Treasures of Ecuador

Day 1 Fly from Heathrow to Quito via Miami or Madrid and transfer to the 5-star Swissotel (Hilton Colon from May 2009) for two nights.

Day 2 A morning walking tour explores the Spanish colonial churches and palaces of Quito’s wellpreserved historic centre. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 3 A two-day expedition into the Ecuadorian Andes with a scenic drive taking in Guayllabamba Gorge, San Pablo Lake and the Taita Imbabura rock formations with lunch at an atmospheric restaurant. Continue to the volcanic crater lake of Cuicocha and the handicrafts centres of San Antonio de Ibarra and Cotacachi. Dine and overnight at the 17th-century Hacienda Cusin.

Day 4 Following time at leisure at the Hacienda, visit the Indian Market in Otavalo. After lunch visit the Peguche Waterfall and weaving village en route to Quito for a further night at the Swissotel (Hilton Colon from May 2009).

Day 5 Fly to the Galapagos Islands to join the MV Galapagos Explorer II. Afternoon visit to Cerro Brujo on San Cristóbal island.

Day 6 Sail to Española, search out the mockingbird, the giant lava lizard, the marine iguana and the waved albatross, all unique to the island. Also numerous are masked and blue footed boobies, Galapagos doves, finches, swallow-tailed gulls and tropicbirds.

Day 7 Morning visit to the Charles Darwin Interpretation Centre continuing to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. This afternoon visit Rabida Island.

Day 8 A full day on Santa Cruz includes visits to a flamingo lagoon and a land iguana colony.

Day 9 Sail to Bartolomé Island to enjoy its volcanic features and colonies of Galapagos penguins and fur seals. Afternoon visit to Santiago Island.

Day 10 Visit Isabela, the largest island of the group and Fernandina, the youngest island and the most volcanically active. Colonies of marine iguanas and sea lions will be visited. Pelicans, flightless cormorants and Galapagos hawks can be seen.

Day 11 Visit North Seymour and this afternoon the lava tunnels and giant tortoises of Santa Cruz Island.

Day 12 Return to San Cristóbal. Visit the sea lion beach and enjoy the bird life of Junco Lagoon. Disembark and return by air to Quito via Guayaquil and an overnight stay at the Swissotel (Hitlton Colon from May 2009).

Day 13 By road into Ecuador’s Amazonian region reaching 4000 metres and enjoy further vistas of the Andes. Arrive at the Napo River and the Casa del Suizo Nature Lodge in the late afternoon.

Days 14 & 15 Partake in a choice of nature walks, lectures, boat rides and visits to a local riverside Indian community.

Day 16 Following a final morning at the lodge return for the last time to Quito.

Day 17 Fly from Quito to London Heathrow via Miami or Madrid.

Day 18 Arrive early morning.