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Ecuador & Galapagos Holidays

The Amazon, snow-capped volcanoes and colonial Cuenca

14 Night Itinerary from  £7,125

Manatee Tour

Experience Ecuador's landscapes and local markets, cruise the Amazon Rainforest, discover the Avenue of the Volcanoes and experience the spectacular Devil's Nose mountain railway

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Tour Route

Travel Highlights

  • Journey through Ecuador's landscapes by road, river and train
  • Browse for traditional goods at colourful indigenous markets
  • Discover the pristine heart of the Amazon on a 7 night cruise
  • Enjoy privileged encounters with remote communities and exotic wildlife
  • Marvel at towering snow-capped volcanoes and shimmering lagoons
  • Ride the spectacular Devil's Nose Railway through awesome mountain scenery
  • Tour the colonial heart of Cuenca and visit a Panama Hat workshop

This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences by our specialist advisors, who can provide a guaranteed price based on your choice of route, duration, flights, hotels, transport and excursions.

Tour Itinerary

top things to do in Ecuador - Otavalo Market.jpg

Quito - 2 Nights

Day 1 - Fly to Quito

Day 2 - Visit Otavalo Market

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Thursday, 28 March 2024

Fly to Quito

Take a daytime flight to Quito, arriving the same evening, where you will be met by our representative and taken to your hotel for a 2 night stay. This is also the opportunity for our friendly and knowledgable guide to provide you advice, explain your programme and answer any questions you may have. 

 


Friday, 29 March 2024

Visit Otavalo market

We take a guided trip to the Andean town of Otavalo to visit its magnificent market, where men and women with long plaited hair, dressed in their traditional clothes, sell all types of weavings, handicrafts and homegrown produce.

Casa San Marcos

Quito - First Boutique

Almost hidden away in the Old Town of Quito, this restored mansion houses a hotel which is part art gallery, part antiquarian, part restaurant. Its spacious gallery has many pieces by national and international artists. The six rooms are comfortably and stylishly furnished, all with private bathroom. the hotel also commands excellent views of the "Panecillo" one of Quito's great landmarks. The hotel restaurant serves Ecuadorean delights as well as Mediterranean cuisine.

1873 Casa San Marcos

Casona de La Ronda

Quito - First Boutique

This delightful 22 room hotel has been converted from an original Colonial townhouse, and is located on the pedestrian La Ronda street, close to many bars and restaurants. The rooms are comfortable and traditionally styled, decorated with fabricsand patterns from local communities. The hotel alos has a small lounge and fireplace, and serves local cuisine and Ecudorean wines.

1872 Casona De La Ronda

Casa Gangotena

Quito - Deluxe Hotel

Situated in a newly-restored historic mansion overlooking Plaza San Francisco in the heart of the Old Town, the three-story Casa Gangotena has 31 luxury rooms: a showcase of eye catching style, contemporary design, antiques, furnishings, fine dining, modern technologies and quintessential comforts. Beautifully and eclectically appointed, the hotel invites its guests to explore and to relax, whether in the dining room, glassed-in patio, garden redolent with the perfume of native flowers, wood-panelled library, or else atop its panoramic third-floor terrace. Sophisticated and eclectic, historic yet contemporary, at Casa Gangotena style, passion and service blend seamlessly and delightfully.

The hotel includes several 'experiences' for its guests at no extra cost, including San Francisco’s courtyards & Brewery, Museo del Carmen Alto, San Fransisco Choir & Bell Tower and Chocolate Quiteno tasting.

Rates are on a room and breakfast basis.

Casa Gangotena Hotel Quito
Exploring remote streams by canoe

Manatee Amazon Cruise - 7 Nights

Days 3-10 - Manatee Amazon Explorer 7 night Cruise

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Saturday, 30 March 2024

Fly to Coca and embark the Manatee Amazon Explorer

Fly to Coca and transfer by motorised canoe on the river to join the Manatee Amazon Explorer, moored further downstream, for your 7-night cruise on a full board basis including excursions. After dinner, we experience the thrill of a night-time walk in the forest. 


Sunday, 31 March 2024

Napo River

We sail downstream on the Napo River, where we have the chance to observe pink river dolphins, black caiman and anakonda. We may also spot the primitive hoatzin. In the afternoon, we explore the rainforest by canoe with our guide, traversing along small tributaries and tiny streams, some even reaching into the jungle an inspiring experience.


