• Guayaquil: 1 night
• Galapagos Cruise: 4 nights
• Cuenca: 2 nights
• Quito: 2 nights
• Amazon Lodge: 3 nights
• Quito: 2 nights

Day 1 Sun London/Madrid/Guayaquil

Iberia flight from Heathrow via Madrid to Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city. Transfer to the Hampton Inn for one night.

Day 2 Mon Guayaquil/Galapagos Cruise

Fly to Baltra and embark on the MV Santa Cruz. Built especially for cruising the galapagos Islands, the ship has four decks with full airconditioning throughout and comfortable cabins with private facilities. Cabins are available on the main deck (MD) or upper deck (UD), please ask for details of single cabins. There are areas for dolphin and whale watching, a bar/lounge, restaurant, small shop and a library. Resident naturalist guides accompany you throughout the cruise, giving briefings on board and guiding you on shore excursions. This unique archipelago is renowned for its fearless and special wildlife: giant tortoise, marine iguana, sea lion, albatross, frigate bird and blue-footed boobies are just some of the unusual species to be seen.

Day 3 Tue to Day 5 Thu Galapagos Cruise

The Galapagos consists of six main islands with 12 smaller islands and 42 tiny islets. Your itinerary will take you to the islands of Santa Cruz, Bartolome, North Seymour, Jervis and Santiago where your guides take you along marked walking trails offering the chance to get close to the wildlife and admire the spectacular scenery. At many of the beaches there is the opportunity to snorkel or take a glass bottom boat ride to see the underwater species and submarine landscapes. On Santa Cruz Island there is a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station as well as time in the highlands to see the giant tortoise in its natural habitat.

Day 6 Fri Galapagos Cruise/Cuenca

After breakfast disembark for your flight back from San Cristobal to the mainland. A further short flight takes you to Cuenca, Ecuador's colonial gem located in the highlands. Two nights at the charming hotel Santa Lucia.

Day 7 Sat Cuenca

A tour of Cuenca has been included to show you its old quarter, the Plaza of San Sebastian, colourful artisan markets, a panama hats workshop and the flower market. Free time in the afternoon to stroll around and visit the interesting museums or shops selling traditional Indian crafts.

Day 8 Sun Cuenca/Quito

Short flight to Ecuador's capital Quito for four nights at the centrally located Hilton Colon.

Day 9 Mon

Time to explore Quito's world heritage listed old town, an orientation tour is included, to see the many beautiful reminders of convents and plazas. Alternatively there are excursions available out of town to visit La Matad del Mundo, the monument marking the equator or our optional experience to visit the Cotopaxi National Park.

Day 10 Tue

Leave Quito by small aircraft for the short flight over the snow covered peaks of the Andes to the little river port of Coca where you continue for nearly three hours by motor launch down the Napo River to the Lodge's landing stage. Then onwards to the lodge itself by Paddle canoes. Stay at Sacha Lodge for three nights

Day 11 Wed to Day 12 Thu

Some 26 thatched roof double cabins and a main dining/lounge/bar area are set amid the rainforest. Each cabin has private bathroom and private shaded terrace.One of the Lodges highlights is the 130 foot observation tower. Situated on a hill and constructed around a giant kapok tree. It permits guests to climb into and above the rainforest canopy for a magnificent view of the surrounding area.

The Lodge is home to one of the largest butterfly farms in Ecuador now breeding nearly 40 local species.
Native guides with the expert knowledge of the rainforests conduct trails for all capabilities. A typical day begins at sunrise to take advantage of the cool morning hours when animals are most active. Mid day, the hottest part of the day is spent resting. MId-afternoon visits begin around 4pm and often continue into the evening when nocturnal insects and other animals appear. A truly wondrous experience,

Day 13 Fri

Sail and fly back from Coca to Quite for two nights at the Hilton Colon

Day 14 Sat

Day at leisure to explore Quito

Day 15 Sun

Fly Iberia to Heathrow, arriving following day.

Depart for your overnight flight to Heathrow with Iberia via Madrid.