Ecuador & The Galapagos Islands Overview
Colonial Cities, Andean Highlands, colourful markets and wildlife of the Amazon and Galapagos Islands
Our first piece of advice for anybody considering a trip to the Galapagos Islands is simple: we urge you not to overlook the mainland as you make for the country’s justifiably famous archipelago.
Ecuador’s compact size makes it blissfully easy to explore and means that you can be in the cobbled streets of the capital’s Old Town in the morning and knee-deep in Amazonian mud in the afternoon; climbing volcanoes one day and haggling for bargains in a local market the next.
Of course, as a company specialising in human and natural world safaris, we will not allow you to miss one of the planet’s most exciting wildlife experiences! Tailor making all of our trips, we will tailor your trip to maximise your enjoyment of both the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands and also the vast array of attractions of mainland Ecuador.
A predominantly rural country, Ecuador combines tradition and indigenous culture with increasingly sophisticated hotels and tourist infrastructure. Accommodation options include elegant converted private houses in the UNESCO World Heritage capital city of Quito, historic haciendas in the Andean countryside, or jungle lodges deep in the Amazon. Experiences on offer range from touring Baroque churches to hiking and birdwatching in National Parks or simply sitting on a colonial plaza and watching the Ecuadorian world go by.
For your time in the Galapagos, we will discuss a variety of boat and hotel options with you, as well as helping you decide on the length of your cruise or stay. The unique land and marine ecosystems that make up this remote cluster 
of volcanic islands are home to a dazzling array of flora and fauna and we want to ensure that you get the very most out of what is likely to be a once-in-a-lifetime visit.
What to expect on your holiday to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands: With the Galapagos Islands permanently featuring on the ‘world’s best destination’ lists, the mainland has upped its game to welcome the most discerning of international visitors, and there is some delightful accommodation in most locations. Getting around is straightforward, whether in comfortable vehicles on good roads or via short, frequent and reliable internal flights. In our experience, Ecuadorians are extremely proud of their beautiful country and delighted to show you around it.
If at all possible, a few words of Spanish will be appreciated and very well received, although English is widely spoken in all major tourist centres and by our local guides and representatives.
Please note that the Galapagos Islands can be combined very successfully with a week or more in Peru, as there are regular flights from Lima to Quito (or Guayaquil, the jumping-off point on the Ecuadorian coast for the Galapagos Islands) and vice versa.
