Amazon, Ecuador & Galapagos

Your Ecuador and Galápagos adventure begins today. On arrival at Quito Airport, a private transfer takes you to your hotel in the city.

Tonight is yours to settle in and get your bearings in one of South America's most compelling capitals.

We start the morning at Panecillo Hill, where the famous winged Virgin statue looks out over the city and the surrounding volcanoes. From there, we explore Quito's colonial centre - the Basílica, the main squares, and the ornate San Francisco church, one of the oldest in the Americas.

After a typical Ecuadorian lunch, we head to Mitad del Mundo, where the Intiñan Museum lets you test the effects of standing on the equator first-hand. We finish the afternoon at the Pululahua crater, an ancient collapsed volcano now carpeted in farmland and forest, before returning to Quito.

Quito - Mindo. We head into the Andes cloud forest today, making our way to Mindo - a small village nestled within one of the world's most biodiverse regions. The morning is spent zip lining and hiking through the forest, with a visit to a butterfly farm where hummingbirds flit between the trees and the occasional toucan puts in an appearance.

We sit down to a local lunch in the village before returning to Quito in the afternoon.Late tonight, we board a semi-private overnight bus bound for the Cuyabeno Reserve in the Amazon - around eight hours through the darkness.

Mindo - Cuyabeno. The bus drops us at the Cuyabeno Bridge - the gateway to our Amazon adventure. From here, we transfer by canoe along the Cuyabeno River, a two-hour journey into the heart of the reserve.

Our guide runs through everything you need to know about the rainforest as the trees close in around us. On arrival at the lodge, there's time to freshen up before dinner. This evening, we head out on a night walk - the forest after dark is an entirely different world.

The Amazon is at its most alive in the early hours, and we're on the water early to make the most of it. After breakfast, we head into the primary rainforest with our naturalist and native guides, who bring the jungle to life - pointing out plants used for food, medicine, and survival by communities who have called this place home for generations.

In the afternoon, we take to the canoes again, scanning the riverbanks for monkeys and freshwater dolphins. After dinner, we venture back into the forest to search for insects, frogs, and if we're lucky, a snake or two.

We start the morning with a gentle cruise along the river, where playful monkeys and brilliantly coloured birds are often spotted in the trees above. Back at the lodge for breakfast, the afternoon brings one of the reserve's highlights - the chance to see Cuyabeno's famous pink and grey freshwater dolphins in their natural habitat.

We then head above the forest canopy for a birdwatching session with sweeping views over the rainforest.After dinner, we set out by canoe on a night excursion in search of caimans and nocturnal birds - torches on, eyes peeled.

Cuyabeno - Quito. Our final morning in the Amazon begins with a canoe journey to the Siona Community, where our naturalist guide introduces us to the culture and traditions of the native people - a perspective that puts everything we've seen in the forest into a richer context.

We then make our way back to the Cuyabeno Bridge and board a semi-private bus for the return journey to Quito, arriving after approximately eight hours.

Quito - Otavalo - Quito. We leave Quito this morning for Condor Park, where the Andean condor and other birds of prey take centre stage in a fascinating flying display. From there, we make our way to Otavalo, home to one of the most celebrated indigenous markets in South America.

The stalls are piled high with textiles, crafts, and local produce - it's well worth taking your time here. The afternoon brings a walk through forest trails to the Peguche Waterfall before we return to Quito.

Quito - Cotopaxi. After breakfast, we head to Cotopaxi National Park, home to one of the world's highest active volcanoes. A selection of activities are available to choose from inside the park, including horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking.

In the afternoon, we transfer to a local hacienda where alpacas roam the grounds and the Andean peaks stretch out in every

Cotopaxi - Quiltoa. A short drive this morning brings us to the rim of the Quilotoa crater, where a vivid turquoise lagoon sits at the bottom of an ancient collapsed volcano. We hike down into the crater to reach the water's edge - a view that earns its reputation.

After a local lunch, we continue to Baños, a lively town perched between the Andes and the Amazon, where we'll be based for the next couple of days.

Quiltotoa - Banos - Quilotoa. The day starts with a hike through lush forest to Pailón del Diablo, one of Ecuador's most powerful waterfalls. The gorge it carves through the landscape is dramatic - there's a viewing bridge above the falls that gives you a sense of just how much force is behind it.

In the afternoon, we visit La Casa del Árbol, known for its famous swing that hangs above the valley with views stretching out to the Tungurahua volcano on a clear day. Optional activities such as zip lining and browsing the local shops are available if you'd like to make more of the afternoon.

Quilotoa - Chimborazo - Quilotoa. This morning, we head to Chimborazo - at over 6,000 metres, the highest peak in Ecuador and, measured from the earth's centre, the furthest point from the core on the planet. We stop first at Urbina, a former train station with sweeping views across the valley to the snow-capped summit.

