Trip Duration

10 days/9 nights

When to Go

Year-Round

Pricing Guide

from $4,000 pp

Destinations

Quito, Cuenca & Riobamba

Trip Highlights

Riobamba, Ecuador Cuenca, Ecuador Quito, Ecuador
Ecuador Quito cathedral exterior nightCity of clouds and gold
Quito

Day 1: Arrival in Quito
Arrive in Ecuador’s capital and settle into Casa Gangotena, a restored mansion overlooking Plaza San Francisco. Dine by candlelight in the courtyard or savor a warm drink beneath highland skies as the city hums softly around you.

Day 2: Cobblestones & Cathedrals
Explore Quito’s UNESCO-listed center with a local guide. Admire the gilded interior of La Compañía, stroll through quiet cloisters, and sip espresso on a balcony above the rooftops. The afternoon is yours to wander, browse artisan shops, or rest in the shade of colonial arcades.

Day 3: Equator Lines & Andean Lore
Venture north to Mitad del Mundo, where you’ll stand with one foot in each hemisphere. Visit the Intiñan Museum to uncover ancient traditions and celestial wisdom. Return to the city for a relaxed evening and perhaps a taste of Ecuadorian chocolate by the fire.

Ecuador Cuenca potsColonial grace meets mountain soul
Cuenca

Day 4: Journey to Cuenca
Travel south by air or scenic road to Cuenca and settle into Hotel Itza, a tranquil boutique hotel overlooking the Tomebamba River. With carved balconies and serene courtyards, it’s a quiet haven in the heart of the Andes.

Day 5: Into the Heart of Cuenca
Discover the city’s colonial center with a private guide. Visit the blue-domed cathedral, wander through Panama hat workshops, and linger in flower markets. That evening, enjoy a private garden dinner surrounded by candlelight and climbing vines.

Day 6: Crafts of the Valley
Travel into the Gualaceo Valley, where master weavers, orchid farms, and vibrant markets preserve the rhythms of Andean life. Return to Cuenca in time for a sunset cocktail by the river.

Ecuador Riobamba centerIn the shadow of chimborazo
Riobamba & the Highlands

Day 7: Into the Highlands
Drive north to Riobamba and check into Hacienda Abraspungo, a cozy estate nestled beneath snow-capped peaks. Wander local streets and markets or unwind beside the fire with a glass of Ecuadorian wine.

Day 8: Chimborazo by Trail & Rail
Trek through the páramo at the foot of Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest volcano. Later, board a privately chartered Devil’s Nose train and wind through dramatic cliffs and switchbacks, savoring a picnic lunch with panoramic views.

Day 9: Stones of the Past
Visit Ingapirca, Ecuador’s most important Inca site, where Cañari and Inca legacies intertwine in sun temples and stone observatories. Walk ancient paths, then return to the hacienda for a final night of mountain calm.

Day 10: Return to Quito
After breakfast, your private driver brings you back to Quito for your onward journey. You leave with mountains in your memory, and the colors, textures, and stories of the Andes carried gently home.

Galapagos Explorer
Isles to Andes
Islands of Fire
Timeless Andes