Sample itineraries

Aves Travels – Amazing Service, price and delivery
The Aves Travels team were superb from our first inquiry to follow ups after our return from holiday. They not only beat the competition on price, but were leagues ahead in terms of quality of customer experience, taking into account our specific tour wishes, checking in and ensuring every thing was going smoothly during out trip. We will definitely use them again when we can and have already recommended to friends and family.

Outstanding organisation
Marianne organised every detail of our journey to Ecuador, including the Galapagos, perfectly. From our very first contact to the phone call after we returned home, every interaction was a pleasure.
Marianne understands that a journey does not begin at the airport, but from the moment you book. I am certainly not the easiest traveller and tend to ask countless questions. Marianne thinks everything through with you and keeps looking for alternatives until the journey is exactly right.
I would recommend Aves Travels to everyone.

Amazon & Galapagos
The Amazon cruise was fantastic, and our guide Erik (the spelling may be different) had been born in the area, so he shared wonderful stories and had an incredible knowledge of the region and its traditions.
Looking back, I would choose the seven-day cruise rather than the four-day cruise, which in reality is only three full days.
The Galapagos were truly impressive and certainly a place we would love to visit again. We travelled on the Grace, a beautiful vessel with a classic style that immediately appealed to us.
One of the great advantages of the Grace is that it carries only 16 guests and has two naturalist guides. This allowed for plenty of personal interaction with the crew, the other guests and the guides.
Another highlight of the Grace is its itinerary, which includes the western Galapagos Islands, something that particularly attracted us.
At Aves Travels we were looked after by Marianne. Her knowledge and positive enthusiasm are infectious, and we would certainly recommend her to anyone planning a journey to Ecuador.

Fantastic trip to Peru
Marianne was absolutely fantastic in helping us plan the perfect trip to Peru, all while staying within our desired budget. From the very beginning, she was incredibly open and transparent in her communication, which was invaluable—especially as this was our first time visiting South America.

Her deep knowledge of the country, its diverse cities, and rich local cultures made all the difference. She knew exactly which places were must-sees and curated an itinerary that gave us an authentic and unforgettable experience. The hotels she selected were not only excellent but also unique, taking us beyond the typical tourist path and making our stay even more special.

Thanks to Marianne, our trip was seamless and exceeded all expectations. If we ever plan another journey to South America, we won’t hesitate to reach out to her again. Highly recommended!

A superbly organised and varied journey through Ecuador
Marianne is highly professional, meticulous, a pleasure to deal with and always quick to respond. Her knowledge of Ecuador is outstanding.
Our journey was a 19-day tour through Ecuador, including the Andes, the cloud forest, the Amazon rainforest and a cruise around the Galapagos Islands.
Everything was taken care of, allowing us to fully enjoy this wonderful journey.

An amazing birdwatching journey in Ecuador!
At the end of January 2026, I thoroughly enjoyed an incredible birdwatching journey in Ecuador. Marianne Salmans from Aves Travels organised everything, allowing me to travel as a solo female traveller with complete confidence and peace of mind.
She personally knew the wonderful guide who showed me around Quito for a day, arranged a relaxing massage at a wellness hotel after my long flight at my request, and organised an outstanding ten-day birdwatching tour around Quito with Tropical Birding. The tour was led by a highly experienced and enjoyable guide and shared with a friendly small international group.
The birding lodges and hotels were excellent, and the food was almost always delicious, often with a lovely dessert. Freshly squeezed fruit juice was served with every meal, which was wonderful. Occasionally the showers were less than ideal and the roads were often in poor condition, but fortunately we had a highly skilled and pleasant driver. I felt completely safe throughout the journey.
And then there were the birds and the incredible nature. Ecuador is home to an astonishing number of bird species. On one day alone, we recorded more than 120 different species. Thanks to the feeding stations, many birds could be observed from very close range, making it possible to take beautiful photographs.
It was truly an unforgettable journey, and I highly recommend Aves Travels: experienced, exceptionally dedicated, approachable, pleasant to deal with and highly knowledgeable.

