Ecuador Travel Insights

Luxury Ecuador City & Cloud Forest Escape - 7 Days

Pamper yourself on a weeklong escape to Ecuador to see the best of the central highlands, from Quito to the cloud forests. Enjoy first-class hotels and dining as you stroll the cobbled streets of the capital's UNESCO-listed historic center and set foot on the equator that divides the hemispheres. Then, embark on rainforest adventures like birding and nature hikes at a remote luxury lodge in Mashpi before returning to Quito for a soothing day at the natural hot springs.

Outdoor Adventures & Luxury in Ecuador's Highlands: Quito, Cotopaxi & Baños - 7 Days

Pack a hefty dose of outdoor adventures in Ecuador into a mere seven days—all while traveling in the lap of luxury. The first-class treatment begins on arrival in Quito, where you'll enjoy pampering and spa treatments at your 5-star hotel before taking to the skies on a thrilling private helicopter tour. After a culinary workshop to discover Ecuador's ancient flavors, you'll head south to hike and horseback ride around volcanoes, crater lakes, waterfalls, and much more.

Luxury Cultural Immersion in Quito & the Amazon - 7 Days

Immerse yourself in Ecuador's cultural heritage over seven days, which will take you from the cobbled streets of highland cities to the rainforests and tribal communities of the Amazon. In Quito, you'll discover Ecuadorian heritage through its cuisine with private cooking classes and chocolate tours, plus visit Indigenous communities in nearby towns. Then, venture deep into the Amazon to an exclusive lodge near Yasuni National Park for jungle adventures like nature hikes and ancient purification rituals.

Adventure Through the Andes, Southern Ecuador & the Coast - 16 Days

Some of the deepest history in the Americas can be found in the Andes mountains—particularly in Ecuador. Experience this country's rich heritage and natural beauty over 16 days of adventures, starting on the cobbled streets of historic Quito with cultural excursions and cooking classes. After soaking in Ecuador's famous hot springs, you'll hit the highlands to hike extinct volcanoes and tour pre-Inca ruins before snorkeling and surfing the coast's prime spots.

Ecuador's Cities, Highlands & Cloud Forests - 16 Days

Waterfalls, beaches, exotic animals, and ancient ruins—these are just a few of the highlights you'll experience on this 16-day journey through Ecuador. Walk the cobbled streets of Quito's UNESCO-listed historic center, taking cooking classes and visiting nearby monuments and colorful textile markets. Then, venture into the wild highlands for cloud-forest expeditions, horseback riding around volcanoes, waterfall hikes, and touring ancient ruins before winding up on the sunny shores of the Pacific coast.

Hiking & Culture in Ecuador: Volcanoes, Lakes & Ancient Ruins - 16 Days

Strike out on an adventure across Ecuador's most famous regions, from the highlands to the Amazon rainforest. It begins in Quito with a tour of the capital's UNESCO-listed colonial center and cultural monuments before hiking to waterfalls, lakes, and volcanoes in the highland Cotopaxi region. Then, explore awe-inspiring pre-Incan ruins before rounding out the adventure with canoe rides and nature hikes in the pristine Amazon forests at Yasuní National Park.

Active Ecuador Highlands Adventure: From the Amazon to the Beach - 16 Days

Get the most out of Ecuador's varied regions as you enjoy active adventures from the central highlands to the northern Amazon and down the ruggedly beautiful coast. In Quito, learn to cook Ecuadorian cuisine before touring the crater lakes and riding horses around idyllic mountain towns. Then, venture deep into the Amazon for rainforest hikes and river rafting before winding up on sandy beaches near Puerto López, a coastal hub for whale watching, snorkeling, and other aquatic adventures.

Culture, Nature & Wildlife in Ecuador: From the Pacific to the Highlands & Into the Amazon - 16 Days

Ecuador delivers massive doses of natural beauty and rich culture. Dive deep into both on this 16-day journey, starting on the coast, from the tree-lined waterfront in Guayaquil to the mangroves of ecological reserves. After exploring the coast, travel inland to see ruins, colonial landmarks, and national parks around Cuenca, then venture into the Amazon to visit native villages and enjoy rainforest adventures before winding up in Quito to browse the historic Otavalo Market.

