This small equatorial country has a good range of geography: savannah, high mountains, cloud forests and rainforest, as well as a long coastline and the celebrated Galapagos Islands. Gane and Marshall offer tailor-made holidays to Ecuador, allowing you to explore its culture and history as well as its wonderful mountains, with maybe a week or so in the Galapagos to round it all off.

The Galapagos Islands are among the world's greatest natural history destinations, providing a unique close encounter wildlife experience. Isolated from mainland America for years, the Galapagos Islands remain almost entirely untouched by human habitation, offering an example of nature at its most wild and untamed. The wildlife is naturally stunning, with unique species such as domed giant tortoises, marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, blue-footed boobies and fur seals.

But it’s not just the Galapagos Islands that host Ecuador’s incredible wildlife. Just a couple of hours north of Quito is Mindo Cloud Forest, home to an array of colourful tropical birds and great for adventure activities. Then there’s the Amazon Rainforest, where you can go in search of giant river otters, parrots and macaws, sloths and monkeys.

Ecuador has plenty of quaint, colonial towns and cities, where grand Spanish churches dominate flower-strewn plazas and locals wear traditional dress. For stunning scenery and great walking visit the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Here you can trek in the foothills of some of the country’s tallest peaks, while more experienced climbers can look to summit Cotopaxi itself.

Contact us today to plan your adventure to Ecuador.

ECUADOR AT A GLANCE

• Ecuador is a small country that encompasses an amazing variety of landscapes, cultures and wildlife. The country has a good road network making it easy to explore.

• As Ecuador straddles the Equator, the climate is generally fine all year-round, though sea temperatures drop from June to December.

• If you plan to visit Otavalo Market, Saturday is the best and busiest day. This is when the market overflows from the main square into the nearby streets.

• You will find a wide variety of accommodations from top class hotels to small locally-owned haciendas which offer a more authentic experience.

• If you wish to visit the Galapagos Islands, you can choose to join a cruise of 3, 4 or 7 nights’ duration. If you prefer to be land-based there are several hotels to choose from where you can enjoy day trips to nearby islands.

• Alcohol can be very expensive in Ecuador due to Government taxes. If you enjoy drinking spirits it may be worth taking a bottle with you!