Complete Ecuador

Day 1 to 2. Depart London [B (Day 2 only)]

Depart London for Quito via Miami, arriving in the evening. You will be met on arrival and transferred to the very comfortable Grand Hotel Mercure Alameda for a 2- night stay. The Grand Hotel Mercure Alameda is in an ideal position for restaurants, shopping and museums. Your time here is free for exploration - why not visit the Equatorial Monument and nearby pre-Incan ruins of Rumicucho (thought to be a solar observatory and fortress), go horse-riding or white-water rafting, visit an Indian market or simply take a city tour. Should you like us to pre-book any of these activities, just let us know.

Days 3 to 5. Amazon [B, L, D]

A short flight takes you to Coca from where you transfer to your jungle lodge by motorised canoe and Indian dugout. Both Sacha Jungle Lodge and La Selva are situated in the north-eastern corner of Ecuador deep in the Amazon jungle.

This region protects more species of plant and mammal than almost any area of a similar size and is home to 15% of all the bird species on the planet including Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Cobalt-winged Parakeet, oropendolas, tanagers and Harpy Eagle. There are more than 100 species of mammal here including Three-toed Sloth, Black-mantled Tamarin, Nine-banded Armadillo, Capybara, Agouti, Coati, Tapir and Jaguar, while the rivers, streams and lakes are home to two species of freshwater dolphin, four species of caiman and over 300 species of fish.

A 3-night adventure in the company of expert guides will include trips in small motor-boats and dugout canoes which easily navigate the smaller streams and creeks, together with plenty of opportunities for land-based wildlife-viewing.

Day 6. Quito [B]

A dawn departure is necessary in order to catch the flight back to Quito, where you will arrive at midday. You spend a further two nights at the Grand Hotel Mercure Alameda.

Day 7. Cotopaxi [B]

Spend the day exploring and birdwatching on Cotopaxi, the world's highest active volcano which is adorned year-round in a layer of snow.

Days 8 to 14. Galapagos [B, L, D]

Fly from Quito to the Galapagos for the beginning of your 7-night voyage. We use a wide selection of boats that wend their way around the islands viewing the unique and magnificent wildlife, all of which have expert naturalists on board. Much of your Galapagos holiday will be spent at sea, travelling between the islands. Don't think that this is wasted time however, as much of your travelling will be after dark. Some of course will not be, but the seas surrounding the Galapagos Islands are an integral part of the national park. You may see whales, dolphins, sharks and rays from the boat as well as large numbers of feeding seabirds.

Days 15 & 16. Guayaquil [B]

Fly to Guayaquil for a 2-night stay at Hampton Inn. You may like to visit a banana or cocoa plantation or go birdwatching in a mangrove forest.

Days 17 & 18. Homeward [B (Day 17 only)]

Return to the UK on an overnight flight, arriving home the following day.