Quito, Baños, Cuenca, Guayaquil, Cotopaxi & Guamote: Best Itinerary Ideas

Most people visiting Quito, Baños, Cuenca, Guayaquil, Cotopaxi, and Guamote spend about 15 days in Ecuador, which usually includes time for more stops as well. For travelers wanting to visit Quito, Baños, Cuenca, Guayaquil, Cotopaxi, and Guamote exclusively, plan eight to 10 days for a well-paced trip. Read on for the best itineraries.

Quito & Isla San Cristóbal: Best Itinerary Ideas

Eight to nine days is the most popular trip length for Ecuador travelers interested in visiting both Quito and Isla San Cristóbal, especially when also including Puerto Ayora. If you're not interested in Puerto Ayora, seven to 10 days is enough for your Quito and Isla San Cristóbal trip. Even travelers with limited time can see the highlights in as few as five or six days. Check out our favorite Quito and Isla San Cristóbal trips below.

Quito & Cotopaxi: Best Itinerary Ideas

Seven to eight days is the most popular trip length for Ecuador travelers interested in visiting both Quito and Cotopaxi, especially when also including Baños or Archidona. If you're not interested in Baños, five to seven days is enough for your Quito and Cotopaxi trip. With less time, it's still possible to see the highlights in as few as four days. For the best itineraries, including Quito and Cotopaxi, keep reading below.

Quito: Best Itinerary Ideas

Travelers to Ecuador typically plan a trip for seven to eight days when combining Quito with another stop like Isla San Cristóbal, Puerto Ayora, or Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. If you're only headed to Quito, you can enjoy a comfortably paced trip in five to seven days. Even travelers with limited time can see the highlights in as few as four days. Read on for the best itineraries, including Quito and beyond.

Quito, Puerto Ayora, Isla San Cristóbal & Puerto Villamil: Best Itinerary Ideas

Most travelers will find that 10 to 13 days is perfect for a well-paced Ecuador trip with stops in Quito, Puerto Ayora, Isla San Cristóbal, and Puerto Villamil. It's also possible to hit the highlights in eight or nine days if you don't mind a fast-paced journey. Or, extend your trip and explore more of the country—some of the best-loved trip extensions include Baños, Cotopaxi, and Yasuni National Park. See more ideas for Quito, Puerto Ayora, Isla San Cristóbal, and Puerto Villamil itineraries below.

Guayaquil, Puerto Ayora, Isla San Cristóbal & Puerto Villamil: Best Itinerary Ideas

Most travelers will find that 11 to 14 days is perfect for a well-paced Ecuador trip with stops in Guayaquil, Puerto Ayora, Isla San Cristóbal, and Puerto Villamil. Travelers with less time can hit the route's highlights in nine or 10 days, which makes for a fast-paced journey. Travelers with more time can enjoy extra sights and activities at each stop or explore more of Ecuador's mainland. Get inspired with our trip ideas below.

Quito, Puerto Ayora, Yasuni National Park & Isla San Cristóbal: Best Itinerary Ideas

Most travelers will find that 10 to 14 days is perfect for a well-paced Ecuador trip with stops in Quito, Puerto Ayora, Yasuni National Park, and Isla San Cristóbal. Travelers with more time can enjoy extra sights and activities at each stop or explore more of the country—our favorite itinerary extension includes Puerto Villamil. See more ideas for Quito, Puerto Ayora, Yasuni National Park, and Isla San Cristóbal itineraries below.

Quito, Otavalo & Cotopaxi: Best Itinerary Ideas

Seven to eight days is the most popular trip length for Ecuador travelers interested in visiting Quito, Otavalo, and Cotopaxi, especially when also including time in another region. If you're not interested in extending your itinerary, six to seven days is enough for your Quito, Otavalo, and Cotopaxi trip. With less time, it's still possible to see the highlights in as few as four or five days. Read on for the best itineraries, including Quito, Otavalo, Cotopaxi, and beyond.

Quito & Yasuni National Park: Best Itinerary Ideas

For most travelers, six to eight days is the perfect amount of time for an Ecuador trip, with stops in both Quito and Yasuni National Park. If you don't mind a fast-paced journey, you can see the highlights of this route in less time—as few as five days. With more time, you can enjoy extra activities at each stop or a few days in another region like Puerto Ayora and Puerto Villamil. Keep reading for more inspiring Quito and Yasuni National Park itineraries.

