Ecuador Travel and Destination Guide

Ecuador Travel and Destination Guide
Highlights
  • Cuenca
  • Banos
  • Cotopaxi National Park
  • Otavalo market
  • Quito
  • Galapagos islands
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Compact and diverse, Ecuador is like a tasting menu for South America. There are Andean mountains, complete with glacial volcanoes. At Otavalo, site of the largest market in South America, Ecuador's numerous indigenous groups come to barter for both crafts and staples. There are Amazonian jungles and charming colonial cities, like cobblestoned Cuenca. Best of all, all these flavours are packed together, so you can be in the jungle in the morning and at the foot of a glacier by the evening. Ecuador also has one gem found nowhere else: the pristine and fragile Galapagos islands, made famous through the writings of Charles Darwin.


Travel Guide for Ecuador.

Featured Trips in ECUADOR

View all trips to Ecuador

10 days
Trip Style:
Classic
Service Level:
Standard
Physical Grading:
3

Land Galapagos—Multi-Activities(SEGL)

South America > Ecuador

Highlights

Kayaking, snorkelling and swimming the Galapagos Islands, racing a bike ...

This ten-day adventure is perfect for those who want to experience the incredible wildlife and scenery of the Galapagos Islands but prefer to sleep on shore—so your time on the water is limited to commuting between islands. Go ashore at the lesser-visited island of Isabela and spend your days with playful sea lions, giant manta rays and the Galapagos giant tortoise. This adventure offers a great balance of guided excursions and free time—and optional activities abound.

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9 days
Trip Style:
YOLO
Service Level:
Basic
Physical Grading:
3

Galapagos on a Shoestring(SEGS)

South America > Galapagos

Highlights

Witnessing white-tip sharks at 'Shark Alley', travelling by public speedboats ...

This nine-day adventure is perfect for those who want to experience the incredible wildlife and scenery of the Galapagos Islands but prefer to sleep on shore—so your time on the water is limited to commuting between islands. Go ashore at the lesser-visited island of Isabela and spend your days with playful sea lions, giant manta rays and the Galapagos giant tortoise. With fewer inclusions but plenty of options, you can choose which activities are right for you and experience one of the natural wonders of the world on a budget.

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18 days
Trip Style:
Classic
Service Level:
Basic
Physical Grading:
3

The Ecuador Experience(REE)

South America > Ecuador

Highlights

Feeling like a local at an Amazon homestay, relaxing on ...

If you want to sample the region’s highlights without sacrificing some of its lesser known gems, there’s no better way to experience Ecuador's dramatic scenery and colourful people. Visit the Amazon and a shaman for an incredible introduction to indigenous culture and witness lush jungles and exotic wildlife. Staying in simple hotels and homestays and using public transport will keep you grounded in the local customs and culture. We'll travel from the Avenue of the Volcanoes to relaxing Pacific beaches and mountain hot springs in Ecuador. This adventure offers up a great combination of must-see highlights and free time to explore on your own.

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16 days
Trip Style:
Classic
Service Level:
Standard
Physical Grading:
3

Inland & Amazon(EIA)

South America > Ecuador

Highlights

Wandering Quito and colonial cities, soaking in Andean hot springs, ...

From the heights of the Andes to the heat of the Amazon rainforest, experience an incredible land of contrasts on this 16-day journey through Ecuador. Explore the jungle by canoe and stay with a local Quichua family for an extraordinary cultural experience you'll never forget. Scour the market at Otavalo for special treasures and cure what ails you in a mountain hot spring. With its unique variety of accommodation and insight into rural life in the jungle, this is more than just a tour—it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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March 3, 2012 SAVE 25% $1349 $1012 USD
7 days
Trip Style:
Family
Service Level:
Basic
Physical Grading:
2

Project Ecuador Family Adventure(SEPE)

South America > Ecuador

Highlights

Enjoying an Eco city tour, canoeing around Bahía de Caráquez, ...

Go beyond the typical family vacation in Ecuador and do something different while giving back. A true cultural immersion, this experience is comprised of a hands-on volunteer project in the coastal community of Rio Muchacho that is fun for the whole family. Help out at the local primary school and learn about sustainable agriculture. You'll also have the chance to spot exotic wildlife, ride horses and munch on sugar cane you've cut yourself. Give the family some fresh air and an authentic adventure they'll never forget. This tour gives you the chance to experience rural Ecuador and share in a different culture.

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