Epic Ecuador holiday: Amazon, Galapagos and the Andes

Itinerary in brief: 

• 2 nights Quito
• 3 nights Amazon Rainforest
• 1 night Quito
• 2 nights Mindo Cloudforest
• 1 night Puembo
• 6 nights Galapagos cruise
• 1 night Quito 

Day 1: UK to Quito

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. You'll arrive in Quito later the same day, where you'll be met at the airport and driven to your hotel, checking in for two nights. 

Included: International flights, transfers, 4* hotel 

Day 2: Quito 

Spend the day exploring Quito - you'll be picked up by your guide to discover the highlights of the city centre. Stroll through Independence Square where can admire the statues and architecture before wandering through Old Town. Here you can gaze up at the Presidential Palace and the Jesuit church, where the gilded walls are carved from volcanic stone and covered in gold leaf. You'll explore the market, soaking up the everyday life of Quito and enjoying a spiritual cleansing by a local practitioner before arriving at El Panecillo, where the Winged Virgin of Quito statue overlooks the city and surrounding volcanoes. 

In the afternoon, you'll head out of the city to the Middle of the World, where you'll be able to stand on the Equator and learn about the history of longitude and latitude in South America. 

Included: Touring, 4* hotel 

Day 3: Fly to Coca 

This morning you'll be driven to the airport for a 30-minute flight over the Andes Mountains to a bustling town called Coca, located in the Amazon Basin. From here, you'll down the river to Sacha Lodge, where you'll be staying for three nights. Perched on the edge of a lake, this incredible place will be your base for the next few days, as you explore the Amazon Rainforest, looking for wildlife.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flights, dinner, Sacha Lodge

Days 4 & 5: Amazon Rainforest

A three day stay at Sacha Lodge allows you to feel immersed in the magic of the Amazon from the moment you arrive. Once settled into your cabin, you'll head out into the forest, with gentle hikes and canoe crossings over the black‑water lake Pilchicocha setting the scene for your time here. Early mornings bring opportunities to explore the rainforest canopy from Sacha’s famous suspension bridge, offering rare, close‑up views of tropical birds and sweeping panoramas of the endless green below. You'll learn from local guides who know this habitat inside and out, sharing their knowledge of medicinal plants and local traditions as well as the spiritual significance the forest holds for indigenous cultures. 

Head out on canoe excursions through peaceful creeks looking for monkeys, caimans, river otters or even a well‑camouflaged sloth in the canopy above you. Enjoy guided forest where you'll learn about the Amazon’s rich biodiversity before relaxing in your hammock on your deck. Climb to the top of Sacha’s 135‑foot observation tower, where you can admire views across the canopy and hear stories from your guides about the surrounding flora and fauna. Enjoy refreshing swims in the lake swimming pool and soak up the sunsets each night as you enjoy delicious food, telling stories around the table with your fellow guests.

To hear more about Sacha, read Milly's blog post about her time there.

Included: All meals and touring, Sacha Lodge

Day 7: Fly to Quito 

After a final sunrise over the canopy, you'll be taken by canoe back to the river, and by boat along to Coca, catching your flight back to Quito. Spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the city further. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flights, 4* hotel 

Days 8 & 9: Mindo Cloudforest

This morning, you’ll be picked up early for the drive to Mindo. The journey takes around 2 hours and passes through some beautiful landscapes. When you arrive at the lodge, breakfast will be waiting for you, after which you'll head out with a guide to explore the forest trails.

Your time here is all about exploring and soaking up this unique ecosystem. Enjoy hikes to spot vibrant orchids and towering tree ferns while listening out for the calls of toucans and tanagers overhead. On guided hikes you'll have help looking out for the tickier animals to spot, like tiny glass frogs or even a sleepy two‑toed sloth tucked into the canopy, all while learning how the misty forest supports this extraordinary biodiversity. You can also explore yourself, hiking through the trees, admiring leaf-cutter ants as they march in trails across your path before relaxing back at the lodge, enjoying a drink whilst watching the hummingbird feeders.

Included: All meals, guided walks, Bellavista Lodge
 

Day 10: Travel to Puembo

In the morning, you can take part in a final activity at the lodge and enjoy the cloud forest until mid-afternoon. Then, your driver will collect you and you’ll begin the journey back to Puembo, near Quito airport, arriving in the late afternoon. Here, you'll check into your hotel for the night, ready to fly to the Galapagos Islands tomorrow. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, 4* hotel 

Day 11: Fly to the Galapagos Islands 

You'll be driven to the airport this morning for the short flight to the Galapagos Islands. On arrival, you’ll be met at the airport and driven to the jetty where you will board your boat. You’ll be spending the next week onboard the Treasure, a first class catamaran with just 16 guests on board. This spectacular boat has been built specifically for exploring the Galapagos Islands, with minimum impact on the local ecosystems. The cabins are spacious and comfortable, with private balconies, air conditioning and a hot tub on deck, perfect for a relaxing evening under the stars. Enjoy sensational food al fresco on deck while you discuss the fantastic wildlife you’ve spent the day discovering. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flights, meals and activities on board the Treasure

Days 12 - 16: Galapagos cruise 

You’ll spend the next 5 days exploring the Galapagos Islands, heading around the largest island of Isabela and into the western islands. This virtually untouched corner of the archipelago is a joy to explore – look for white-tip reef sharks and eagle rays in the clear water, watch flightless cormorants on the rugged coasts of Fernandina and cross the equator as you look for dolphins leaping out of the ocean. Wildlife is never guaranteed but in the western islands you’ll have a good chance of spotting the Galapagos penguins, giant tortoises, flamingos and the famous flightless cormorant. You’ll have the chance to snorkel with marine iguanas, hike across volcanic landscapes and kayak through the waves on a trip that is surely the pinnacle of wildlife experiences on earth. 

Please note this is just one example of a boat and itinerary that we can offer – if you are interested in visiting other islands or have specific wildlife you’d love to see, we can find the perfect cruise itinerary for you, just ask! 

Included: All meals and activities, cabin on board the Treasure catamaran     

Day 17: Fly to Quito 

After breakfast, you’ll leave the boat and head to the airport for your flight to Quito, where you'll be met at the airport and driven to your hotel to check in for one night. Spend the afternoon enjoying the city - wander through the main plaza, visit local chocolate shops or even hop on the cable car up to the top of Pichincha volcano for views over the city. 

Included: Transfers, internal flights, 4* hotel 

Day 18: Depart Quito 

After breakfast, you'll be driven back to the airport, in time for your flight back home. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights

Day 19: Arrive UK