Tropical Andes & Colonial Quito Pre-Voyage Extension

Located at 9.350 feet above sea level, Quito is Ecuador’s capital and cultural center where colonial opulence meets traditional Ecuadorian culture. Upon your arrival, you are met and taken to Casa Gangotena, a converted mansion on Plaza San Francisco. Enjoy dinner on your own.

Explore the many churches and monuments in Quito’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a guided walking tour this morning. The Old Town has one of the best-preserved and least altered historic centers in Latin America, with famous landmarks like the Church and Convent of San Francisco, a vast colonial complex and example of the opulent Baroque architectural style. We’ll also explore a revitalized traditional market where Indigenous artisans sell their handmade textiles. Enjoy lunch on your own and take the afternoon to relax and explore, with the option of joining an exclusive neighborhood visit for hotel guests. Gather this evening for a welcome dinner at Restaurant Cedron at our hotel.

Today we depart Quito and the Andes on a scenic drive to Mashpi Lodge in the Ecuadorian Chaco. A gradual hours-long descent takes us from 9,350 feet above sea level to 3,000 feet, transitioning from steep mountain slopes to lush cloud forest. The dry mountain terrain gives way to increasingly verdant surroundings as we approach Mashpi Lodge. After lunch, join a resident naturalist for a nature walk through the diverse, endemic vegetation. The air is alive with birdsong from numerous species, including tanagers, toucans and hummingbirds. Though elusive, we hope to see capuchin monkeys or the even rarer ocelot, and we are likely to spot some endemic frogs for which Mashpi is renowned, including the Torrenteer and glass frogs.

Today we explore the vibrant Mashpi Reserve, a 3,200-acre protected area that’s part of the Ecuadorian Choco rainforest, one of the most biodiverse spots on Earth. Our guided options include gliding through the canopy on an aerial tram with 360-degree forest views; pedaling across a 650-foot cable on the Sky Bike, an innovative two-person gondola; naturalist-led walks to powerful waterfalls; visiting the Hummingbird Garden, Life Center and Butterfly Farm for up-close encounters with the brilliantly colored creatures and insight into the mesmerizing metamorphosis of butterflies and their various life cycles. Throughout the day, we’ll seek out some of the reserves 400-plus bird species. We’ll also enjoy time at the lodge, an exemplar of sustainable design that seamlessly blends indoor comfort with the surrounding forest.

This morning we say goodbye to the lodge and return to Quito and Casa Gangotena with our guide, stopping en route for lunch. Choose to join an exclusive neighborhood activity at the hotel or relax and explore on your own and then enjoy dinner at your leisure.

Transfer this morning to the airport for flights home.