Monday, 01 April 2024

Canoeing and wildlife

Today we explore the Panayacu River Delta, where we take a canoe trip on the flooded backwaters and lake. This area is home to nine species of primates, 500 species of birds and is the perfect habitat for piranhas, water monkey fish and the white caiman. We also stop at a local village and visit the school. 


Tuesday, 02 April 2024

Clay licks and local community

This morning we visit a number of parrot clay licks, one of the most fascinating sights in the Western Amazon, where large numbers of parrots, parakeets and macaws congregate - attracted by the clay which they actually lick, hence the name. It is a quite extra-ordinary spectacle to experience. Later, we visit a local community of the Napo River. 


Wednesday, 03 April 2024

Rainforest trails

Relax on the Manatee Explorer as she cruises on the mighty Napo River. In the afternoon, we explore the Yasuni National Park where we walk a trail in virgin rainforest, with a dense tree canopy. The expert local guides will bring the unique flora and fauna to life with fascinating insights into the eco system.

 


Thursday, 04 April 2024

Local family visit and canoeing

Today we visit a local family to discover their way of life on the river. We will take a walk around the village and have time to meet the villagers and discuss how they life in this remote part of the world.

In the afternoon enjoy canoeing on a blackwater lake, home to giant otters. 


Friday, 05 April 2024

Rainforest Observation Deck

Morning is a chance to relax as the ship sails on the Napo River. From the vantage point of the Manatee Explorer's observation deck observe Yasuni National Park, with its pristine, virgin rainforest. We arrive at an observation tower, providing a 360-degree birds eye view of the rainforest canopy. 

Manatee

Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador - Tourist Amazon Riverboat

The Manatee Amazon Explorer reaches deep into areas of pristine Amazon Rainforest, bringing intrepid travellers into close contact with the extraordinary landscapes of the jungle, exotic plants and towering trees, remote communities and colourful wildlife. Guests stay in recently refurbished and comfortable air conditioned staterooms, stylishly decorated with panoramic jungle views from the balcony and floor-to-ceiling windows. There is an on-board hot tub and observation deck area - perfect for soaking in the vistas in comfort.

Expert multilingual naturalist guides lead a wide range of revealing excursions on land, whilst the small fleet of motorised canoes provide unlimited mobility and allow for the extensive exploration of the most remote areas and inaccessible shores. More adventurous guests can even venture out after dark to look for caiman and the other secretive nocturnal creatures found in the heart of the rainforest.

For a supplement, it is also possible to spend a night glamping in the jungle - a unique and exciting experience.

The Manatee Amazon Explorer sailing on the Napo River

Anakonda

Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador - First Amazon Riverboat

Luxurious surrounds, magnificent pristine rainforest and an intimate knowledge of the landscape combine to make the Anakonda a wonderful choice for a three, four or seven night Ecuadorian Amazon cruise. Following detailed itineraries crafted by rainforest expert Raul Garcia, captain of the Flotel Orellana for over 15 years, intrepid travellers will reach deep into this remote corner of the Ecuadorian Amazon and undertake varied excursions to uncover its extraordinary biodiversity and meet local tribes people. Climb observation towers, observe parrot and macaw clay licks, kayak in lakes and venture out at night in search of black caiman and other nocturnal creatures.

On-board activities and facilities ensure you will be entertained and informed, or instead just chose to relax in comfort and soak in the jungle vistas and sunsets or look for pink river dolphins. Up to 40 guests stay in stylish air-conditioned suites, each with panoramic windows and private balconies and there are two shared hot tubs on the observation deck.

Anakonda
Frank Ecuador Quito Quito Church At Night

Return to Quito - 1 Night

Day 10 - Return to Quito

  • Full Description

Saturday, 06 April 2024

Return to Quito

Return to Coca by motorised canoe after your week in the rainforest. Fly to Quito, for an overnight stay. 

Cotopaxi Volcano

Avenue of the Volcanoes - 1 Night

Day 11 - Avenue of the Volcanoes 

  • Full Description

Sunday, 07 April 2024

Avenue of the Volcanoes

Today we make an early morning start along the Andean mountains, stopping at a local hacienda for an included lunch. We visit the indigenous market at Latacunga or Saquisilli and continue along the Avenue of the Volcanoes, affording stunning views of the towering snow-capped peaks, valleys and villages, arriving at Riobamba where we  overnight.

