Experience Ecuador intimately with over 110 small group tours (max 16 travelers). Enjoy personal attention from guides, flexibility in itineraries, and deeper cultural connections, rated by more than 300 small group travelers.
Age
Discounts
Duration
1 day18 days
Departures
Activities
Physical Rating
Accommodations
Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
Destinations
Guide Types
Start & End Location
Price
USD 54USD 12,339
Showing 1 - 10 of 120 results
Page 4 of 120 Small Group Trips in Ecuador with 317 Reviews
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!
WildlifeBird watching
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
12-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Quito, Guayaquil, San Cristobal
Quito, Guayaquil, San Cristobal Island, Espanola Island, Floreana Island, Bartolome Island
Wildlife enthusiasts, get ready for the trip of a lifetime on the 'Best of Galapagos' tour. Spanning 10 days from Quito through Isla Baltra, Isla Isabela, and more, this adventure showcases the Galapagos Islands’ legendary biodiversity both on land and beneath the waves. Follow in Darwin’s footsteps as you snorkel among sea turtles and sharks, hike volcanic craters, and spot iconic creatures like giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, and playful sea lions. The moderate activity itinerary is perfect for those eager to balance exploration with relaxation. What truly sets this tour package apart is its small-group format and expert local leadership, granting you insider access to the archipelago’s hidden wonders and ensuring responsible, unforgettable wildlife encounters.
WildlifeTrekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Quito, San Cristobal Island, Flo
Quito, San Cristobal Island, Floreana Island, Isla Isabela, Isla Santa Cruz, Isla Baltra
Wildlife enthusiasts, this one’s for you! The 'Highlights of Ecuador & the Galapagos' is a 15-day small group wildlife tour that unveils the best of both mainland Ecuador and the legendary Galapagos Islands. Starting and ending in Quito, you’ll witness Cotopaxi volcano’s grandeur, delve into indigenous culture, and spend two nights immersed in the Amazon Rainforest.
Then, it’s off to the Galapagos, where you’ll snorkel with playful sea lions, walk among ancient giant tortoises, and relax on pristine beaches shared with sunbathing marine iguanas. The moderate activity rating ensures a rewarding yet comfortable pace, especially for senior travelers seeking a blend of natural and cultural wonders.
The standout feature of this trip is the rare opportunity to combine Amazonian adventure with extraordinary Galapagos wildlife, making this tour package a once-in-a-lifetime journey for those eager to witness nature’s marvels up close.
Wildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Quito, Floreana Island, Isla San
Quito, Floreana Island, Isla Santa Cruz, Banos, Tena, Liana Lodge, Papallacta, La Loberia, Playa Ochoa
An excellent trip on a comfortable boat with a good crew and good food. We saw all of the expected wildlife, and snorkelling with sea lions and turtles amongst the fish was a particular highlight.
The boat is not operated by Explore, so on my trip there were other nationalities who had booked through other operators, but it was a good mix. On the afternoon of the first day at the hotel I received a WhatsApp from the cruise operator providing details of the airport transfer (handled by the hotel in my case) and of their representative who met me at the airport to provide my printed boarding pass and Transit Control Card. They also helped with the additional baggage check required before bag drop. The message also includes the flight details if you want to complete the bio-security form at https://declaracion.abgalapagos.gob.ec/ before arriving at the airport.
After snorkelling the crew will rinse all your gear and then hang wetsuits to dry (I think it was 80 USD to rent a wetsuit on board for the six days, but masks, snorkels and fins were free). There are lines with clothes pegs on the top deck to dry your swimwear.
Remember to take USD cash for tipping the crew and guide at the end of the trip. Two envelopes were left in my cabin for this, but the amount suggested at 15 USD per day for the guide and 25 USD per day for the crew of 11 was about double that in the trip notes.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Quito, Galapagos Islands, Isla I
Quito, Galapagos Islands, Isla Isabela, Moreno Point, Isla Fernandina, Isla Santiago, Rábida Island
Set sail for an up-close wildlife odyssey with Pure Galapagos (Grand Daphne)—an eight-day adventure cruise that’s all about the islands’ legendary creatures and dramatic landscapes. This moderate-activity trip, beginning and ending on Baltra Island, skips the constant passenger changes and detours of many cruises, letting you fully immerse yourself in the archipelago’s wonders.
Snorkel alongside playful sea lions and reef sharks off Isla Santa Cruz and Isla Bartolome, hike volcanic trails on remote Isla Fernandina, and observe rare species like land iguanas and flightless cormorants on Punta Espinosa. Bird lovers will delight in the sight of frigatebirds, boobies, and pelicans soaring above North Seymour.
The unique selling point of this sailing tour package is its uninterrupted focus on wildlife and scenery—no distractions, just pure Galapagos magic. For nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers, this trip guarantees memories (and photos) you’ll treasure forever.
Sailing, yachting and motor boating
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Yacht Cabin
Age Range
12-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Baltra Island, Isla Santa Cruz
Baltra Island, Isla Santa Cruz, Bartolome Island, Isla Santiago, Isla Fernandina, Isla Isabela
The Galapagos Islands—nature’s living laboratory—take center stage on the "Galapagos Experience" adventure trip. Over seven days, you’ll follow Darwin’s trail across San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, and Isabela islands, guided by expert naturalists who bring the islands’ evolutionary wonders to life.
Dive into a moderate activity level, ideal for travelers eager to snorkel with playful sea lions, trek volcanic craters, and observe giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The itinerary includes immersive wildlife activities alongside ample free time, so you can choose between relaxation and adventure each day.
A major USP of this trip package is the land-based approach—accommodations on the islands mean you won’t be confined to a cruise, giving you flexibility and a more intimate connection with local communities and landscapes. For those who dream of seeing the Galapagos’ legendary creatures up close, this tour makes it both accessible and unforgettable.
AdventureMarine wildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Quito, Galapagos Islands, Isla S
Quito, Galapagos Islands, Isla Santa Cruz, San Cristobal Island, Isla Isabela, Puerto Ayora
Our accommodation in Rio Bamba was terrible, I felt I could not use the shower as it was so dilapidated. We only had one towel that had already been ripped in half. We felt it would have been hygenically unsafe to use the 'restaurant' and went out for breakfast. We were unsure why we went to Rio Bamba as it was not a nice place and it felt unsafe at night. Apart from 4 nights the accommodation was quite good. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and spoke to us for most of the time during the coach journeys. Nothing was too much trouble for him to do for us. The itinerary was very good apart from Rio Bamba (which should have been avoided) and a wasted last day in Quito. We could have caught an earlier flight to Quito, from Cuenca, the next day and not spent another day in a hotel that is a long way from Quito city which we had already explored.. Also it would have been better to have flown from Cuenca on the early morning flight to Quito then straight to Bogota and the to LHR.
Active and outdoorExplorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers