Grand Tour of Ecuador & the Galápagos

Begin with included airport lounge access before your overnight flight to Quito, Ecuador's mountain-framed capital set high in the Andes.

Arrive in Quito and transfer to your city-centre hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax and explore; perhaps head out into the city's UNESCO-listed old town whose Spanish-era architecture is among the finest in South America. On your second day in Ecuador's capital (the second highest altitude city in the world), you'll get to know the city in more depth on a half-day private guided tour, which includes a visit to the equator line at the Middle of the World. 

The following day, you'll venture out on a full-day tour of Cotopaxi National Park, making a stop at the traditional Sangolquí market en route. The rest of the day is dedicated to exploring the majestic Andean landscapes that surround the Cotopaxi volcano, including the stunning Limpiopungo Lagoon – a prime spot for birdwatching. This tour is the perfect introduction to the natural wonders of the Ecuadorian Andes, offering the chance to immerse yourself in the country's pristine, untamed wilderness.

Stay: Hotel Mama Cuchara (Superior)

After a scenic flight over the Andes and a four-hour river transfer from Coca – looking out for monkeys and macaws – you’ll arrive at Sacha Lodge, nestled within a 2,000-hectare ecological reserve in the Ecuadorian Amazon, on the banks of the Rio Napo. It's home to Ecuador's only treetop canopy walkway, multiple observation towers and a 45 metre-high, 360-degree canopy exploration crane, making this a wonderful base from which to discover the abundant wildlife of the world's largest rainforest. Throughout your stay, you'll also be treated to authentic, full-board Ecuadorian cuisine. 

Stay: Sacha Lodge (Standard)

Return by river to Coca and fly back to Quito for the night. 

Stay: Hotel Mama Cuchara (Superior)

Fly from Quito to Cuenca this morning – a World Heritage city of red-tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, flowery plazas and fascinating museums, all of which you'll explore on a guided walking tour. Along the way, you'll visit the Parque Calderón (the main plaza and heart of the city), the old and new cathedrals of Cuenca, the Modern Art Museum and the picturesque Barranco neighbourhood. You'll also head over to the Pumapungo Museum to discover the only archaeological site located inside the city, where centuries-old Cañari and Inca settlements once stood, pay a visit to the Homero Ortega Panama hat factory, and stop by the Turi lookout point for fabulous views looking out across the city skyline. Lunch is also included as part of the tour.

Then, the next day, you'll head out on a private full-day tour to Ingapirca, the largest known collection of Inca ruins in Ecuador, providing a fascinating glimpse into the country's pre-Columbian past. This impressive complex is dominated by the Temple of the Sun, an elliptical-shaped stone structure with magnificent panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Lunch is also included as part of the tour.

Stay: Hotel Santa Lucia or similar (Superior)

Fly from Cuenca back to Quito, where you'll spend one night at the airport hotel prior to your Galápagos Islands cruise.

Stay: Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel (Superior)

A visit to the Galápagos is a unique experience and the trip of a lifetime. Lying 1,000km off mainland Ecuador, the islands are renowned for their fearless wildlife - brought about by the lack of natural predators – but no amount of hype can prepare you for such close encounters. You can snorkel with sea lions, watch giant tortoises lumbering through cactus forest, go gooey-eyed over seal pups and catch the courtship displays of blue-footed boobies and red-throated frigate birds. Although there are hotels on several of the islands, to stay on land limits the number of other islands you can visit, making boat by far the best way is to explore.

Stay: MV Isabela II

Disembark and catch the short flight back to Quito or Guayaquil to connect with your overnight flight to the UK. Upon arrival, continue your journey home to complete your Ecuador and Galápagos holiday.