Ecuador holiday, Andes to the Amazon

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

This itinerary is designed around three core regions, Quito, the Andean highlands and the Amazon, with multiple nights in each location. Spending extended time in fewer places avoids the need for additional transfers between a larger number of destinations and allows more time to explore each region.

A domestic flight is required to reach the Amazon due to the geography and limited alternatives. Once there, exploration takes place primarily along the Napo River, allowing the journey to focus on a defined network of waterways rather than adding further overland travel.

Several experiences involve walking, hiking and canoe travel, including guided hikes in the Andes, forest walks in the Amazon and canoe excursions to Pañacocha Lake. These activities also offer a slower and more immersive way to experience the landscapes and wildlife.

Food experiences throughout the journey introduce travellers to regional ingredients and local culinary traditions, from Andean produce and Ecuadorian cacao to Amazonian cuisine. At the Andean hacienda, the working farm produces a range of food products, while the property's gardens and agricultural traditions form part of the wider experience.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Ecuador is home to remarkable biodiversity, and this journey includes time in two very different natural environments, the Andean highlands and the Amazon rainforest.

In the Andes, the itinerary includes the opportunity to visit a condor conservation initiative. The project has been working for many years to support the protection of the endangered Andean condor and provides visitors with an opportunity to learn more about the species and its habitat.

In the Amazon, wildlife encounters take place in natural habitats, including river and forest environments. Excursions to parrot clay licks, blackwater ecosystems and the rainforest are guided, allowing travellers to learn about the region's wildlife while observing it in its natural surroundings.

The Amazon programme also includes conservation initiatives involving local communities. These include work connected with the protection of charapas turtles and pink river dolphins, with community members involved in conservation and wildlife monitoring.

Throughout the journey, the focus is on experiencing Ecuador's natural environments while learning more about the wildlife, habitats and conservation work connected with the places visited.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

This itinerary includes locally delivered experiences across Quito, the Andean highlands and the Amazon, creating opportunities to learn directly from people with knowledge of the places and traditions being explored.

In Quito, your private guide introduces the history and culture of the historic centre, while the chocolate tasting provides an introduction to Ecuador's long connection with cacao.

In the Andean highlands, the journey includes experiences connected with rural life and traditional skills. The working hacienda remains closely connected to farming and agriculture, while activities such as embroidery, cheese production, cooking and horseback riding offer insight into local traditions and everyday life. The property's associated foundation also supports community projects involving education, local infrastructure, embroidery and conservation.

In the Amazon, local guides, crew members and community hosts play an important role in the experience. Community visits provide opportunities to learn about local traditions and handicrafts, while tourism activities can create employment and opportunities for local products and crafts.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

The journey is shaped by local knowledge, with guides, naturalists, drivers and community hosts contributing their understanding of Ecuador's landscapes, wildlife and cultural traditions.

In the Andean highlands, community projects connected with the hacienda include the embroidery initiative, library and condor conservation facilities. These projects have been developed in partnership with the local community and focus on areas including education, traditional skills and conservation.

In the Amazon, the itinerary includes a visit with a Kichwa community, offering travellers the opportunity to learn about indigenous traditions and contemporary life directly from community members. The wider river operation also works with communities along the Napo River and provides employment opportunities for local guides and crew.

The itinerary is privately arranged, allowing flexibility in pace and activities where possible. Throughout the journey, cultural experiences are designed around learning, listening and respectful exchange, helping travellers gain a deeper understanding of the people and places they encounter.