Upon arrival, an English-speaking guide will greet you outside of Customs holding a sign with your name on it. This representative will direct you to your awaiting private driver and vehicle, and will also accompany you to your accommodation to assist with check-in.

Spend time at leisure in Quito, strolling the colonial streets of the historic Old Town, browsing vibrant local markets, or dining on fresh seafood and Ecuadorian specialties.

Quito’s New Town brings together inventive dining shaped by Ecuador’s diverse regions and ingredients. Urko elevates local traditions through a refined tasting experience, while Zazu presents innovative South American cuisine. Zero Lab offers ever-changing gourmet fusion, Carmine specializes in artful Italian and Mediterranean dishes, and De la Llama pairs Andean ingredients with Asian-inspired flavors in a relaxed setting.

Immerse yourself in the streets and main squares of Quito’s historic center – the first city in the world to be declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. Your excursion begins with a visit to the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo, exhibiting some of the finest architectural and religious art in the colonial city. Marvel at the beauty of the Convent and the Chapels of El Rosario and Pompeya, whose walls and columns are decorated in gold and showcase revered flora and anthropomorphic figures. Break for lunch at Restaurante El Crater, one of the top rated restaurants in the city before making a short trip north to visit the legendary latitude of 0´0´0´, where you'll spot the Monument to the Equator. Experience the Intinan Museum, known as "The Trek of Sun", where you will be guided through the wonderful world of the Andean cosmovision, culture and traditions. Be sure to bring your camera on this fantastic tour, as on top of snapping shots of stunning architecture, you’ll also have an opportunity to take a photograph with one foot in the northern hemisphere and the other in the southern!

Depart Quito in a private transfer to Mindo, stopping at the Alambi Reserve along the way. Alambi is a family home-style guesthouse set in 625 acres of mostly primary cloudforest. Nestled at the foot of the Tandayapa Valley, the reserve is famous for its spectacular birding. Enjoy time to observe the wildlife and explore the magic of the landscape, an ideal place to explore charming trails and waterfalls. Your transfer concludes on arrival to El Monte Sustainable Lodge, your home away from home for the next three nights. On arrival, meet your local guide and settle in, or choose to enjoy a guided walk around the grounds and gardens.

Welcome to the El Monte Sustainable Lodge! Choose to spend some time at leisure exploring the natural wonders of the area along with your guide. For a more relaxed afternoon, opt to unwind with a hot bath, visit the bar in the Main House, or play board games amid spectacular tropical scenery.

Set out with your lodge guide in the early morning and prepare for quite the birding show at a local lek. Sometimes described as a “singles bar”, a lek is a meeting place for male and female birds. The singles bar description seems even more appropriate when you consider that the males dance wildly and engage in all sorts of displaying behavior. Not all bird species use leks, in fact most don’t, but one that does includes the majestic Cock-of-the-Rocks. The Cock-of-the-Rocks in Mindo are bright red, with a pompadour-esque crest. The males come together at precisely 6:00AM to dance, squawk, mock fight and sometimes to actually physically fight to maintain territory to impress the occasional female who may fly into the lek. There are around 5 or 6 leks in the area, and always with male birds on display - rain or shine.

Explore the heights of the Cordillera San Lorenzo with your knowledgeable guide. There are numerous overlooks on this high ridge that not only affords fantastic views of the Rio Mindo and the Rio Nambillo Valleys, but also offers an excellent area for spotting birds. Learn about the abundance of bird varieties and animals you'll likely encounter. Weather permitting, you may catch a glimpse of spectacular species such as Club-winged Manakins, Flame-faced Tanagers, Golden-naped Tanagers, Glistening-green Tanagers and others.

Spend some time at leisure to just kick back and enjoy the Cloud Forest by lying in a hammock, playing board games, practicing yoga, or unwinding by the river. For a more active option, speak to your guide about arranging an excursion. Activities on offer include horseback riding, white water tubing, and zip-lining.

Admire and enjoy the interactive butterfly garden where, surrounded by hundreds of colorful butterflies, you can observe the four stages of a butterfly’s life. While in the garden, you'll have the chance to feed one or more of the 25 different species of butterflies. Later, visit the La Harmonia Orchid Garden to marvel at 35 to 60 species of orchids in bloom. With over 200 species of orchids, mostly originating from the Mindo area, the garden is a must-see for orchid lovers and plant lovers in general. Some of these orchids are so small they can only be seen through a magnifying glass. At the end of the tour, enjoy time observing Hummingbirds and other bird species.

