Ecuador Adventure: Volcanoes and Galapagos 

Your couple's trip to Ecuador begins in the capital city of Quito, a bastion of culture stretching back to Incan times. A waiting guide greets you and ferries you to Casa Gangotena, a regal mansion restored into an elegant boutique hotel. The afternoon is yours to enjoy; settle in and rest in your room or step outside to roam the grand Old Town district. Dinner at one of Quito’s many fine restaurants wraps up the evening. 

Today, climb up into the clouds to the verdant Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve, a paradise in the sky teeming with birds, butterflies, and fantastical flowers. A driver escorts you out of Quito to the town of Mindo. After lunch, set off for a moderate hike to the Nambillo waterfall and its swimmable pools. Your home in the heights is Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge & Spa, where glass-walled rooms gaze over the mountains and valleys as night falls. 

Dive into a day of adventure up in the Ecuadorian cloud forest. An exhilarating ride through the treetops on a zipline wakes you right up, followed by rappelling down rocky walls next to thundering cascades. An adrenaline-filled morning gives way to an indulgent afternoon sampling sweets and glimpsing the behind-the-scenes journey from bean-to-bar on a chocolate workshop tour before strolling Mindo’s quiet streets, seeking out unique souvenirs together from artisan shops.

Before heading south, drive to the Equator to stand upon Earth’s middle point and play with physics. Then, continue to Cotopaxi National Park along the Avenue of Volcanoes. Admire the snowcapped summit mirrored in Limpiopungo Lagoon as you hike the lakeshore, lunching at a mountain lodge. Your sanctuary for the next few nights is Hacienda San Agustín de Callo, an enchanting ranch set atop Incan ruins. As night falls, snuggle up before a roaring fire. 

A morning trek up the sides of a dormant volcano brings you to Quilotoa, a turquoise-colored lake nestled in the gaping crater. Trace the Quilotoa Loop around the rim to take in the full spectacle. Then, local artisan Julio Toaquiza invites you into their workshop to learn the art of Tigua-style painting in a hands-on art class. Leave the studio with your new masterpiece to return to the hacienda for a peaceful evening together. 

Wind along lonely highland roads to the Antisana Ecological Reserve, a wild expanse unblemished by human development. Trek across rugged páramo grasslands, watching the skies for Andean condors and distant hillsides for wild horses. If wildlife and sweeping views weren’t enough of a reward, easing into thermal hot springs at Termas de Papallacta for a post-hike soak will be. Feel free to fully relax; your room for the night is just steps away in the lodge. 

Your guide picks you up in the morning to take you to Baeza, starting point for an exuberant journey by raft down the whitewater rapids of the Quijos River. Soaked in spray and smiling ear to ear, your group descends the watery track over plunging rapids and wild eddies as mountains and forests loom overhead, ending at a remote beach for a riverfront picnic. Return to the hot springs to warm up in the volcanic-heated springs as the day winds down. 

Drive north to the lush valleys of northern Ecuador, where wild landscapes give way to pastoral farms. Pause at an embroidery workshop to see ancient Andean craftsmanship in action before continuing to Hacienda Zuleta. A 17th-century family estate, this magical enduring heirloom is your home-away-from-home. Grab lunch before setting off into the hills toward Imbabura Volcano, soaking in the vistas and fresh air. Around the table at night, homemade meals warm the body and soul. 

Savor the freeing feeling of galloping through the Andean landscape as you begin the day with a horseback ride across golden-hued meadows. Then, meet the king of the skies, the Andean condor, at a conservation center where experts work to protect this mighty species. Cheese samples abound on an afternoon tour of a cheesemaking workshop, followed by a gentle hike across the hills of Zuleta. Another memorable meal and serene evening lounging at the hacienda sees the day off into night. 

Fly from the mountains to the ocean, arriving in the Galapagos Islands where a yacht awaits to take you on a five-night voyage across the archipelago. A new island and adventure greets you each day: snorkeling in pristine bays, making friends with flamingos and marine iguanas, trekking through cacti forests, living alongside the legendary Galapagos wildlife. Onboard, it’s a life of leisure; think dining on sunny decks, mind-reading hospitality from the crew, romantic nights watching the stars sparkle. 

Your final day aboard ends your Galapagos cruise with a bang: a farewell from the yelping sea lion colony on Mosquera Isle. Savor a final morning of sun or glass-clear water with a hike or spot of snorkeling before the yacht whisks you back to Baltra for your flight to the mainland. A driver takes you to your hotel, which sits close to the airport for an easy transition in the morning. 

The last day of your trip to Ecuador has finally come, with a private transfer coming to take you to the airport the following day. Two weeks of adventure have flown by, filling you both with memories of a couple’s adventure like no other. Whatever comes next, a new destination or homeward bound, Ecuador sends her magic with you.