Galapagos & Ecuador Highlights
This magnificent trip offers boundless adventure, magnificent wildlife encounters, immense geographical diversity, and a series of unforgettable experiences. Explore the cultural highlights of UNESCO-listed Quito. Trek the trails and paddle a canoe in the steamy Amazon rainforest. Swim with sea turtles, sea lions and sharks and hang out with giant tortoises and iguanas in the Galapagos Islands. All before relaxing in a stylish hacienda deep in the Ecuadorian countryside.
Journey highlights
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Uncover Ecuador’s colonial history and cultural wonders in UNESCO-listed Quito. Stroll through the delightful Old Town, ride the cable car for glorious views of the city and surrounding volcanoes and look forward to a chocolate tasting session.
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Lose yourself in the Amazon rainforest, paddling along meandering rivers and trekking under towering trees, as giant caiman glide through the waters, lively monkeys swing through the branches and exotic birds fly overhead.
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Experience the enchanted Galapagos Islands from the comfort of a luxurious catamaran. With lavish accommodation, expert guides, and a maximum of 16 guests, it is the perfect boat for viewing the magical bird, marine and wildlife.
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Chill out in the Ecuadorian countryside, staying at a magnificent hacienda, with warm hospitality, fabulous homecooked meals and a wide range of activities to enjoy, including hiking, biking, and river tubing.
- Exceptional itinerary:A harmonious blend of authenticity and superlative luxury, our Exceptional Journeys are designed for the discerning traveller, providing unparalleled insider access and exclusive luxury private experiences
Our tailor made journeys include:
- Your dedicated Travel Consultant who will take care of arrangements
- Private international airport transfers in destination
- Your own private, English-speaking local guides
- Unique experiences, hand-picked by our Journeys team
- Entrance to must-see local sites
- Dedicated 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
- Complimentary access to My Scott Dunn – industry-leading travel app providing pre-departure information and in-journey support
When to visit
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There's never a bad time to visit Ecuador and the Galapagos. The peak season lasts from mid-June through early September and from mid-December through mid-January. The Galapagos national park limits the number of visitors to each island and coordinates each ship's itinerary, so the archipelago will never feel like Disney World. But if you visit in the summer, you are less likely to feel a sense of solitude and isolation.
From December through to May the water and the air are warmer, but this is the rainy season. It drizzles almost daily for a short period of time. Ironically, this is also the sunniest time of year.
June through November, the Humboldt Current makes it way up to the Galapagos from the southern end of South America. The current brings cold water and cold weather, but it also brings water rich in nutrients and plankton, which attracts fish and birds. During this season there always seem to be clouds in the air, but it rarely rains. It's also quite windy, and the seas tend to be rougher.
Itinerary
Fly to Quito
Otavalo, Central Highlands, Ecuador
Upon arrival at Quito Airport, you will be picked up and transferred to the wonderful Ecuadorian countryside, surrounding the indigenous market town of Otavalo. Your base for the following two nights is Hacienda Zuleta, a 4,000-acre colonial working ranch that once belonged to the former president of Ecuador. Sitting in a lush green mountain valley with views over snow-capped mountains and volcanoes, the opulent interior of the hacienda reflects its past history and heritage.
The hacienda has a total of 19 rooms, each retaining its individual charm and character. Guests enjoy delicious homemade meals and the friendly farm workers are happy to show you around the dairy and cheese factory, organic garden, trout farm and embroidery workshop. This is an ideal base for relaxation like staying in a relaxed country house. Evenings at the hacienda are enchanting, with crackling bonfires, Andean music, and incredible star gazing.
There are plenty of activities included for those wishing to get out and explore the area. The hacienda has its own stables and discovering the magnificent landscapes on horseback is a highlight. The scented woodlands and winding mountain trails can also be explored on foot or by bike. Cooking and embroidery classes are also on offer. During your stay here you can get your first glimpse of the Ecuadorian wildlife, as the hacienda runs a successful condor rehabilitation project, so you can see these incredible birds in their natural habitat. Guests can also visit Otavalo, famous for its lively and colourful market, full of bright textiles and wooden carvings.
Amazon, Ecuador
The next stage of this amazing trip provides the opportunity to explore the tropical paradise of Yasuní National Park in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon. After a short flight from Quito to Coca, ‘the gateway to the Amazon,’ you will be transferred by motorised canoe to the Napo Wildlife Centre, located in a tributary of the Napo River. The wildlife spotting starts along the way, so look out for monkeys, toucans, parrots, and macaws. For the following three nights you will stay at Napo, which is the only lodge located in the Yasuní National Park. It is managed by the local Kichwa Añangu community and works to benefit and preserve the local communities, land, and wildlife.
The lodge overlooks Lake Añangu and guests stay in one of either 12 comfortable wooden cabañas, or 8 suites, 4 of which have a Jacuzzi. Each thatched-roof cabaña overlooks either the lake or rainforest and has a private terrace with hammock, so you can relax and soak up the views. The lodge also includes a dining hall, small library, and well stocked bar. The Wi-Fi here is weather dependent.
During your stay, you will enjoy the chance to explore accompanied by a local guide, with an incredible talent for spotting wildlife and an English-speaking naturalist. Declared a UNESCO reserve in 1989, Yasuní National Park is home to an incredible variety of flora and fauna, including 200 mammals, 565 species of bird and over 40,000 insects. Days are spent hiking the trails through the pristine Terra Firme Forest, where 150-foot trees tower above, and huge buttress roots crisscross the paths, or paddling dugout canoes scouting for river otters and water-loving birds. A night walk in the forest to hear and see the nocturnal wildlife is an unforgettable experience.
