Tailor-made Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

Ecuador, as its name implies, straddles the equator. It is a land of startling contrasts and, when combined with the unique islands of the Galapagos, offers the wildlife enthusiast perhaps the ultimate holiday with a simply staggering number of species, many of which are endemic, from the lush green jungles of the Amazon Basin to the rocky marine paradise of the Galapagos archipelago.

The Galapagos archipelago sits astride the equator, 960 kilometres west of the Ecuadorian mainland (you fly from either Quito or Guayaquil to the islands of Santa Cruz or San Cristobal). These volcanic islands have a unique biological identity, never having been connected to another landmass, and over millions of years species endemic to the islands have formed. In addition, the absence of large predators means that wildlife on the Galapagos shows little or no fear of man, and it is possible to approach birds, mammals and reptiles openly and very closely - it's a photographer's dream! Sealions, seals, dolphins and whales are present throughout the archipelago due to a constant supply of nutrient rich water and the islands are home to a wealth of bird species including the unique finches that played such a prominent role in the development of Darwin's theory.

Suggested Itineraries

Tailor Made Holidays

Places to stay in Ecuador & Galapagos

Galapagos Beluga [High]
The Beluga is a spacious, comfortable, first-class 36-metre motor-yacht carrying 16 passengers in ... >>
Finch Bay Eco Hotel [High]
At the end of your Galapagos voyage you may wish to spend a little time staying at one of the small ... >>
Galapagos Vessels
When considering a voyage around the Galapagos Islands the type of vessel you choose is ... >>
Isabela II [High]
The Isabela II is a deluxe 53-metre motor-yacht carrying 40 passengers in 21 cabins. All cabins ... >>
La Pinta [High]
La Pinta is a motor-yacht offering a luxurious expedition around the Galapagos Islands. If you ... >>
Sagitta [High]
The beautiful and spacious first class, three-masted sailing ship Sagitta carries just 16 ... >>
Samba [Mid]
The Samba is a 24-metre motor-sailor accommodating 14 passengers in seven air-conditioned cabins, ... >>
Santa Cruz [High]
The Santa Cruz is a first-class 72-metre motor-cruiser carrying 90 passengers in 47 cabins, all ... >>
The Cachalote [Mid]
The Cacahlote is a tourist class 21-metre ketch-rigged motor-sailor, carrying 16 passengers in ... >>
Mindo Cloud Forest Sachatamia Lodge [Mid]
Satchatamia Lodge is a well-placed lodge from which to enjoy ... >>
Quito Casa Aliso [Mid]
Casa Aliso is a small, ten bedroom boutique accommodation, which has the feel of a luxury home ... >>
Hotel Patio Andaluz [Mid]
This is a lovely, boutique hotel, which was declared a National Monument by UNESCO in 1978 as it ... >>
Hotel Relicario del Carmen [Mid]
A small historic hotel in the heart of the colonial centre. It is an old house said to date back ... >>
The Amazon La Selva [Mid]
La Selva is a simple and rustic lodge built to a native design. The lodge accommodates a maximum ... >>
Napo Wildlife Centre [High]
Napo Wildlife Centre is run in conjunction with the local Anangu Quichua Community and is involved ... >>
Sacha Jungle Lodge [High]
The 26 individual en-suite cabins at Sacha Jungle Lodge are constructed using local materials and ... >>

Things to see in Ecuador & Galapagos

Cruising the Galapagos
	We offer a selection of vessels to take you around the Galapagos, which are shown on the ...
Espanola
	Magnificent seabird colonies include blue-footed and masked boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. ...
Fernandina
	An active volcano with rugged slopes, unusual lava formations and a huge population of land ...
Floreana
	Densely studded with volcanic cones and relatively luxuriant. There are nesting areas for ...
Genovesa
	Breeding ground for the South American fur seal and sealions. The cliffs are home to Galapagos ...
Isabela
	By far the largest island and home to some 6,000 Galapagos tortoises around the volcanic ...
Quito
	Quito, the capital of Ecuador, sits at an altitude of 2,850 metres on the slopes of the active ...
San Cristobal
	Home to frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies and sealions, this island was the first that Charles ...
Santa Cruz
	Its rocky coastline and maze of mangrove-lined inlets is good for sea turtles, sharks and rays. ...
Santiago and Bartolome
	Lava lizards are common on Santiago and the island is good for birds such as Galapagos dove, ...
The Amazon
	The Amazon experience begins with a flight east from Quito to the rather ordinary town of Coca. ...

Fact!:Due to the popularity of the Galapagos Islands and of the vessels, early booking is always recommended for the best chance of getting your choice of boat.

The Galapagos is a fantastic location for diving. Please call our Head of Sales, Helen Brown, for more information. She enjoyed a trip there in 2009.

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