Insider's Ecuador

Harness yourself to cables that run between platforms high in the trees, then step into thin air and zip from tree to tree. Experience a true bird-eye view from your new aerial perspective.

Stand at the place where the northern and southern hemispheres meet, see the Equatorial Monument marking the spot.

Explore Ecuador's beautiful capital on this guided tour of Quito's downtown. Visit sites dating back to Spanish colonization, and continue to Panecillo where you will find an impressive panoramic view of the city and the surrounding valleys.

Explore the beautiful Plaza de la Independencia, the Old Town's main square. In the 16th century the Spanish were afraid that the Incas might poison their water supply, so they set up their own protected well here. This plaza subsequently became the social center of town. Here we will visit Guayasamin's mural of Orellana discovering the Amazon on the wall of Palacia de Gobierno; the City Hall; the Archbishop's Palace and the Cathedral.

The Palacio de Carondelet, or Presidential Palace, serves as the workplace of Ecuadorian presidents, and was opened to the public in 2007. Since then, the palace has suffered from looting, but no one has ever been charged for the thefts.

Visit Iglesia San Francisco, the first church built in Quito, begun in 1535 on the site of an Inca Temple. Inside we will view the baroque altar which has three important sculptures: the Baptism of Jesus; a representation of Jesus de Gran Poder; and one of the most important sculptures in Ecuador, the original La Virgen de Quito.

Otavalo is a town known for its textiles, an art the indigenous Otavalo Indians have been practicing for 400 years. Set in a valley surrounded by several volcanoes, explore the market to see the colorful textiles and learn about the rich history and culture of the area.

Learn how to make Pachamanca, it is a Quechua word that means "earth oven" or "earth pot", a technique of cooking the food underground with hot stones, this dish can be made with Andean ingredients such as potatoes, green beans, corn.

Located in one of the most beautiful forests in northern Ecuador, the Peguche Waterfall is labeled an Indigenous Ceremonial Site due to the health benefits of the purification baths.

Quito is one of the most compelling cities in Ecuador. Nestled in a long, narrow valley in the Andes, between the Volcano Pichincha to the west and the Machángara River Canyon to the east, Quito enjoys a spectacular natural setting. The Ecuadorian capital city's mix of colonial and modern architecture creates a fascinating built environment. In addition to being the site of the Ecuadorian government, Quito is also the nation's cultural capital, with an impressive selection of museums and festivals.

Take a tour of Ecuador’s most visited national park, where you will see one of the world’s highest active volcanoes - towering at almost 20,000 feet! As you hike to the lodge, keep an eye out for Andean condors, seagulls, ducks and other endemic wildlife at Limpiopungo Lake.

Ecuador’s largest Inca ruins are a tribute to the complex planning that went into ancient architectural design. The site’s largest structure, the Temple of the Sun, was built out of meticulously chiseled stone with no mortar and is thought to be the only elliptical Incan temple in all of South America.

Spend the morning exploring the town of Cuenca. See the Old Cathedral, El Sagrario, now a museum, which was replaced by La Inmaculada Church when it could not accommodate its abundant worshipers. The new cathedral is a widely recognized city symbol because of its white and blue domes.

Uncover the secrets of pottery in Cuenca. Guided by a local artist, learn how to shape the clay and form various decorative pieces.

You may be surprised to hear that the Panama hat originates from Ecuador! Traditionally made from the plaited leaves of the Carludovica palmata plant, learn all the local weaving techniques in a guided workshop.

Sitting nearly 4,450 meters above sea level, El Cajas National Park is home to more than 200 lakes and a wide variety of endangered animals. Take in the beautiful views of the diverse mountainside landscape, but don’t forget to bring a raincoat — the weather here is unpredictable, and the high altitude keeps it chilly even in the sunshine.

In most cases, your flight home is overnight. You will return home on Day 11.