Wild Ecuador: Andes to the Amazon with an Anakonda river cruise

Accompanied by your guide, enjoy a walking tour of the historic heart of Quito, one of South America's best-preserved colonial cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Strolling through cobbled streets and picturesque squares, you'll visit landmarks including Plaza de la Independencia, La Compañía church, the San Francisco Monastery and the historic street of La Ronda, long associated with the city's artists.

Discover a different side of Quito on a guided culinary tour through the city's historic centre. Beginning at the Mercado de San Francisco, you'll learn about local ingredients and traditional Andean food culture before sampling a variety of regional specialities, including locro quiteño, ceviche and Ecuadorian chocolate. Along the way, you'll also explore the historic streets of La Ronda, gaining further insight into the city's heritage, before concluding with a tasting of locally brewed craft beer.

Start the day by travelling into the Otavalo Highlands for a two-night stay at Hacienda Zuleta, a historic working estate set amid the Andean countryside. The remainder of the day is at leisure. You may wish to explore the hacienda's grounds and gardens, enjoy one of its walking trails, or simply take in the views of the surrounding mountains.

Enjoy a day at leisure at Hacienda Zuleta, where a range of activities are available within the estate. You can explore the surrounding countryside on foot, horseback or mountain bike, visit the hacienda's renowned Condor Huasi conservation project, take part in a cookery or traditional embroidery workshop or simply relax at the spa.

Leaving the Otavalo Highlands, you'll travel south to Cotopaxi National Park and Chilcabamba Lodge, where you'll spend the next two nights. Surrounded by the dramatic landscapes of the Ecuadorian Andes, the lodge enjoys exceptional views of Cotopaxi Volcano and provides a comfortable base for exploring the region.

Spend the day exploring the landscapes of Cotopaxi National Park. Activities available from the lodge include guided hikes, mountain biking and horse riding through the Andean páramo, with opportunities to enjoy views of Cotopaxi, Rumiñahui and other surrounding peaks. Alternatively, enjoy a different perspective on life in the highlands through trout fishing or a traditional cow-milking experience.

Today, you'll travel from the Andean highlands into the lush cloudforest, where you'll spend the next two nights at Mashpi Lodge. Set within a private nature reserve, the lodge is surrounded by lush vegetation and abundant wildlife, with floor-to-ceiling windows designed to immerse guests in the natural surroundings.

Spend the day exploring the remarkable biodiversity of the Mashpi Reserve. Activities may include guided hikes, birdwatching and visits to waterfalls hidden within the forest. The Dragonfly Canopy Gondola offers a unique perspective from above the canopy, while more adventurous guests may wish to try the Sky Bike. Throughout your stay, expert naturalist guides help reveal the wildlife and ecosystems that make this protected reserve so special.

Leaving the cloudforest behind, you'll return to Quito to stay the night at Casa Gangotena. This evening, you can explore the nearby cafes and restaurants of the Old Town, or take a stroll through the historic streets surrounding the hotel.

This morning, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Coca. On arrival, you'll be met by representatives from your river cruise and transferred by motorised canoe along the Napo River to your vessel. After settling into your suite and enjoying dinner on board, you can join a guided rainforest walk, offering a chance to experience the sounds of the jungle after dark and search for some of the region's nocturnal wildlife.

Explore the lower reaches of the Napo River, where the rainforest-lined banks provide excellent opportunities to spot birdlife, including eagles, woodpeckers and oropendolas. Later, visit Yasuní National Park, one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth and an important habitat for the Amazon's pink river dolphins. You'll also learn about local conservation initiatives before continuing to a nearby Secoya community, where you can gain an insight into traditional ways of life.

This morning, visit a Kichwa community on the banks of the Napo River, where you'll discover some of the traditions that have shaped life in the Amazon. Back on board, you can attend a cooking demonstration showcasing traditional Ecuadorian cuisine. Later, there may be opportunities to explore by kayak, try traditional handicrafts, unwind in the open-air hot tub, or stargaze from the observation deck.

Begin the day with a visit to an observation tower built around a giant kapok tree, where panoramic views across the Amazon canopy reveal the immense scale of the rainforest. Later, explore areas of primary forest with your naturalist guide, identifying the unique plants and wildlife that thrive here, including the distinctive hoatzin, a bird found only in the wetlands of South America.

After disembarking, you'll return by motorised canoe to Coca, where you'll continue to the airport for your flight back to Quito. On arrival, you'll be transferred to Casa Gangotena for an overnight stay.

This morning, you'll be met by your driver and transferred to the airport for your international flight home. Your return flight will arrive the same day.