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View from the roof of the cathedral with hills visible in the background in the historic colonial centre of Quito, Ecuador

Ecuador Holidays


south & central america
Ecuador holidays offer a perfect blend of colonial cities, towering volcanoes and wildlife-rich cloud forests, plus the lush Amazon Rainforest

Picturesque plazas, cobbled streets and historic churches await you in the charming capital city of Quito, from where the magical cloud forests and the colourful Otavalo market are easily reached. Following the Andes southwards, past Cotopaxi and along the Avenue of the Volcanoes, lie sleepy towns such as Baños and Cuenca, where you can relax in thermal hot springs or wander the age-old streets. To the east of the Andes lies the verdant and biologically diverse Amazon Rainforest, home to the Napo River and Yasuni National Park.

Whilst often a holiday in its own right, a visit to mainland Ecuador is the perfect accompaniment to any trip to the wonderful Galápagos Islands.

Trailfinders offers a range of Ecuador holidays and our expert travel consultants are a mine of information about what to do here, often with first-hand travel experience. Whether you want to explore colonial Quito on a private tour, or discover the Amazon Rainforest on a small group adventure tour – they are the perfect people to ask.
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HOW TO GET AROUND ECUADOR

With such varied regions, mainland Ecuador is best explored with expert local guides and naturalists. Follow one of our excellent private tours or ask our specialist travel consultants to tailormake your perfect Ecuador holiday.

If you’d rather travel with a group then why not join a sociable guided small group adventure, whilst our multi centre holidays are a great option for combining Ecuador with neighbouring Peru or beautiful Costa Rica.

A Galápagos cruise offers a fantastic way to discover the unique wildlife of the archipelago, whilst our private tours also offer the option of exploring the islands from the comfort of a hotel.

OUR HOLIDAYS TO ECUADOR

Nobody offers more ways to explore Ecuador than Trailfinders.

Here's a snapshot of some of our most popular Ecuador holidays. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, click on the link below them to see our complete range of holidays and tours in the destination.
Ecuadorian Adventure
Ecuador
Private Tour
14 days / 13 nights

Discover two sides of nature in this small yet diverse country; first exploring the pristine Amazon rainforest followed by the wonderful Galápagos archipelago.

Guide Price: €8,295 pp

Guide Price: £7,045 pp

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Northern Ecuador & the Galapagos in Style
Ecuador
Private Tour
15 days / 14 nights

Explore the stunning scenery of northern Ecuador whilst, staying in some of the country’s most luxurious properties before flying to the Galápagos Islands for an unforgettable adventure.

Guide Price: €11,659 pp

Guide Price: £10,599 pp

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Classic Ecuador
Ecuador
Private Tour
8 days / 7 nights

Discover the highlights of Ecuador’s scenic mainland on this private tour. With magnificent volcanoes, pretty villages and colourful markets this will be a trip to remember.

Guide Price: €2,740 pp

Guide Price: £2,375 pp

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Banos Extension
Ecuador
Private Tour
3 days / 2 nights

Travel past snow-capped volcanoes and discover hidden waterfalls deep in the lush forest before enjoying a soak in the warm thermal baths.

Guide Price: €1,405 pp

Guide Price: £1,125 pp

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Hacienda La Danesa Extension
Ecuador
Private Tour
3 days / 2 nights

Head to the beautiful countryside near Guayaquil and get a flavour for authentic rural life and dine on delicious locally sourced cuisine at this elegant and stylish property.

Guide Price: €1,425 pp

Guide Price: £1,139 pp

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Cloud Forest Extension at Mashpi Lodge
Ecuador
Private Tour
4 days / 3 nights

Travel into Ecuador’s lush cloud forest for a three night stay at the incredible Mashpi Lodge and explore this wonderful environment with a range of guided activities.

Guide Price: €2,199 pp

Guide Price: £1,759 pp

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WHERE TO GO IN ECUADOR

Each region of Ecuador boasts its own attractions and, whilst the stunning Galápagos Islands are often the focus, spending time in mainland Ecuador as well should not be overlooked.

Quito’s colonial old town with its cobbled streets and expansive plazas should not be missed, while a journey into the Amazon Rainforest is a wonderful addition to any Ecuador holiday. Discover the towering peaks of the Andes in the Avenue of the Volcanoes, or head to the cloud forest for stunning lodges and beautiful wildlife.

Click on the tiles below the Ecuador map for more details on each destination. Alternatively, if you are looking for some inspiration, give us a call and speak to one of our expert travel consultants?
Ecuador map
Quito
Set high in the Andes, Ecuador’s vibrant capital city of Quito boasts a dramatic location and the carefully restored colonial centre is brimming with historical charm and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Galápagos Islands
Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin with a trip to Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands.
Cloud Forest
Perched on the slopes of the Andes are a number of cool and misty cloud forest reserves which are home to an abundance of flora, fauna and birdlife.
Ecuadorian Andes
Stretching from the colourful Otavalo market north of Quito, through the towering peaks of the Avenue of the Volcanoes to charming Cuenca in the south, the Ecuadorian Andes boast a host of highlights.
Amazon Rainforest
The verdant rainforest of the Amazon basin occupies close to half of the Ecuadorian mainland.
Guayaquil
The largest city in Ecuador, Guayaquil lies on the banks of the Guayas River and is the country’s financial and commercial centre, as well as being the gateway to the Galápagos Islands.

OUR RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN ECUADOR

We feature a great range of accommodation in Ecuador, with something to suit all budgets. Maybe you’re looking for a luxury hotel in the heart of Quito before your flight to the Galápagos Islands? Or perhaps or a beautiful lodge deep in the cloud forest, a rustic retreat in the Amazon or a working hacienda high in the Andes?