Quito, Puerto Ayora & Puerto Villamil: Best Itinerary Ideas

Most travelers will find that eight to 10 days is perfect for a well-paced Ecuador trip with stops in Quito, Puerto Ayora, and Puerto Villamil. Travelers with less time can hit the route's highlights in six or seven days, which makes for a fast-paced journey. With more time, you can enjoy extra activities at each stop or a few days in another region, like Isla San Cristóbal or Yasuni National Park. See more ideas for Quito, Puerto Ayora, and Puerto Villamil itineraries below.

Quito & Puerto Ayora: Best Itinerary Ideas

Most people visiting both Quito and Puerto Ayora spend about eight to nine days in Ecuador, which usually includes some time in Isla San Cristóbal and Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve as well. If you're not interested in extending your itinerary, seven to nine days is enough for your Quito and Puerto Ayora trip. With less time, it's still possible to see the highlights in as few as five or six days. For the best itineraries, including Quito and Puerto Ayora, keep reading below.

Quito & a Galápagos Cruise: Best Itinerary Ideas

Most travelers will find that seven to 10 days is perfect for a well-paced Ecuador trip that combines Quito and a Galápagos cruise. It's also possible to hit the highlights in five or six days if you don't mind a fast-paced journey. Travelers with more time can enjoy extra sights and activities at each stop or explore more of the country. Get inspired with our trip ideas below.

10 Days in Ecuador - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

With 10 days in Ecuador, you and your family can visit at least three regions. Families keen on wildlife and watersports should head for the Pacific coast or the Galápagos. Those that stick to mainland Ecuador can experience history and cuisine in Quito, nature and Indigenous culture in the Amazon, and outdoor adventures, such as horseback riding, in the Andes. Families that prefer a relaxed pace can make Quito their base and experience the city and surroundings, including bird-watching in Mindo Cloud Forest.

2 Weeks in Ecuador - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

You can explore at least three regions with your family on a two-week vacation to Ecuador. Families visiting for the first time can enjoy adventure, culture, and wildlife in Quito, the Andes, and the Amazon. Those seeking a beach escape can spend time on the Pacific coast and try snorkeling at Isla de la Plata. Active families with a range of interests should head for Quito, Baños, Cuenca, and Guayaquil, where there's hiking in El Cajas National Park, biking the Avenue of Waterfalls, pottery workshops, and guided city tours.

Mainland Ecuador for Families: Andes to the Amazon - 10 Days

Active families can experience the best of Ecuador's great outdoors on this 10-day itinerary that takes you from the Andes to the Amazon. Start in Quito with a walking tour and family cooking class, then set off into Cotopaxi National Park, where the kids will channel their inner adventurer with horseback riding and high ropes courses at a local hacienda. See dramatic waterfalls and the world's most famous treehouse in Baños, venture deep into the Amazon for two nights at an incredible ecolodge, and wrap things up with a dip in the natural hot springs of Papallacta.

Easy Ecuador for Families: Quito & Surroundings - 10 Days

This relaxed 10-day family itinerary bases you in Ecuador's vibrant capital of Quito, where you can settle in and explore the surrounding countryside with easy day trips and fun-filled adventures. Roll up your sleeves for a kid-friendly cooking class, live the life of an Ecuadorian cowboy with a horseback ride through Cotopaxi National Park, and fly through the cloud forests of Mindo via zipline. End your tour by biking through Quito's historic neighborhoods and reaching new heights on the TelefériQo cable car.

Family Adventure in Ecuador: Quito, Baños & the Galápagos Islands - 10 Days

Pack your family's bags for an unforgettable introduction to Ecuador. This 10-day kid-friendly tour combines Quito's cultural and culinary highlights, the waterfalls of Baños, and, of course, the nature-lovers trip of a lifetime—the Galápagos Islands. Get to know this fascinating country as you tour magnificent buildings, cook with the locals, and explore its natural beauty via sailing, snorkeling, and hiking—the perfect adventure to nurture a sense of wonder in your family.

