Ecuador Nature Explorer

The largest city in Ecuador and located on the Pacific coast, Guayaquil is the country’s economic hub. With a good selection of fine restaurants and cultural establishments, we can help you make the most of your short time here.

You’ll begin your exploration of the Galápagos with four nights on your choice of Jacada’s selected luxury expedition cruises. The exact itinerary will depend on which you choose – and your travel designer will help you pick the best for you and your family.

Hopping between the islands you’ll set off on daily water-based expeditions and guided tours with naturalist guides. Highlights include snorkelling off of pristine sandy beaches, walking among fields of lava and spotting inquisitive sea lions and iguanas. The islands’ endemic wildlife has no fear of predators, and opportunities to observe both animals and birds are unparalleled.

Travel onwards to Ecuador’s capital, Quito, the first-ever UNESCO World Heritage city. The historic centre has been incredibly well preserved and you’ll get a sense of stepping back in time and into contemporary Ecuadorian culture at the same time. The main plaza, the ‘Plaza de la Independencia’, is where you’ll find the Government Palace, the Cathedral and some of the most important churches. ‘Panecillo’, the hill that divides Quito, is crowned by the famous statue of Our Lady of the Panecillo, built by Bernardo de Legarda, and offers spectacular views.

To help you explore, you’ll have our list of recommendations as well as private guides. We can arrange a number of private, interest-led tours and book the best restaurants for you. Talk to your travel designer about how you would like to spend your time here.

Time to enjoy the natural evergreen environment of the misty Cloud Forests. Home to over 500 species of bird, thousands of species of orchid, numerous mammals and many colourful reptiles, this is a nature lover’s haven.

Stay at Mashpi Lodge, a stunning, design-led eco lodge set in the 1,300-hectare (3,200-acres) Mashpi Rainforest Biodiversity Reserve, part of the globally-important Tumbez-Chocó-Darien ecosystem. Spend your days climbing observation towers and swimming beneath waterfalls, or riding canopy zip lines and darting along mountain bike trails.