Ecuador & Galapagos
The Amazon Rainforest, Andean Villages and Galapagos Islands
Primavera Tour - 19 Night Itinerary
Experience close encounters with friendly wildlife on a Galapagos Islands cruise, fascinating cultures in the Amazon rainforest and awe-inspiring volcanoes in the Andean mountains.
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Travel Highlights
- Enjoy our most comprehensive tour of Ecuador
- Get closer to nature and mind-boggling wildlife on a 7 night Galapagos Cruise
- Stay 4 nights in a remote Amazon lodge with daily excursions in the rainforest with expert guides
- Drive through the cinematic Avenue of the Volcanoes
- Explore the charming colonial centres of Cuenca and Quito
- Visit a local Indian market in the Andes
- Ride the Devil's Nose Railway and marvel at the lagoons of the Cajas National Park
Tour Route
- Quito & Otavalo Market - 2 Nights
- Amazon - 4 Nights
- Quito - 1 Night
- Avenue of the Volcanoes - 1 Night
- Cuenca - 3 Nights
- Guayaquil - 1 Night
- Galapagos Cruise - 7 Nights
This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences by our specialist advisors, who can provide a guaranteed price based on your choice of departure date, route, duration, flights, cabin, hotels, transport and excursions.
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Tour Itinerary
Quito & Otavalo Market
2 NightsDay 1 - Fly from London to Quito
Day 2 - Otavalo and guided tour of Quito
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Fly from London 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. This is also the opportunity for our guide to provide you advice, explain your programme and answer any questions you may have.
Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Otavalo and guided tour of Quito
We take a 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.
We return to Quito to explore the colonial quarter with its narrow cobblestone streets and many beautiful churches. We also visit the Archaeological Museum.
Gina Castillo
Rincon Puembo
The Rincon de Puembo is located 20 minutes from Quito's new airport, in the small town of Puembo, making it ideal for travellers having to overnight in between flights. The accommodation is all found in a replica colonial-style street, with wonderful traditional touches. Perfect for relaxing by the pool and taking a rest stop from…
Dann Carlton Hotel
The Dann Carlton Hotel is an elegant and cozy first class hotel located in the centre of Quito close to the old town. Enjoy attractive interior spaces, with avant-garde design for a relaxed and pleasant stay.
The hotel has 210 air-conditioned rooms, with queen size beds, TV, FREE Wi-Fi, telephone, desk and chair, two types of pillow,…
Casa Gangotena
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…
Amazon
4 NightsDay 3 - Fly to Coca, transfer to your Amazon Lodge
Day 4 - Amazon lodge and excursions
Day 5 - Amazon lodge and parrot clay licks
Day 6 - Amazon Lodge and canopy observation tower
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Fly to Coca, transfer to your Amazon Lodge
Our day starts with a flight into the Amazon and a trip up river to our Amazon lodge located in the peace and tranquility of virgin rainforest, overlooking a lagoon. Choose from either the tourist class Yasuni Lodge or the first class Napo Wildlife Centre, both located about 2 hours downriver from Coca airport. Each lodge is on a full board basis with included walks and excursions with expert guides every day. Other optional activities are available, such as fishing and kayaking, at the lodge.
Friday, 26 June 2026
Amazon Lodge and excursions
Today your resident naturalist guides take you on a variety of hikes, both by night and by day, canoeing trips up creeks and exploring the rainforest to observe the exuberant vegetation and the vast, dense tree canopy.
Saturday, 27 June 2026
Amazon Lodge and parrot clay licks
Today we experience the parrot clay licks to observe flocks of brightly-coloured macaws, parrots and parakeets as they descend to feed on the soil, extracting vital minerals to help them digest the fruit and seeds found in the jungle.
At some, sightings have also been reported of tapirs, ocelots, owls and others animals. Later on, we will hike along the forest trail to visit a local community learning about their every-day-life activities, routines and their ancestral customs and traditions. Then we take a 30 minutes walk through the forest and enjoy lunch. We return to the lodge by riverboat.
Sunday, 28 June 2026
Amazon Lodge and canopy observation tower
Today, we visit the canopy observation tower, a high platform 36 metres high from which you will get a close up view of the most amazing views of the jungle. Here, birds that are just virtually impossible to see from the jungle floor will pass right past you. Flocks of vibrantly coloured tanagers, blue-and-yellow macaws and large toucans fly past in the early mornings and afternoons. In the afternoon, trek deep into a rain forest to discover the mysterious wildlife hiding in the interior. Observe the endemic Golden Mantle Tamarin monkey, rare insects and snakes! We also visit the black water Añangu Lake and streams home of different species of fish and mammals such as the Giant Otter.
