Mainland Ecuador highlights vacation, tailor made

Planet

As an in depth specialist tour operator to Ecuador, responsible tourism is at the very heart of what we do. To us, this means much more than a simple donation to a charity for each client. We try to build long and constructive involvements with local guides, guest houses, wildlife lodges, and hotels, in the course of which we, and our clients, can make lasting wide-ranging contributions to the wonderful places and people we engage with. In this itinerary we use several lodges that fit with this philosophy perfectly, employing local guides and bringing long-term benefits to the local community.

We were the first tour operator in the UK to form a partnership with the Rainforest Alliance to work towards the implementation of best management practices in sustainable tourism. In real terms this means that we are working with hotels who are making a positive impact on their local community – socially, environmentally and economically.

At Termas de Papallacta buildings have been constructed from locally sourced materials and designed to blend into the surrounding Andean cloud forest. Rooms are heated by volcanic thermal steam, and the thermal pools are fed by natural, mineral-rich glacial waters. The onsite restaurant serves ingredients from local producers and fresh trout sourced from their own sustainable aquaculture.

Napo Wildlife Centre goes beyond providing high-quality hospitality: they are committed to preserving over 21,400 hectares of untouched rainforest within Yasuní National Park. The Añangu community made the conscious decision to cease traditional hunting and fishing practices to protect their natural environment and ensure biodiversity for future generations.

People

We use local guides in all of our destinations. It is our experience that with the right approach, local guides with their superior local knowledge (often passed down through generations) are best qualified for the job, and are the best champions of their local communities. It is also a fantastic way of helping communities to survive and flourish when gifted people are able to work locally instead of having to leave for the cities to find work.

On this tour we visit several markets with opportunities to buy handicrafts, native arts, wood carvings and hand knitted garments. This allows local people to make a living and preserve their traditional way of life. In Ecuador we use local ground handlers - this means that all the operational costs go directly into the local economy and helps to improve employment opportunities in remote regions. By incorporating locally owned hotels, restaurants and the services of guides and drivers into our itineraries, we ensure that money you spend on your trip goes directly into the local economy and local communities benefit from tourism.

Napo Wildlife Center is fully managed by the Indigenous Kichwa Añangu community. They not only operate the lodge but also directly benefit from the project’s success. Their deep knowledge of the Amazon, their traditions, and their ancestral connection to the land enrich every experience they offer. Moreover, all profits generated at Napo Wildlife Center are reinvested into health, education, and community well-being programs. This ensures that the impact of tourism remains positive and lasting, strengthening both the social fabric and the surrounding natural environment.