This holiday visits the places ticked below. You can design your own itinerary by adding destinations. Select the destinations you would like and click the red button to see full details of the holiday you have chosen.
The Galapagos Islands are one of the worlds great destinations and a visit to the remote islands is an incredible wildlife experience. As you sail around the archipelago, visiting the different volcanic islands, each unique, you have the opportunity to observe different land and marine creatures at incredibly close quarters. The islands were never connected to the mainland, so the animals that did make it here were completely isolated. As there are no natural predators on the islands, the animals have no fear, allowing you to walk right up to them.
The Galapagos Explorer II is a comfortable cruise ship, with 100 passengers. The 8-day cruise visits a range of islands, allowing you to see the bird and animal life on the islands, as well as snorkel in the surrounding seas.
Quito, the elegant capital of Ecuador, is situated high in the Andes at 2,800m, and has a beautiful colonial centre. From here, you can visit the traditional market town of Otavalo and explore the nearby Bellavista cloud forest, home to toucans and hummingbirds. The nearby Quilotoa area is excellent for trekking, with a beautiful emerald-green volcanic crater lake, canyons and traditional villages. The hot springs of Papallacta are an excellent spot for relaxing in volcanic waters or for walking in the mountains. Quito is only 15 miles from the equatorial line, and ‘the middle of the world’ can be visited.
The Avenue of the Volcanoes, running south of Quito through the centre of Ecuador, passes the snow-capped Cotopaxi and Chimborazo volcanoes. You then ride the amazing Devil’s Nose railway, enjoying the spectacular scenery as the train descends the canyon on a zig-zag carved into the rock! You also visit Cuenca, Ecuador’s most beautiful city, where you can explore the lovely colonial centre and buy a Panama hat directly from a factory where the hats are produced. Please note that it is no longer permitted to sit of the roof of the Devil's Nose train.
The jungle in Ecuador, east of the Andes, offers a wonderful opportunity to explore the rivers and flooded forest of the world’s largest rainforest. We offer two extensions in the jungle, one staying in a lodge, and one cruising on the river. Both itineraries include three or four nights in the jungle and allow you to follow jungle trails, visit lakes, see the wildlife and get an insight into the jungle way of life. The Manatee Amazon Explorer is a comfortable river boat which cruises on the Rio Napo, a tributary of the Amazon. The Sacha Lodge lies on an oxbow lake just off the Napo River. All meals are included on both the Manatee Amazon Explorer and at the Sacha Lodge.