Day 2
am Driving past the Equator line monument and nearby extinct crater of Pululagua, we head down the steep western slopes of the Andes, where the misty microclimate supports rare tropical flowers (e.g. giant ferns and orchids). Many colourful birds like Tanagers can be observed. Visit to orchid reserve. Arrive cloud forest lodge for lunch.

pm We will gently explore the area around the lodge, which has lots of easy trails and is literally buzzing with hummingbirds (with up to 20 different species spotted in a single day). Overnight at lodge.

Day 3
Full day exploring the Cloud Forest and its flora and fauna with a local expert naturalist. The location of our lodge also allows us to visit some of the best reserves in the area like Mindo and Milpe. Overnight at lodge.

North of Quito

Day 4
am Optional early hummingbird watching in front of the lodge. Drive back to the central valley of the Andes and a further 2 hours north to the province of Imbabura. Visit Otavalo (2 hours), the most famous Indian market town in Ecuador. This is the best place for purchasing colourful hand-woven textiles, sweaters, or jewellery for a song.

pm Visit weaving workshop and local musicians in Peguche village. We arrive at Hacienda Cusin. Flowers, birds and llamas can be enjoyed in the attractive grounds.

Day 5
am Drive the rim of Cuicocha, a lake-filled crater in the Cotacachi natural reserve (13,500 ft.). A haven for botanists with orchids and alpine plants, in the skies above the odd bird of prey (eagles, Kestrels perhaps a Condor). Walk part way along crater rim. Picnic or typical local lunch in a restaurant.

pm Visit the town of Cotacachi, whose inhabitants specialise in leather crafts and visit to Condor Sanctuary and bird of prey rescue centre. Stay at Hacienda Cusin.

Avenue of the volcanoes

Day 6
Visit to a unique dry forest reserve 'Bromeliad Woodlands' Sucuspata. This is a new eco-tourism project run by a local family. Driving south through the Andes through the 'Avenue of Volcanoes', we pass Volcan Cayambe (the highest place on the equator). Heading south we pass volcanoes of Pasochoa, Corazon, Iliniza and Cotopaxi. We arrive at Hacienda Hato Verde in the heart of Ecuador's dairy and flower farming region.

Day 7
am Day excursion to Cotopaxi National Park, with walking and birdwatching. The volcano is 19,347ft asl. We drive up to about 12,500 ft. There are rare high-altitude plants, like puyas (terrestrial bromeliads) and smaller 'alpines' like gentians.
It is also home to llamas, deer, wild horses, Andean gulls and lapwings, not to mention a chance of spotting a Condor! There is even a high-altitude hummingbird, the Andean hillstar. (Binoculars are essential).

pm After a picnic lunch we return to Quito. For evening meal you can sample one of Quito's various restaurants, or relax in the hotel. Overnight at Hotel Quito.

The Galapagos Islands Cruise

Spend 8 wonderful days cruising the Galápagos archipelago in our own chartered motor yacht, Reina Silvia. The speed and size of the boat enables us to visit the more isolated bays and coves and the freedom to enjoy them at our own pace.

M/Y Reina Silvia, has a fantastic reputation for high quality service and is one of the finest vessels of her size in the Galapagos. With a highly trained crew of eight, including a multilingual naturalist guide, Reina Silvia is fully air conditioned, accommodates her guests in eight double cabins, all furnished with oversized upper and lower beds, WC, hot and cold water shower, washbasin and vanity area. The yacht has a swimming/diving platform aft and an extended bow pulpit for whale and dolphin watching. A desalination plant provides all the freshwater needed.

Quito - Baltra
am Depart Quito. Arrive Baltra around noon (via Guayaquil ) and transfer to the motor yacht Reina Silvia for embarkation.

pm South Plazas: A tiny islet with a variety of wildlife including a large population of land iguanas, the chance to see the cactus finch alongside the small and medium ground Finches.

Along the cliff we have boobies and red-billed tropicbirds nesting, frigatebirds and shearwaters flying overhead and both lava and swallow-tailed gulls. On the rocky shores are one of the largest sea lion colonies in the archipelago. The plant life looks like a rock garden with succulent sea purslane, a reddish mat plant and cacti.

Day 9: Genovesa (Tower)
A beautiful but remote northern island. We spend the whole day here visiting two sites. We anchor within the spectacular Darwin Bay, a huge sunken volcanic caldera, home to Galápagos fur seals, hammerhead sharks and tropicbirds. Along the cliffs behind Darwin Bay nest the great frigate birds, herons, gulls and pelicans can also be seen. Climbing 'Prince Philip's Steps' is one of the best opportunities to see red-footed and Nacza boobies and a large storm-petrel breeding colony plus the odd short-eared owl.

Day 10: Fernandina (Narborough) - the youngest and most active island in the Galápagos.

am Punta Espinosa is surrounded by six volcanoes of Isabela. Unique attractions are the majestic cone, barren lavas, thousands of iguanas, curious flightless cormorants and penguins. From January to June the marine iguanas breed and lay eggs in the sand. Flightless cormorants stand around drying their 'wings' and offering nesting material to each other. Within tide-pools can be seen Sally-lightfoot crabs, great blue herons, oystercatchers and even young marine turtles seek refuge.