Yasuni Kichwa Lodge
Local English speaking guides take you on excursions, showing a faschinating knowledge, which is practical and empiric, rather than academic. You can also interact with the people going on excursions in the jungle, rivers and stream, and viditing the canopy observation tower and clay lick where macaws and parrots congreagate. The lopdge is located two…
Napo Wildlife Centre
This ecotourism project includes the conservation of over 53,000 acres of the most pristine Amazon Rainforest within the Yasuni National Park, an important biosphere reserve and the largest tract of tropical rainforest in Ecuador. You will be met at Coca airfield and taken to the bank of the river Napo for the two hour journey…
Quito
1 NightDay 7 - Return to Quito
- Full Description
Return to Quito
Transfer by riverboat to Coca airport for your flight to Quito for a 1-night stay.
Avenue of the Volcanoes
1 NightDay 8 - Experience Cotopaxi Volcano
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Experience Cotopaxi Volcano
Your journey continues as we head for the hills to explore the 'Avenue of the Volcanoes' and most particularly, the perfectly formed cone-shaped Cotopaxi Volcano which rises to a height of 5,897 metres. The volcano is set in the wild treeless páramo of the Cotopaxi National Park with stunning views. We stop at an Indian village where local weavers demonstrate their skills on the traditional shuttle looms and continue to Riobamba to enjoy its thermal springs surrounded by stunning scenery. Lunch is included today.
Hacienda El Porvenir
Only one and a half hours drive from Quito, Hacienda El Porvenir is the ideal spot to explore Cotopaxi Volcano and its surroundings. Located in Cotopaxi National Park, the farmhouse is 3,600 meters (11,811 feet) above sea level surrounded by four volcanoes. El Porvenir is a working ranch with local produce served in the dining room. Other…
Cuenca
3 NightsDay 9 - Devil's Nose Railway, Ingapirca and Cuenca
Day 10 - The Gualaceo Valley
Day 11 - Guided tour of Cuenca
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Ingapirca and Cuenca
Today we journey south to Cuenca, a charming colonial city, embraced by silent mountains. On the way ride on the jaw dropping Devil's Nose Railway through the most spectacular scenery and we stop at the small Inca archaeological site of Ingapirca. We also enjoy an included lunch.
Thursday, 02 July 2026
The Gualaceo Valley
A full day of exploration to the fertile Gualaceo Valley and Chordeleg, passing remote villages and farmsteads amidst quite beautiful gently rolling hills. Lunch is also included today.
Friday, 03 July 2026
Guided tour of Cuenca
Morning guided tour of Cuenca including a visit to a Panama Hat factory and the elegant La Inmaculada Cathedral.
After an included lunch, the rest of the day is at leisure enjoying this charming colonial town.
Mansion Alcazar Boutique Hotel
The Mansion Alcazar Boutique Hotel is quite simply the best hotel in Cuenca. Located in the historic centre, it is one of only a few hotels that retain private gardens. The building has a rich history and was beautifully renovated in 2001 by the present owners.
Public facilities include a bar, lounge and the elegant Casa…
Guayaquil
1 NightDay 12 - Cajas National Park and Guayaquil
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Cajas National Park and Guayaquil
We drive through evergreen cloud forests to Cajas National Park, with many lakes, lagoons and rich wildlife including Andean condors, giant hummingbirds and raccoon-like coatis. After an included lunch, we continue to Guayaquil where we check into our hotel for a 1-night stay.
Hacienda La Danesa
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…
Galapagos Cruise
7 NightsDay 13 - Fly to the Galapagos - Charles Darwin Research Station
Day 14 - South Plaza & Santa Fe Islands
Day 15 - San Cristóbal Island
Day 16 - Española (Hood) Island
Day 17 - Floreana Island
Day 18 - Santa Cruz and James Islands
Day 19 - Tower (Genovesa) Island
Day 20 - Turtle Cove and return to the UK
Day 21 - Arrive in the UK
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Fly to the Galapagos - Charles Darwin Research Station
Take a domestic flight to the Galapagos Islands, where you transfer to your chosen yacht or ship. All yachts or cruise ships include full board accommodation with daily excursions from knowledgable local naturalists. The following itinerary for the first class Beluga. Itineraries vary depending on the yacht or ship you chose.
Arrival to Baltra Island where our crew meets you at the airport and escorts you to your anchored yacht. In the afternoon, visit the highlands of Santa Cruz where Galapagos giant tortoises can be seen in the wild.
Continue to the Charles Darwin Research Station and observe its giant tortoise and land iguana breeding program and interpretation centre.
Monday, 06 July 2026
South Plaza and Santa Fe Islands
In the morning we visit South Plaza Island with its tall Opuntia cactus, land and marine iguanas, rocky cliff that looks out towards open ocean which is also a nesting site for red-billed tropic birds and gulls, and a seal lion bachelor colony.
After lunch on board, we explore Santa Fe Island. Highlights include Santa Fe land iguanas, a pelican nesting site, a sea lion colony, mockingbirds and Palo Santo trees.
Tuesday, 07 July 2026
San Cristóbal Island
San Cristóbal is the easternmost island of Galapagos and also one of the oldest. Today we explore Witch Hill, a volcanic cone that looks over a beautiful white sandy beach which has plenty of sea lions, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, waders and marine iguanas. After lunch, visit Galapaguera and El Junco, a fresh water lagoon with great views from its altitude of 700m in the highlands of San Cristóbal.
