Classic Ecuador

Itinerary

Day 1 Quito

Sitting beneath the gaze of Volcan Pichincha is Quito, a long and narrow city that winds its way down to the Amazon Basin. Acclimatise to the high altitude by sitting in a shady plaza or taking a quiet stroll around the quaint Old Town. The Museo Nacional de Arte, housed in a 17th century mansion, has a fine collection of Ecuadorean sculpture and painting.

Days 2-3 Amazon Jungle

Settle into a motorised canoe for a journey into the dense forest of the Amazon. Explore the jungle on guided walks to discover the rich variety of plantlife - the Amazon is home to an astonishing 500 species of tree per acre. Keep a lookout for the prehistoric hoatzin, with its brightly-coloured feathers and sharp talons, and other animals like tamarind, monkeys and the capybara - the world's largest, and cutest, rodent.

Days 4-5 Banos

Travel by minibus along one of Ecuador's most scenic drives to Banos, meaning 'hot springs' in Spanish. It's worth rising early to watch dawn creep over the mountains from the cosy comfort of one of these thermal baths. There is the option here to take a trip to the spectacular Devil's Cauldron waterfalls.

Days 6-7 Cuenca

Discover the best kept Incan site in Ecuador, Ingapirca, before arriving in Cuenca, a historic city with pleasant red-tiled rooftops and shady plazas. Enjoy a visit to Cajas National Park, home to over 250 lakes, interesting wildlife - including black frogs, hummingbirds and condors - and impressive views.

Day 8 Quito

Return to the capital of this small but captivating nation.