What you won’t find here are thousands of Ecuador hotels to wade through. We have done the hard work for you and selected the best places to stay and our travel consultants are on hand to help, often with first-hand experience.
Casa Gangotena
5 star

Quito

This beautifully restored colonial mansion occupies a prime position overlooking the Plaza San Francisco in Quito’s old town.
Mashpi Lodge
4 plus star

Cloud Forest

This stunning 4 plus star lodge is located in a protected area of Andean cloud forest, just a few hours drive from Quito.
Napo Wildlife Centre
3 star

Ecuadorian Amazon

Offering an authentic Amazon experience deep in the Ecuadorian jungle, the Napo Wildlife Centre is the only lodge set within the Yasuni National Park and is owned by a local community.
Hacienda Zuleta
4 star

Otavalo

Set on a working farm amidst spectacular Andean scenery, this charming hacienda features traditional touches throughout.
Hacienda La Danesa
4 star

Guayaquil

Located in the heart of Guayaquil’s beautiful countryside, a 60 minute drive from the city, this wonderful property combines authentic rural life with modern elegance and style.
Hotel del Parque
5 star

Guayaquil

Boasting an unrivalled position in the heart of historic Guayaquil, this beautifully restored 19th Century mansion combines stylish interiors with antique furnishings.

WHAT TO DO IN ECUADOR

As well as some awe-inspiring sights, Ecuador is also home to unforgettable experiences. These provide a unique insight into the local culture and history alongside the natural splendour of this wonderful country which sightseeing alone simply can’t replace.

One day you might be standing with a foot in each hemisphere at the towering Equatorial Monument, the next exploring lagoons at the foot of mighty peaks along the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Discover the astronomical observations of ancient sun cultures, or hike through protected forests whilst colourful hummingbirds hover above.

Our collection of unmissable experiences will really help bring your Ecuador holiday to life.
Discover Otavalo
8 hours
  • Bargain for colourful textiles and local handicrafts at Otavalo market
  • Visit a traditional village, known for its weaving, farming and Andean music
Cotopaxi National Park
8 hours
  • Cotopaxi National Park
  • Limpiopunga Lagoon
  • Wildlife viewing
Panoramic Quito by Night
3 hours
  • Experience Quito colonial architecture by night
  • Marvel at the incredible views across the city
  • Enjoy a delicious dinner
Live like a local
6 hours
  • Discover Old Town Quito with a local resident
  • Visit bustling markets and ancient churches
  • Wander cobblestone streets
Mindo Cloud Forest
8 hours
  • Beautiful Cloud Forest
  • Pacaya Waterfall
  • Butterfly Vivarium

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT ECUADOR?

Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands can be visited at any time of the year.

Set high in the Andes, Quito can experience cold nights, but average daily temperatures of around 20˚C.

Whilst the nature of the Amazon means rainfall is a common occurrence, the region experiences a wetter season from December to June, when higher water levels allow for greater exploration. The dry season brings animals out of the dense jungle to the water’s edge.

JAN

28
8h  18cm

FEB

30
8h  15cm

MAR

30
8h  17cm

APR

30
8h  16cm

MAY

28
7h  8cm

JUN

27
6h  11cm

JUL

25
6h  12cm

AUG

24
6h  8cm

SEP

24
6h  9cm

OCT

24
6h  7cm

NOV

25
7h  7cm

DEC

26
7h  13cm

JAN

21
5h  12cm

FEB

20
5h  14cm

MAR

20
4h  16cm

MAY

20
5h  13cm

JUN

20
5h  6cm

JUL

20
6h  3cm

AUG

21
6h  4cm

SEP

21
5h  8cm

OCT

20
5h  13cm

NOV

20
5h  13cm

DEC

21
5h  11cm

APR

20
4h  17cm

Ecuador Top Tips From Our Travel Experts

Mike Waldon-Smith - Ecuador expert
Mike Waldon-Smith

Napo Wildlife Centre offers an incredible wildlife experience in the only protected part of the Ecuadorian Amazon, with numerous monkeys, tropical birds, giant otters and caimans in full view. Be sure to visit the fascinating Cultural Centre which gives you a window into how the local community lives.

Ed Bailey - Ecuador expert
Ed Bailey

One of the most untouched areas of the 'lungs of the world' - the Ecuadorian Amazon is often overlooked on trips to Ecuador due to the popularity of the Galapagos Islands. Why not do both and experience a completely different environment with world class opportunities to watch wildlife.

Elliott Fisher - Ecuador expert
Elliott Fisher

The Old Town is the nicest part of Quito with lots of lovely architecture, shops, markets and historical buildings to have a look at. Be sure to include a trip on the Telefonica - a cable car that goes up one of the mountains which gives you amazing views over the city and the rolling mountains which surround it.

Ecuador Fast Facts

Time Zone: Ecuador is 5 hours behind GMT and does not observe daylight savings

Flight Time to Ecuador: Flight times to Ecuador average at 15 hours

Currency: US Dollar (USD). ATM's can be found in cities and larger towns and most restaurants and hotels accept credit/debit cards

Tipping: Tipping in Ecuador is not madatory but is appreciated. A 10% tip for service staff is usually sufficient

Language: The national language of Ecuador is Spanish. English is spoken in tourist areas

Visa: For stays over 90 days only (Irish passport holders). Visit our visa pages for more information.


Tales from the Trail

Top tips and travel inspiration from the Trailfinders team

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