Quito, the capital of Ecuador, lies on the slopes of the Andes’ mighty Pichincha volcano in the Guayllabamba river basin. The city’s Old Town is its main attraction - one of the most well preserved in Latin America and the first-ever UNESCO heritage site. Wander among ancient, colourful streets; pop into glorious historic churches; or spend an afternoon browsing the vibrant Mercado (markets) and learning about the unique, traditional Ecuadorian Sierra culture. Other bucket list items in Quito include a visit to the impressive Casa Museo Guayasamín; the Museo de la Presidencia which provides insight into Ecuador’s history; and a climb up the iconic towers of the Basilica. Numerous gorgeous public parks and a thriving and exciting culinary scene complete the package.
Located in the central part of the Galapagos archipelago, the small, flat island of Baltra (also known as South Seymour island) is the only island that is not part of the Galapagos National Park as it operates as a military base and is home to the local airport. With its extremely arid landscape and its sparse vegetation consisting of little more than prickly pear cacti, salt bushes and palo santo trees, arriving on this remote island can feel like landing on another planet. As the island has been designated as a non-visitor site, travelers who arrive in Baltra will immediately be taken by bus to one of two docks where they will either board a cruise ship or a ferry that will take them to the island of Santa Cruz.
San Cristóbal is the easternmost island in the Galapagos archipelago as well as the most populated. Famous for its natural attractions, the island also boasts some wonderful shopping and dining opportunities as well as a local airport. Take a break from snorkeling and hiking to enjoy the best Ecuadorian cuisine, or admire some of the exquisite artwork and designs at local galleries and markets. Must-see attractions include the Galapaguera Tortoise Reserve; the Interpretation Center (which provides important background information on the Galapagos); and Puerto Grande, a protected cove on the north-western side of the island boasting a magnificent white sandy beach - ideal for a peaceful walk, swim or photography sesssion.
Also known as ‘Hood Island’, this small, flat island is the southernmost island of the Galapagos group. Dues to its secluded location, Española is home to an impressive number of endemic wildlife. Gardner Bay on the island’s eastern shore is renowned for its magnificent beach where visitors can swim or snorkel among the remarkable marine life including a large, transient colony of sealions. Visitors can follow a trail from Gardner bay towards Punta Suarez on the western tip of the island which considered to be one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the entire archipelago. Here you will find a startling variety of exotic birdlife and reptiles including brightly colored marine iguana and the oversized lava lizard, which are unique to this extraordinary little island.
Floreana Island is located in the far southern portion of the Galapagos archipelago. As the first of the islands to support permanent human habitation, Floreana boasts a rich heritage complete with tales of buccaneers, pirates, whalers, convicts, and colonists. Visitors are invited to follow in the footsteps of whalers in the 1700s and drop a postcard into the famous "post office" barrel. At the island's northern tip is Punta Cormorant, with its two beaches, one of which forms a nesting site for Galapagos green turtles and is aptly named "Flour Beach" for its soft, powder-white sand. Between these two beaches lies a salt lagoon frequented by long-legged greater flamingoes and other shorebirds. Floreana's unique human history, fascinating geology, remarkable wildlife, and the little village of Puerto Velasco Ibarra, offering excellent lodging and food, make an ideal base for visitors looking to explore these unforgettable islands.
The island of Santa Cruz is home to Puerto Ayora, the largest and most developed town in the Galapagos. While many visitors use this island as merely a springboard for the more remote surrounding islands, those who dig a little deeper will discover that this island has plenty to offer. With numerous visitor sites, easily accessible beaches and remote highlands in the interior, Santa Cruz makes an excellent base for adventurous activities. The most popular attraction is undoubtedly the Charles Darwin Station which offers an impressive turtle breeding area and interesting information about the conservation of the unique biosphere of the Galapagos. Don’t miss the opportunity to swim or snorkel at one of the island’s magnificent beaches where you will find white sand and turquoise waters as well as an abundance of fascinating wildlife including: pelicans, blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas.