The lodge has two observation towers, ideal for watching the bird and wildlife and taking in the views of the lake at dawn and dusk. The towers give guests the chance to view the forest canopy from an entirely different perspective. A great location for wildlife viewing, look out for monkeys, toucans, parrots, and other wildlife that cannot be easily seen from the forest floor. There are also two parrot clay licks within easy reach, where guests can watch hundreds of brightly coloured parrots and macaws congregate in huge flocks to feed on the clay, a truly incredible spectacle.
Accommodation: Napo Wildlife Center ( 3 nights )
Quito, Ecuador
At the end of this adventure, yet another wildlife expedition awaits, and you will be transferred back to Quito for an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Quito Airport, to be ready for your flight to the spectacular Galapagos Islands the following morning.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Quito Airport ( 1 night )
Galapagos, Ecuador
Embrace the mounting excitement as you get your first aerial glimpse of these other-worldly islands, home to an incredible array of bird, marine and wildlife. Located over 600 miles off the Ecuadorian coast, the Galapagos archipelago includes 19 unique islands and over 100 islets, all waiting to be explored. On arrival you will be taken aboard the 16-passenger catamaran, the Ocean Spray, your base for the following four nights.
Designed to offer all the amenities of a larger boat, while preserving the intimacy of a smaller vessel, the Ocean Spray has eight spacious cabins with ensuite bathrooms, air-conditioning, large windows, and private balconies. Some cabins interconnect, making them ideal for families and there is both indoor and outdoor dining, a lounge, library, bar, and sky deck with Jacuzzi and loungers.
Over the following five days you will have the opportunity to explore a series of wonderfully different islands, home to a myriad of endemic and peculiar wildlife, through a combination of land and water activities. There is a welcoming briefing area for enriching lectures and talks given by dedicated, top-ranked naturalist guides, along with kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for sea-based excursions. Each day usually includes a morning and afternoon activity session, such as guided hiking, swimming, or snorkelling.
Paddle around marine reserves on a kayak and observe the iconic blue-footed boobies, neon pink flamingos and penguins. Snorkel with curious sealion pups and turtles and as they playfully tumble through the waters and watch as hammerhead sharks circle underneath. On land, hike across grasslands to meet the famous giant tortoise and experience the barren lava fields where huge iguanas bask in the hot sun. As you cruise these magical islands, look out for huge rays jumping out of the water and whales breaching and slapping their tail in a wildlife show unlike any other.
The itinerary has been designed to be time-efficient with most travelling undertaken at night, so you awaken in a new location every morning. With each island comes a unique experience, so regardless of the exact itinerary you can guarantee no day in the Galapagos Islands will be the same
Nr Guayaquil, Southern Ecuador
After bidding farewell to the Galapagos, you will be transferred back to the airport for the short flight to Guayaquil. From the airport, it’s a scenic overland journey through banana plantations to Hacienda la Danesa, a real gem of a property where you’ll enjoy stylish accommodation and first-class hospitality. Family-owned, the hacienda is a working dairy farm, providing guests with a fascinating insight into rural life and is the ideal place to relax before heading home. There are just six comfortable guestrooms, and the food is superb. The farm-to-table ethos ensures a fabulous supply of local seasonal and organic tropical fruits and vegetables are always available.
Set within impressive grounds, there are several activities to enjoy included in your three-night stay. These include biking, river tubing, hiking to waterfalls and chocolate workshops.
This is a fabulous place to immerse yourself in the Ecuadorian countryside, reflect on all your wonderful experiences and recharge your batteries before making the journey home.
Fly home
Call us on 020 3930 4802 to start planning your holiday.
Price Guide: (per person based on double occupancy and includes international flights)
| Departing |
Price from*
|
Deposit from * | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 2024 | GBP £9,500 | GBP £1,400 | plan your trip |
| December 2024 | GBP £9,700 | GBP £1,500 | plan your trip |
| January 2025 | GBP £9,700 | GBP £1,500 | plan your trip |
| February 2025 | GBP £9,700 | GBP £1,500 | plan your trip |
| March 2025 | GBP £9,700 | GBP £1,500 | plan your trip |
| April 2025 | GBP £9,700 | GBP £1,500 | plan your trip |
| May 2025 | GBP £9,500 | GBP £1,400 | plan your trip |
| June 2025 | GBP £9,500 | GBP £1,400 | plan your trip |
| July 2025 | GBP £9,500 | GBP £1,400 | plan your trip |
| August 2025 | GBP £9,500 | GBP £1,400 | plan your trip |
| September 2025 | GBP £9,500 | GBP £1,400 | plan your trip |
| October 2025 | GBP £9,500 | GBP £1,400 | plan your trip |
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November 2024
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £9,500
Deposit from*GBP £1,400
-
December 2024
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £9,700
Deposit from*GBP £1,500
-
January 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £9,700
Deposit from*GBP £1,500
-
February 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £9,700
Deposit from*GBP £1,500
-
March 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £9,700
Deposit from*GBP £1,500
-
April 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £9,700
Deposit from*GBP £1,500
-
May 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £9,500
Deposit from*GBP £1,400
-
June 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £9,500
Deposit from*GBP £1,400
-
July 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £9,500
Deposit from*GBP £1,400
-
August 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £9,500
Deposit from*GBP £1,400
-
September 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £9,500
Deposit from*GBP £1,400
-
October 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £9,500
Deposit from*GBP £1,400
- plan your trip
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