A four-week journey through Peru: culture and nature
In preparation for our journey through Peru in September 2025, Marianne from Aves Travels provided us with honest and expert advice. After three planning sessions, she created a well-balanced four-week itinerary focused on discovering the country’s culture, nature and the people who live there. Throughout the planning process, she listened carefully to our wishes and gave them great consideration.
Our journey included Lima, Paracas (Nazca Lines and the Ballestas Islands), Chiclayo, Trujillo, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Cusco, Puno, Lake Titicaca and Puerto Maldonado in the Amazon.
In short, we travelled from the Moche civilisation, through the Inca Empire, to the Amazon rainforest.
After returning home, we evaluated the journey together with Marianne and were extremely satisfied. We look back on an unforgettable journey and would highly recommend Aves Travels to anyone looking for an exceptional travel experience.

Tailor-made journey through Ecuador and the Galapagos exceeded all expectations
During several conversations with Marianne while planning our journey, we discussed in detail what we wanted to see and where our interests lay. As a family with two teenage daughters, we wanted the journey to be unique and unforgettable for everyone. It certainly was.
What an incredible and varied journey it turned out to be. From the cloud forest to the Amazon, across the Andean Highlands and on to the Galapagos.
The accommodation and activities were excellent, and everything was organised down to the smallest detail. Our local guide, who was also our driver, was a tremendous asset. The up-to-date information about Ecuador, its culture and people, as well as the flora and fauna of the different regions, is something no guidebook can provide.
In short, everything about the journey reflected the fact that it had been created by someone who knows Ecuador inside out. This is tailor-made travel at its very best.

An amazing journey to Ecuador and the Galapagos
Our family enjoyed one of the most memorable journeys we have ever made to Ecuador and the Galapagos. Everything was superbly organised, from the hotels, transfers and guides to recommendations for excellent restaurants.
We are convinced that we experienced the very best of Ecuador and the Galapagos.
Thank you, Marianne!!!!!

A wonderful, perfectly organised journey to the Galapagos Islands!
Marianne had organised everything perfectly. Nothing went wrong, and everything ran smoothly from start to finish.
In the end, we decided not to continue with our journey through Ecuador because of the situation there. Despite all the work Marianne had already put into it, this was not a problem. Our flights were arranged perfectly, and as an extra, she even organised a complimentary transfer from our hotel in Quito.
Everything Marianne had promised turned out to be exactly as described. And the Calipso, our expedition cruise vessel, was outstanding. We could not fault a single thing.
Before our departure, Marianne contacted us to go through the itinerary and answer any questions we had. She also got in touch after the journey. Throughout the entire process, she was always easy to reach and responded quickly, whether by telephone, email or WhatsApp.
Thank you, Marianne, for organising our dream journey. We could not have been in better hands.

A dream journey to the Galapagos Islands
We first met Marianne at a travel fair in 2019. Visiting the Galapagos Islands had long been a dream of ours. Marianne gave us excellent advice about the ideal length of the journey and the cruise that best suited us.
We finally made the trip in March this year, and it was absolutely fantastic! Because of the unrest in Ecuador, we had some doubts about whether we should travel. However, after several personal telephone conversations, Marianne reassured us that the places we would be visiting were completely safe.
The journey was perfectly organised. The hotels before and after the cruise were excellent, we were picked up exactly on time everywhere, and the expedition cruise was simply outstanding. The guides were highly knowledgeable, the food was delicious, and our fellow travellers were great company.
If we ever return, we will certainly seek Marianne’s advice again.

Outstanding service and a wonderful journey
Outstanding service and a wonderful journey. Unforgettable.

A fantastic journey to the Galapagos Islands!
Aves Travels truly delivered on its promise. Our expectations were more than fulfilled. We had an incredible journey to the Galapagos Islands, with excellent guides, crew, captain and drivers. We wanted for nothing.
The food was excellent, the beds were comfortable, the guided excursions were informative, there were plenty of activities, and the service was outstanding. Everyone had excellent local knowledge.
And, of course, we saw an incredible variety of wildlife. We felt as though we were in a National Geographic documentary, both above and below the water.

