather for a relaxed Ecuadorian dinner in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the hacienda.

A spectacular morning of exploration awaits in the iconic Cotopaxi National Park, a place of raw Andean beauty and sweeping volcanic landscapes. This is home to herds of truly wild horses, as well as Andean foxes, deer and soaring condors, joined by migratory birds that pause here on their long journeys south. Set within one of the world's most remarkable high-altitude landscapes, it offers a unique opportunity to experience the grandeur of the high Andes.

Here, we take time to appreciate the remarkable geology of the region, surrounded by the dramatic silhouettes of Pasochoa, Rumiñahui, Sincholagua and Cotopaxi itself… peaks long admired by early explorers and still regarded today as among the most beautiful mountains on earth.

The journey continues with a gentle hike around Limpiopungo Lake, where still waters reflect the surrounding volcanoes and the quiet expanse of the páramo. Afterward, we return to the hacienda for lunch, followed by a meaningful Pachamama gratitude ceremony, including the planting of a tree in support of ongoing habitat restoration efforts led by the hacienda.

The day concludes back in Quito with a special dinner at a contemporary fine-dining restaurant, led by a pioneering female chef celebrated for reimagining Ecuadorian cuisine through a modern, globally inspired lens.

We depart Quito again and journey north into the lush cloud forest, gradually leaving the city behind as winding roads lead us deeper into one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. The drive itself becomes part of the experience… a transition into nature marked by mist-covered mountains, dense emerald greenery, and fleeting glimpses of the Andes before arriving at the remote and extraordinary Mashpi Lodge.

Upon arrival and settling in, our first activity is a guided rainforest hike through this remarkable ecosystem. We wander among rare plant life, vibrant orchids, and extraordinary wildlife, discovering the richness and quiet magic of the cloud forest up close.

The adventure continues with the exhilarating Canopy Bike, a suspended ride that glides above the treetops and opens up breathtaking bird’s-eye views of the forest canopy below… an unforgettable perspective on this living, breathing world.

As night falls, we gather for a gourmet dinner surrounded by the immersive sounds of the jungle. Afterward, those seeking a deeper encounter with the forest may join an atmospheric night walk, where the cloud forest reveals an entirely different world… alive with nocturnal sounds, hidden movement, and the quiet intensity of life after dark.

Our day begins with the exploration of hidden waterfalls and secluded trails within the property’s private reserve, immersing ourselves in the untouched beauty of the cloud forest. The journey then takes a bold and unforgettable turn with a river-walking experience through pristine jungle waters… an immersive way to enter the heart of this extraordinary ecosystem.

From there, we continue with Mashpi’s iconic Dragonfly Canopy Gondola, gliding silently above the treetops and taking in sweeping panoramic views of the emerald forest stretching endlessly below.

After lunch and a moment of rest, we set out on a guided birdwatching excursion, with opportunities to spot toucans, tanagers, and a remarkable variety of other vibrant species in their natural habitat. The experience is further enriched by an intimate close-up encounter with hummingbirds, including the rare opportunity to feed them by hand… an unforgettable moment with one of the cloud forest’s most captivating inhabitants.

We wrap up our time at Mashpi with a visit to the Life Center’s Butterfly Garden, a serene space alive with color and movement. Here, we observe the fascinating stages of metamorphosis up close… from eggs and caterpillars to chrysalises and the emergence of fully formed butterflies. With nearly 200 species recorded within Mashpi’s protected forest, the experience offers a final moment of quiet wonder and discovery before departure.

We then drive back to Quito, retracing our journey from cloud forest to highlands. Those continuing on the optional Galápagos extension settle in for an overnight stay ahead of their departure to the islands the following morning, the rest of our group will catch their flights home.