Quito
One of the world’s highest capital cities, Quito sits at 9,350 feet in elevation, framed by towering volcanic peaks while boasting one of South America’s most beautiful and well-preserved colonial centers.
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Luxury Ecuador Tours & Vacations
Ecuador may be a small country, but its diverse landscapes include everything from the Andean highlands, volcanoes, and Amazon rainforest to beaches and the wildlife-filled Galapagos, home to animals like the iconic Galápagos tortoise and the Galapagos penguin, the only penguin species in the northern hemisphere. In the high-elevation capital of Quito, you’ll find a magnificent Spanish colonial center with spectacular cathedrals and grand mansions, while charming Andean villages offer the chance to delve into local culture at lively markets. This is a place where outdoor adventure abounds, including snorkeling and diving in the Galapagos, hiking the Andes, and canoeing through the Amazon.
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This nation offers diverse experiences for all travelers. In the Andes, trekking between villages, horseback riding, and mountain biking are popular. Along the coast, excellent surf breaks await, while jungle rivers are perfect for rafting. Wildlife enthusiasts can explore the Galapagos Islands for close encounters with sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and the famous Galapagos tortoise. The Amazon offers toucans, parrots, sloths, monkeys, caiman, and river dolphins. The Mindo Cloud Forest is a birdwatcher’s paradise with over 1,600 species.
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Maite Paz
Latin America Specialist
Private Ecuador Escapes: Custom Itineraries and Exclusive Tours
Our experts know Ecuador like the back of their hand and have traveled extensively around the country.
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Luxury Galapagos Explorer
Quito, Cloud Forest, Galapagos Islands
12 NightsFrom $10,873 PPExplore Ecuador’s highlights on this 13-day trip, staying in luxury accommodation with expert guides. You will start your tour at the capital of Ecuador, Quito. Built by the Spanish in 1534 on the ruins of an Incan city, it is one of the best-preserved old towns in South America. You will continue your adventure by traveling to the Cloud Forest for two nights at Masphi Lodge, a luxury property in the forest with a wide range of activities available. Your tour culminates in a 7-night cruise in the Galapagos Islands on the luxurious Elite Yacht. Spend your days on the water visiting the islands and spotting the incredible wildlife. Your naturalist guides will accompany you as you explore on foot, by boat, or swimming taking in the flora and fauna of this unique ecosystem. -
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Quito, Galapagos & Hacienda
Quito, Galapagos, Hacienda La Danesa
8 NightsFrom $8,307 PPThe Galapagos Islands entice travelers from around the world as a bucket list destination with legendary, abundant wildlife despite being a small archipelago in the middle of the eastern Pacific some 600 miles off the Ecuadorian coast. Everything from penguins and 24 species of whales to giant tortoises, sea lions, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies can be encountered here. The species that arrived at these remote islands managed to survive not by diversifying but by evolving specific traits to suit the environment. An adventure that will provide memories of a lifetime, a trip here begins in Ecuador’s high-elevation capital city of Quito before island-hopping through the Galapagos. Learn about the geology, unique wildlife, and Charles Darwin as well as enjoy activities like swimming, snorkeling, and nature walks along the way. You’ll even get to learn about Ecuadorian chocolate production, make your own, and taste a sample. -
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Small Boat Galapagos Cruise
Quito, Galapagos Islands
6 NightsFrom $6,129 PPYour tour starts in Ecuador’s capital, Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage site built in 1543 by the Spanish. One of the best-preserved examples of a historic colonial city in South America, you will spend two nights here and have a guided tour of the sights. You will then fly to the Galapagos Islands where you will board your yacht for four nights sailing around this unique ecosystem. The cruise focuses on the Central and Western Islands, including visits to Isabela and Fernandina Island, two highlights of the Galapagos Islands. There are expert guides on board to take you to explore the islands, there are opportunities to hike, swim, snorkel and kayak on your voyage.
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Why We Love Private Tours of Ecuador
Maite Paz
Latin American Expert
There are many reasons why we love private tours of Ecuador. No matter what your interests are, you’re sure to find lots to see and do. History enthusiasts will enjoy being surrounded by the magnificent gothic architecture in Quito while the entire city of Cuenca is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a combination of Spanish colonial architecture. pre-Colombian and Incan archaeological sites.
Private tours of Ecuador can include everything from exploring the world-famous markets in the small mountain town of Otavalo with a local guide to climbing Cotopaxi, the country’s highest active volcano at over 19,347 feet.
As these are private tours, they can be customized to suit particular interests and various requirements. Our travel experts have done the “hard work” that includes connecting with local guides and experiencing it all to ensure clients get the most out of their time in Ecuador, whether it’s all about cultural attractions, adventure, or both.