Galapaguera is a good area to see tortoises in their natural environment.
Wednesday, 08 July 2026
Española (Hood) Island
Hood Island (Española) is the southernmost in the archipelago. Because of its remote location a unique range of endemic species evolved here. We visit Gardner Bay, a long and beautiful white sandy beach inhabited by sea lion colonies. Continue to Islote Gardner and Islote Osborn where you can snorkel amongst tropical fish, reef sharks and turtles.
In the afternoon, visit Punta Suarez. Highlights include the Waved albatross (April-Dec) that are only found on Hood, Galapagos Hawks, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies and Española lava lizards.
Thursday, 09 July 2026
Floreana Island
Floreana is best known for its colourful history of buccaneers, whalers, convicts and early colonists. Morning visit to Punta Cormorant with two contrasting beaches and a large inland lagoon where pink flamingos can be seen.
Continue to a snorkelling site at Devil’s Crown and onto Post Office Bay with its wooden mail barrel where you can send a postcard back home.
The bay remains a Norwegian fishing village.
Friday, 10 July 2026
Santa Cruz and James Islands
This morning we visit Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island, a small lagoon behind the beach, often frequented by flamingos. Continue to James Island, located between Isabela and Santa Cruz Islands, offering a wide variety of seabirds, marine iguanas and fur seals.
Continue to Sullivan Bay, a area with fascinating geology - 100 hundred year old lava flow field, pahoehoe formations and lava bubbles.
Saturday, 11 July 2026
Tower (Genovesa) Island
Today we explore Tower Island (Genovesa) with its eroded flat volcanic landscape and natural harbour. Visit the steep cliffs at Darwin Bay, home to thousands of frigate birds, red-footed boobies, noddy terns, lava gulls, tropicbirds, doves, storm petrels and Darwin’s finches.
After lunch, enjoy a dinghy rides along the cliffs observing fur seals and many seabirds.
Sunday, 12 July 2026
Turtle Cove and return to the UK
Disembark after breakfast and visit Turtle Cove, a red mangrove lagoon on Santa Cruz and a perfect example of how mangroves alter the marine environment to create a rich and unique habitat. Continue to Baltra Airport for your flight back to the mainland and connect with your return overnight flight home.
Monday, 13 July 2026
Arrive in the UK
Arrive in the UK in the morning.
Cachalote Explorer
Enjoy the small ship experience of cruising from island to island, getting close to the shore, feel the breeze and listening to the sea. After the morning and afternoon landings ashore, you can enjoy the spacious sundeck areas, sunbathe and admire the sea lions playing around you.
The Cachalote Explorer accommodates up to 16 passengers in 8…
Beluga
The M/Y Beluga is a spacious and comfortable superior first class motor yacht accommodating up to 16 passengers in 8 double cabins. One of these has an additional berth which becomes a triple room which is ideal for families.
Beluga is fully air-conditioned, has spacious social areas with all the comforts and facilities of a…
Ocean Spray
The Mega-Catamaran Ocean Spray cruises at 15 knots, one of fastest cruising speeds in the Galapagos. Add to this cabins with private balconies and the luxury of space for relaxation and al fresco dining and you will be smitten. The vessel features beautifully upgraded public areas and cabins, offering a contemporary and luxury on board…
Price Guidelines
| Season | Low Season | High Season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Dates | 15 January - 30 June & September - 15 December | July - August & 16 December - 15 January | ||||
| Room Arrangement | Tourist | First | Deluxe | Tourist | First | Deluxe |
| Multiple Travellers - Twin Rooms | £7,936 | £9,848 | £12,162 | £8,434 | £10,348 | £12,762 |
Prices are a guideline per person, for travel within the next year and booking early and are subject to availability. Please see below what is included and request a detailed quotation with a guaranteed price for your specific departure date and for Special Events, Summer, Christmas, New Year's Eve & Easter.
What's Included
- 21 Days / 19 Nights
- International flights (1 overnight)
- Internal flights
- Accommodation as shown on the itinerary
- 19 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 15 dinners
- 7-night Galapagos Islands cruise including daily excursions
- Transfers to and from airports
- Transport throughout the itinerary
- Excursions listed, all with expert, English-speaking guides
Complete a form or call our specialist advisors to start planning your trip. Please provide as much information as possible, and we will aim to respond to your enquiry the same or next working day.
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HIGHLIGHTS - 20 June 2026
BEACH RESORTS - Superb: Idyllic Setting, Remote Islands
PERU - Machu Picchu, Andean Landscapes, Historic Heritage
GALAPAGOS, ECUADOR - Friendly Wildlife on the Islands
BRAZIL NATURE - NEW Atlantic Forest Birdwatching Trails
BRAZIL IMPERIAL - NEW Brazil Royal Family Heritage
HONEYMOONS & CELEBRATIONS - "en Tete-a-Tete"
TRAVEL INSURANCE essential comprehensive cover