A personal ‘National Geographic’ experience without any worries
Highly personalised service, organisation and guidance from the moment we arrived at the airport, with a private guide and driver from start to finish.
Adjustments to the itinerary based on our personal interests and wishes were easily accommodated, even at the last minute.
Stylish and original hotel choices tailored to our preferences and budget, following thorough consultation with the travel specialist.
A clear website with a detailed itinerary, extensive documentation with photographs, and a comprehensive travel booklet with all the practical information we needed during the trip.
Original and exclusive lodges, hotels, restaurants and experiences (treks, hikes, etc.), far away from the usual tourist routes.
An exceptionally knowledgeable local guide with outstanding language skills and an impressive knowledge of history, geology and nature. We have already booked him for future journeys.
Plenty of private time to enjoy quality time together as a couple.
Everything was arranged online and by telephone in advance, making visits to a travel agency unnecessary, which was particularly convenient as we live in Belgium and Aves Travels is based in Amsterdam.
Outstanding value for money. The trip was no more expensive than the better group tours we had previously booked, despite all the additional benefits and personal service.
In short, this was an outstanding travel experience for us. It was the first time we had travelled to a long-haul destination as a couple rather than with a group, and it exceeded all our expectations. We enjoyed it so much that we will only travel this way in the future.
We will certainly return to Aves Travels for their other destinations. We are big fans!

Ecuador, an unforgettable experience!
Before our journey to Ecuador, we had frequent contact with Marianne Salmans of Aves Travels by email, WhatsApp and telephone. The communication was always pleasant. Our wishes and ideas were carefully considered and complemented with excellent suggestions and recommendations. This resulted in a beautifully organised tailor-made journey. Everything ran perfectly from start to finish. All transfers, hotels and guides were arranged flawlessly. We were able to visit remarkable places that are still largely undiscovered. Thanks to our knowledgeable guides, we experienced the country from the inside. We would wholeheartedly recommend Aves Travels to anyone looking for a unique, high-quality travel experience.
Ed and Greet Roelofs, Tiel

Exceptionally well organised
Exceptionally well organised, an excellent choice of birding locations and guides, plenty of opportunity for consultation, and a highly committed travel specialist, Marianne.

A journey we will never forget
We met Marianne from Aves Travels at the Bijzondere Reizen travel fair, where she inspired us to visit Ecuador and the Galapagos.
It turned out to be an amazing journey. We saw and experienced so much, and everything was perfectly organised, right down to the smallest detail. Ecuador is a beautiful country with stunning nature and very friendly people.
The hotels Marianne selected for us were absolutely wonderful. They were all very different, which made the journey even more enjoyable.
The Galapagos was, of course, the icing on the cake. A five-day cruise on a trimaran was an unforgettable experience in itself. We saw so many beautiful birds and animals.
In short, we would not have wanted to miss this experience. Our sincere thanks to Marianne for planning such a wonderfully organised journey. Chapeau!

Perfectly organised
Perfectly organised, carefully tailored to our needs, with the occasional pleasant surprise. Great tips, all the practical information presented clearly. Afterwards, genuinely interested in our experiences in order to create a top experience for future travellers. Reliable communication and dependable arrangements. And above all, a true passion for the Galapagos.

A Dream Journey
Everything was organised down to the finest detail. Communication was excellent and every one of our wishes was taken into account perfectly.
This journey truly was a dream come true, thanks to Marianne at Aves Travels and her personal approach.
(Translated from the original Dutch review)

Honest Advice and Outstanding Expertise
Marianne is extremely knowledgeable and provided us with a wealth of information before our journey. She responds quickly, is always helpful and takes the time to find the best answer whenever you have a question or special request.
Thanks to her, this journey has become another unforgettable life experience. Thank you!
(Translated from the original Dutch review)

A Remarkable Journey Through Peru
We actually came across the inspiring Aves Travels website quite by chance while browsing the internet, and we are so pleased we did.
From our very first contact with Marianne, everything felt right. During our initial conversation, we discussed our wishes and expectations, and thanks to her many years of experience, she immediately knew what would and would not suit us. After a few follow-up conversations and reviewing the proposed itinerary together, we quickly arrived at the perfect journey for us.
Throughout the trip, everything was organised flawlessly. The knowledgeable guides, domestic flights, entrance tickets, activity arrangements and the practical tips we received beforehand all contributed to a completely worry-free holiday.
The route and accommodation selected by Marianne suited us perfectly, and we thoroughly enjoyed everything we saw, heard and experienced.
Thank you, Marianne, for your expertise, your personal guidance and the warm, enjoyable contact throughout the process. We look back on our wonderful journey through Peru with the fondest memories.
(Translated from the original Dutch review)

