Tours and Activities in Ecuador
EcuadorYou won't be at a loss for things to do while traveling in Ecuador. If you're someone who loves nature and the outdoors, you'll have your plate full visiting the Galápagos Islands, the Amazon Jungle, and the Andes Mountains. Cultural buffs can explore places like Quito and Cuenca, while adventure travelers will enjoy mountain biking, scuba diving, and whitewater rafting. There's something for everyone in Ecuador. Find out a little more about the activities that are available below.
Bird Watching
From the peaks of the Andes to the lush branches of the Amazon rainforest, Ecuador has a tremendous amount of avian biodiversity. Though cruise tours in the Galápagos Islands are an obvious must when seeking unique bird sightings, Ecuador has other exotic birding opportunities as well. Birding tours include treks to find tropical birds on the scenic slopes of the Pichincha Volcano outside Quito; an adventure up the mountains to spot the highest-dwelling birds of the Andes; and adventures deep into the Amazon to see colorful toucans and chatty parrots.
Nature Walk
Whether strolling along beaches in the Galápagos or stepping through thick foliage in the Amazon, there will be many things to see in Ecuador that could use some explaining: are those sharks in the mangrove tree roots? What exactly is a cloud forest? How many different species of butterflies and hummingbirds are we looking at? Having a knowledgeable Ecuadorian naturalist on-hand turns a nature walk into a discovery adventure. These tours are led at a slower pace and are a good option for families with small children and travelers who would prefer to not walk long distances.
Boat Tours
Boating tours are an excellent way to experience some of Ecuador's most impressive aquatic environments. These tours visit islands in the Galápagos and rivers in the Amazon. You'll explore some of the coolest places in Ecuador, and may have the chance to go snorkeling, bird watching, or hiking on one of these tours. The tours use comfortable motor boats and are led by professional captains and knowledgeable guides.
Horseback Riding
Horseback tours are a fantastic way to get outside and experience the Ecuadorian landscape. The tours are led by professional guides, and participants ride well-trained horses along established trails. On one of these tours, you might explore the fertile valley outside Cuenca or the lush forests of Baños. Safety is a priority, and before hitting the trail your guide will make sure you feel comfortable and capable on your horse.
Hiking
Hiking in Ecuador can be a crash course in nature and even culture — hiking through the villages and smaller cities of Ecuador’s countryside, the warmth of the indigenous, traditional people is as striking as the landscapes. Travelers can challenge themselves by hiking up the numerous volcanoes or take a more figuratively breathtaking route through the Amazon Basin. Knowledgeable guides accompany the tours and keep the hiking fun, safe, and educational.
Night Tour
Ecuador is an exciting and colorful place during the day, but make no mistake, the nighttime here has its own special set of attractions. Night tours take advantage of the things that comes alive once the sun goes down. This includes nighttime nature walks, where travelers have the chance to spot fascinating nocturnal species, as well as city tours, which visit cultural attractions after dark and include dinner at a tasty restaurant.
Guided Tours
It's hard to really appreciate a new place if you don't know much about it. On a guided tour, you won't have to worry about that at all. These tours are led by friendly, English-speaking guides. The guides are on a mission to teach you about whatever it is you're experiencing — that might mean leading you on a historical tour through Quito or taking you bird watching in the Galápagos Islands. Whatever it is, you'll be sure to have a fulfilling experience on a guided tour.
Marine Wildlife
Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands are among the best places in the world to see marine mammals. The protected islands host the adorable – and sometimes noisy – Galápagos sea lions and fur seals, and whales and dolphins are easy to spot most of the year. Whether taking a cruise through the islands for premium whale watching or a land tour of Isabela Island to swim with the playful sea lions, spending time with and learning about these special island inhabitants is a great choice for families.
Catamaran Tour
Catamaran tours are a fabulous way to experience Ecuador's coastal environment. Many of these tours take place in the Galápagos Islands, providing travelers with an unbeatable way to explore this unique ecosystem. The catamarans are comfortable and equipped with all of the amenities you need to enjoy the ride. These tours also often include snorkeling, marine mammal observation, and other activities.
Snorkeling
Whether wading off the shores of beautiful coastal towns like Puerto López or jumping right from a boat into the waters of the Galápagos Islands, snorkeling in Ecuador is first-class. Guides take you to the best coves, calmest waters, and most lively snorkeling spots. Swim right alongside sea lions or feast your eyes on colorful fish, plants, and animals. Guides will keep you safe and getting the most out of your underwater adventures. These tours are acceptable for both seasoned snorkelers and total beginners alike.
Sport Fishing
Even the complete novice is certain to reel in a whopper during a sport fishing tour in Ecuador. One of the world’s most overlooked fishing destinations, Ecuador is not yet overfished, and the biodiversity of the marine life here can produce treasures at the end of a line. Some of the catchable fish here are shockingly massive, including the giant marlin. With the best-equipped fishing boats and most-seasoned guides, sport fishing tours can be as brief as half a day or as long as a week.