Isabela: the largest island in the archipelago, comprised of a series of young and some still active volcanoes. Despite its size much is barren lava with few places to disembark.

pm At Tagus Cove where we visit we have a chance to see the endemic flightless cormorant. There is a trail into the dry zone above Darwin Lake, where one may see a woodpecker finch and great views. We will also take a dingy ride along the impressive rocky cliffs where we will look for Galapagos Penguins and other sea birds like the brown noddy tern.

Day 11: James (Santiago) Island
Puerto Egas (James Bay): am Once a haven to pirates and salt miners. Darwin spent time at this historic site.A beautiful natural landscape - the path goes along a rocky shore - where marine iguanas and sally lightfoot crabs abound, also waders like plovers and oystercatchers. In the tide pools brittle stars, urchins and sea snails hide among anemones. Moray eels slither, octopus keep a wary eye or two on you.
The trail ends at the fur seal grottoes: enchanting natural pools where both species of sea lion rest and play.

pm Bartolomé Islet: The most photographed landscape in the islands is the dramatic view from the summit. The Pinnacle that leans into the bay is an eroded cone. A small family of Galapagos penguins lives in the shadows of the Pinnacle, and surprise bemused swimmers as they 'fly' around in the waters of the bay. A short walk across dunes takes one to the beach (reef sharks, rays and Ghost crabs). Often a juvenile Galápagos hawk hovering overhead. From January to March you may see marine turtles coming ashore to nest in the sand.

Day 12
Santa Cruz, with the town of Port Ayora, has the largest human population and is the base for tourism with hotels, guesthouses and dive operations. am We visit the Charles Darwin Research Centre is where scientists breed tortoises and land iguanas to put back on islands where they have been endangered. A visitor centre explains the history and conservation. We can visit the giant tortoises and see 'Lonesome George' (the last tortoise of Pinta Island).

pm We travel up to the highlands of Santa Cruz which allows us to see the remarkable change from dry coastal areas to humid forest scenery and a good chance to see Giant Tortoises in the wild, along with finches and fly catchers.

Day 13: Floreana (Charles) Island
Where long extinct eruptions and parasitic cones are now covered in forest. The first island to be inhabited, many introduced species are found and tortoises are extinct as a result. The islets off the coast of Floreana like Champion and Enderby are the only places where the Charles Island Mockingbird exists, as they have been wiped out on the main island.

am Punta Cormorant: The sand is greenish due to the high amount of volcanic minerals. Beachcombing reveals sea urchins and shells along the strand. There are plants which are unique to this part of Floreana and a species of daisy tree Scalesia. The large brackish lagoon holds one of the biggest populations of flamingos that parade around like regimental soldiers. They sometimes nest here. A short walk goes to the 'flour' sand beach, which is a delightful spot to relax, turtles and rays frequent it. We later explore underwater in the Devil's Crown, probably the best snorkelling site in the archipelago.

pm Land at the historic Post Office Bay and visit the famous barrel, a do-it-yourself postal service set up by 18th century whalers.

Day 14: Española (Hood) Island
am Gardner Bay: a dazzling white coral sand beach, one of the longest in Galapagos; home to sea lions and turtles. In the bushes behind you can spot Darwin's finches found here plus mockingbirds, the Galapagos Martin and playing along the surf small wading birds. Snorkelling off the islets in the bay are excellent with schools of yellow-tailed surgeonfish and the odd white-tipped reef shark.

pm Punta Suarez: a spectacular site with many nesting seabirds and dramatic cliff scenery and the famous 'blow-hole'. The cliffs on the southern side make an ideal take-off for the huge albatross (April to December). Large marine iguanas - more colourful than elsewhere - with hues of red and green. The trail continues through colonies of masked boobies, dancing blue-footed boobies keeping a watchful eye for a Galapagos hawk that will pick off any chicks left unguarded, above are red-billed tropic birds. Lava lizards are bigger here than other islands; the mockingbirds also differ with longer bills.

Day 15: Baltra - Quito
am Black Turtle Cove, on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island, is a tranquil mangrove lagoon where turtles breed alongside baby sharks and schools of rays. Herons and pelicans take advantage of the easy fishing here.

Transfer to Baltra airport for your flight. There will be a stop in Guayaquil before arriving in Quito pm. Hotel Quito.

Day 16
am Tour of Quito old city visiting the historic, colonial parts with hidden monasteries; churches laden with gold; tranquil plazas and Indian street markets bustling with life.

pm Transfer to airport. Depart Quito on return flight.

Day 17
Arrive UK.

Extend your trip with an Amazon Rainforest extension

Please note: This itinerary is intended as a guide, and is subject to alteration as local conditions and circumstances dictate, with always the passenger's best interest and safety in mind. The tour escort will advise actual timings. We reserve the right to use alternative airlines for logistical reasons.