Ecuador & the galapagos islands
Ecuador, straddling the equator on South America’s Pacific coast, is a land of impressive volcanoes, picturesque colonial towns, colorful markets and lush Amazonian rainforest. A luxury cruise aboard a small luxury private yacht or land-based stay in the Galapagos Islands is the highlight of any visit, and offers a unique opportunity to come face to face with giant tortoises, lizards, iguanas, penguins, blue-footed boobies and sea lions sprawled on the warm beaches. Whatever your interests, let us create a tailor-made itinerary that is perfect just for you.
when to GO
Year Round. However peak time is Dec to March, when the weather is temperate and the sea is calm.
time frame
1 or 2 weeks. Ecuador is also well paired with Peru.
languages
SPANISH
CURRENCY
US Dollars
FLIGHTS
Quito (UIO), Guayaquil (GYE)
In Quito is Ecuador’s capital and second largest city and was originally founded in 1534 by the Spanish. It is known for having some of the finest examples of colonial and post-colonial architecture in South America, despite the damage suffered in the 1917 earthquake, and its brilliantly preserved historic city center was one of the first to be chosen as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In our opinion, the best way to see the Galapagos Islands is by ship (and more specifically, by small luxury private yacht). There are many options to choose from, and these vary dramatically in quality, itinerary routes and price. We work with great operators, who offer various promotions throughout the year. Depending on the ship, discounts range from 20% off to 2 for 1, so what are you waiting for? Read more >
Doing a land based safari is a great alternative to exploring the archipelago and soaking up nature in all comfort. With daily boat trips to neighboring islands, not to mention in-depth explorations on Santa Cruz itself, it means you will also get to experience the iconic Galapagos. This is truly a great option for those keen to visit the islands but adverse to life on board, or for those who don’t have a full week to dedicate to a cruise (with no minimum night stay). Read more >
In addition to your adventures either onboard a luxury yacht or land based safari, we encourage our bespoke clients to explore the beauty of mainland Ecuador with extensions to the Andes, Amazon, Cloud Forest and more. Read more >
what they say
Don’t just take it from us, let our clients do the talking!
“Thank you so much for the amazing job you did planning our recent family trip to Machu Picchu, the Amazon and the Galapagos Islands. There were lots of things we wanted to see and do in a short amount of time, so couldn’t afford to miss a day, along the way. You listened to our ‘wishlist’, made great suggestions of other things we should see and do, and managed to fit EVERYTHING IN. Our trip to Peru and Ecuador ending up being one highlight after another.”
“MF was great and was available 24/7 while we traveled in South America. She made our trip so easy and stress free. We didn’t have to worry about booking tour guides, transportation, or accommodations. She even gave us lots of restaurant recommendations. Our holiday was a breeze!”
We didn’t realize how educational our trip to the Peruvian Amazon and Galapagos would be. The guides were so good, especially Richard in the Galapagos. We also didn’t expect to be so busy, but we did not want to miss a single thing. The Galapagos trip, in particular, required good physical fitness…and courage sometimes when it can to snorkeling in the ocean. SO both parts of the trips, Amazon and Galapagos were excellent. The timing of the guides and the activities were very well thought out. The breadth of Richards knowledge did exceed our expectations.
additional nights in ECUADOR
Explore the Northern Highlands of the Andes, spend a few night in Quito (UNESCO) or add a few nights in Guayaquil.
additional nights in quito
Tucked away high up in the Andes you’ll find Quito, Ecuador’s beautiful capital city. A place of old-world charm and stunning architecture, Quito deserves more than a rushed stay before you head out to the Galapagos. Stay at the Casa Gangotena and enjoy a private visit to the colorful Otavalo Market for artisan handicrafts.
hacienda zuleta andes extension
Located in the Northern highlands of the Andes, Hacienda Zuleta is a working farm and historic home of the family of former president of Ecuador, Mr. Galo Plaza Lasso. Activities include horseback, mountain biking, and hiking.
Additional nights in guayaquil
Ecuador’s largest and most populous city, Guayaquil gets less attention than Quito as a tourist destination, but this bustling metropolis lends itself to fun days of urban exploring. We can help arrange luxury accommodation and activities that highlight the city’s main interesting sights.
