Ecuador

Straddling two hemispheres, Ecuador - the smallest of the Andean countries - offers the traveller a striking blend of landscapes, peoples and cultures. Once the Inca Empire's northernmost territory, successive waves of invaders have left their indelible mark on the country.

Original Travel’s Latin America team can plan your own micro-invasion of the country with military precision by suggesting itineraries to include a visit to Inca ruins on the hilltops of the Sierra and the beautifully preserved cities of Quito and Cuenca - both rich in art and architecture after 300 years of Spanish rule.

Last but not least, six hundred miles out in the Pacific Ocean lie the Galapagos Islands, the catalyst for Darwin’s theory of evolution. Original Travel consultants have visited the islands on several occasions, and know the best boats for every type of trip from family holidays to dive safaris.