Ecuador
When
June to Dec
Price
From 4 800€ excl. flights
(based on 2 people sharing)
How long
7 nights
Ideal length
A journey between the UNESCO-listed historic centre of Quito, perched at nearly three thousand metres, and the Galápagos Islands, the living laboratory that inspired Darwin's theory of evolution.
The first UNESCO World Heritage Site named in 1978, Quito's historic centre is also one of the best preserved in Latin America — over a hundred and thirty monumental colonial-era buildings are packed into a handful of streets, between gold-leaf-covered baroque churches and cobbled squares still in daily use. Perched at nearly three thousand metres, the city also enjoys a spring-like climate year-round, despite sitting almost exactly on the equatorial line.
It was by observing variations between species on neighbouring islands of this archipelago, in 1835, that Charles Darwin laid the groundwork for his theory of evolution by natural selection. Isolated for millions of years, the Galápagos are home to wildlife that never learned to fear humans — marine iguanas, sea lions and blue-footed boobies allow a close approach without fleeing, provided visitors respect the distance rules the national park enforces to preserve this balance found nowhere else on earth.
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Quito Old Town Colonial Hotel
A hotel in a restored colonial mansion in the historic centre, a central patio and views over the gilded domes of La Compañía church.
Santa Cruz Island Lodge
A small eco-conscious lodge on Santa Cruz Island, a garden planted with endemic species and views over the bay where expedition boats anchor.