Inside the park, we travel through rugged terrain scattered with wildflowers to the first refuge at 4,500 metres. For those who want to push further, the second refuge at 5,000 metres is an option. Keep an eye out for vicuñas grazing on the páramo and, if you're fortunate, an Andean condor riding the thermals overhead.

Quilotoa - Guamote - Cuenca. We set off through the Andes this morning, tracing a route south towards Cuenca with a private driver and guide. There are stops available along the way - the indigenous market at Guamote, the Nariz del Diablo train at Aloasí, and the Inca ruins at Ingapirca are all worth considering if time allows.

The route passes through communities where indigenous life carries on much as it has for centuries, and the mountain scenery provides a constant backdrop.

After breakfast, we set out on a private tour of Cuenca, one of South America's best-preserved colonial cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The historic centre is built on the foundations of the ancient Inca city of Tomebamba, and the layers of history are visible everywhere - from the grand cathedral overlooking the main square to the flower-lined banks of the Tomebamba River.

The afternoon is free for you to explore further at your own pace, whether that means browsing the artisan markets, trying the local food, or simply sitting in the square and watching the city go by.

Cuenca - Guayaquil. Our final morning in the highlands takes us into Cajas National Park - a high-altitude landscape of lakes, tundra, and ancient Polylepis forests that feels like somewhere entirely off the map. The hiking here is genuinely spectacular.

In the afternoon, we descend to the coast, arriving in Guayaquil in time to settle in before our early flight tomorrow.

Guayaquil - Baltra - Santa Cruz - Puerto Ayora. An early flight this morning carries us out over the Pacific to Baltra Island - the gateway to the Galápagos. On arrival, we meet our English-speaking guide and make our way towards Puerto Ayora, stopping first at a ranch in the Santa Cruz Highlands to walk among giant tortoises in their natural habitat.

These prehistoric creatures move through the landscape with complete indifference to their audience - a remarkable thing to witness. We continue into the village for the afternoon.

Puerto Ayora - Santa Fe - Pinzon - Puerto Ayora. Today offers a choice of two islands, each with its own character. Santa Fe is one of the oldest islands in the archipelago and home to several species found nowhere else on earth. A 45-minute boat ride brings us to a pristine bay, where we snorkel in clear water alongside shorebirds resting on the rocks above.

The afternoon includes a wet landing at Playa Escondida or Garrapatero beach on Santa Cruz.The Pinzón option offers a different experience - marine iguanas hauled out on lava, playful dolphins, and the sheltered beach at La Fe, backed by mangroves and alive with sea turtles, sea lions, small sharks, and tropical fish.Both options may include a 'Pesca Vivencial' fishing demonstration, subject to weather and park regulations. Please note that a wet landing means disembarking directly into the shallows - bring a change of clothes.

Puerto Ayora - Charles Darwin - Puerto Villamil. After breakfast, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz, where scientists, educators, and volunteers work to protect the extraordinary biodiversity of the Galápagos.

Our guides explain the conservation work being done here, with a particular focus on the giant tortoise breeding programme. After lunch, we board the public speedboat for the three-hour crossing to Isabela Island.

Puerto Villamil - Tintoreras Islet - Puerto Villamil. The morning is spent in Isabela's Wetlands, where a three to four-hour walk takes in the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre and the haunting Wall of Tears - a structure built by prisoners in the island's penal colony era. It's a quieter, more contemplative side of the Galápagos.

After lunch, we take a short boat ride across the bay to Tintoreras Islet, named after the white-tip reef sharks that gather daily in a long volcanic crack to rest. From the rocks above, we spot penguins, sea lions, and marine iguanas. There's also the chance to snorkel among the reef fish and sea turtles - one of the most rewarding swims on the island. Wear sturdy closed shoes for the volcanic terrain.

Puerto Villamil - Los Tuneles - Puerto Villamil. We're on the water early this morning for the boat ride out to Los Tuneles - widely regarded as the finest snorkelling site on Isabela.

Formed by lava flows meeting the sea, the tunnels and arches below the surface create a habitat unlike anything else in the Galápagos. Expect close encounters with seahorses, manta rays, sea turtles, swimming iguanas, Galápagos penguins, and an abundance of marine life on a single dive.

Above the water, albatrosses, blue-footed boobies, and frigatebirds circle overhead.If time allows, Concha Perla - just a short walk from the dock - is worth exploring independently before or after the main excursion.

Your last full day in the Galápagos is yours to spend as you choose. Relax on the beach, explore the village, or pick up one of the optional activities on offer - there's no shortage of ways to make the most of it

Puerto Villamil - Guayaquil. After breakfast, we make our way to Baltra Airport for the flight back to the mainland. On arrival in Guayaquil, a shuttle transfer takes you to the hotel. The rest of the day is free - you can take it easy at the hotel or head out to explore the city on your own terms.

Your Ecuador and Galápagos tour ends this morning. There's time for a final breakfast and a last wander along the boulevard before your transfer to Guayaquil Airport.