Ecuador
Ecuador is a treasure of South America, where extraordinary biodiversity, rich culture, and understated luxury come together in perfect harmony.
From the cobbled streets and colonial splendor of Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to the breathtaking heights of the Andes, the country offers an incredible range of experiences within a compact landscape.
The Galápagos Islands, another UNESCO-listed wonder, promise once-in-a-lifetime encounters with unique wildlife aboard luxurious expedition yachts and eco-conscious lodges. In the Avenue of the Volcanoes, travellers can explore snow-capped peaks and serene valleys while staying in elegant haciendas steeped in history.
The Amazon Basin reveals a world of untamed beauty, where exclusive river lodges provide comfort and immersion in one of the planet’s most diverse ecosystems.
Along the coast, charming towns and pristine beaches invite rest and exploration.
Blending nature, adventure, and culture, Ecuador offers discerning travellers an intimate, authentic, and enriching journey through one of the world’s most ecologically and culturally vibrant destinations.
F PT recommends
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Casa Gangotena, Quito
In the heart of Quito’s historic Old Town, Casa Gangotena is an elegant boutique hotel housed within a beautifully restored early 20th-century mansion that overlooks Plaza San Francisco. Each room and suite reflects refined Ecuadorian craftsmanship, with art, textiles and materials that speak to the city’s heritage. Guests can dine on culinary creations that reimagine local flavours, relax in serene lounge and garden spaces, or enjoy bespoke cultural experiences that bring the city’s art, history and architecture to life. With its warm service, intimate ambiance, and central location just steps from Quito’s UNESCO heritage sites, Casa Gangotena offers a distinguished and personal retreat in Ecuador’s capital.
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Hotel del Parque, Guayaquil
Hotel del Parque is a refined urban retreat subtly rooted in Ecuadorian elegance. Situated near the city’s lively arts and cultural district, the hotel blends contemporary design with understated local touches across its stylish rooms and suites. Each space offers a calm escape with modern comforts, soft palettes, and views over tree-lined streets or inner courtyards. Guests may dine on elevated cuisine that celebrates Ecuadorian ingredients, unwind in quiet lounge spaces, or explore Guayaquil’s vibrant neighbourhoods, waterfront and museums just moments away. With warm hospitality, thoughtful design, and a central location, Hotel del Parque offers a sophisticated base for discovering the soul of Guayaquil.
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Hermes Galapagos Catamaran
The ultra-luxury expedition vessel Hermes Galapagos Catamaran redefines Galapagos cruising through elegance, intimacy, and contemporary design. Hosting just 20 guests, it offers personalized service with a nearly one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio and features 12 spacious suites with private balconies, jacuzzies, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Guests can enjoy curated daily excursions such as snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and guided island hikes, returning each evening to refined Ecuadorian and international cuisine. Elegant lounges, an observation deck, and open-air dining areas provide relaxing spaces between adventures. With its sophisticated design, exceptional comfort, and immersive exploration, Hermes Galapagos Catamaran delivers an exclusive and unforgettable journey through the enchanted islands.
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Mashpi Lodge, Cloud Forest
Mashpi Lodge is a remarkable sanctuary set deep within Ecuador’s cloud forest, where biodiversity, design and discovery converge. Suspended among the treetops and built with natural materials, the lodge’s suites and residences blend seamlessly into the emerald surroundings, giving guests a sense of floating within the forest. Guided walks along suspension bridges, waterfall trails and canopy towers bring the vibrant ecosystem to life, with expert naturalists leading immersive experiences. Meals are crafted from local produce and served in elegant spaces that frame the forest view, while wellness moments include quiet reflection, bird-sound immersion, and spa treatments inspired by the environment. With its harmony of nature, thoughtful design and purpose driven hospitality, Mashpi Lodge offers an immersive and transformative retreat into the heart of Ecuador’s wild beauty.
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Galapagos Safari Camp, Santa Cruz Island
The exclusive, all-tented lodge of Galapagos Safari Camp found in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, offers a unique blend of luxury and immersion in the Galápagos’ raw beauty. Each of its spacious tents is thoughtfully appointed with comfortable furnishings, private decks, and sweeping views over rolling landscapes. Guests can explore the archipelago on curated day excursions to iconic islands, snorkel with marine life, and hike volcanic trails before returning to refined meals served in open-air dining spaces. With intimate service, a slow-luxury philosophy, and boundless access to nature, Galapagos Safari Camp offers a powerful escape into the wild heart of the Galápagos.
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National Geographic Galápagos Cruises
National Geographic Galápagos Cruises offer extraordinary expeditions through one of the world’s most unique ecosystems, blending luxury travel with scientific discovery. Operated in partnership with Lindblad Expeditions, the experience features state-of-the-art expedition vessels equipped with comfortable cabins, open decks for wildlife viewing, and expert naturalist guides. Guests can snorkel alongside sea lions, kayak through mangrove lagoons, or walk among giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies while learning from National Geographic naturalists and photographers. Gourmet dining, onboard lectures, and small-group excursions enhance the sense of connection to the islands. With its focus on conservation, education, and adventure, the National Geographic Galápagos Cruise offers an unforgettable journey through this living natural laboratory.
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Pikaia Lodge, Santa Cruz Island
Situated on Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos, Pikaia Lodge is an ultra-luxury ecological retreat blending dramatic design with deep respect for nature. Elevated above the coastal jungle on volcanic rock, its elegant suites offer sweeping views of the Pacific and rugged terrain. Each residence provides spacious living areas, open terraces, and seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Guests can enjoy curated adventures from snorkelling & island trekking to kayak excursions, and return to the lodge to dine on refined cuisine made from sustainable ingredients. With its fusion of contemporary elegance, immersive nature experiences and responsible luxury, Pikaia Lodge is a destination for discovery and renewal in the Galápagos.
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Napo Wildlife Center, Amazon Basin
The award-winning eco-lodge Napo Wildlife Center is located deep within Ecuador’s Yasuní National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve celebrated for being one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Fully owned and operated by the Kichwa Añangu community, the lodge is a model of sustainable tourism that directly supports local conservation and cultural preservation. Its elegant bungalows and suites, built from natural materials, open to sweeping views of the rainforest canopy and lake. Guests can explore the surrounding wilderness with expert naturalist and indigenous guides through canoe excursions, forest trails, and clay lick visits where colourful parrots gather. With its community-driven ethos, pristine location, and commitment to responsible travel, Napo Wildlife Center offers an authentic and deeply enriching experience in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
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&Beyond Galapagos Explorer
A state-of-the-art luxury yacht, &Beyond Galapagos Explorer provides an intimate and immersive way to experience the Galapagos Islands. Designed for just a select number of guests, it combines cutting-edge sustainability with elegant design, spacious suites, and refined dining inspired by local flavours. Expert naturalist guides lead twice-daily excursions that reveal the archipelago’s remarkable wildlife and landscapes, while onboard service ensures every detail feels effortless and indulgent. Perfect for travellers seeking exclusivity, comfort, and meaningful connection to one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations. &Beyond also offers the opportunity to link wider itineraries throughout Latin America too.