As one of the world’s foremost destinations for wildlife-viewing, this volcanic islet in the Galápagos Islands group makes an ideal stomping ground for avid nature enthusiasts. Charles Darwin was famously inspired to write his seminal work, ‘The Origin of Species’, after witnessing the veritable treasure trove of natural wonders exhibited on this extraordinary archipelago. Darwin was so intrigued by the unique landscapes, colourful rock formations and exotic wildlife of these islands that he named one of its most unusual islets after his close friend and fellow naturist, Sir Bartholomew James Sulivan. Today, Bartholomew Island is no less fascinating that is was in 1835 when Darwin first arrived. Visitors typically swim and snorkel around the iconic Pinnacle Rock where they are treated to an impressive natural world of penguins, marine turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, and other marine creatures, many of which are found nowhere else on earth.
Aptly dubbed, “Bird Island” due to its spectacular birdwatching opportunities, Genovesa (Tower) Island lies about 95 km northeast of Santa Cruz in the the Galapagos archipelago. This horse-shoe shaped island has a volcanic caldera whose wall has collapsed, forming the Great Darwin Bay. This exquisite bay is surrounded by cliffs and is home to frigatebirds and swallow-tailed gulls, the only nocturnal species of gull in the world. The island also provides sanctuary to an impressive abundance of noddy terns, lava gulls, tropic birds, storm petrels, Darwin finches and the world’s largest colony of red-footed boobies. Visitors will also find a magnificent crater lake in the centre of the island as well as a large Palo Santo forest. Genovesa Island’s remote location means it is typically only visited as part of longer itineraries but it’s remarkable birdlife as well as its diversity of exotic marine life make it well worth the extra effort.
Peru’s capital is a fantastic city to tour, dotted with a multitude of cultural sites and beautifully preserved architecture. Founded by the conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535, Lima was first named ‘City of Kings’ – a biblical reference to the ‘Three Wise Men of the East’ – before its name was changed by the Spanish colonialists. The most significant historical buildings are located around the Plaza Mayor, the most notable being the Government Palace, where one can still observe the changing of the guard performed by the Húsares de Junín. The beautiful Cathedral and the various small palaces and colonial balconies also play also their part in the beauty of the city. Another highlight is the famed Larco Herrera Museum, documenting the millennial cultures that preceded the Inca civilization and containing a priceless collection of pre-Columbian artifacts, including some of South America's finest pre-Inca erotic pottery.
Also known as Urubamba Valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas is located in the Peruvian Andes, beneath the world-famous site of Machu Picchu and not far from Cuzco, the unofficial Inca capital. This fertile valley is fed by a network of waterways and encompasses a wealth of archaeological sites, including Ollantaytambo, renowned for its extensive Inca ruins; Tipon, which features ancient agricultural terracing and a working irrigation system; and Pisac, with its ancient vestiges and colourful weekly market.
Perched high up in the Andes, Machu Picchu Pueblo is a riverside town known for its proximity to the famous Machu Picchu ruins. This cloud-forest town is encircled by towering forested cliffs and boasts an endless array of hotels, restaurants, markets and labyrinthine streets. Machu Picchu Pueblo, also known as Aguas Calientes, serves as an excellent base to explore the renowned ancient archaeological site of Machu Picchu. Visitors can enjoy a variety of other activities including: having a relaxing massage after a long day of exploring, taking a stroll through lush rainforest to the Mandor Waterfalls, embarking on an adventurous hike up the Putucusi Mountain or soaking in the relaxing thermal baths with the Andes as your backdrop. Don’t miss the Machu Picchu Museum and Botanical Gardens, displaying the area’s history and diversity of indigenous flora.
Once called the ‘Navel of the World’ by the Incas, Cuzco remains a city that blends colonial Spanish charm with older, more austere remains of pre-Columbian glory – one can still see the foundations of Inca structures on many of its city streets today. Cuzco’s most important landmarks include sites from both Inca and colonial times, such as the Korikancha (the ancient Temple of the Sun), the Inca street of Loreto with its 12-cornered stones, the cathedral, the Museum of Colonial Art, the archaeological park of Saqsaywaman (the fortress-temple), the nearby funerary shrines of Kenqo, and the water-worship site of Tambomachay.
