Spanning three distinctly different geographical zones, from the steamy Amazon east of the Andes through the Andean Highlands, before extending 1,000 kilometres out to sea toward the rocky marine haven of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador’s vast natural attractions proudly bely its status as the smallest South American country.
Ecuador’s Amazonian region is incentive enough to visit the country alone, even before venturing to Galapagos. Staying in the remote jungle of the world’s largest rainforest is an experience not to be missed, where traditional life and ancient traditions combine with abundant wildlife. Amongst the mammals living in the steamy jungle are armadillos, sloths, monkeys, tapirs and ocelots, but the smaller stars of the Amazon are the countless butterflies, frogs, lizards and tropical fish that you will come across as you explore by boat or walking safari.
With its abundance of natural habitats and protected areas, Ecuador is home to a number of different species of New World monkeys, including Pygmy Marmosets, Spider monkeys, Squirrel monkeys, Capuchin monkeys, Woolly monkeys and Howler monkeys. All New World monkeys are arboreal (meaning they live in trees) and feed on seeds, fruits and insects.
This luxury safari takes you on a journey of natural highlights on land and at sea. Explore Ecuador’s wonderful capital city, Quito as you weave through the streets and plazas on a guided tour to learn about the interesting mix of cultures in the city. Get up close to the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands, from land iguanas and flamingo, to blue-footed boobies and tortoise, and you can even snorkel with sea lions and sharks.
A true Andes, Amazon & Cloud Forest Adventure; visit Cotopaxi's with its peak at a soaring 5,897 metres in height, spend time in the mighty Amazon Rainforest and immerse yourself in the lush nature of Ecuador's cloud forest.
On this adventure you will spend 7 nights on the Grand Majestic yacht, a luxury vessel specifically designed to explore the Galapagos Islands, getting up close with the Galapagos wildlife; from iguanas and frigate birds, to tortoises and boobies. Enjoy a relaxing few days in the Zuleta region, one of Ecuador’s true hidden gem. Spend time in the mighty Amazon Rainforest with expert guides searching for caiman, primates, scarlet macaws, sloth or even elusive wildcat.
Three-toed sloths are found in Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest, where they live high in the treetops. Their slow movements and green-tinged fur help them blend into the jungle canopy, making sightings a special highlight. Often seen on guided boat trips or forest walks, sloths are a symbol of the Amazon’s calm and quiet nature.
These rare freshwater dolphins, known for their distinctive pink hue, live in the Amazon River and its tributaries. Often spotted in Yasuni and Cuyabeno reserves, they’re an iconic species of Ecuador’s rainforest and a highlight of boat-based wildlife tours.
The armadillo, a creature that seems to have walked straight out of a science fiction movie with its oddities and clumsy gait, is a mammal belonging only to the New World: the American continent. As if prepared for a kind of medieval war, it always goes about in a suit of armor, with tough skin covering all its body except its feet and belly. This armor protects it, allowing it to amble around off-guard with its short-sighted vision and terrible hearing while it rummages around the earth.
Ecuador is one of the very best destinations to embark on a birdwatching tour. Home to over 1,600 bird species within just 283,000 km2, the mega-diverse paradise hosts the verdant Amazon rainforest, the towering Andes, the lush Pacific coast, and the renowned Galapagos Islands. Each of these incredible habitats is home to dozens, if not hundreds, of different bird species. Toucans, parrots, and so many more species provide an enviable destination for birdwatching. If you’re lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the Andean cock-of-the-rock - a small bright orange bird with brilliant scarlet plumage on the top of its head. Males have a large disk-like crest.
The spectacled bear, or Andean bear, is South America’s only native bear species. Found in Ecuador’s cloud forests and high-altitude Andean regions, these solitary mammals are known for their black fur and pale facial markings resembling spectacles. Primarily herbivorous, they are classified as vulnerable due to habitat loss and poaching. Key populations are protected in areas like Sangay National Park and Antisana Ecological Reserve, though sightings remain rare.
