The cinnamon route

Early in the morning, our guide will collect you from your hotel. We will head for the eastern region of the Ecuadorian Andes. Our first stop will be the Antisana highlands. We'll explore the many ecosystems of this 120,000-hectare ecological reserve. The unique landscape of this alto-Andean reserve is an ideal place for Condor spotting. Keep your eyes peeled as we cross the grassy páramo plains! Here we'll be looking for large mammals such as the white-tailed deer and the magellanic fox. We'll then stop off at the Mica Lagoon to try and spot some species of waders and other water birds. On our way back to the more basic areas of shrubby páramo, we'll take a moment to scan the vastness of these valleys in search of the rare and enigmatic spectacled bear.

After breakfast, we'll resume our search for Condors. Then we'll descend along the Cinnamon Road to the Guango Cloud Forest for lunch and a walk through the breathtaking hummingbird gardens! Don't forget to photograph the Sword-billed hummingbird, the Tourmaline Sunangel and the Collared Inca. After lunch, make your way to the Papallacta river to see the Torrent Duck, Jays and Tanagers. This riverbank is also a paradise for orchid lovers.

We will then walk along the banks of the Quijos river towards the San Isidro reserve. Here, we spend two nights in the comfortable San Isidro lodge. If you wish, you can join us for an evening hike after dinner.

San Isidro's misty air provides a haven for moss, orchids and bromeliads, as well as the tree frogs, birds and small mammals that depend on them. In the afternoon, we'll walk to the Yanayacu scientific station and do some birdwatching along the way. You will have the opportunity to listen to the station's resident scientists as they inform us about their research and conservation projects. We'll also learn about the reproductive behaviour of local bird species, as well as butterfly adaptations to parasites. We’ll end the day with a dip in Papallacta's soothing thermal springs and spa.

In the morning, enjoy a second dip in the Papallacta hot springs and hike to the border of the Cayambe-Coca reserve. This is an ideal spot for observing high altitude plants and wildlife. We return to Quito after lunch. On the way back, we'll make a number of stops to admire the breathtaking scenery of the Andes.

Expect a late afternoon arrival in Quito.