Otavalo, Bosque, Amazon & Galapagos

Set high in the Andes Mountains of northern Ecuador, Otavalo is an attractive rural area, a major centre for Quechua-speaking peoples and their artisanal crafts. A handful of historic haciendas serve as superb rural retreats. An alternative to staying in Quito.

Set high in the Andes Mountains of northern Ecuador, Bosque Nuboso is an area of scenic primary cloud forest, where the biodiversity is truly extraordinary. Superb for bird-watching and one of the best locations in South America for spectacled bears.

Yasuni is the section of the Amazon Basin which lies in the east of Ecuador and is most commonly combined with other parts of the same country and Galapagos. It's a vast conservation area of rivers and rainforests, offering some wonderful wildlife and cultural experiences.

Set high in the Andes Mountains of northern Ecuador, Quito is the historic capital city and the main flight hub for the country. It’s a rather pleasant place to explore, with both Inca and Spanish origins. The city also contains some interesting boutique hotels.

Set in the centre of Galapagos, Isla Baltra is a small island which is home to the main airport and, although there is a good population of land iguanas, is rarely considered anything other than a transit location.

Set in the centre of Galapagos, Isla Santa Cruz is both geographically and economically at the heart of the archipelago, being home to the majority of the human population and the main research centre. The island contains a wide range of sites of interest and tends to feature in virtually every cruise itinerary.