Ecuador Family Wildlife Adventure: Amazon Rainforest & Galápagos Islands - 10 Days

Explore two of the world's most diverse wildlife destinations in one trip! This 10-day itinerary will take your family through the wonders of the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest and the Galapágos Islands, with a couple of nights in high-altitude Quito to boot. You and the kids will get up close to macaws, giant tortoises, and sea lions in their natural habitats, experience both traditional life in the Amazon and Quito's city style, and learn about one of the frontiers of science and conservation research.

1 Week in Ecuador - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

With one week in Ecuador, your family can cover up to three destinations. Nature lovers will want to include Yasuní National Park in the Ecuadorian Amazon, while beach-focused adventurers should visit the Pacific coast. Overnights in Baños and Tena and the Galápagos Islands ensure you and the kids will get up close to wildlife. For families wanting a more gently-paced itinerary, Quito is an excellent base for day trips to see the butterflies at Mindo Cloud Forest and for visiting Cotopaxi National Park.

Ecuador's Pacific Coast for Families: Culture, Nature & Beaches - 10 Days

This family tour of Ecuador showcases the country's wild Pacific coast with an itinerary full of nature, beaches, and kid-friendly adventure. Start in the colorful port of Guayaquil to see historic landmarks and basking land iguanas, and head north to Manta for snorkeling, whale watching, and a trip to the Pacoche Wildlife Reserve. Take to the high seas in Puerto López with sailing and fishing day trips, then learn about Indigenous Ecuadorian culture with a visit to the local Agua Blanca community.

Ultimate Ecuador Family Trip: From the Andes to the Pacific Coast - 14 Days

If your family is having trouble deciding between a mountain or a beach-focused vacation, this two-week tour of Ecuador ticks both boxes. Starting in the high-altitude capital Quito, you'll embark on a kid-friendly adventure through the Andean highlands, skirting the edge of the Amazon rainforest in Baños before ending up on the Pacific coast for some beach time and wildlife-watching fun.

Ecuador's Pacific Coast for Families: Culture, Nature & Beaches - 14 Days

This family-friendly Ecuadorian adventure starts in historic Guayaquil, where you'll take a guided tour of the city's most notable landmarks before heading to the coasts of Manta. Visit howler monkeys at Pacoche Wildlife Refuge and kayak the Pacific coast, then continue to Puerto López for snorkeling with colorful fish (and maybe some curious sea turtles!) at the islands of Isla de la Plata and Isla Salango. Return to Guayaquil in time to canoe through the greenery of Churute Mangrove Reserve.

Mainland Ecuador for Families: Andes to the Amazon - 14 Days

Compact but diverse, Ecuador is a perfect destination for an epic two-week family vacation. This fun-filled itinerary begins and ends in Quito, with adventures in the Andean highlands and the Amazon rainforest in between. Along the way, you'll keep the kids busy as you horseback ride at a hacienda in Cotopaxi National Park, brave suspension bridges over the waterfalls of Baños, spot monkeys and capybaras at your jungle ecolodge, and barter with the locals at the colorful markets of Otavalo.

Active Family Fun in Ecuador: Quito, Baños, Cuenca & Guayaquil - 14 Days

This two-week family adventure starts in Quito, Ecuador's capital city. Explore local cuisine in a family cooking class, climb volcanic slopes via cable car, then depart for Baños, where you'll hike and bike to the Pailón del Diablo waterfall and relax in the town's healing hot springs. Continue to Cuenca for traditional pottery-making classes and hikes along the alpine lakes of El Cajas National Park, ending your tour in the vibrant city of Guayaquil with its stunning architecture, culture, and family parks.

Active Family Adventure in Ecuador: Andes, Amazon & Cloud Forest - 14 Days

The small South American country of Ecuador is rich in wildlife, biodiversity, and natural beauty. Active kids, whatever their ages, will love this two-week tour of the country, which takes you from the high-altitude capital of Quito to the Andean plains, the jungles of the Amazon, and the cloud forests of Mindo. Horseback ride across the highlands, take night and daytime tours of the rainforest, admire dramatic waterfalls, zipline through a cloud forest, and much more.

