Pikaia Lodge
On the rim of an extinct volcanic crater on Santa Cruz in the Galapagos, Pikaia Lodge...
Ecuador may be one of South America’s smaller countries, but it packs in extraordinary variety, and the Galapagos Islands make it truly unique.
For some travellers, it is about the Galapagos, and the once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters found nowhere else on earth. For others, it is the Andes, the colonial cities, the Amazon and the indigenous culture of the mainland that make the journey so rewarding.
The country can be experienced as a Galapagos-focused trip, a mainland journey through the Andes and Amazon, or a combination of the two. Each region offers a completely different landscape and pace.
A great trip to Ecuador often comes down to how you combine the Galapagos with the mainland, the time of year and the balance between wildlife and culture.
On the rim of an extinct volcanic crater on Santa Cruz in the Galapagos, Pikaia Lodge...
On a private lake in a 5,000-acre reserve in the Ecuadorian Amazon, Sacha Lodge is an...
On Plaza San Francisco in Quito’s UNESCO old town, Casa Gangotena is a Relais...
On the beach at Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, Finch Bay is the Galapagos’...
The first decision is understanding how the Galapagos and the mainland fit together in your journey.
The Galapagos can be experienced by expedition cruise, moving between islands to maximise wildlife, or from a land-based hotel with day trips, which suits those who prefer to stay in one place. Both offer remarkable encounters with sea lions, giant tortoises, marine iguanas and more.
On the mainland, Quito’s colonial old town, the Andean landscapes of the Avenue of the Volcanoes and the Amazon rainforest each add something distinct. Most travellers pass through Quito or Guayaquil en route to the islands, making a few days on the mainland easy to include.
Ecuador offers some of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife alongside Andean culture and Amazon rainforest. We help you plan the Galapagos properly, whether by cruise or land, and combine it with the mainland in a way that feels connected rather than complicated.
Whether you would prefer to talk things through or already have something in mind, we will help you move forward with a clear and considered plan.