travel@planetwildlife.com
Please complete the enquiry form below and we'll get back within 24 hours (48 hours on a weekend)
We have no fixed routes or packaged tours. Every itinerary is unique and can be customised based on your request and preference. Explore the world your way!
Email us at travel@planetwildlife.com to customise this tour.
Start your Ecuador holiday at the historic city of Quito! Our local representative will take you to your hotel where you can relax for the rest of the day.
Your journey to the Amazon begins in the historic city of Quito. Set in the Andean valley, surrounded by magnificent peaks, Quito makes for a picturesque start to your any Ecuadorian adventure. The city has a historic colonial town center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that has recently received a massive renovation drive in 2006 and been restored to its former glory. Quito is constantly buzzing with activity and you'll be tempted to start your exploration straightaway!
Our local representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to Hotel Anahi, an all-suite boutique hotel. Each suite is naturally lit, features modern facilities, and decorated with ethnic fabrics and stylish artwork. The Orquidea Restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner, and serves a varied selection of tapas, cocktails, and wines.
Spend the day exploring the city on your own or relax at your hotel.
Go on a city tour of Quito today and see many highlights of the old town. End the day by driving up El Panecillo Hill for spectacular views of the city!
Explore Quito today as you spend the day on a city tour. Travel to Quito’s old town to visit the Independence Square, where the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral and El Sagrario Church are located. Then see the Church of La Compañia (built in 1605) that is famous for its amazing gilt altars. This is considered as one of the finest examples of baroque art in America. Moorish influence can be noted in the intricate designs carved on the magnificent red and gold columns and ceilings here. Then see the church and monastery of San Francisco (built in 1535) - the oldest Ecuadorian church. The main altar inside is a spectacular example of baroque carving. You can also admire the fine collection of artwork here that includes paintings, sculptures, and furniture dating back to the 16th century.
Later, drive to the highest viewpoint of the city— El Panecillo Hill, for a spectacular view of Quito. See the interesting La Virgen del Panecillo sculpture, a 33-meter high Madonna statue made of 7,000 pieces of aluminium, up close here. Visit Intiñan Museum that features a number of interactive exhibits demonstrating events that occur only on the equator.
Return to your hotel for the night.
Explore the beautiful highlands of Cotopaxi National Park around Limpiopungo Lake and then travel to Baños.
Today is an active day as you take a hike around Limpiopungo Lake (3800m) in Cotopaxi National Park. Head for the park in the morning from Quito, and upon arrival explore the beautiful highlands of this area. Enjoy spectacular views of the impressive snow-capped Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world.
Continue driving to Baños, a picturesque city known as the “gateway to the Amazon” (drive time from Quito to Baños is three hours in total). Stay at The Sangay Spa Hotel located next to a beautiful 80-meter high waterfall and across the street from the most famous thermal baths in Baños. The executive rooms, where you will be staying, are furnished with contemporary wooden décor, modern amenities, and private balconies. The in-house restaurant serves delectable local and international cuisine. If you have some time to relax, consider taking a dip in the heated pool, or visiting the spa for a massage.
Enjoy an active day by rafting in the Pastaza River and then exploring the city of Baños on a buggy ride.
Start your active day by enjoying some white water rafting in the Pastaza River! Then explore the city of Baños on a buggy ride. A buggy is a small car that you can conveniently take around the city to take in the picturesque sights of Baños.
See beautiful flora and fauna in the cloud forest near Baños. Visit the “Devil Cauldron” waterfall, explore the Zumbahua highlands area, and see Quilotoa Lake, before continuing to Quito for the night.
Explore the beautiful cloud forest near Baños today. Walk around the forest to reach the beautiful “Devil Cauldron” waterfall and then continue on to the Zumbahua highlands area. Your guide will show you beautiful flora like unique bromeliads and orchids found here. Look out for many different species of butterflies, cock of the rock birds, and tapirs, amongst other wildlife that resides in this region. Also, see the stunning Quilotoa Lake that is located in the crater of an ancient volcano!
After spending time in the cloud forest, travel to Quito for the night.
See the ecological wonders of the Galapagos Islands today. Fly in to San Cristobal Island and then go snorkelling with sea lions!
Visit nature’s own laboratory of evolution - the Galapagos Islands, today! The Galapagos Islands is an archipelago (group) of 13 major islands and dozens of smaller islets and rocks, formed as a result of volcanic activity. The islands harbour an extraordinary population of unique, endemic species that have evolved away from human interference.
Fly in to San Cristobal Island from Quito and transfer to Hotel Blue Marlin. Opened recently in 2011, Hotel Blue Marlin offers modern comfort in a natural setting. The spacious rooms are furnished with modern amenities and decorated to give you a feeling of being at home. The outdoor pool is a great place to relax in the evenings while sipping on some refreshing cocktails.
Get ready for an exciting afternoon as you head for Lobos Island to go snorkelling with sea lions! Also look for nesting frigates and blue-footed boobies nesting on the island. Then visit Kicker Rock, an island in the middle of the sea that is shaped like a giant sleeping lion.
Explore Floreana Island today as you walk across its highlands looking for birds, learn about Galapagos’ history at the pirates’ caves and visit a tortoise reserve. Stay at Isabela Island for the night.
Travel to Floreana Island today (transfer time is two and a half hours). On the way to the island, cruise around Champions and Enderby islets where you can see many frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies. Then go snorkelling at the Luz del Día spot where many penguins and sea lions can be seen.
