Plan the Perfect Luxury Vacation in Ecuador and Peru
Ecuador luxury tours and luxury Peru trips with Happy Gringo are extravagant expeditions designed for those who put a premium on their time off. Keep reading for a short list of some of the affluent adventures available for you to choose from and plan the perfect luxury vacation in Ecuador and Peru.
Our roster includes romantic yachts in the Galapagos Islands, epic train journeys that bring back a classic era of travel, cloud forest lodges that spare no expense and have a wealth of natural treasures outside their doors, and tours of Peru that take you to the county’s hot travel spots.
The essential elegance of luxury travel in both countries is a classic combination of first-class guides, well-vetted accommodations, and a commitment to the natural surroundings where tours take you. These are journeys into the bygone eras of the cultures of ancient people, the stomping grounds of famous explorers, and environments where nature is an undeniable part of the allure.
ECUADOR LUXURY
Tren Crucero connects the capital of Quito in the sweeping Andes, to the port city of Guayaquil on the southern coast. Completed in the early days of the Republic, the route includes high mountain switchbacks, stays at historic haciendas, and stops in villages where the way of life still follows the traditions of generations past.
The standards of service on this Ecuador luxury tour brings the romance of the slow journeys to life, taking a page from the bygone eras of travel. First-class food, grand appointments, and bilingual guides make the trip well worth the time spent in transit.
The route was finished during an era when Gustav Eiffel designed some of the bridges along the way, years before the artist would create his famous masterpiece, the Eiffel Tower. The trip also traverses the Devil’s Nose, a series of switchbacks that climbs a high Andean peak and is considered one of the engineering milestones of its time.
The Endemic Catamaran gives new meaning to luxury Galapagos cruises. A floating resort with gourmet food, handpicked guides and staff, lounges, a sky deck with a jacuzzi, and airy dining areas-this is the most modern boat in the islands.
Suites have social areas, floor to ceiling windows, private terraces, and room service. The boat’s chef creatively serves fresh meals on the sky deck or in the dining area-alternating between the seafood delicacies of the islands, hearty breakfasts, and scrumptious lunches.
Kayaks and paddle boards are available for exploring the nooks and crannies of the bays and shorelines when at anchor, and observation platforms with deck chairs give unobstructed views of the open sea when in transit.
Four to eight-day itineraries cover a wide range of the islands, the longer of which takes you to an incredible mix of the western and eastern islands.
The Illa Experience Hotel is a top shelf, beautifully restored mansion in the historic center where exquisite attention to detail, a cutting-edge gourmet restaurant, and a rich variety of activities are par for the course.
Three floors with 10 rooms are decorated to reflect the different eras in Ecuador’s history-the Colonial during the Spanish occupation, the Republican when Quito’s art scene was flourishing, and the contemporary-a modern mix of creative furnishings.
The hotel’s restaurant, Nuema, is home to some of the city’s most talented chefs-serving dishes that burst with a fusion of flavors using ingredients from the four regions of the country and presented with eye-catching creativity.
Illa offers experiences, Quito luxury tours that find you visiting a local weaver or taking a watercolor class at the nearby watercolor museum started by one of the county’s premier artists.
Sacha Lodge embodies the romance and magic of jungle luxury tours that have drawn people to explore the vast flora and fauna underneath the canopy since Francisco de Orellana first set a course down the Napo River in 1541. Set on a peaceful lake and built with natural materials so it blends into the surroundings-this is a retreat where the wilderness and wildlife take center stage.
Elegant rooms with private balconies let in the sounds of the wildlife of the jungle, an al fresco dining area overlooks the lake and vivid sunsets in the distance, and gourmet food based on traditional and international dishes is served in the airy dining room.
Activities on jungle luxury tours with a naturalist and local guide take you to an observation bridge spanning almost 1000 ft. and standing around 100 ft. in the air, find you traveling down narrow waterways to parrot licks, and can include a visit to a local community to see the traditions of jungle life first hand.
Other options include jungle hikes where birds fly overhead and monkeys swing from the trees, night canoe trips to spot caimans, and afternoon dips in the lake pool after mornings of exploring.
Spacious rooms are tastefully decorated-including big shower areas with floor to ceiling windows looking out on the jungle and covered balconies with hammocks.
Masphi Lodge, north of Quito in the Mashpi Reserve that is part of the cloud forest, is a resplendent retreat that takes Ecuador luxury tours to new heights. The main building is a striking example of modern design, using the exquisite natural landscape as part of the décor.
The lodge is the brainchild of a former mayor of Quito whose passion for nature led to a hotel and reserve where cable cars connect different waterfalls and trails around the property, a learning center staffed by experts in their fields reveal the creatures of the region, and an extensive spa and wellness center balances the hikes and excursions available at your request.
Floor to ceiling windows in rooms look out on the lush forest, a glassed-in, two-story restaurant serves innovative dishes from the talented kitchen using produce grown on the property, and social areas include an outdoor terrace, observation deck, and an Expedition Room where briefings are held.
PERU LUXURY
Peru trips with Happy Gringo Travel take you to remote outposts used by the Inca, explore colonial cities where the Spanish held court, and delve into a stunning natural landscape that has enchanted travelers for centuries.
Our tours are a good jumping off point when planning a trip. We offer the option for custom-made tours that include upgrades, private guides, and choosing your own path-mix and matching the different destinations according to your tastes in travel and bucketlist for exploring the expansive country and its sights.
Tour The Magic of Peru tour is designed to give you the cream of the crop when it comes to discovering the intriguing sights of the country.
Train rides through the mountains, visiting Machu Picchu, flights over the Nazca Lines, speed boat trips to the floating reed islands of the Uros and Taquile on Lake Titicaca, and luxury Peru tours of the Sacred Valley are only part of the journey.
Exploring Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa’s ancient ruins, majestic churches, and romantic plazas give you time to take in the vast history of the country while indulging in some of the three cities’ food, nightlife, and thriving cultures.
Luxury Peru trips to Machu Picchu and Cusco put you in the heart of the Inca Empire and at the crossroads of the Spanish Renaissance in South America.
Highlights include visits to the Sacred Valley of the Inca, with stops at local markets to immerse yourself in the local indigenous culture. Excursions to Machu Picchu by train are balanced by the romantic charm of Cusco, whose history hangs in the air and the rich mix of past and modern cultures gives way to finding new discoveries each day.
For more information about luxury tours of Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands contact a member of our team.
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