Arrive at the Quito airport and transfer to the hotel. Mercure Hotel Alameda Quito 4* or similar

Take a sightseeing tour of the colonial city of Quito. Visit the treasures of the Casa del Alabado Pre-Columbian Art Museum, housed in a 17th-century colonial building. Enjoy a stroll along a charming cobblestone street in the picturesque La Ronda district in the historic centre of Quito and sample local chocolate. (B-L-D)

Head to the Amazon. Stop in Baeza for a delicious lunch of fresh trout. On a dug-out canoe, sail the quiet waters of the Napo River to the hotel. Check in and spend the rest of the day relaxing as you please. Casa del Suizo Lodge 4* or similar (B-L-D)

Spend the day exploring the rainforest (weather permitting). Hike through the lush forest, famous for its rich variety of vegetation and wildlife. In the company of a qualified guide, follow marked trails to discover the incredible biodiversity of the Amazon, including medicinal plants, majestic flora, and Indigenous dwellings. Have lunch at the lodge. Spend time with an Indigenous Quechua family and learn about their traditional way of life. Enjoy dinner at the hotel, where you’ll spend the night. (B-L-D)

Sail the Napo River in a dug-out canoe. Take a bus to Puyo and visit a wildlife rehabilitation centre and local flora conservation site. Stop at a workshop where artisans make sculptures out of balsa, a surprisingly light Amazonian wood. Continue on to admire two spectacular waterfalls, Pailon del Diablo and Bridal Veil Falls. Head to Baños, a city known for articles made from tagua, a tropical palm seed that looks like ivory. La Floresta Hotel 3* or similar (B-L-D)

Depart early in the morning for the highest volcano in Ecuador, Chimborazo. Arrive at the refuge located 4,800m above sea level. Meet the Casa Condor community and enjoy a demonstration of how traditional clothes are made, including a sheep or alpaca shearing. Share a flavourful lunch with the community. Travel to Guamote. Stop at La Balbanera, the first church in the region, built in 1534. Visit Inti Sisa, which is both a small hotel and an association that holds training workshops for local residents. Stay overnight. Inti Sisa Guesthouse 3* or similar (B-L-D)

Set out early to explore traditional markets in Guamote. Take a 12km train ride with dramatic switchbacks along the Devil’s Nose, a famous rocky massif, to reach the Pistishí viewpoint for a breathtaking panorama. Have lunch at a charming local restaurant. Travel on to Ingapirca and visit the wonderfully preserved Inca archaeological site. Continue to Cuenca, where your adventure continues. Hotel Posada del Angel 3* or similar (B-L-D)

Tour of Cuenca. Visit Calderón Park and the Turi viewpoint to take in a superb vista of the city and the majestic mountains that surround it. Stop at the Aboriginal Cultures Museum and marvel at its 5,000 pre-Columbian artifacts. In the afternoon, visit a factory that makes typically Ecuadorian Panama hats. Then transfer to Cuenca airport and fly to Quito. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Enjoy dinner at the hotel, where you’ll spend the night. Holiday Inn Quito Airport 3* or similar (B-L-D)

Walk to the small-animal market of Otavalo to discover rural trade and Andean traditions. Continue to the market in the main square, a true festival of colours, traditions, and Indigenous know-how. Sample fresh fruit and enjoy a typical local lunch. Head to Cuicocha, the sacred lake of the Andes. Board a boat for a tour of this volcanic body of water. Back on land, continue to Cotacachi, a city known for its leather crafts. Enjoy dinner at the hotel, where you’ll spend the night. Hacienda Pinsaquí 3* or similar (B-L-D)

After breakfast, head to the Mitad del Mundo monument. Visit the Intiñan Museum, which specializes in the diversity of ethnic traditions. In the afternoon, stop at Casa Agave to learn more about the plant’s deep-rooted history and sample some agave products. Check in at the hotel and have dinner. Mercure Hotel Alameda Quito 4* or similar (B-L-D)

Depart for Cotopaxi National Park and its majestic volcano, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. Ride in a 4 × 4 up to the José Ribas refuge. Have lunch, then visit a rose plantation to learn all the secrets of growing these beautiful flowers, renowned worldwide for their incredible size, bright colour, and delicate fragrance. Have dinner at a local restaurant. (B-L-D)

Breakfast. Visit El Panecillo Hill for one of the finest views over the entire city of Quito. Have lunch on your own then transfer to the airport. (B)