THE TRIP

The author travelled with Journey Latin America (020 3553 9647; journeylatinamerica.co.uk).

A 12-day holiday to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands starts from £9,133 per person, including a seven-night cruise on board Ecoventura’s Theory on a full-board basis, accommodation in

Quito and Guayaquil on a B&B basis, excursions,

National Park entrance fees, the INGALA transit card, transfers, domestic flights in Ecuador and international flights from

London Heathrow.