Family Fun in Ecuador: Quito, Baños & Tena - 7 Days

You can pack a lot of adventure into a week in Ecuador, and this family-friendly itinerary does just that as it takes you from high-altitude Quito to the Amazon rainforest. Active kids and parents will love hiking the Andean highlands in Cotopaxi National Park, chasing waterfalls around Baños, riding a boat to your remote ecolodge in the Amazon, meeting the local wildlife at a jungle sanctuary, and much more.

Easy Ecuador for Families: Quito & Surroundings - 7 Days

If rushing around with small kids in tow doesn't sound like your idea of fun, you're in luck—this weeklong family vacation bases you in Quito so you can see the best of Ecuador's capital and its surroundings at a gentler pace. Little ones can sample tasty snacks on a street food tour, ride a cable car up volcanic slopes, and get their hands dirty with a family cooking class. When you feel like escaping the city, fun-filled day trips to the Mindo Cloud Forest, Cotopaxi, and the Papallacta hot springs await.

Ecuadorian Amazon & Quito Family Adventure - 7 Days

Young explorers and aspiring adventurers will love this family-friendly itinerary that takes you from the high-altitude capital of Quito to the biodiverse rainforests of Yasuní National Park. Head deep into the Ecuadorian Amazon for three nights in a jungle lodge, where kids can spot remarkable wildlife like monkeys, otters, and parrots. Broaden their horizons with visits to the local Indigenous community, then fly back to Quito for kid-friendly museums and a scenic cable car ride over the capital.

Ecuador Family Highlights: Quito to the Galápagos Islands - 7 Days

Check off two of Ecuador's most iconic locales on this memorable seven-day family adventure. Learn about Quito's colonial past on a kid-friendly private walking experience around the city center, and straddle two hemispheres at the interactive site of Mitad del Mundo. Then it's off to the Galápagos for four glorious days of nature, wildlife, and beaches—as you make family memories with kayaking, snorkeling, and boating trips around Isla San Cristóbal and Isla Santa Cruz.

Ecuador's Pacific Coast for Families - 7 Days

Explore the wonders of Ecuador's undiscovered Pacific coast on this relaxed weeklong itinerary for families. Hopping between the coastal cities of Guayaquil, Puerto López, and Salinas, you'll embark on an itinerary of scenic hikes, wildlife spotting, and plenty of quiet family beach time. Highlights include sailing to the real "Treasure Island" of Isla de la Plata, paddling through the mangroves of the Manglares Churute Reserve, and meeting the basking land iguanas along Guayaquil's waterfront promenade.

8 Days in Ecuador - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With eight days in Ecuador, you can discover the impressive architecture of Quito and the dramatic landscapes of Cotopaxi National Park on a highlights tour or split your time between the rugged Andes and the wildlife-filled Galápagos Islands on a nature-packed itinerary. Those who prefer to stay on the move can opt for a natural wonders tour, complete with overnights in historic haciendas, while those looking to get well off the beaten path can head deep into the Amazon rainforest in between stays in Quito.

12 Days in Ecuador - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Ecuador is chock-full of diverse wildlife and dramatic volcanic landscapes, and with 12 days to explore, you can experience the best of both on a trip to Quito and the Central Andes. Those looking to spend time in the rainforest and on tropical islands can split their days between Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and the Galápagos Islands. In contrast, those looking to take a deep dive into the country's culture should opt for a road trip itinerary from Quito to Guayaquil.

Ecuador Cruise Adventure: Quito to the Amazon & the Galápagos - 14 Days

Combine cultural sightseeing with two bucket-list nature cruises for the ultimate two-week adventure in Ecuador. You'll start in Quito, with day trips to Mindo and Otavalo, then journey deep into Yasuní National Park for a multi-day cruise through the Amazon rainforest. Fly to the Galápagos for another four nights of cruising to uninhabited islands and unspoiled beaches—witnessing volcanic landscapes and remarkable wildlife as you explore the hidden corners of this biodiverse paradise.

Discover Mainland Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands - 12 Days

Welcome to the greatest show on Earth: the Galápagos Islands' showcase of incredible biodiversity. On this 12-day tour, a mix of guided activities and time to explore independently will help you get the most from this life-changing destination. Snorkel with sea lions, come face-to-face with giant tortoises, and cycle among marine iguanas. There's time on the mainland, too, where you'll get to know the Ecuadorian capital of Quito and take a day trip into the cloud forests of Mindo.

