Mansion Alcazar

Wildlife of Ecuador & Galapagos

Wildlife & Nature Cruise + 3 more + 3 more

Wildlife enthusiasts? This one's for you.

14 days

from £10,025 pp

Family Galapagos

Family Wildlife & Nature + 3 more + 3 more

A wildlife and adventure packed family holiday they won't forget.

11 days

from £6,965 pp

Walking Classic + 2 more + 3 more

Ecuador In-Depth

Ecuador

A holiday exploring all that Ecuador has to offer

14 days

from £8,900 pp

Galapagos Taster

Wildlife & Nature Express + 3 more + 3 more

Enjoy the highlights of Ecuador and Galapagos cruising.

8 days

from £5,505 pp

Quito, Haciendas & Galapagos

Classic Wildlife & Nature + 3 more + 3 more

Experience Ecuador's rich culture and history, impressive scenery and unique Galapagos wildlife.

14 days

from £7,490 pp

Galapagos Island Hopping

Wildlife & Nature Go Local + 3 more + 3 more

Enjoy the best islands in the Galapagos for amazing wildlife.

10 days

from £8,030 pp

Quirky excursions

View all excursions in Ecuador

Nariz del Diablo ('Devil's Nose')

The Nariz del Diablo or Devil’s Nose is one of the most famous train journeys in Ecuador. Known as one of the most difficult railways to construct in the world, the tracks switchback through the steep slopes of the Andes. The construction hit particular difficulty when builders reached the vertical Devil’s Nose rock, which was zig-zagged around so the train could pass. The train now only operates as a tourist service - while the organised nature of entertainment and souvenir shops may not be to everyone’s tastes, it cannot be denied that it is a great feat of engineering.

Ingapirca

Located in the Cañar province, two hours’ from Cuenca and three and a half hours' from Riobamba, Ingapirca is one of the most important archaeological sites in Ecuador. The ruins can be dated back to the 15th century and the site was originally used by the indigenous Cañaris as an observatory. Once the Incas arrived the site became a prominent religious and administrative centre as well as a fortress, before being dismantled by the Spanish to build nearby villages. The vast complex includes a roofless fortification, courtyards, terraces, temples and a castle. There is a small museum at the site with archaeological and ethnographic displays.

Historic Cuenca & Panama Hats

Artists, poets and writers have long since flourished in pretty Cuenca. Surprisingly, the city is one of the largest in Ecuador - it unquestionably retains the charm of a much smaller provincial town. Cobblestone streets can easily be explored on foot and fascinating museums and leafy plazas are dotted in between the red-tiled roofs. You could be forgiven for making assumptions about the origins of the Panama Hat, but all genuine woven hats originate from Ecuador. Thousands of hats were shipped to Panama during the construction of the canal, where they protected workers from the beating sun's rays and gained popularity as well as their name. The Panama Hat factory in Cuenca produces some of the finest quality woven hats, while the superbly organised museum and factory gives a comprehensive breakdown of the stages of production. After learning more about the process, you can visit the gift shop to purchase the genuine article if you would like a souvenir.

Panama Hat Museum

You could be forgiven for making assumptions about the origins of the Panama Hat, but all genuine woven hats originate from Ecuador. Thousands were shipped from Ecuador to Panama during the construction of the canal, where they protected workers from the beating sun's rays and gained popularity as well as their name. The Panama Hat factory in Cuenca produces some of the finest quality woven hats, while the superbly organised museum gives a comprehensive breakdown of the stages of production. After learning more about the process you can visit the gift-shop to purchase the genuine article if you would like a souvenir.