Upon arrival at Floreana Island, explore the highlands where you can see many species of birds including the medium tree finch and the Charles mockingbird. Then learn about the history of Galapagos by visiting the pirates’ caves. Also visit a tortoise reserve here.
Then continue on to Isabela Island and check into Hotel Casa Sol where you will spend the night. Hotel Casa Sol is located on a beautiful white sandy beach on Isabela Island. The cosy rooms have been furnished in a homely manner to make your stay comfortable and relaxing.
Today’s action-packed day takes you to Sierra Negra volcano and then to Tintoreras Island where you can spot Galapagos penguins, and go snorkelling with sea lions!
Visit Sierra Negra volcano located at the southern end of Isabela Island. With a caldera that measures over 10 km across, Sierra Negra is considered to be one of the most impressive volcanoes of the archipelago. The journey to the volcano comprises a 45 minutes bus ride followed by a three-hour hike.
Then it’s on to Tintoreras, a beautiful small island located at just few minutes away from Isabela. Spot Galapagos penguins, white tippet sharks, and baby iguanas. Go snorkelling with sea lions here.
Enjoy a busy day as you visit a Tortoise Breeding Centre and the Wall of Tears on Isabela Island. Then travel o Santa Cruz Island for snorkelling, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, and then explore the highlands!
Start your day by visiting the Tortoise Breeding Centre at Isabela Island. The Centre focuses on improving Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul Volcano’s tortoise populations as they have suffered a decline during recent years. Then see the Wall of Tears - a historic wall built by prisoners who were held here between 1946 and 1959 when this island used to be a penal colony.
Then travel to Santa Cruz Island and go snorkelling at 4 Hermanos rocks - a group of four islands that is a sanctuary for seabirds. Also, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, former home of the legendary “Lonesome George”, the last Pinta Island tortoise. Learn about the successful giant tortoise, and land iguana breeding and reintroduction programs here. Visit the information centre, baby-tortoise house, museum, and walk-in adult tortoise enclosure.
Then head for the highlands where you can spot many beautiful birds like flycatchers, woodpecker finches, and short-eared owls around the twin craters here. Visit a tortoise ranch to see giant tortoises in their natural environment. Also trek through lava tubes naturally formed over several years by hardened lava.
Travel back to Hotel Villa Laguna for the night. Located at Puerto Ayora, Villa Laguna is a three-storied structure set in front of a fresh-water pool. The hotel has 16 comfortable and spacious en suite rooms that are clean and minimalist in design.The El Manglar Restaurant serves delicious cuisine beside the hotel’s pool.
Travel back to Quito.
Your Galapagos tour ends today as you transfer to Baltra and fly back to Quito. Check in to your hotel and get some well-deserved rest today.
Travel to Ecuadorian Amazon today and settle into Yacuma Ecolodge.
Make your way to Yacuma Ecolodge located in the Napo River province, with a few stops along the way. From Quito, you’ll be driven down to a Quichua town, via the city of Tena, to catch a boat along the Napo River to reach Yacuma Ecolodge.
Located in Yacuma Protected Rainforest Reserve, Yacuma Ecolodge is an environmentally conscious property that provides comfortable bungalows from where you can explore the beautiful surrounding Ecuadorian Amazon. Created in 1995, Yacuma Ecolodge is a joint ecotourism initiative between the local Chontayacu community and Pamir Travels Group.
Every bungalow at Yacuma Ecolodge has two rooms, each with en suite facilities. You will be staying in one of these rooms. The rooms are comfortable, clean, and designed in traditional-Amazonian style. Yacuma Ecolodge is one of the few lodges in Ecuador that uses solar energy for lighting.
After you have settled in to your room, if the weather permits, a guide will take you down the Napo River to observe the forest by night.
Trek through the Amazon today and discover resident flora and fauna. Also meet the Quechua indigenous community and learn about their way of life.
Go on a three-hour trek into the rainforest to observe local flora and fauna. Over 340 bird species live in the vicinity of Yacuma Reserve, along with many insects, mammals, reptiles, and interesting plant and tree species. An indigenous guide will identify many plan species and tell you about their medicinal usage. If you’re lucky you might see birds like oropendolas and colourful parrots.
Also visit the Quechua indigenous community and learn about local customs and the way of life of the natives of the Amazon. Then head back to the lodge for some rest, or take a dip in the river, or even try your hand at fishing.
Travel back to Quito today.
Bid farewell to the Amazon today and make your way back to Quito. Travel up the Napo River to Santa Rosa or San Pedro village, then drive to Quito via Tena. Enjoy your last night in Ecuador by reminiscing at your hotel, or step out into the city one last time on your own.
An exciting Ecuador holiday comes to an end today as you transfer to the airport and fly home.
Your Ecuadorian adventure ends today as you transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Please note that the transfers in Galapagos are on a shared basis
Fitness is vital for this level of activity, as the environment traversed may be remote and challenging. These rugged experiences include long walks, trekking, cycling or rafting in isolated areas through variable weather conditions for up to eight to ten hours a day. These trips are usually 13 to 19 days in duration. Maximum altitude reached will be 4000m and you need to be very fit in order to withstand the weather conditions. Good physical condition is essential and previous hill-walking experience or preparation is advisable.
We offer: 100% Tailor Made Tours | Adventure Travel | Guided Safaris | Value for Money Trips | Expert Travel Advice | Responsible Travel | Exclusive Travel Offers | Loyalty Rewards Programme