An Unforgettable Journey Through Ecuador
We returned from Ecuador just a week ago, and what an incredible family holiday it was. It was a wonderfully varied journey, allowing us to experience the many different sides of Ecuador. Marianne from Aves Travels guided us personally throughout the planning process, helping us make the right choices and offering valuable advice. One of her best recommendations was to choose an English-speaking guide instead of only a Spanish-speaking driver. It enriched our journey enormously, as we learned and experienced so much more about the country.
Every accommodation had been carefully selected, each in a fantastic location, spotlessly clean and serving excellent breakfasts that exceeded our expectations.
What impressed us most was Ecuador’s extraordinary diversity of nature and wildlife, both on the mainland and in the Galapagos Islands. Snorkelling with sea turtles, sea lions and even sharks was simply unforgettable. The Amazon also enchanted us with its tranquillity, beauty and magical atmosphere, and we stayed in a wonderful lodge where the staff and guides made every day truly special.
For our nearly grown-up sons, Ecuador also offered endless opportunities for adventure, including mountain biking, hiking, zip-lining, horse riding and climbing volcanoes.
The reason we look back on this journey so fondly is largely thanks to the careful preparation together with Marianne. Her extensive knowledge of Ecuador helped us create a journey that suited our family perfectly.
(Translated from the original Dutch review)

In February 2020, we travelled with Marianne…
In February 2020, we went on a 3-week tour of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands through Marianne from Aves Travels.
This was the first time we had taken a fully organised trip, but it was well worth it.
Everywhere we went, Marianne had selected exactly the right balance of activities and relaxation, and based on our initial conversation, all the activities matched our wishes and interests.
We had a really lovely, highly knowledgeable guide for whom nothing was too much trouble and with whom we had a great laugh.
Marianne had truly organised everything perfectly!

A dedicated travel specialist
We returned last week (9 March 2020) from a cruise aboard the Anahí through the Galapagos Islands, followed by a tailor-made journey through Peru. Everything was arranged perfectly by Marianne Salmans at Aves Travels.
We travelled with a comprehensive list of helpful advice and, after returning home, Marianne even contacted us to ask about our experiences, as she is always looking for ways to improve her service. We truly appreciated her personal approach. Highly recommended.
(Translated from the original Dutch review)

We have just returned from a trip to… Galapagos
We have just returned from a trip to the Galapagos Islands organised by Aves Travels, and we thoroughly enjoyed every moment. The islands are absolutely incredible – such a beautifully preserved and unspoilt natural paradise.
The journey itself was also organised exceptionally well by Marianne. She was highly involved throughout, provided excellent additional advice and tips, even for experienced travellers, and created a truly tailor-made itinerary that perfectly reflected our wishes. Everything was simply outstanding.

An unforgettable journey to the Galápagos Islands.
The expedition aboard the Beagle was perfectly organised. Our guide, Walter, was extremely knowledgeable and attentive. The crew were exceptionally helpful, and the chef prepared excellent meals throughout the day. We particularly enjoyed the small group size on board.
The wildlife encounters were spectacular. Alongside the expected sea lions, blue-footed and red-footed boobies, frigatebirds, marine iguanas, giant tortoises and tropical fish, seeing a manta ray was truly special. On our very first evening we witnessed around one hundred sharks hunting a school of flying fish around the yacht, an absolutely breathtaking experience. From beginning to end everything was organised perfectly, with Marianne providing excellent support and impeccable timing in her personal communication throughout the journey. Highly recommended.
Hans & Olga

Ecuador tour
We booked a tailor-made journey through Ecuador with Marianne at Aves Travels, and everything was arranged perfectly. We had plenty of personal contact with Marianne as well as with the local travel company. Everything was well organised, punctual and exactly as we had hoped. I would highly recommend Aves Travels.