City
Ecuador's cities have a fascinating and impressive history. On these tours, you'll explore the various cultural, historical, and architectural elements that make Ecuador's cities unique. You'll visit the La Compañía church while in Quito and stroll along cobblestone streets of Cuenca. After a city tour, you'll understand much more about the inner workings of Ecuador's great cities.
Chocolate Tour
Chocolate, which comes from the cacao tree, has a long and storied history in Ecuador. Cacao trees grow in the wild here, but since the arrival of the Spanish, cacao beans have been cultivated commercially on plantations throughout Ecuador. These days, Ecuador's chocolate is known as some of the best in the world. On a chocolate tour, you'll visit a cacao plantation and learn about growing cacao, harvesting the beans, and eventually making chocolate. You'll also sample some seriously delicious treats.
Museum
The wonderful thing about touring museums in Ecuador, besides having your experience of this historically rich country curated by local experts, is that many Ecuadorian museums are incorporated right into historical sites. Explore Old Town Quito for living history, slipping seamlessly into the museums that explain it all. Stroll the botanical gardens that boast ancient Andean plants and grains as you are guided through the Ecuadorian Museum of Natural Science. Hear the legends of Ecuador at Azuay Folklore Institute, and carry these stories with you throughout your travels. Museum tours provide travelers with an excellent introduction to the history, culture, and traditions of Ecuador.
Historic
If you're interested in learning about Ecuador's storied past, which includes the Inca Empire and Spanish conquest, then you'll enjoy one of these tours. Historic tours explore historical attractions in cities like Quito and Cuenca, make visits to archeological sites, and tour cultural museums. Knowledgeable guides lead travelers and pepper the tour with informative history lessons.
Adventure Tours
If you enjoy fun, adrenalin-fueled activities, then you'll love these tours. Adventure tours include scuba diving, ocean kayaking, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, and mountain biking. These activities are safe and typically suitable for people of all ages and abilities. Professional guides lead the tours and work hard to provide travelers with a memorable experience.
Cultural Tours
Ecuador's culture mixes influences from indigenous groups, Spanish colonialism, and the Catholic Church. Today, the country's unique cultural makeup can be experienced in a variety of ways. Cultural tours visit historic architectural sites, important museums, coffee plantations, traditional markets, and more. They offer travelers a fantastic introduction to Ecuador's past and present cultural traditions.
Leisure Tours
Travel doesn't need to be exhausting. In fact, some of the best experiences abroad are often the most relaxing. These tours will allow you to unwind, relax, and enjoy Ecuador. You might indulge in a day at the spa or spend an afternoon boating up a river while searching for animals. Get ready to enjoy yourself on one of these tours.
Marine Tours
Ecuador is home to the famous Galápagos Islands, and not surprisingly, the marine tours here are some of the best in the world. These tours include sea kayaking, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and marine mammal observation. You'll explore beautiful marine environments and have the chance to spot rare creatures, including marine iguanas and the Galápagos penguin.
Nature Tours
In Ecuador, there are three distinct environments for travelers to explore — the Galápagos, the Amazon, and the Andes. Each of these regions is fascinating and hosts different plants and animals. Nature tours include guided hikes, bird watching, marine mammal observation, butterfly tours, and more. They are a wonderful way to become acquainted with the outdoor offerings of Ecuador.
Featured Ecuador Trips
Want to turn a tour into a full trip? Our local experts can weave the best Ecuador tours and activities into a complete itinerary — tailored to your pace, interests, and travel style.
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I loved my trip. It was well organized
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I loved using Anywhere Ecuador for this trip! We had a fantastic time. I gave a four out of five because we had some logistical challenges with our day trips and getting back to the airport.
It Was Hard to Say Goodbye
Ecuador is a beautiful country from Quito all the way to the coast of Guayaquil. It is definitely a must. Percy was amazing in helping us plan our trip, as I must have changed my itinerary about a million times. Even when I had questions during our trip he was right there ready to help and took care of everything. Now, there are no words to describe our driver, (which we were lucky to have for 9 days) Ricardo. He was professional, friendly and went above and beyond to help make our Ecuador experience one to remember. It was sad to say good bye, but one thing is for sure when we plan our next trip to Ecuador we will be asking for Ricardo again.
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Words cannot express the wonderful experiences we had in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. We try to explain our enthusiasm for our trip to our friends, but words become inadequate and so we simply encourage them to arrange their own adventure to Ecuador/Galapagos through Anywhere! We are anxious to start planning a return trip to explore more of the mainland of Ecuador. We owe a great deal of our curiosity about Ecuador to our driver Ricardo, who was an enthusiastic cheerleader for the country.
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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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