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Ecuador rainforest & wildlife vacations

Ecuador rainforest & wildlife vacations
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INSIDER ACCESS, EASY PLANNING, TRUSTED CONNECTIONS

Rainforests are Ecuador’s most interesting and precious resource. They are under continual threat from oil drilling companies, and indigenous people are still fighting for their claim over the land. We can design a vacation for you that uses only providers that promote sustainable tourism, so you can help protect these delicate ecosystems and still see their rare wildlife.

PLANNING A RAINFOREST VACATION IN ECUADOR

We can help get you in touch with guides and accommodations that will make visiting the rainforest easy and safe. Our expert travel planners can take care of all the logistics needed to make sure you have an enjoyable stay in even the most remote locations.

Trips to inspire

Browse some of our favorite itineraries

Get excited and browse our selection of our favorite hand made tours from around the world. From romantic honeymoons to family-fun; these are completely flexible and arranged to your needs.

12 daysFrom $3,388 per person

Romantic Escape to The Amazons

What a memorable trip to Ecuador! We really enjoyed the hikes in the jungle, and learning about the indigenous cultures and the Amazon Basin.

Romantic Escape to The Amazons

Ecuador

15 daysInquire

Inland, Islands & Amazon

Ecuador is a wonderful country where we were able to travel by road for over 1200 KM during our two weeks trip and see the different parts of the country.

Inland, Islands & Amazon

Ecuador

9 daysFrom $1,306 per person

Touch the Clouds, Trek The Amazons

Need a family adventure that will have everyone discovering the beauty of the world instead of looking at screens? You'll love this expertly crafted Ecuadorian getaway!

Touch the Clouds, Trek The Amazons

Ecuador

16 daysFrom $2,442 per person

Chasing Family Adventure in Ecuador

Go on an unforgettable journey as you traverse the landscapes of Ecuador. Volcano tours, the city in the ‘middle of the world’, and cloud forests are just a few of the wonders.

Chasing Family Adventure in Ecuador

Ecuador

10 daysInquire

Ecuador—Pure Adventure

Need to blow off some steam with your friends? Then go on a once in a lifetime adventure with them when you explore Ecuador’s Galápagos islands and Amazon jungle.

Ecuador—Pure Adventure

Ecuador

9 daysFrom $2,546 per person

Ecuador Unplugged: The Galapagos

Forget the digital world. This vacation is all about the natural world! Explore the Galapagos Islands; see countless plants and animals thriving as nature intended.

Ecuador Unplugged: The Galapagos

Ecuador

19 daysFrom $3,109 per person

I Can Say We Did It All

We spent almost 20 days exploring all parts of the country — from the mainland, to the coast, to the Amazon. I can say we did it all!

I Can Say We Did It All

Ecuador

9 daysFrom $8,297 per person

Nature Off the Screen

If your travel goal is to show your family the natural world, then this is the vacation you need. You’ll get outside, explore amazing destinations, and see animals in their natural habitat.

Nature Off the Screen

Ecuador

10 daysInquire

Besties Explore The Amazons Better

Go on a trip with your friends that isn’t the usual travel cliche. Enjoy adventure, nature, and the chance to get unplugged. Take pictures, but live in the moment!

Besties Explore The Amazons Better

Ecuador

9 daysInquire

From The Andes to The Amazons

If adventure, nature, and culture are at the top of your travel to-do list, then prepare for a trip that you won’t soon forget. Experience the rugged beauty of Ecuador.

From The Andes to The Amazons

Ecuador

18 daysFrom $2,914 per person

Ecuador Thoroughly Explored

The people and the beauty of the country

Ecuador Thoroughly Explored

Ecuador

11 daysInquire

Andes Highlands to Galapagos

Have it all! Rest, relaxation, adventure, and nature are yours when you book this Signature Trip to Ecuador. From Quito to the Galapagos, Ecuador will enchant you…

Andes Highlands to Galapagos

Ecuador

Where to stay

Ecuador eco-lodges

Amazon lodges in Yasuní and Cuyabeno and cloud-forest lodges in Mindo. See all Ecuador eco-lodges .

Nicky Amazon Lodge

Explore the unique beauty of the Amazon Rainforest from Cuyabeno, Ecuador. Nicky Amazon Lodge offers you incredible access to the Cuyabeno River —near the lower portion of the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. This is sustainable tourism with an authentic flair! Your accommodations are built in the style of traditional jungle huts, but since you are on vacation, you will enjoy modern amenities such as a private bathroom and shower. Choose from a selection of tours, and explore the Amazon in the manner that best suits your needs. If you're an adventurous family, go ahead and bring the children! They're perfectly welcome; although there is no age restriction, it is advised that they be ages 5 and up to comfortably enjoy themselves.

Mashpi Lodge

Mashpi Lodge offers sophisticated lodging in the midst of a dense jungle. It blends a modern design with sustainable hospitality, and offers an intimate setting with enough accommodations for a total of just 47 guests.

Napo Wildlife Center

Guests can experience Yasuní National Park from the comfort of the Napo Wildlife Center Lodge. This lodge offers some of the most plush (yet environmentally friendly) accommodations of anywhere in the Amazon.

