A perfect introduction to Ecuador, this trip offers a comprehensive overview of the country’s varied charms, including Quito, the capital city; the Incan ruins at both Ingapirca and El Salitre; the charming city of Cuenca; and the lush Amazon rain forest. Upon arriving in Ecuador, spend the first few nights in Quito. Experience a full day at Otavalo, a town in the Sunrise Valley that has a thriving open-air market and a full day private tour of Quito, where you will see St. Augustine Convent, the Presidential Palace, and ride the teleferico up the slopes of the Pichincha volcano. The next stop is Coca, a small jungle town nestled in the rainforest. Travel by boat down the Napo River to the Sacha Lodge, your base for exploring the Amazon rainforest for three nights. Naturalist guides lead guests through the habitat, pointing out the forest’s hidden attractions. Return to Quito for a single night before being driven through the Avenue of the Volcanoes to Cotopaxi National Park, stopping to visit Incan ruins at El Salitre before continuing to the Andean town of Riobamba. From here, ride a train along the Devil’s Nose railway to Alausi, stopping along the way to explore the ruins at Ingapirca, considered the most fascinating in the country. In Cuenca, enjoy a private tour of this city, which was once the second largest in the Incan empire, and spend a full day at Cajas National Park, a magnificent conclusion to the trip. Return to Quito where the magical journey ends.