Ecuador Tours in Winter

Our Guide Ellioth "Elliot" was amazing! I have been on many tours and expeditions but never had a guide that knew, or found out anything from information on our travel times to knowing more about his home countries history and neighboring country of Ecuador history better than I know American History and I have a degree in it. My day was always full of fun excitement and things I have never seen before and may never again. The detail in the travel and tours were planned out so one never felt really rushed. Remember this is a TOUR not a Vacation. There is a lot of walking and physical activity but after watching one individual in our group I am now convinced everyone who can manage 20 to 30 stairs at a time with breaks will be fine. The guides work at the groups pace and the group if they are good help the others when and if needed. The terrain is not flat or paved lots of place. Wear comfortable shoes. Underwater camera is recommended in my opinion. Binoculars I also highly recommend. For snorkeling they will let you use life rings and more buoyant if you struggle with your face in the water. Snorkeling off the beach is easier than off the side of a zodiac. SUN SCREEN, HAT, SUN GLASSES...DON'T FORGET THESE!! One more fun thing that I learned on the trip is that people in Peru and Ecuador LOVE $2 BILLS. 2 dollar bills are considered lucky and rare, so if you want to make your guide and other locals that assist you on your adventures day better take some with! THANK YOU FOR AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE!

I've travelled with Explore many times before because I know they are a reputable company with a good environmental ethos, and THE best tour leaders of any company! Our leader was friendly, fun and efficient - he had the very busy and complicated itinerary nailed to perfection. He was calm and unflappable, but behind the scenes, there was a lot of work going on! Everything was where it needed to be, when it needed to be there. He was incredibly knowledgeable about his country, history, flora, fauna and architecture. His tips on where to eat were perfect. The itinerary took us everywhere we wanted to go and we saw everything we wanted to see. Be prepared for early mornings & full on days - that's how they pack everything in. We call it 'adventure for softies' - you can do and see incredible things, without having to worry about organising it all and knowing there's someone there who you can call on for help if you need it.

So incredibly memorable. I can't recommend this tour strong enough! I booked this trip very last minute and thus had minimal time to set any expectations but even if I had, this trip, the group of people, and Gustavo, our fearless CEO, were all so truly phenomenal. We saw penguins feeding, playful sea lions, so many turtles and tortoises, birds galore, sting rays, and we even had a large pod of dolphins accompany our ferry - playing with and swimming alongside our boat. What a truly incredible experience, I feel so fortunate to have been able to experience the islands, to witness the magnificence of both the flora and fauna, and to be welcomed by the Galapaguenos. It was a trip of a lifetime, thank you!

I was teetering on the fence about going abroad, but what helped me make the decision to do so was how well-prepared CharlieTheTraveler seemed to be. They had all positive reviews about the accommodations they make, services they provide, and the tour guides they hire for the trips. The trip to the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador was fantastic!

This experience was extraordinary! As someone who has never traveled, let alone by myself at a young age, I am thrilled at how organized and engaging everything was. The guides and family we stayed with were incredible. They were knowledgable about the culture, traditions, food, plants, and more! The accommodation was great as well as there were mosquito nets over the beds, running water, hammocks everywhere, and it was clean. The Quichua family that we stayed with was more than welcoming, they made us feel at home. Maria especially went above and beyond for a personal problem that I had, I can't thank her enough. The activities were so fun and allowed us to get a taste of what local living in Ecuador is like! Everyone and everything was incredible, 10/10 recommend.

Don't skip Ecuador! This trip was a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation in one of the most beautiful and biodiverse countries I have ever seen. The guide, group, and local people were all wonderful. I can't wait to go back, see more, and drink as many batidas de papaya as I can! If you have time, a trip to Mindo for the hummingbirds is magical