La Selva Amazon Lodge

One of the first Amazon rainforest lodges in Ecuador, the award winning La Selva was completely remodeled and reopened in July of 2012 and has since become the premier eco lodge in the Ecuadorian Amazon. La Selva Amazon Ecolodge & Spa is located in a rainforest paradise bordering Yasuni National Park in one of the most biodiverse areas of the planet.

Top experiences

Nature walks

Mindo and Papallacta from Quito and guided island walks in the Galápagos. See all Ecuador nature walks.

South Plaza Island
BestBird WatchingBoat Tours3+

This tour will take you to South Plaza Island, which is the smallest island of the Galápagos. Despite its small size, this island still has a wealth of interesting wildlife.

San Cristobal Highlands Tour
BestBird WatchingMarine Wildlife2+

Venture into the highlands of San Cristóbal on this tour. You’ll get to see some of the most interesting plants in the Galápagos and the only freshwater lagoon in the Galápagos. Your guide will provide snorkeling gear for your visits to the beaches.

Kicker Rock - Leon Dormido Island Tour
BestBoat ToursGuided Tours3+

During the boat trip you can enjoy the beautiful landscape and you may see dolphins. Upon arrival at León Dormido we will navigate around the island to see the sea birds and sea lions, resting on the rocks. If you wish, you can snorkel — there is a good chance you will see the Galapagos shark, sea turtles, different types of rays, and a variety of fish. After that, you have some free time to enjoy the beach at Playa Ochoa, Cerro el Brujo or Playa Manglecito. Return to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Mindo Full-Day Tour
BestBird WatchingButterfly Gardens2+

During this full-day tour, you'll explore the El Pahuma Orchid Reserve and the Mindo-Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve. In Mindo, you'll visit waterfalls and a butterfly farm, and take a cable car over the forest.

Papallacta Full-Day Tour
Hot SpringsNature Walk

This full-day tour of Papallacta includes soaking in hot springs, hiking in the forest, and eating a locally-sourced lunch. It's a perfect combination of nature and relaxation activities.

Isabela Land Tour
Marine WildlifeNature WalkWildlife

Pick up at the hotel and start of the tour in a group of maximum 16 passengers. They will make the guided visit to the Center of Interpretation and Breeding of Turtles"La Galapaguera", to the lagoon of the flamingos, and to the wall of tears. Culminate the day with a snorkel in Concha y Perla or free time on the beach.

WHERE ARE THE BEST RAINFORESTS?

You can see some of Ecuador’s best-preserved tracts of rainforest within the boundaries of Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and Yasuní National Park , which are both accessible from the town of Puyo . You can also quickly get to exciting hikes through the rainforest from the town of Baños — explore these rainforests to see misty waterfalls in the midst of dense foliage. In eastern Ecuador you can visit the remote rainforest of Cotundo .

WHAT TO DO?

You can sign up for a tour that will introduce you to indigenous people — can show you which plants they use as medicine, and how they hunt for food. In Tena you can explore Class III and Class IV whitewater rapids. Hike the isolated paths of Cotundo with a guide, and look for some of the 10,000-year-old petroglyphs carved into rocks.

ECUADOR’S VOLCANOES

Ecuador’s national parks protect snow-capped volcanoes. Take horseback riding tours so you can cover more ground as you explore Cotopaxi National Park , or plan a long hike through the wilderness of the Cayambe National Park .

EXPLORE THE PACIFIC COAST

Visit the Pacific coast to explore the beaches – visit Machalilla National Park for your best chance to see humpback whales. You can visit beaches near the port towns of Guayaquil and Esmereldas for a quick day-trip, or visit Canoa and Bahía de Caráquez for a more remote experience.

SAIL TO THE GALAPAGOS

See the jewel of Ecuador's landscape on a tour of the Galápagos Islands . There are species of animal here that do not live anywhere else. The volcanic landscape teems with biodiversity. Take a cruise here to see a strange and colorful corner of the world.

WHERE TO STAY

Delve into nature at an eco lodge , where you’ll get to unplug from modern life for a little while, and go to sleep every night surrounded by the music and the mystery of the rainforest.

TWHAT WILL YOU FIND?

Let us know how you envision your ideal rainforest vacation and we'll work with you to make it happen. Get ready to experience the best of Ecuador's rainforests!

Recommended for rainforest trips

Horseback Riding in Ecuador

Horseback tours are a fantastic way to get outside and experience the Ecuadorian landscape...

Adventure Destinations

Ecuador is well suited to adventurous travelers. This landscape rewards intrepid hikers...

Ecuador Hiking Tours

Hiking in Ecuador can be a crash course in nature and even culture...

Anywhere mission
Anywhere Ecuador

Insider-led Ecuador Design & Concierge

Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.

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Private drivers; English-speaking available.

Avoid the crowds in private day tours.

Better stays, better pacing, better reservations.

Insider-only experiences and exclusive local partners.

24/7 in-country support by phone, text, and WhatsApp.

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