Things to do in Ecuador
Follow in Darwin's footsteps in the Galápagos Islands
Puckered, giant tortoises can walk these rocks for over two centuries, and tiny finches have forgotten to be afraid of humans. Cormorants have lost their ability to fly, yet prehistoric looking iguanas have learned to swim. Take a weeklong cruise of the Galápagos, or book a land based tour for an alternative experience.
The extreme isolation of these 19 volcanic islands has turned them into a living museum of evolution; a place where all is not what it seems.![]()
Live an Ecuadorian life
Holidays are about “getting away from it all”, and a homestay is one of the best ways to step out of your busy life and into someone else’s reality. In some rural Ecuadorian communities, life has changed little since the arrival of the conquistadores. On Ecuador cultural holidays you can sleep beneath hand woven alpaca blankets, awake to the sound of crowing roosters and devour vegetables just-pulled from the ground. You can dye and spin your own wool, prepare chocolate from fresh beans and even learn to milk cows. Deep in the Amazon, where shamans still practise ancient rituals, you’ll learn about the medicinal plants of the forest, and the many tasty fruits and fish that thrive here. You might even get chance to try shooting from a two-meter blowpipe. Sharing their fascinating knowledge is one of the best things you can do in Ecuador - and one of the few ways native peoples can keep their culture alive.
Ecuador & Galapagos tailor made tour
Private in-depth tour of Ecuador and The Galapagos
From
£6800 to £7900
23 days
ex flights
Galapagos cruises
Cruise the Galapagos Islands on sailing boats and yachts
From
£2797
8 days
ex flights
Galapagos land based adventure holiday
Amazing wildlife, both on land and underwater
From
£2416 to £3246
10 days
ex flights
Ecuador & Galapagos active adventure holiday
Hike, bike and kayak through Ecuador & the Galapagos
From
£3950 to £4800
15 days
ex flights
Galapagos luxury nature cruise
Boutique expedition cruise around the Galapagos Islands
From
£3750 to £4750
10 days
ex flights
Classic Galapagos Island hopping
Discover the highlights of the main islands in Galapagos
From
US $3679
8 days
ex flights
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Hike in the mountains
The verdant lower slopes, with their waterfalls and rare orchids, provide easier hikes. Tougher, high-altitude climbs pass glaciers, hardy vegetation and jade-green lakes, into the little-seen world beyond the snow line. If you’re less sure of your footing, you can travel by horse, complete with leather chaps and a poncho. Sit back and enjoy the scenery! See our Ecuador walking holidays.
Ecuador's theatrical backdrop of smouldering volcanoes and craggy peaks turns even the gentlest of walks into a dramatic experience![]()
Discover the diversity of the oriente
Ecuador may be one of the smallest Amazonian countries, but its small size does not diminish the diversity of its wildlife, culture and activities. Water based holidays in the Ecuadorian Amazon include paddling a dugout canoe, rafting on some of the world’s best rapids and fishing for tasty – if rather toothsome – piranhas. There are macaw-covered clay licks, mud-munching capybaras and vicious jungle pigs, as well as howler and spider monkeys and strange pink dolphins. Big cats are experts at hide-and-seek – but there are several sanctuaries which rehabilitate orphaned, injured or trafficked wildlife, and can provide visitors and volunteers with a closer glimpse of these elusive species. One of the most unusual things to do in Ecuador is to discover this mighty jungle during a night hike. In the pitch darkness, your senses become heightened - you’ll be completely immersed in the sounds, smells and strange sensations of the lungs of the earth.More Ecuador articles
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Galapagos Islands cruise holidays are the perfect way to explore a renowned wildlife watching destinations.
Travelling in Ecuador with kids couldn't be much easier, or more fun.
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Read on for more info including the best time to go and what you can expect to see on a land-based tour of the Galapagos.
The Galapagos wildlife unfailingly draws travellers to this remote Pacific archipelago.
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Our expert partners offer their best Ecuador travel tips to help you plan your ideal holiday.
A country with "good living" written into its constitution knows a thing or two about responsible tourism.
