Ecuador Tours
- Galapagos islands
- Quito
- Otavalo market
- Cotopaxi National Park
- Banos
- Cuenca
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.
The Ecuador Experience (REE)
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.
Highlights: Feeling like a local at an Amazon homestay, relaxing on Ecuador's beaches, witnessing Andean scenery, riding by train to the Devil's Nose, learning from the locals at an indigenous community, shopping the Otavalo market.
Galapagos on a Shoestring (SEGS)
This 9-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.
Highlights: Witnessing whitetip sharks at 'Shark Alley', travelling by public speedboats around the Galapagos Islands, feeling like a local during a family homestay, camping in the highlands of Isabela Island with views towards the ocean, visiting Charles Darwin Research Station and the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre.
Local Living Ecuador: Amazon Jungle (SEJL)
The Amazon rainforest is so full of life; embrace it for yourself during a week unlike any other. From Quito, you’ll travel to your new home in the jungle and meet the Quichua family who will host you in their home for the next four nights. Discover waterfalls on jungle walks and travel to an animal rescue centre by canoe. You’ll learn about medicinal plants and how to use a blowgun, experience a shaman ceremony, and visit a local school. Most importantly, you’ll befriend a people few outsiders have the honour to even meet.
Highlights: Living like a local in the Amazon rainforest, learning Quichua traditions by interacting with a local family, visiting an animal rescue centre, honing your blowgun skills, experiencing a shaman ceremony.
- Trip Style:
- Local Living
- Trip Type:
- Small Group
- Service Level:
- Basic
- Physical Grading:
- 2
Quito to La Paz Adventure (SEQL)
Really discover what South America is all about on this epic 5-week journey through Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. This adventure truly has it all—the Pacific coast, the awe-inspiring Amazon and the archeological highlights and cultural treasures of the Andean highlands. Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, tear it up on mountain bikes, raft wild rivers, catch big waves and get your adrenaline pumping on exciting optional excursions. With local transportation and authentic accommodation, this adventure offers an intense blend of included activities and free time to explore on your own.
Highlights: Experiencing traditional life in the Amazon, witnessing colonial cities and volcanoes, spotting condors at Colca Canyon, conquering the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, settling in with the locals at a homestay on Lake Titicaca.
Quito to Lima Adventure (SEQM)
Discover the best of Ecuador and Peru as you explore the Andes, Amazon and Pacific coast on this 15-day adventure from Lima to Quito. Explore pre-Inca ruins, walk the colonial streets and get an introduction to the Amazon and its people with time in a jungle community. Tear it up on mountain bikes, raft wild rivers, catch big waves and get your adrenaline pumping on exciting optional excursions. You’ll have plenty of free time to explore these remarkable countries on your own and create the ultimate adventure.
Highlights: Mingling with Amazon locals during a homestay, getting active in Baños, exploring towering volcanoes and colonial cities, chilling out on the beach or surfing in Mancora and Huanchaco.
The Great South American Journey - Quito to Rio Adventure (SEQR)
Sometimes the slow road is the way to go. Hit the road from Quito to Rio with other young travellers and experience pretty much everything you can imagine in between. Hike the Inca Trail and discover the thriving Inca culture, cross the salt flats of Bolivia, dance the tango in Buenos Aires, and hit the beach in Brazil. This trip offers up lively cities, stunning scenery, and tons of adventure. 65 days, 7 countries, 3 nights in the Amazon and 1 adventure you’ll remember forever.
Highlights: Mingling with the locals at a homestay in the Amazon, spotting condors at Colca Canyon, conquering the Inca Trail on the way to Machu Picchu, experiencing traditional life on Lake Titicaca, crossing the Uyuni Salt Flats and surrounding desert altiplano on a 4x4 excursion, being awed by Iguassu Falls.
| Trip | Length | Style | Service Level | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Ecuador Experience (REE) | 18 days | Classic | Basic |
From
$1249
USD
|
| Galapagos on a Shoestring (SEGS) | 9 days | Yolo | Basic |
From
$2249
USD
|
| Local Living Ecuador: Amazon Jungle (SEJL) | 7 days | Local Living | Basic |
From
$499
USD
|
| Quito to La Paz Adventure (SEQL) | 35 days | Yolo | Basic |
From
$3599
USD
|
| Quito to Lima Adventure (SEQM) | 15 days | Yolo | Basic |
From
$1399
USD
|
| The Great South American Journey - Quito to Rio Adventure (SEQR) | 65 days | Yolo | Basic |
From
$7049
USD
|
