On day 1 you will arrive into Quito, the capital of Ecuador and the starting point for your journey luxury adventure through the country. You will be met on arrival by your English-speaking guide and transferred north along the Pan-American Highway, passing through the ‘Avenue of Volcanoes’ and ending at a charming hacienda, which will be your home for the next two nights.

Hacienda’s are historic country houses and farms, found throughout the Andes in Ecuador. Your hacienda is actually owned by the family of a former Ecuadorian president and is as comfortable as they come. With log fires, characterful rooms and delicious homemade cuisine, they’re the perfect start to any trip to Ecuador and allow guests to ease into their travel and experience a traditional part of the country.

Activities on offer include gentle trails through the countryside, immersing yourself in life on the farm including a visit to the hacienda’s very own cheese factory as well as horse-riding and visits to some of the nearby towns and communities, famous for their handicrafts.

Two nights at a historic hacienda in the highlands of Ecuador including all meals and self-guided activities.

On day three you will depart the highlands of Ecuador and descend by road into the warmer climates of the cloud forest, staying at a luxury eco-lodge in its own private nature reserve.

While at the eco-lodge, you can enjoy a variety of activities, including nature and birdwatching excursions, visits to the lodge’s butterfly farm, trails through the cloud forest, and a ride on the canopy gondola—a chance to see the beautiful landscape from above. In the evening, there are presentations by the biologists at the lodge, or you can relax and enjoy a delicious meal and glass of wine instead.

Two nights at a luxury eco-lodge including all meals and guided activities in small groups.

On day 5 you will leave the cloud-forest behind and travel by road to the Ecuadorian capital, Quito. Here you will be staying in a luxury hotel overlooking the main plaza in the capital’s old-town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

During your time in Quito you will have privately guided tour of the city, exploring the cobbled streets and colourful buildings of the old-town.

Two nights at a 5* hotel in Quito’s old-town including B&B.

After an early breakfast on day 7, you will be driven back to Quito airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands, 1000km off the coast of Ecuador and reached by a 3 ½ hour plane journey.

Over the next week, you will stay on board a small live-aboard yacht with a capacity for 20 passengers. One of the most comfortable boats in the Galapagos, it is part of the Relais & Chateaux hotel group and guests can enjoy superb local cuisine and excellent service.

Whilst on board you will be looked after by two expert naturalist guides who accompany you on all activities and give daily onboard presentations. Each day is different in the Galapagos and activities vary from landings and nature trails on the islands, zodiac trips, snorkelling, kayaking and even stand-up paddle boarding. There will normally be an activity in the morning and afternoon as well as presentations by the guides, but there is plenty of time to relax and enjoy some delicious food and drink, too.

The yacht operates two seven-night itineraries, both from Sunday to Sunday. One visits the south and central islands in the archipelago, including Espanola Island and the other visits the western islands, including Isabela and Fernandina. The boat will often move overnight from one island to the next, which means waking up to completely different landscapes and wildlife each day.

Seven nights on board a small luxury expedition ship including all meals, drinks and daily guided activities with a naturalist guide with other guests on board.

After a final breakfast in the Galapagos and a possible final excursion, you will return to the airport and fly back to mainland Ecuador, where you can connect onto your international flight.