Ecuadorian Highlands & Amazon Rainforest Adventure - 12 Days

Discover the secrets of the Andes mountains and the Amazon rainforest on this 12-day adventure in Ecuador. Combining organized tours with independent exploration, halfway through the trip, you'll join a small group on a three-night rainforest escape to Itamandi Ecolodge. After jungle hikes, canoe rides, and Indigenous community visits, you'll walk among active volcanoes in the Andes, looking out for condors, wild horses, and alpacas at high-altitude lakes.

Ecuador's Wildlife, Volcanoes & Rainforests - 12 Days

Bird and nature lovers can observe wildlife like never before on this 12-day trip through the Ecuadorian Andes and Amazon. Start in Quito to learn about its rich culture, then head for fresher air in the bird-watching heaven of Mindo's cloud forests, where you'll hike and spot the most elusive feathered creatures in the rainforest. Cross the highlands to hike Cuicocha Lagoon and Cotopaxi National Park, then journey into the rainforest as you explore Archidona's canyons, rivers, and waterfalls.

Discover Peru & the Galápagos Islands - 15 Days

See the best of Peru and the Galápagos Islands on this epic 15-day adventure. Spend the first week exploring Lima's coastline, the charming streets of Cusco, the famous Machu Picchu, and the Inca monuments of the Sacred Valley. Then fly to Ecuador, where you'll have a day in colorful Guayaquil before continuing to the Galápagos for a week of hiking, snorkeling, boating, and wildlife spotting.

15 Days in Ecuador - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With 15 days in Ecuador, you can visit 5-10 destinations. First-timers can hit the highlights on the Discover Ecuador or the Andes & Galápagos Islands tour. Groups will appreciate the range of activities, including surfing in Montañita and Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve hikes, on the Pacific Coast to the Andes & Amazon tour, while outdoorsy travelers will enjoy exploring national parks on Uncover Ecuador. Meanwhile, ambitious travelers will love the fast pace and variety of the Grand Ecuadorian Adventure.

13 Days in Ecuador - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With 13 days in Ecuador, you can cover a lot of the country. Most itineraries begin in Quito and head south to Cotopaxi, Baños, and Cuenca. Then, from Guayaquil, fly to the Galápagos to island hop and observe endemic species. Consider focusing on national parks and volcanoes or spending more time in the Amazon rainforest. Head west to explore Mindo's cloud forest, south to the Pacific coast of Ayampe to observe birds and marine life, or immerse yourself in the culture of Andean towns.

9 Days in Ecuador - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Nine days in Ecuador allows you to touch four to six provinces, including options to explore the Galápagos. Start from Quito, discover the Amazon, and see Galápagos wildlife, or cover more ground and see Inca ruins, waterfalls, and colonial cities in Ingapirca, Baños, and Cuenca. Alternatively, get active on a slower-paced trip and kayak crater lakes, hike around volcanoes, and spend the day at a traditional hacienda. Speed things up and add a night in the Andean village of Guamote and explore the Palmira dunes and Cajas National Park.

Ecuadorian Andes on Horseback: Machachi Valley to Quilotoa & Back - 9 Days

Get to know the Ecuadorian highlands on this nine-day horseback riding adventure. Start in the verdant Machachi Valley and acclimate to the elevation before taking on longer rides up the Corazón volcano in Los Ilinizas Ecological Reserve. Learn about "chagras," Ecuadorian cowboys, and follow the same paths used by the Inca and countless hikers as you approach Quilotoa Lagoon via the Quilotoa Loop.

Explore Ecuador's Highlands & the Galápagos - 13 Days

See the many faces of Ecuador on this 13-day journey from the Andean highlands to the Galápagos Islands. Starting in vibrant Quito, strike out through Cotopaxi National Park to reach the cities of Baños, Cuenca, and Guayaquil—taking in the sights of waterfalls, volcanoes, forests, and pre-Inca ruins along the way. Then it's time to leave the mainland behind as you hop over to the Galápagos for swimming, hiking, and wildlife spotting on the islands of San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz.