Ecuador is a spectacular country with many off-the-beaten-path and relatively unexplored hidden gems, its mountains hide beautiful and exotic nooks enticing those who love all kinds of adventure. Our 5-day Andes travel experience tour allows you to enjoy beautiful landscapes in the Andes Mountains and amazing adventures in Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, Baños de Agua Santa village, Cuenca, and Guayaquil.
During this tour, you will explore waterfalls, sightsee at the famous Ingapirca ruins, visit a local farm for an interactive chocolate tour and lunch, see the highlights of Guayaquil city, stroll through the picturesque town of San Bartolomé, and more.
We provide accommodation, private transportation, entrance to mentioned activities, and even some meals! You will have also a certificated guide, who will assist you during the whole tour from beginning to end.
Natural landmarks sightseeing
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
5-78 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Cuenca, Guayaquil, Banos, Cotopa
Cuenca, Guayaquil, Banos, Cotopaxi National Park, Riobamba, Quito
Simply the best trip I have ever been on. I did not want to come home! The leader made everything happen with no hitches - and encouragement for a slightly trepidatious snorkeller! As for the Galapagos - Wow! I think that that the trip, being landbased, allowed us to experience so much more, meet more locals and eat local food and just soak up the atmosphere - on the beaches or in the bar!!
WildlifeTrekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Quito, Guayaquil, Las Tintoreras
Quito, Guayaquil, Las Tintoreras, Tortuga Bay, Bartolome Island, San Cristobal Island, La Loberia, Floreana Island, Isabela Island, Sierra Negra
A prime destination for wildlife viewing, the Galapagos Islands are on most people's bucket list destinations. Join us on this 'Galapagos Affordable 8 Days Tour' to explore this vaunted archipelago and its wildlife, many of which are found only in the Galapagos.
Get to know more about this paradise that inspire Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. Led by expert guides, see and learn about the unique bird, animal and marine species, including the giant tortoise, marine iguana, Darwin's finches, lava lizard, flightless cormorant, and Galapagos fur seal.
The tour starts and ends in Guayaquil, taking you through several islands of the Galapagos, such as San Cristobal, Satna Cruz, and Isabela. Besides meeting the famous inhabitants of the Galapagos, you will also be taking part in various fun activities like swimming, snorkeling and volcano hiking.
And if that's not enough, we also offer various optional activities and excursions for you to choose from.
For further details, please go through the itinerary section below.
SnorkelingMarine wildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Age Range
8-79 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil, Sa
Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil, San Cristobal Island, Isla Santa Cruz, Isabela Island, Bartolome Island, Baltra Island, Quito
Discover one of the most breathtaking destinations in Latin America with this small group tour of Ecuador and the Galapagos! Cruise along the turquoise waters and search for exotic species of animals in the Galapagos Islands! Begin your journey in Quito, the capital city of Ecuador surrounded by the Andes Mountains, where you will discover the Middle of the World and visit La Ronda. Explore the Otavalo Indian Market and Cuicocha Crater Lake before you travel to Papallacta, famous for its Natural Hot Springs and breathtaking landscapes. Explore the Amazonian Tropical Forest and discover the Manto de la Novia and Pailon del Diablo Waterfalls in Baños along with the gorgeous views of the Tungurahua Volcano! Head on a breathtaking cruise of the Galapagos Islands as you visit Sant Cruz, where you may see Giant Tortoises in their natural environment, sail to Floreana Island, an evergreen island with flaming pink-flamingos and incredible snorkeling opportunities, and explore Espanola, where animals reign the land! Encounter the Waved Albatross and pass by El Soplador, a giant blowhole that explodes to heights reaching 25 feet. Discover Blue Footed Boobies and Red-Billed Tropicbird among many other exotic species of animals before you travel to San Cristobal, the capital of the Galapagos, famous for their sea lions and volcanic rocks where you will end your tour of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.
Cruise
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Ship Cabin, Lodge, Hotel
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Quito, Galapagos Islands, Amazon
Quito, Galapagos Islands, Amazon Ecuador, Floreana Island, Darwin Bay, Otavalo, Papallacta, Amazon Jungle Lodge, Banos, Guayaquil
Really enjoyed the variety of things to see and do.
Galapagos Islands were amazing and pleased to see that they are trying hard to protect the local environment and native animals and educate the next generation.
Loved the giant tortoises and the way local rangers are protecting them from extinction from hand rearing eggs to releasing them when they are older.
Blue footed Boobies were a highlight of mine to see, only wish I had seen the red footed boobies as well.
The visit to the rose farm was an eye opener as I hadn't realised that Ecuador was such a productive place for roses and exportation, the employees all looked happy and relaxed.
Interesting visit to Condor sanctuary and the way they are rehabilitating injured birds and introducing them into the countryside.
Active and outdoorWildlife
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, Guayaquil, Sierra Negra
Quito, Guayaquil, Sierra Negra, Isla Santa Cruz, Santa Fe Island, Tortuga Bay, Otavalo, Laguna Cuicocha, Mindo, Cotopaxi National Park, Galapagos Islands, Puerto Villamil
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This was one of my favorite trips. The itinerary was good, our tour guide was excellent and the small group tours allow for more flexibility more time at locations when everyone agreed to make small changes. Their prices are also very reasonable even as a single traveler.
Beach
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Quito, Santa Cruz, Amazon Ecuado
Quito, Santa Cruz, Amazon Ecuador, Isla Santa Cruz, Isabela Island, Otavalo, Papallacta, Amazon Jungle Lodge, Banos, Guayaquil
We had no idea what Ecuador had in store for us, it honestly wasn’t even at the top of our travel list but glad we booked it. From the moment we landed in Quito, we were hooked. The city is lively and colorful, and even though the altitude made us slow down a bit at first, the views from the top of El Panecillo made up for it.
The Otavalo Market was pure chaos in the best way. I kept telling myself not to buy anything… ended up with a bag full of woven scarves. Zero regrets.
Papallacta was a whole other vibe. The hot springs were exactly what we didn’t know we needed. If the trip had stopped there, I think we’d still be raving about it.
Banos was this hidden gem with waterfalls and fresh air.
The small group made everything more relaxed. No rushing, but no wasting time either. We felt like we got to really be in the places we visited. Everything was organized, we barely had to think. Just showed up, enjoyed, and soaked it all in. Would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
This was one of the best "Discovery" tours I have been on with Explore. It felt like a real adventure, with the excursions to the volcanoes Cotopaxi and Chimborazo and the boat trips on the Napo river, a tributary of the Amazon. Our tour leader, Fabian, and driver, William, were both excellent. The accommodation was generally very good, with the exception being the Riobamba hotel. I find the comments by a previous reviewer about the current power outages in Ecuador to be absurd. The outages were a mild inconvenience (to us - although I pity the Ecuadorian people) but there were absolutely no security or food safety issues as a result. When I travel in (e.g.) South America I don't expect everything to be just like it is in my cosy Western European home! My one criticism of this trip is that there were far too many shopping stops that were thinly disguised as "cultural visits" - I counted at least ten of these. The number should be at least halved. I mean, what on earth do painted balsa wood parrots have to do with the culture of Ecuador? Or carved nut kernels, for that matter?
Active and outdoorExplorer
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, Guayaquil, Riobamba, Cuen
Quito, Guayaquil, Riobamba, Cuenca, Otavalo, Peguche, Cotopaxi National Park, Tena, Misahualli, Misicocha, Banos
This solo tour will show you the best of Ecuador. Discover some of the most extraordinary cities, famous indigenous markets, and breathtaking landscapes of South America. Begin your journey in Quito, the heart of Ecuador, and the second-highest capital city in the world. Discover various landmarks including La Ronda, the Cathedral, and the Middle of the World, where the equatorial line divides the hemispheres. Enjoy the extraordinary views of this colorful city from Penecillo Hill. From there, you will visit the Otavalo Indian Market and the famous Cuicocha Crater Lake before you travel to Papallacta. Papallacta is known for its gorgeous natural scenery and Hot Springs, where you may enjoy a relaxing bath in the natural waters. Continue your journey to the Amazon and discover the natural beauty of this legendary area with a guide. Visit Amazon Island Park, an environmental interpretation center. Travel to Baños and discover the famous waterfalls of “Manto de la Novia” and “Pailon del Diablo”. Next, you will see extraordinary views of the active Tungurahua volcano before you travel to Guayaquil, where you will end your tour of Ecuador.
This is a Solo Tour
You don't pay single supplement and get a room for yourself!
Our leader in Peru, Nilton, was excellent , as was Roberto, our leader in Ecuador
My only regret, was an aspect of our visit to Machu Piccu, it was somewhat rigid, in that it was restricted to the lower levels of the monument. I, and several other members of the group would very much like to have climbed to the top level , in order to gain more of an overview of the site
Active and outdoorWildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hostel
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cusco, Guayaquil, Sierra Negra
Cusco, Guayaquil, Sierra Negra, Tintoreras Island, Galapagos Islands, Tortuga Bay, Quito, Aguas Calientes, Puerto Villamil
Embark on a captivating 10-day journey through Ecuador and Peru. Start in Quito, exploring its historic sites and stunning viewpoints. Discover the majestic Cotopaxi National Park and the ancient Ingapirca Archaeological Complex. Experience the cultural richness of Cuenca and the vibrant city of Guayaquil.
Then, fly to Cusco, where you'll delve into Inca history and visit the Sacred Valley's remarkable ruins. Conclude your adventure with an unforgettable tour of Machu Picchu, before exploring Lima’s historic center. This tour combines breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and unforgettable experiences in two incredible countries.
For more details, check out the itinerary section.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Age Range
10-79 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Quito, Lima
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Quito, Lima, Cuenca, Guayaquil, Aguas Calientes, Sacred Valley, Cotopaxi National Park, Riobamba
From the colonial charm of Quito's Old Town to the breathtaking heights of Chimborazo and the lush depths of the Amazon Rainforest, this tour is designed to immerse you in the country’s stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage.
Your adventure begins in Quito, where you’ll explore its historic center and visit the Equator line. From there, journey to Otavalo’s vibrant markets and hike around Cuicocha Lake before heading into the Amazon, where you’ll navigate rivers, visit an animal rescue center, and experience the traditions of the indigenous Quichua people.
Continuing south, you’ll marvel at the towering peaks of Chimborazo, explore the ancient ruins of Ingapirca, and wander the cobbled streets of Cuenca. The tour then takes you to the coastal city of Guayaquil and the pristine Isla de la Plata, where you’ll spot exotic wildlife and, if lucky, migrating whales.
With a mix of guided experiences and free time to explore, this adventure blends culture, nature, and adventure, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Ecuador.
For more details, see the itinerary section.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Age Range
18-68 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Quito, Cuenca, Guayaquil, Banos
Quito, Cuenca, Guayaquil, Banos, Otavalo, Puerto Lopez, Amazon Ecuador, Chimborazo, Isla De La Plata, Tena
Get ready for an unforgettable journey through Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, and Peru. Over 10 days, you’ll explore breathtaking landscapes, encounter unique wildlife, and immerse yourself in rich cultural heritage.
Your adventure begins in Quito, Ecuador, where colonial charm meets modern vibrancy. From there, you’ll fly to the Galapagos Islands, a natural wonderland teeming with wildlife. Kayak alongside sea lions, snorkel with hammerhead sharks, and hike volcanic trails.
Next, travel to Peru, where you’ll uncover the mysteries of the Inca Empire. Explore Cusco’s ancient ruins, marvel at the Sacred Valley, and stand in awe of Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. Your journey concludes in Lima, where history and culture come alive in its vibrant streets.
SnorkelingCity sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Age Range
8-79 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Quito, Lima
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Quito, Lima, Guayaquil, Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Aguas Calientes, Isla Santa Cruz, San Cristobal Island, Bartolome Island