Upon arrival, you will be met by an Atelier driver/concierge who’ll help you through the airport and onward to your Quito hotel. Along the way, soak up the atmosphere of this enchanting city before hotel check-in, and an evening at leisure.

Your first full day in Ecuador starts with a guided tour of Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s known for its beautiful buildings, historical squares and rich cultural heritage. You can take the tour at your own pace, with highlights including Plaza Grande, the Archbishop’s Palace, Metropolitan Cathedral, the Santo Domingo Convent and so many more. Later, travel to the north of Quito and visit Earth’s 0´0´0´latitude line before a trip to marvel at the Intiñan Museum for something truly unique, and the chance to stand in both the northern and southern hemispheres at the same time! This evening is spent at leisure.

Time to get a taste of Ecuador’s many natural wonders on day 3 of your Amazing Ecuador and the Galapagos tour, as you depart the capital to the wonderful hot springs of Papallacta. Having spent time in these enriching volcanic thermal pools, the marvels of Mother Nature keep coming in the form of the Ecuadorian Amazon where an abundance of biodiversity, monkeys, birdlife, and plenty else awaits. Upon arrival in Misahualli, you’ll be taken to your boutique Amazon lodge for check-in and an afternoon enjoying a nature walk, excursions, or relaxing to the sounds of the rainforest.

Today, delve deep into the Amazon Rainforest with a full day of nature walks and wildlife spotting adventures. In the company of your guide, head out from the lodge in search of abundant endemic plants (some of which have healing properties), monkeys, rare bird and butterfly species, waterfalls and everything the jungle has to offer. Along the way, you can even get a treetop view of the Amazon along a series of suspended bridges, or find an adrenaline fix as you swing between them on tree vines. This evening you can opt for a night safari or relax around the grounds of the lodge.

Departing your boutique lodge on day 5 of this Amazing Ecuador and the Galapagos tour, you first head to the small Amazonian town of Puyo to meet locals and look for beautiful orchids, which are prevalent in the area. Having enjoyed the village hospitality and admired the surrounding plant life, your next stop is the village of Banos at the foot of the Tungurahua Volcano, a place known for its scenic waterfalls, wildlife and subtropical climate.

The ever-changing natural environments of this absorbing tour keep on coming today, as you make way for Riobamba – an atmospheric town in the heart of the Andes Mountains. Along the way, you’ll stop at spectacular El Pailon del Diablo region, where thundering rivers dissect dramatic tree-topped gorges. It makes for a stunning sight, one which can be witnessed from above along suspended bridges and elevated viewpoints. From the awe-inspiring El Pailon del Diablo to the more serene setting of the nearby Salasaca Community, where you can meet locals and admire their handmade artisan crafts to get a flavor for community culture. Finally, arrive at your boutique Riobamba hotel for a day at leisure.

Day 7 throws up some unexpected surprises as you travel from Riobamba to Cuenca, via the mountain-ringed village of Colta and high-altitude Inca ruins of Ingapirca. The panoramic views alone make the journey worthwhile today, let alone the fantastic stops on the way to Cuenca. Beginning with Colta, you’ll visit the central Balbanera Church which dates back to 1534 for a short tour, taking in some of the region’s colonial past. Next up comes the stunning ruins of Ingapirca, the most iconic in Ecuador. This hilltop complex – which includes The Temple of the Sun – will whisk you right back to Inca times as you wander the terraces and ancient walls. From Ingapirca, all roads lead to Cuenca in the Andes Mountains, one of the best-preserved colonial towns in South America.

Today the reward for your travels is a guided tour of fascinating Cuenca, its flower-laden balconies, convents, monasteries and museums. Spend the morning visiting the many highlights of Cuenca, as well as handicraft stalls and food markets, before an afternoon and evening at leisure.

Day 9 of your Amazing Ecuador and the Glapagos Tour takes you to Guayaquil, the gateway to the Galapagos though an interesting stop (and scenic journey to get there) in its own right. The route takes you through a mix of altitudes and ecosystems through the Andes, before arriving at coastal Guayaquil for a guided tour this afternoon. Take the time walk the along the Riverfront or Malecon, visit the Moorish Tower and interesting neighborhoods of Centenario and Las Peñas, among others. This evening is spent at leisure.

The finale of this incredible tour begins on day 10, as you fly to the Galapagos Islands for the ultimate nature-lovers’ adventure. This, one of the most delicate and biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, can be explored in a number of ways. From luxury cruises and sailboats to on-land eco-lodges, boutique hotels to island hopping by air – or a combination of them all, there will be a route and travel style to suit you depending on your preferences, group size, and level of mobility. No matter which route, cruise, or travel option you choose, you can look forward to exploring this protected national park – which was the inspiration for Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution – for endemic wildlife spotting, hiking volcanic craters and tunnels, witnessing rare species like the famous Red- or Blue-footed Boobies, Iguanas, Penguins, Sea Lions and countless more besides. Cruising or exploring the Galapagos Islands on land is one of the ultimate travel experiences for anyone who loves nature, and is the perfect conclusion to this tour across four blissful days.

As your trip draws to a close, you may have time for one tour before your onward flight to mainland Ecuador, Quito, and home, full of priceless memories of Amazing Ecuador and the Galapagos.