Tired of living in a concrete jungle? Long to be surrounded by the sounds of nature rather than the cacophony of the city? Envelop yourself in a tapestry woven from the spectacular biodiversity of animal and plant life in the Ecuadorian Amazon and the Galápagos Islands.
You can explore these natural wonders without giving up modern comfort when you visit one of the luxury eco-lodges in the area and choose a smaller, but well-appointed cruise ship tour.
Ecuador’s tourist destinations are uniquely built to preserve the fragile rainforest ecosystem, to support the local people, and encourage the continuation of indigenous cultures. Once you’re in the Amazon, expect to be dazzled with the immense variety of trees, butterflies, birds, and monkeys.
Bird-watching is a special treat on the many canopy tours offered. Suspended 40 or more feet in the air, you’ll have an eye-level view of exotic birds wheeling and cavorting in the forest. You will also want to go to the magical Butterfly Farm, where you can see a multitude of native butterflies at various life stages.
Eco-lodges and river cruise ships often employ local people as expert guides. These guides offer an insider’s view of the area’s natural wonders, culture, indigenous groups, and geography.
There is a wide variety of types of boats, accommodations, and lengths of river cruises to choose from. Smaller vessels will allow you access to narrower rivers, or if you choose to be on a larger boat, you can take a canoe trip up smaller streams. A cruise of the Galápagos Islands will truly take you to another world. Again, your choices abound in what kind of vessel to take.
One of the most intimate options is boarding the M/Y Grace, an elegant yacht named for its late owner, Princess Grace of Monaco. With only nine cabins, you’ll enjoy a serene escape from city overcrowding, as you’ll be sharing the cruise with a maximum of 17 other guests. With this intimate setting, you receive personal attention and service from the staff. Also, the vessel’s small size allows you to visit areas of the archipelago that are inaccessible by larger cruise ships.
You can see the Galápagos’ remarkable tortoises, land and marine iguanas, the Galápagos penguin, frigatebird, Galápagos sea lion, blue-footed booby, finches, the flightless cormorant, and the Galápagos hawk in their native environment.
Snorkeling is especially inspiring in this fascinating habitat. Based on your preferences, your cruise can focus on family-friendly activities, varying levels of naturalist excursions, or active adventures including spectacular diving.
Ker & Downey offers several cruises in Ecuador varying from three to seven nights.
—This post is courtesy of luxury tour operator Ker & Downey.
