Ecuador and the Galapagos

With magnificent wildlife, awe-inspiring architecture and striking scenery, Ecuador is an incredible adventure for lovers of natural beauty, history and culture. A place that often goes unsung, Ecuador is an under-appreciated destination with wonders around every corner. Although the Galapagos islands feature high up on most people's bucket list, the mainland is a surprising and fascinating place to visit in its own right. On this inspiring tour, you'll be able to see some of the world's highest volcanoes, buzzy colonial cities, wonder at the beauty of hummingbirds in tropical cloud forests, travel on spectacular trains and stay in historic haciendas - all this before you've even stepped ashore in the Galapagos! 





We take a drive along the Pan-American highway, probably the longest road in world, connecting Alaska with Patagonia. We trail the impressive seven peaks of the Avenue of the Volcanoes, before arriving at Cotopaxi National Park. Here we'll wonder at the striking, snowy Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano on the planet. As if this wasn't enough natural beauty to behold, we take in the beautiful roses of the region and hop on the Devil's Nose Train through steep, craggy gorges.





When we reach the Galapagos, you will be truly spoilt by the sheer sights of natural beauty, well-preserved terrain and exotic wildlife. For years, the only way most people could visit the Galapagos was to sail from island to island on small motor-yachts - a great way to travel, but also very expensive. Our tour avoids this by offering an island-hopping itinerary which means you actually get to stay on two of the most interesting islands. To get the most out of your visit to this extraordinary wildlife destination, it's important to be fully mobile and be able to snorkel so you can discover the amazing marine life, something that even Charles Darwin was never aware of! You will also have the opportunity to explore Santa Cruz at your own leisure, an island famed for sea turtles, giant tortoises and marine iguanas, as well as the calm, white sand beaches of Tortuga Bay.





These incredible volcanic islands are home to a vast variety of flora and fauna, most of which are endemic species. A dream destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature photographers, we will tour both land and sea to witness the sights of this magical archipelago.