Ecuador Holidays

Name: Ecuador
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.8 (117 reviews)

Glaciated mountains in the Andes or wildlife extravaganzas in the Galapagos, Ecuador has it covered

Ecuador Tours

It is often the smallest countries that reveal the greatest variety. Although Ecuador is – by South American standards – a small country both in area and in population, there’s a wealth of experiences on offer within its borders. On Ecuador holidays, there’s a lot to take in, from the Andes to the Amazon Rainforest, some of the best Pacific beaches in South America and even the rich biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands.

The Pan-American Highway, which meanders through the central part of the country, is known as the Avenue of the Volcanoes, and much of the highlands are quite fertile here: the most typical view you’ll see on Ecuador tours will be of brightly snow-capped volcanic cones jutting out above the high páramo (the high-altitude moorland unique to tropical America) and the heavily terraced and cultivated fields of the rich farmlands. It’s an adventure-seeker’s paradise and Exodus runs a range of exciting walking and wildlife Ecuador holidays.

Our Top Destinations in Ecuador

Andes Mountain in Ecuador Devil’s Nose Train Galapagos Islands Holidays

Ecuador Holidays

15 Days from £ 4599

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Experience diverse wonders, from the Amazon Rainforest and volcanoes to the wildlife of the Enchanted Islands

Wildlife

Mainland Ecuador: wildlife, jungles and volcanoes

Culture

9 Days from £ 4199

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Go snorkelling and walking on the world’s great nature-watching archipelago on this land-based adventure

Culture

15 Days from £ 5299

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Two wonders, one adventure: The once-lost city of the Inca's and the Enchanted Isles

Culture

14 Days from £ 5999

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

A unique trek amid the volcanic Galapagos archipelago

Walking & Trekking

From the Amazon jungle to the Galapagos archipelago.

Wildlife

6 Days from £ 3899

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Walk (and snorkel) with the animals on an unforgettable wildlife-watching adventure

Wildlife

6 Days from £ 3899

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Walk (and snorkel) with the animals on an unforgettable wildlife-watching adventure

Wildlife

17 Days from £ 10499

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

The best of the Galapagos islands' scenery and wildlife

Wildlife

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Activities in Ecuador

Walking Culture Wildlife

Highlights of Ecuador tours

1. The Andes: The backbone of Ecuador is the Andean Cordillera, a continuous chain of glaciated peaks and snow-capped volcanoes that stretches some 650km from Colombia in the north to Peru in the south. The country’s capital, Quito, is a colonial city of around a million inhabitants nestled 2850m up in the mountains and overlooked by Pichincha volcano; its lively and cosmopolitan feel is quite a contrast to the more traditional indigenous communities that dot the highlands. The varied terrain in the Ecuadorian Andes makes the mountains perfect for walkers, with treks ranging form gentle day walks to the tough ascent of Cayambe. The fabled Devil’s Nose train ride is a stunning journey through eye-popping scenery.

2. The Amazon Rainforest: To the west of the Andes, the vast expanse of the Amazon Basin stretches to the border with Brazil and far beyond until it reaches the Atlantic Ocean. The rainforest is an amazing sensory overload – all at once you’ll be taking in the sights of huge trees and brightly coloured birds, the sounds of insects and animals, the smells of unique flora and the perpetually damp earth.

3. The Pacific Coast: Ecuador’s little-visited coastal lowlands offer some of the best Pacific beaches in South America, as well as the down-to-earth attractions of its largest city, Guayaquil – a major port with a colourful historic section and an almost Caribbean atmosphere. Just off the coast and easily accessible from the fishing village of Puerto López, Isla la Plata is known for its variety of bird and animal life.

4. The Galapagos Islands: Charles Darwin and countless of his successors have been enthralled by the rich biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands. Each of the individual volcanic islands is home to unique species of birds, plants and animals, and the marine environment is equally diverse. Although humans have lived on the Galapagos for many years, the animals do not see them as natural predators, and so any walk on the islands is guaranteed to bring you into close contact with blue-footed boobies, the lumbering Galápagos tortoise, marine iguanas and albatross.

Our party of four loved our itinerary, guide and boat. The days were filled with excursions, snorkeling and great food and lectures. We highly recommend the Solaris C excursion!

Debby Orsini Galapagos Escape – Solaris (Itinerary C)

A very comprehensive tour of the Galapagos, staying on all four of the populated islands. We saw a great deal of wildlife both in and out of the water. The snorkelling was superb – a vast number of fish, turtles and sharks. The land based activities were also fascinating, whether exploring volcanic landscapes or conservation centres. The pace was perfect, with a little time to explore the generally superb local restaurants. As you might expect, seafood is excellent, plentiful and relatively inexpensive. Surprisingly the islands have a few microbreweries producing exceptional ales!! The hotels were all comfortable and very friendly – we had one night in an exceptionally noisy room but our guide arranged to move us the following day, so not a big issue. The boat transfers and trips were exclusive to our group and of a very high standard – particularly on the last full day.

Andrew Longden Galapagos Walking Adventure

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Is Ecuador good for tourists?

As long as you’re vigilant and take care of your belongings in Ecuador, the country is a reasonably safe place to travel. Lying on the South American coast, Ecuador boasts a diverse landscape and is home to the Galapagos Islands, Amazon Jungle and Spanish colonial centre. So, there’s plenty of things to see and amazing experiences to be had for tourists seeking adventure. Its social infrastructure and transport are well developed, making it easier for tourists to explore the country.

What is the best month to go to Ecuador?

Many of our Ecuador tours are centred around the wildlife, with trips to places like the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon Rainforest, so depending on where you want to visit, the best months to go will vary.

Any season is a good time to go to the Galapagos Islands as you’ll witness an abundance of wildlife year-round. Late May through to December is considered the dry season but there’s still a chance of light rain. It’s best to plan Ecuador tours around the wildlife highlights. If you want to see the famous green sea turtles laying their eggs, January is the best time to visit but if you’re keen to watch the mesmerising courtship of the blue-footed boobies, then opt for May. In April, the eggs of the green sea turtles begin to hatch, and rookeries of albatross begin their courtship rituals. Or head to Ecuador in July if you want to go whale and dolphin watching around the western islands.

What can you see in Ecuador for 10 days?

You can pack a lot into 10 days on our Ecuador tours, especially if you’re visiting the Galapagos Islands. Sail around the islands either by catamaran or boat, visit the Charles Darwin Research Centre and learn about the islands’ history, enjoy guided nature walks and witness an array of wildlife while snorkelling, kayaking or on Zodiac rides.

Alternatively, explore the mainland of Ecuador with nature tours of the jungle, volcanoes and coast. You can also visit Ecuador’s capital, Quito, stay overnight in a cloud forest reserve, take a boat through the mangroves and go deep into the Amazon Rainforest to mingle with monkeys, sloths, macaws and other wonderful wildlife.

Is Ecuador cheap to travel?

Prices for Ecuador tours can vary greatly depending on what you want to see and do whilst you’re there and how long you stay. If you want to stay in premium and comfortable accommodation and enjoy a wide range of activities during your trip, the cost of a guided holiday can range from £2,300 – £8,500. At Exodus we select the best accommodation possible and include lots of activities and tours led by expert guides.

How many days are needed in Ecuador?

Between 9 and 14 days is a good amount of time to spend in Ecuador as it allows you to see the highlights at a relatively leisurely pace. This will give you the opportunity to discover the diversity of the country, delve into the history and witness a vast range of wildlife on Ecuador tours.