Tailor Made Ecuador: From Jungles to Mountain Peaks

Arrive in Quito, nestled in the heart of the Andes. Ecuador’s capital is the highest in the world, founded in 1534 by the Spanish. The UNESCO World Heritage Site still retains breathtaking colonial buildings and cobbled streets, which you may explore after settling in.

Drive south through the famed Avenue of the Volcanoes, enjoying spectacular views of the Pita Canyon River Gorge, at the foothills of the Pasochoa Volcano. Arrive at a cloud forest reserve, stopping at the edge of a canyon, the site for your zip line adventure. After several exhilarating crossings, continue to your family-owned hacienda. After lunch, join an expert chagra (cowboy) and ride horseback through the sprawling grounds. Your chagra shares his knowledge of local wildlife and the fighting bulls for which the hacienda is known. Ride up the slopes of the Ruminahui Volcano, perhaps spotting the magnificent Andean condor.

After breakfast, drive to the base of Cotopaxi Volcano for a mountain biking adventure. After a safety briefing, explore this scenic mountain terrain by bike, crossing highland plateaus and observing local flora and fauna with the imposing Cotopaxi as a backdrop. Swing by Limpiopungo Glacier Lake before continuing by car to the Salasaca community, an indigenous people known for their colorful ponchos and traditional dress. Visit with a Salasaca family to learn about traditional weaving and textile techniques. Drive to Baños for lunch overlooking the Tungurahua Volcano and Pastaza River Gorge. Then, explore downtown Baños, a quaint colonial town surrounded by a tropical cloud forest.

This morning, drive to Llanganates National Park and view the stunning, often-fuming Tungurahua Volcano. Set off by mountain bike for a scenic ride through the highlands, which gradually meld into the mountain cloud forest and then lowland rainforest. Continue to ride along the Pastaza River Gorge, one of the principal waterways that feed into the Amazon Basin. This is an especially scenic route, with high rock walls giving way to deep cloud forest canyons. Stop to admire some of the spectacular waterfalls in the area, such as Pailón del Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron) and Manto de la Novia (Bride’s Veil). Switch two wheels for four and drive to Puyo, an Amazon frontier town, for lunch. Continue on the Amazon highway to reach your jungle lodge. After settling in, visit a Shiripuno Kichwa indigenous community to learn about their way of life and Amazonian traditions. You may also learn to make ceramics, prepare chicha (manioc beer) and opt for a cleansing ritual with a local shaman.

After breakfast, drive to Llanganates National Park, which extends from the high Andes down into the Amazon Basin; the park is part of a wilderness area declared a Biosphere Zone by the United Nations. The water that collects in this area forms the Jatunyacu River, considered Ecuador’s best one-day river run. Trek through the jungle to reach natural swimming pools. Then head for the livelier waters of the Jatunyacu River; a trip down this river offers spectacular jungle scenery, crystal-clear water and a glimpse into indigenous communities living along its shore. The Jatunyacu is also known for its big waves and high volume of water (Class III to III+). After a safety briefing, spend the remainder of the day navigating through breathtaking landscapes with abundant bird life. In the afternoon, drive back up into the Andes, climbing from 1,500 to 10,000 feet in altitude and passing through a national park and nature reserve until you reach your lodge.

In the early morning, embark on a guided nature hike in a private cloud forest and reserve, spotting birds, highland plants and other Andean wildlife species. Afterward, drive to a Middle of the World monument to learn about Ecuador’s geographic position and how its location on the equator influences its many climates and biological diversity. After this visit, lunch on the waterfront of San Pablo Lake. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the towns of Otavalo and Peguche, where Ecuador’s indigenous culture and heritage is on full display at renowned markets brimming with colorful textiles and traditional handicrafts. Enjoy one-on-one time with local weavers, who share the secrets of their craft passed down for generations, and visit the Andean Music Museum to hear traditional instruments. The evening is spent at a traditional colonial estate.

This morning, drive to Cuicocha Crater Lake, located 10,000 feet above sea level in the Cayapas-Cotacachi National Park. The lake is a freshwater-filled caldera of a dormant volcano, located at the foot of its namesake volcano and surrounded by a breathtaking cloud forest. Hike the shoreline of the lake, admiring the lava dome islands in the center and keeping an eye out for birds. After a picnic lunch, depart for Quito. Your evening is at leisure to explore the nightlife and landmarks of Ecuador’s capital.

Transfer to the airport for your homebound flight.