Inspiration
Ecuador & The Galápagos Islands
From volcanic highlands and colonial cities to remote rainforest lodges and pristine Pacific isles, this immersive journey through Ecuador is a true celebration of contrasts.
Volcanoes, wildlife and waterborne wonder
Begin in Quito’s cobbled historic centre, a UNESCO-listed gem nestled in the Andes.
Venture deep into the Amazon basin, staying at an eco-lodge only accessible by canoe, where dawn canoe rides and night safaris reveal the rainforest at its most alive. Then, board your luxury catamaran for a once-in-a-lifetime cruise through the Galápagos Islands. Each day brings new discoveries: giant tortoises in the highlands, penguins diving off lava shores and rare birds in flight. End with a few days of coastal calm at a beachfront hideaway.
This itinerary offers a seamless blend of culture, adventure and wildlife, crafted for those who seek both discovery and comfort in one unforgettable trip.
- Quito
- Amazon Rainforest
- Galápagos Islands
- Puerto Ayora
Kim Hart
An expert in the ultra luxurious, Kim is your go-to for superyachts, exclusive-use villas and the kind of experiences that don’t appear on websites. She has an extensive understanding of the world’s finest hotels and a personal in-depth knowledge of Africa, Australia, New Zealand, USA & Canada, shaped around her own worldwide adventures. Kim also has a passion for the iconic wildlife viewing experiences both above and below the water.
Quito & the Amazon Rainforest
Your journey begins with an international flight to Ecuador’s capital, Quito. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Old Town. Check into an 18th-century townhouse with parquet floors, quiet courtyards and views of the historic cityscape.
The next morning, explore Quito with your private guide. Wander cobbled streets lined with ochre façades, step into centuries-old churches, and soak up sweeping views of the Andes. You’ll also visit the Middle of the World Monument, where you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere and learn about Ecuador’s rich cultural mosaic at the Ethnographic Museum.
From city to jungle: a short domestic flight whisks you east over the Andes and into the vast green expanse of the Amazon basin. On arrival in Coca, you’ll board a motorised canoe for a scenic two-hour journey along the Napo River, keeping an eye out for kingfishers and herons along the banks. A walk through the rainforest brings you to your ldge, your base for the next three nights.
Set within a 5,000-acre private reserve, your hotel offers a rare window into Amazonian biodiversity. Your days here unfold at the pace of the jungle: early morning birding walks, canopy bridge explorations, canoe trips through blackwater creeks and wildlife encounters ranging from capuchins to caimans. You might fish for piranha, swim in the lake or join a guided night walk to glimpse nocturnal creatures in torchlight.
After three days of deep immersion in nature, return to Quito for a night to recharge ahead of the next chapter of your adventure: the iconic Galápagos Islands.
Canoe through the Amazon at dawn
As the rainforest begins to stir, you’ll glide silently through blackwater creeks in a dugout canoe, guided by the sounds of the jungle. Mist rises from the water’s surface while howler monkeys call overhead and kingfishers dart between branches. This is the Amazon at its most intimate: quiet, raw and richly alive. With each paddle stroke, you’re immersed deeper into a world few ever witness. It’s a rare chance to see nature wake up, completely undisturbed. And it’s just one of many unforgettable moments in a journey shaped by rivers, volcanoes and some of the world’s most unique wildlife.
Galápagos Islands Aboard Elite
Fly from Quito to the Galápagos Islands and step aboard the Elite: a sleek, contemporary catamaran designed for luxury cruising with a light environmental footprint. With just a handful of elegant cabins, panoramic views and a dedicated naturalist team, it offers the ideal setting for exploring one of the world’s most iconic wildlife destinations in comfort and style.
Your journey begins on Santa Cruz, where you’ll venture into the lush highlands to see giant tortoises roaming freely in the wild. Afterwards, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where ongoing conservation efforts are helping preserve the extraordinary biodiversity of these volcanic islands.
Over the next seven nights, you’ll cruise through the central and western archipelago – each island revealing distinct ecosystems and rare species found nowhere else on earth. No two landings are the same, and each brings new stories, textures and encounters:
On Floreana, pink flamingos gather at a peaceful lagoon and sea lions bask on the shore. Snorkel over a submerged volcanic cone at Devil’s Crown and stop by the curious Post Office Bay, where travellers still leave hand-written notes in a centuries-old barrel.
Isabela, the largest island, is a world of contrasts. Hike the rim of the vast Sierra Negra caldera, visit local tortoise breeding programmes, and watch flamingos feed in shallow coastal lagoons. The protected waters of Elizabeth Bay offer silent mangrove channels where sea turtles glide beneath your kayak and penguins dart through the shallows.
At Urbina Bay, walk across uplifted coral beds where Galápagos tortoises and colourful land iguanas now roam. In nearby Tagus Cove, retrace the footsteps of sailors and explorers with a walk to a crater lake offering far-reaching volcanic views.
The stark beauty of Fernandina Island offers some of the most dramatic wildlife encounters of the trip. Come face to face with marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, and the occasional Galápagos hawk, all set against a backdrop of black lava flows and turquoise sea.
Santiago Island’s rugged coastline and Bartolomé’s lunar landscapes round off your voyage with a spectacular finale. You’ll spot fur seals and Sally Lightfoot crabs among the rock pools at Puerto Egas, then ascend Bartolomé’s peak for the iconic view of Pinnacle Rock, followed by a well-earned swim in its sheltered bay.
Your final day at sea takes you to North Seymour, where blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and land iguanas complete your wildlife checklist. Afterwards, disembark and make your way to the chic Finch Bay Hotel, tucked beside a quiet stretch of beach in Puerto Ayora. It’s the perfect base to pause, reflect and soak in the final hues of your island escape.
Puerto Ayora & Departure
After days of exhilarating exploration, the final stretch of your journey invites you to slow the pace. Settle into your hotel, a relaxed coastal retreat tucked between soft sands and mangrove-fringed shores. Wake to the sound of the waves, stroll along quiet beaches, or take a dip in the pool while frigatebirds soar overhead.
This final stop is yours to shape. Wander into Puerto Ayora for a taste of island life, explore scenic trails along the coast or just pause and reflect on everything you’ve seen: volcanic peaks, ancient tortoises and the raw beauty of nature at its most untouched.
On Day 16, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil, where you’ll connect to your international overnight journey home. Touch down in the UK on Day 17, carrying stories of cloud forests, crimson sunsets and the unforgettable creatures of the Enchanted Isles.
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