Mainland Ecuador is a year-round destination. The Amazon is hot, humid and damp all year, as is the cloudforest of Mindo. Some months are wetter than others but typically you have dry mornings and damp afternoons so the difference is really how wet are the afternoons. As you are out and about very early in these locations, it is nice to rest in the afternoon and watch the wildlife come and go from the lodge.

The Galápagos Islands lie on the equator so temperatures and weather conditions are generally warm and pleasant all year round. As such, there isn’t really a bad time to visit. The wildlife is always extraordinary.

There are generally two seasons – Cool/ Dry (June to November) and Hot/Rainy (December to May). Although it can still rain in the dry season, and heavy persistent downpours are rare even in the rainy season.

The main difference between the seasons is the water temperature and the sea conditions. The sea temperature starts to cool around June with August and September seeing the coolest temperatures and choppiest seas. The differences are not extreme, you are just more likely to want to use a wetsuit for snorkelling in August and September than you are in April. The dive season is December – June when the waters are calm and visibility at its best.

The wildlife is always abundant and never far away but if you have an interest in a specific species then let us know so we can advise accordingly.

Yes. Please speak to us and we will advise. The activities are shared in the Amazon and the lodge in Mindo charges per person, not per room. Some of the Galápagos boats we work with have single cabins so there is no single supplement to pay. If you are willing to share, we can pair you up with a cabin-mate of the same gender which also avoids single supplements.

Single hotel rooms in Quito will cost a little more but the experience as a solo traveler would be great on this trip - lots of company and shared meals as well as time to explore a little on your own.

The focus of this trip is primarily wildlife, but you do spend most of your time out and about in the great outdoors, so it is not a sedentary trip by any means. While in the Amazon, activities are mainly gentle and short wildlife walks in the forest or boat trips. The heat and humidity can make it quite intense.

In Mindo, your time is unstructured so you can do as much or as little as you like. Usually you will be up and out early on walks in the forest to spot wildlife. There are other activities available to book locally such as mountain biking or even tubing on the river.

In the Galápagos there is some gentle hiking, though the islands are volcanic, which means that you are often walking on quite sharp lava. There are also lots of opportunities to swim, snorkel and sometimes kayak.

Really comfortable for the locations you are in.

The Amazon Lodge has individual cabins with electricity and hot water and a private terrace. The cabins in Mindo are simple but very comfortable and spacious. This itinerary is based on M/C Seaman Journey - a first-class catamaran carrying 16 passengers in eight cabins. Cabins are spacious and have twin or double beds. The crew and guides are fantastic and deck space is ample making her feel pleasantly airy and spacious in general. We do work with other vessels, so please speak to us and we can discuss the options that best suit you.

The hotel in Quito is a real treat and here you can expect to be really very comfortable with 5-star standard and service.

The focus of this vacation is undoubtedly the wildlife but you will certainly interact with people as you go along. Your day with our guide in Quito should provide a welcome insight to the city and introduction to the country as a whole. In the Amazon the lodges we use are very closely integrated with the communities in which they are based, usually owned in large part by those communities. Your guides are indigenous to the area and are therefore able to interpret and translate an environment impenetrable to the average outsider.

In Mindo your hosts bought the land and built the cabins and are very engaged and involved in the preservation of the forest - they are very friendly, sociable and will happily chat with you over dinner or a drink to share their experiences.

The Galápagos Islands are primarily about the wildlife, though the human history of the islands and the struggles of conservation create a fascinating context for the wildlife. Also, having a week in the company of Ecuadorian crew and an expert guide allows you time to also gain a wider understanding of your host country.

The marine life of the Galápagos. The underwater world of the Galápagos doesn’t often get as much attention as the wildlife on land. The marine life is just as abundant, colorful and fearless. Swimming alongside sea turtles is an incredible experience that you are unlikely to ever forget.

Absolutely. We can tailor your vacation in any number of ways.

Consider extending your time on mainland Ecuador with time in the highlands or the volcanoes of Cotopaxi before you head off to Galápagos. Or you can also extend your Galápagos visit with some time on one of the inhabited islands after the cruise. Just drop us a line to start the conversation.