Exterior Overview 1

Cuenca - 2 Nights

Day 12 - Devil's Nose Railway

Day 13 - Cuenca and Panama Hat factory

 

  • Full Description

Monday, 08 April 2024

Devil's Nose Railway

Experience one of the world's most spectacular train journeys along steep mountainsides and precipices on the awesome Devil’s Nose Railway. It is an exhilarating trip, something you will never forget. After an included lunch at a local restaurant, we continue to Cuenca where we stay for 2 nights, visiting the fascinating hillside Inca fortress of Ingapirca en route. 

 


Tuesday, 09 April 2024

Cuenca and Panama Hat Factory

Today we take a guided tour of the charming colonial city of Cuenca, with its cobbled streets and tree-lined squares. We visit the flower market, the magnificent cathedral and a Panama Hat workshop. You will have time to relax and make your own discoveries.

Guayaquil

Guayaquil - 1 Night

Day 13 - Cajas National Park and Guayaquil

Day 14 - Fly back to the UK

Day 15 - Arrive in the UK

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Wednesday, 10 April 2024

Cajas National Park and Guayaquil

Our adventure continues today with a journey through scenic mountains to Cajas National Park where we stop for a walk and enjoy the stunning panoramic views, dotted with lagoons. After an included lunch in a local hacienda, we continue to the coastal city of Guayaquil, where we take a short guided tour including the old town and more modern waterfront promenade. We stay in Guayaquil overnight. 


Thursday, 11 April 2024

Fly back to the UK

Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.


Friday, 12 April 2024

Arrive in the UK

Arrive in the UK in the morning.

Hacienda La Danesa

Guayaquil - First Hacienda

Located an hours drive from Guayaquil, Hacienda La Danesa is an excellent way to begin or end your journey in Ecuador if you prefer the untamed countryside to staying in Guayaquil. Owned by the Olsen Peet family, the Hacienda has many lovely touches including a relaxing spa, beautifully designed rooms and many rural activities to enjoy.

Public facilities include a dining room, spa, bar and well kept gardens. The Hacienda also has its own 500 hectare working farm and uses the organic produce in the ingredients for delicious Ecuadorean dishes served every day. A swimming pool is opening in late 2019.

The 6 rooms are a mix of restored stables, heritage bedrooms, a garden cottage and a family garden cottage. Each air-conditioned has private bathroom, binoculars, private hammock, mini bar, coffee machine and a yoga mat. Fresh coffee and fruit juice is delivered to your room each morning.

Included activities to enjoy include tubing, guided walks, cycling and milking on the farm. Other optional activities include horse riding, chocolate making classes and a wellness programme.

The rates are on a bed and breakfast basis and include soft drinks.

 

Horse Ex

Hotel del Parque

Guayaquil - Luxury Hotel

The beautifully restored 19th century mansion located in Guayaquil's Park Historico, a tropical paradise located in the centre of Guayaquil, ideally suited for a final night stay after an adventure in Ecuador. The hotel is a member of the respected Relais and Chateaux chain.

The public areas include extensive gardens, the Casa Julian Restaurant, fitness centre, spa, reading room and a charming 19th century chapel. Activities available are chocolate making classes, a tour of the hotel's herb garden and a coffee making tour.

The 44 rooms are split into 5 room types, from deluxe rooms to the enormous Park Suite. All are air-conditioned with private bathroom, TV, coffee, minibar, slippers, bathrobes, safe and included afternoon tea and coffee.

The rates are on a room and breakfast basis.

 

Copia De HDP0002

Price Guidelines

Season Low Season High Season
Travel Dates 1 Jan-30 Jun, 6 Sep-15 Dec 1 Jul-5 Sep, 16-31 Dec
Room Arrangement First First
Multiple Travellers - Twin Room £7,125 £7,555

Prices are a guideline and per person. Please request a quote for Special Events, Christmas, New Year's Eve & Easter.


What's Included

  • 16 Days / 14 Nights
  • International flights (1 overnight)
  • Internal flights 
  • 7 night Manatee Amazon River cruise on a full board basis
  • 14 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 7 dinners
  • Transfers to and from accommodation
  • Excursions with English-speaking guides
  • All transportation as described  

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