The Wonders of Ecuador

Explore Quito’s historic centre through its flavours. Sip fresh fruit juice at the bustling Mercado de San Francisco before enjoying a traditional Andean breakfast and local favourites such as locro quiteño. Continue along atmospheric La Ronda, sampling artisanal ice cream, learn to prepare Ecuadorian ceviche at Claro/Obscuro Casa de Experiencias, then round off the day with fine Ecuadorian chocolate and craft beer tastings.

Spend three nights immersed in one of the world’s most biodiverse cloud forests. Guided by expert naturalists, you’ll explore hidden waterfalls, ride through the forest canopy on the Dragonfly cable car and Sky Bike, and search for colourful toucans, hummingbirds, orchids and maybe, just maybe a spectacled bear before returning each evening to one of South America’s finest wilderness lodges.

Spend time at Hacienda Zuleta, one of Ecuador’s finest country estates. Ride through spectacular mountain scenery, visit the pioneering Andean condor conservation project, explore traditional embroidery workshops and enjoy the warm hospitality of a family that has cared for the estate for generations.

Experience Ecuador’s rich history through a collection of remarkable country estates. From Hacienda San Agustín, built on the foundations of an Inca palace, to the family-owned Hacienda Zuleta and traditional La Andaluza, each offers a different insight into the country’s heritage, with warm hospitality, exceptional food and spectacular Andean landscapes.

Saddle up with Ecuador’s traditional chagras for a memorable ride across the high-altitude plains of Cotopaxi National Park. With one of the world’s highest active volcanoes towering above, you’ll cross sweeping páramo grasslands, encounter wild horses and visit the shimmering waters of Limpiopungo Lake before enjoying a picnic in spectacular surroundings.

Visit colourful Andean markets where indigenous communities have traded for centuries. Browse handwoven textiles, embroidered linens, ceramics and locally grown produce, meet the artisans behind the crafts and gain a fascinating insight into traditions that remain an important part of daily life.

The Avenue of the Volcanoes isn’t just famous for its peaks. Thanks to its volcanic soils, cool mountain climate and year-round equatorial sunshine, it’s also one of the world’s greatest rose-growing regions, supplying millions of stems to florists across Europe every year.

Visit the spectacular Quilotoa Crater, a volcanic caldera filled with an emerald-green lake more than 250 metres below the rim. Walk along the crater edge for breathtaking views, descend to the shoreline if you wish, or simply soak up the scenery before continuing your journey through Ecuador’s dramatic Andean highlands.

You’ll explore Ingapirca, Ecuador’s most important Inca archaeological site, where impressive stone temples and ceremonial plazas reveal the meeting of the Inca and Cañari civilisations. Discover the remarkable Temple of the Sun, built with precisely cut stones, while your guide brings to life the history, beliefs and engineering of this fascinating mountain stronghold.

Cuenca is widely regarded as Ecuador’s most beautiful city, with its elegant colonial architecture, flower-filled squares and relaxed atmosphere earning it UNESCO World Heritage status. During your time here, you’ll wander cobbled streets lined with blue-domed churches and wrought-iron balconies, discover traditional artisan workshops and vibrant local markets, and enjoy the city’s thriving food scene. It’s the perfect place to slow the pace after your journey through the Andes, offering a fascinating blend of history, culture and contemporary Ecuadorian life.