Ecuador and Galapagos holidays will not fail to impress even the most well travelled; and this region has incredible riches, and influence and reputation far beyond its physical size.  With so much variety, there is huge scope for breathtaking tailor-made Ecuador holidays and Galapagos cruises. Natural beauties range from the world's deepest and densest rainforest in the east, across mountain landscapes patch-worked into tiny fields by indigenous Indians, over the world's second-highest volcano and skim Pacific waters to Darwin's 'Natural Laboratory' of the Galapagos.

Ecuador and Galapagos holidays with Abercrombie & Kent will get you closer to the remarkable people, places and wildlife that make the country such a rich travel destination.

Offering the best of Latin America in miniature, within its compact borders, Ecuador has everything a traveller could wish for in abundance. Its national parks and wildlife reserves include some of the richest Amazon jungle to the east of the Andes and the high-altitude forests of Cotopaxi's volcanic flanks. Overlaying this natural beauty, Ecuador also has a cultural depth unequalled elsewhere in South America, with stately colonial buildings in the world's highest capital, Quito, with its dramatic mountainous backdrop, where thriving Indian communities throng local markets and proudly maintain their ancient cultures - a must see for every Ecuador holiday.

However the highlight of an Ecuador holiday, more often than not, is the Galapagos Islands, an archipelago of national parks nearly a thousand kilometres off the coast of Ecuador. Darwin's living laboratory is a world apart, exceptional for its fearless and unique wildlife. Any visitor to the islands on a Galapagos cruise can swim with sea lions, paddle alongside penguins, be entertained by the 'fool' booby birds and watch 200 kg giant tortoises wallowing in the swamps of Santa Cruz Island. The wildlife is quite literally unique and the landscape barren, volcanic and markedly beautiful. These are the compelling features that define the Galapagos cruise experience. Never connected with the continent, the islands contain many endemic (only found in the Galapagos) species.  A quarter of the shore fish, half of the plants and almost all of the reptiles are exclusive to the Galapagos Islands.  The Galapagos Islands are a two-hour flight from Quito or Guayaquil.  Whilst there are seasonal variations, the islands are a year-round destination.

You may wish to end your Ecuador holiday with a visit to Cuenca, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Trust site this city is the third largest in Ecuador and was one of the first cities listed in the Inca Empire.

Pricing
At A&K all of our journeys are individually tailored to suit your needs and timescale. However, as a guide, a 10 night journey to Ecuador including a Galapagos cruise will cost from £4,995 per person based on two adults sharing with flights from the UK and subject to availability.

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