Next on the agenda is a visit to a Chocolate factory, the ultimate destination for cocoa and culinary enthusiasts alike. On arrival at the factory, a guide will walk you through the entire process of making chocolate, from bean to bar, with tastings along the way. Observe how cocoa is produced for hot drinks and desserts, and enjoy the opportunity to participate in the process.

Join your guide to visit ´Tony’s House´, a well-known place to spot more than 24 species of hummingbirds. The owner, Tony, is an expert on the birds and their songs. Tony has placed plenty of hummingbird feeders around the house and surrounding forest to attract the amazing variety of brilliantly colored birds seen here. More than 19 varieties can regularly be seen, including some very rare species.

Depart Mindo and transfer to Cotopaxi with your private driver-guide.

Chilcabamba Mountain Lodge showcases the flavors of Ecuador’s highlands in a warm, welcoming setting. Hearty breakfasts, lunches, and dinners combine traditional Ecuadorian influences with international touches, using fresh local ingredients. After a day in the mountains, gather in the cosy restaurant for nourishing cuisine and a relaxed atmosphere shaped by the beauty of the Andean landscape.

Saddle up in the company of a ranchero on a two hour horseback ride through the gorgeous Andean countryside. After transferring to a nearby stable you'll be paired with a horse based on your level of experience. Follow your private guide as they lead the way, leisurely trotting through the nearby community of Pedregal, a picturesque and rural area with sweeping vistas sure to impress.

Evenings at Cotopaxi’s local lodges invite quiet moments amid the Andes. Gather around the fireplace for warm, traditional meals, join an optional outdoor bonfire, or admire clear mountain skies with minimal light pollution. Some rural properties also offer jacuzzis, saunas, and other restorative experiences, creating a relaxing end to a day of highland exploration.

Experience one of Ecuador's most spectacular treasures in a full-day exploration of Cotopaxi National Park. Set out with your private driver and knowledgeable English-speaking guide to marvel at the world's most elevated active volcano. Observe lush endemic flora and fauna, including the fiery chuquiragua, known as the mountaineer’s flower. Weather permitting, you'll be able to gaze in wonder at the snowcapped summits of the Cotopaxi and Antisana volcanoes. Visit the Interpretation Center to learn about the history of this spectacular landmark's major eruptions. The trek then leads to Lake Limpiopungo where you can explore the surrounding area on foot. Formed by glacial waters, the serene lake is home to Andean gulls and mountain ducks. If you feel like a longer walk, a two hour hike will take you to Mount Cotopaxi’s J. Ribas refuge (15,750 feet above sea level), inviting you to admire spectacular views of the volcano and the surrounding Andean peaks. Break for a tasty boxed lunch and later hike back to your awaiting vehicle for a hotel transfer.

Transfer from Cotopaxi to Quito alongside a private driver and an English-speaking guide. Approximate travel time is one hour and 45 minutes.

Set inside a historic mansion that represents the exquisite style of Quito from the early 20th century, Illa Experience Hotel & Spa offers a unique cultural experience for guests visiting Quito’s warmest and most welcoming traditional neighborhood, San Marcos. For generations, the district has been home to artists, writers and musicians and its present-day charm owes much to this tight-knit community. It’s the perfect setting for an exclusive, 10-room experience hotel in the heart of historic Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is set amid the colorful architecture of peaceful Junin Street.

El Monte is a unique lodge, largely because of its environmental philosophy and aim to protect the forest while fostering low impact tourism. Arrive at the lodge via by “tarabita”, a hand-pulled cable car, which immediately invited a sense of privacy from the outside world. Stay in private minimalist riverside cabaÑas and awaken to the symphony of forest noises. Enjoy spectacular bird watching or take a thrilling ride down the Rio Mindo with a rubber tube beneath you. Savor authentic Ecuadorian cuisine and indulge in tamales, encocados, and yuca, as well as exotic juices. Experience the legendary Cloud Forest with all of your senses and unwind in straightforward comfort amid a tropical paradise.

Its rustic style gives it a cozy, simple and charming atmosphere. Its design is infused with the environment typical of the Andean pÁramos. Located at 11,420 feet (3480 meters) above sea level, Chilcabamba Mountain Lodge is located in the Pedregal, three and a half miles (six kilometers) from Cotopaxi National Park. Chilcabamba Mountain Lodge offers rooms with private bathrooms, hot water, stoves and ponchos in each room. Every afternoon you can enjoy a bonfire accompanied by traditional canelazos, or relax in the reading and games room while enjoying complimentary Wi FI access. The on-site restaurant offers exquisite dishes, carefully prepared with local ingredients.