Top Amazon cruise extensions in Ecuador

As the landscape, culture and biodiversity of the Ecuadorian Amazon is totally unique, it draws visitors from around the world, attracted by the chance to see and experience an environment unlike anywhere else on earth.

Though an Amazon expedition cruise is reason enough to travel half way around the world, if you are making the effort to visit this unique biosphere, why not make your holiday even better – and your journey even more worthwhile – by adding an extension onto your trip and visiting some of the other incredible sights Ecuador has to offer?

The Galapagos Islands

Like the Amazon, the Galapagos Islands are home to one of the most unique habitats on earth. The main route to the Galapagos Islands is via the Ecuadorian cities of Quito or Guayaquil. This makes it incredibly easy to visit the islands either before or after an Ecuadorian Amazon voyagers cruise.

By experiencing these two unique biospheres back-to-back, visitors will gain a profound appreciation for the natural world and the role that we play in it.

Machalilla Park beach vacation

Only recently opened to the public, the beaches of the Machalilla National Park are some of the best in Ecuador. Their unspoiled nature and stunning setting make the Machalilla beaches the ideal place to relax, unwind and digest after an exciting Amazon trip.

Quito

No visit to Ecuador is complete without a few days in its bustling capital Quito. As many custom trips to the country begin and end in Quito, squeezing in a day or two of sightseeing should be fairly easy, but it’s always a good idea to check with your tour provider first.

The city centre of Quito is one of the best-preserved in all of the Americas and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Spend a day or two simply wondering the narrow streets and alleyways, soaking up the atmosphere and experiencing daily life in this high-altitude metropolis.

Otavalo Indigenous market

Once you’ve spent a few days appreciating and exploring the natural world on an Amazon river tour, what could be better than to take a trip to the Otavalo Indigenous market to see what human culture has contributed to the landscape of Ecuador.

Located high up in the Andes Mountains, the town of Otavalo hosts an enormous, colourful and bustling market every Saturday.

Pick up some hand woven textiles or other traditional wares, enjoying the lively atmosphere of the market, and its stunning setting, as you go.

Adding an extension trip onto an Ecuadorian Amazon river expedition cruise is the perfect way to enhance your visit to this spectacular country, giving visitors the opportunity to experience both the natural and manmade landscapes of this mountain nation.