Galapagos & Ecuador tailor made holidays

Ecuador is a small, compact country which offers an excellent introduction to South America as it divides neatly into three tracts of contrasting landscapes; the tropical coastal region, the volcano-lined highlands, and the lush rainforest. A trip here would begin in the capital Quito, where you can glimpse dazzling views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. A tour of the city will provide a historical background to learn more of this country's colonial and indigenous past.

A one-and-a-half hour journey north of Quito is Hacienda Pinsaqui, a traditional 300-year old colonial hacienda, which spans 6 generations. The high ceilings, big thick walls and chimneys create a rustic atmosphere, as do the courtyards with fountains, foliage and cobbled paths. The views and the grounds are beautiful and a stay here give will give you a real flavour of the Andes north of Quito.

An excursion to the nearby Otavalo Market allows you to interact with the local Otavaleños (Otavalo Indians) who are famous for the weaving of textiles, a practice which they have had for 400 years.

A short plane journey from Quito will fly you over the glistening Andean peaks before descending through the lush green treetops to a land of total contrast - the humid Amazon jungle. Amazon transportation - a motorized canoe - will whisk you along the river to Napo Wildlife Centre. Some fantastic wildlife spotting is to be done on this journey when you glimpse a multitude of wildlife coming to the water to drink.

The Napo Wildlife Centre, deep in the heart of the Ecuadorian jungle, where oil companies have been responsible for much destruction of the area, offers a unique haven of tranquility stretching over 82-square miles of private reserve. Its uniqueness is thanks to the Quichua Indian community of Anangu's partnership with the non-profits of Tropical Nature and EcoEcuador who were able to construct the lodge and maintain the reserve with funding from charitable contributions. Excursions from the lodge, accompanied by knowledgeable local guides, will afford sightings of giant otters, macaws at clay licks, woolly monkeys and caimans amongst others. It is a beautiful lodge in an unforgettable location and your stay will protect both the community's reserve and the Yasuni National Park.

About 600 miles off the west coast of Ecuador are the Galapagos Islands which you will reach by a two hour flight from Quito. The Galapagos Islands' reputation as one of the world's great travel experiences is quite justified. There is such a unique and diverse range of animals with no fear of man. During your seven night cruise on the Eric you will enjoy daily excursions with an english-speaking naturalist from whom you will learn so much about the fascinating flora and fauna found on the Galapagos. Snorkelling with playful and inquisitive sealions is not to be missed and you will also have the opportunity to spot the well known Galapagos tortoise which lives on seven of the islands and has an average lifespan of more than 150 years. Also look out for marine iguanas as they are the only iguanas adapted to life in the water. Land iguanas, lava lizards, geckos and snakes can also be found on the Islands. During your cruise you are also likely to come across Galapagos penguins, Darwin's finches, frigatebirds, albatrosses, gulls, boobies, pelicans and Galapagos hawks, among others. The flightless cormorant is fascinating, being a bird which has lost the ability to fly. There are also a few mammal species, mostly sea mammals such as whales and dolphins which you may be lucky enough to spot. With its notoriously unpredictable climate, it is difficult to site a "best time of year." Year round you can expect plenty of sunshine, but also the occasional shower. Important to note however, are the more distinct seasonal variations in the Galapagos. The Islands have hot and sunny days with brief showers from January to June, and the rest of the year tends to be drier and overcast. The seas can be more choppy around August and September and are at their calmest (and warmest) between January and June.