Day 1: Arrive Quito, 3 nights

Arrive in Quito and transfer to Hotel Patio Andaluz or Sheraton Quito Hotel, our home for the next two nights.

Day 2: Mindo Cloud Forest

We leave Quito early in the morning and head to the Mindo-Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve. Sitting at 1,250 metres above sea level, Mindo offers a mix of cool highland breeze blended with tropical warmth from the coast. Our first stop is Alambi Reserve, a family-owned eco-project dedicated to conservation and home to about 500 bird species, including toucans, parrots, pheasants, herons, kingfishers and hummingbirds. From there, we visit Mariposario de Mindo, a butterfly sanctuary, where we see species such as the Banana Skipper butterfly, and Blue Morpho and learn about their life cycles. Our final stop is the Rio Mindo, a river that shares the town’s name. We take a cable car, called a ‘tarabita’, crossing the river valley to Santuario de Cascadas. There, we stretch our legs with a gentle walk. After lunch, we head back to the hotel to relax for the rest of the day.

Day 3: Quito

Enjoy a guided tour of Quito’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, including Independence Square, San Francisco Monastery, the ornate Jesuit Church, La Compañía, and the chance to sample Ecuadorian chocolate at a cacao museum. We also visit the Equatorial Monument at the ‘Middle of the World’ to learn about the equator’s discovery.

Day 4: Santa Cruz, Galápagos Islands, 3 nights

Today we fly to the Galápagos and transfer to Santa Cruz Island by ferry. Explore the island’s shifting landscapes – from coastal cacti to lush highlands – en route to Puerto Ayora, the archipelago’s most important harbour and location of our hotel, Ikala Galápagos Hotel or Hotel Ninfa. We stop to visit twin volcanic craters and walk through a dramatic lava tunnel to experience this island’s fascinating geological history. Next, we stop at a Giant Tortoise Reserve, where we can watch these famous reptiles in their natural habitat.

Day 5: Galápagos Islands

Over the next two days we embark on full-day trips to two of the archipelago’s islands; North Seymour, South Plaza, Bartolomé or Santa Fé, each with their own unique geology and wildlife habitats. The choice and order of island visits over the coming days, is determined by the local conservation teams.

Day 6: Galápagos Islands

Today is the second of two full-day trips to two of the archipelago’s islands; North Seymour, South Plaza, Bartolomé or Santa Fé, each with their own unique geology and wildlife habitats. The choice and order of island visits over the coming days, is determined by the local conservation teams.

Day 7: Quito, Overnight

We say a fond farewell to the Galápagos Islands and fly back to Quito and return to Hotel Patio Andaluz or Sheraton Quito Hotel for our final evening.

Day 8: Depart Quito, Arrive Lima

We head to the airport for our international flight to Lima. Upon arrival we are met and transferred to our hotel, Sol de Oro Hotel and Suites ahead of the start of our Very Best of South America tour.