Ecuador & the Galápagos
Quito sits at 2,850 metres with the best-preserved historic centre in Latin America, and the Avenue of the Volcanoes runs south from there past Cotopaxi to the crater lake at Quilotoa and the hot springs of Baños, with the edge of the Amazon a few hours further on. The Galápagos are a two-hour flight from Guayaquil, so one Ecuador and Galápagos holiday from the UK can hold both. Tailor-made holidays from £1,999 per person including flights, from £4,399 with the Galápagos, or from £3,999 pairing the Galápagos with Machu Picchu.
The choice to make early is how you see the islands. A yacht cruise reaches the western and outer islands and their wildlife, and with flights from London starts from £6,299, while a stay on Santa Cruz with day boats costs less and suits anyone who would rather sleep ashore. Giant tortoises, sea lions and marine iguanas are there either way, and we will tell you plainly which of the two fits your dates and your budget.