Best Places to go in Ecuador
Ecuador is so diverse with such an incredibly long list of enticing destinations that in just one day you can drive from the Pacific coast with its picturesque surfing beaches to the lush Amazon Rainforest while passing Andean volcanoes along the way.
Otavalo
Nestled in the Andean highlands, Otavalo is famous for its indigenous people, known for their incredible handicrafts, traditional dress, and colorful textiles, many of which they sell in the Otavalo Market.
Cuenca
The entire city of Cuenca is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a hub of art and culture tucked into a high valley while boasting a beautifully preserved colonial center and Inca ruins.
Amazon Rainforest
Covering more than 42,000 square miles in eastern Ecuador, the Amazon Rainforest is home to astounding biodiversity. Here visitors can see everything from toucans and macaws to iguanas, monkeys, and jaguars.
Mindo Cloud Forest
A popular day trip from Quito, the Mindo Cloud Forest offers many activities like ziplining, a Tarzan-style swing, hiking, and swimming beneath waterfalls while being world-renowned for its birdwatching, with over 500 species.
Galapagos
One of the world’s top destinations for wildlife lovers, this archipelago 600 miles off the Ecuador mainland offers close encounters with everything from Galapagos giant tortoises to sea lions, penguins and blue-footed boobies.
When to visit Ecuador
With diverse terrain from coastal beaches and rainforest to the Andes, the climates in Ecuador vary which means the best time to visit depends on your destinations. In the Andes, the driest and warmest months are between June and September, while the Amazon is humid, rainy, and warm all year. That said, December through February, and August and September tend to get more sun. The coast is more predictable with well-defined wet and dry seasons. The best time to enjoy the beaches is from December through April which brings warm temperatures and only occasional showers, with more sunny days and bright blue skies.
What to do in Ecuador
You’ll have no shortage of things to do during a visit to Ecuador, from the opportunity to watch unique wildlife like monkeys, tapirs, toucans, penguins and giant Galapagos tortoises and taking part in a wealth of outdoor adventures to marveling at grand Colonia architecture.
Hike Cotopaxi
One of the world’s highest volcanoes at 19,347 feet above sea level, and one of Ecuador’s most photographed sights, Cotopaxi is located in Cotopaxi National Park, a popular place to hike while enjoying breathtaking views that include the iconic volcanic peak while watching for wildlife like condors, bears, and wolves.
Swim Beneath a Waterfall in the Mindo Cloud Forest
In the Mindo Cloud Forest, not only can you see orchids, butterflies, capuchin monkeys, and hundreds of birds, but you can ride a cable car across the lush valley that leads to a hiking trail that features multiple waterfalls, some of which plunge to tranquil pools ideal for a refreshing dip.
Explore the Ecuadorian Amazon
The Ecuadorian Amazon is home to Yasuni National Park, one of the world’s most biodiverse places, covering 3,800 square miles with the rainforest canopy forming an impressive habitat for 600 different bird species, including toucans and scarlet macaws, and 200 mammal species, like the pygmy marmoset, the planet’s smallest monkey.
FAQs
Is there more to Ecuador than the Galapagos Islands?
Most people think of only the Galapagos Islands when they think of a trip to Ecuador. There is no doubt that the Galapagos Islands are a bucket list destination and offers an incredible wildlife experience. However, this is not the only amazing part of Ecuador, the Amazon Rainforest, the markets of Otavalo and hiking up volcanoes are just some of the highlights of the mainland.
Should I spend some time in Quito?
The capital city of Ecuador has so much to offer, we always recommend guests spend 2 nights there and do a city tour. The old town is one of the best-preserved examples of colonial architecture in South America and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is set high in the Andes Mountains with spectacular views, and you can visit the equator!
Can I visit a rainforest?
On the mainland, there are two rainforests, the Cloud Forest and the Amazon. To access the Amazon you will need to take a two hour flight from Quito and then take a boat along the river to reach your chosen lodge. The Cloud Forest is much more accessible, just a two hour drive from Quito. A Cloud Forest is a type of rainforest but it is at a much higher altitude than somewhere like the Amazon. It does not have the mammals that the Amazon is famous for, its focus is on the birds especially hummingbirds and toucans. It is still a beautiful area to visit and allows you to experience the beauty of a rainforest environment.
Can I see an active volcano?
Ecuador is a very volcanically active country with 55 extinct volcanoes and 8 active volcanoes. The ‘Avenue of the Volcanoes’ is a 200km route flanked by 9 volcanoes including Tungurahua which is one of the most active craters on the continent, Chimborazo is the highest mountain in Ecuador and Cotopaxi which is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world.
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