Ecuador and Galapagos

Spanning the equator on South America’s Pacific coastline, Ecuador is a relatively small but wonderfully varied country to explore.

From the east, its portion of the Amazon rises into the Andes where a string of colonial cities sit beneath snowcapped volcanoes, sloping down through lush cloud forests to the coastal plain. Trace the equator out to sea and you’ll find the Galapagos Islands, one of the great wildlife viewing destinations on earth.

For many, this legendary archipelago is reason enough to visit, island hopping on a yacht to meet its residents up close – lumbering giant tortoises, playful sea lions, a riot of marine species, Darwin’s finches, swimming iguanas and more.

Though luxury holidays in Ecuador can also offer you an incredible opportunity for adventure and discovery. Paddle canoes through the rainforest, ride horses from historic haciendas, hike under the mighty Cotopaxi, learn from indigenous cultures, wander cobbled streets and step back in time.