Top Ecuador Day Trips - page 4

Make the most of your time at shore when docked in Manta, Ecuador with this leisurely small-group tour through the city. Learn about the iconic Panama hat at the Alfaro City Civic Center and visit a local hat maker to see how they are made. You also visit a popular beach where you can have a swim and indulge in a delicious beachfront seafood feast. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

Hike to the spectacular Quilotao Lagoon on a full-day, guided hiking trip from Quito that includes transport, a market visit, and lunch at a local restaurant. You’ll encounter vibrant Andean cultures, trek into a collapsed volcanic caldera, and visit a mountain village known for traditional artwork. This small-group tour is limited to 12 people for personal service from the guides.

Spend the day exploring the stunning natural landscapes of Ecuador on this full-day Quilotoa Lake hiking tour from Quito. Your expert guide will lead you through tropical forests to one of the area's most beautiful lagoons. Make stops at a quiet village and local markets as part of this incredible day away from the city.

One of the most epic DH rides in Ecuador, join and discover off-the-beaten-path trails, have fun in company of local riders with the most amazing views of Cotopaxi.

Otavalo is one of the most famous indigenous fair in the country; although the market has greater activity on Saturdays but it is open every day with an impressive variety of handcrafts, tapestries and weaving made by indigenous people of the surrounding villages. Meanwhile, tourists test their Spanish and bargaining skills at stalls vending colorful and inexpensive knitted sweaters, hats, gloves and much more.

Get up close and personal with the exotic wildlife and beautiful scenery of the Amazon during this 11-hour day trip to Puyo. Join your experienced naturalist guides as you explore a rescue center for animals like ocelots, caimans and monkeys, swim near a beautiful waterfall, paddle a canoe on the Puyo river and visit with a local Quechua community. This Amazon jungle adventure also includes lunch and all activities.

Set off on a day trip to Otavalo Market with a private guide. Skip the crowded public transit and enjoy the sights of the Pan-American highway from the comfort of your private vehicle.  Make stops at lesser known points of interest, including the foothills of Imbabura Volcano. Your tour of the Otavalvo Market can be customized to include a visit to Pecuche.

Discover Quito's highlights without getting overwhelmed in deciding what to prioritize with this private tour. After meeting your guide, relax knowing the logistics and activities are all sorted. Enjoy an itinerary that includes the UNESCO-listed historic center, the Plaza de la Independencia, San Francisco Monastery, the Panecillo, the Equator Line at the Intiñan Museum, and more.

Ecuador’s capital is a UNESCO World Heirtage site and one of the highest cities in the world, located right by the Equator Line. This tour offers a comprehensive introduction to the city, ideal for first-time visitors. Explore the historic Old Town, see the Compania and San Francisco churches, and admire the views from Panecillo Hill. Plus, ride the Teleférico cable car to Pichincha Volcano and visit the Middle of the World monument.

This itinerary is an exceptional combination because it manages to bring together history, adventure, science and nature in one day, allowing you to experience the diversity of Ecuador without getting too far away from Quito. You will start at the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve, one of the few inhabited volcanoes in the world. The stop at Cascada El Rayo adds the perfect dose of adrenaline. It’s not just watching water fall; it’s a short hiking tour but ideal for enjoying nature and the pure air of the Andean Choco. The Alambi Reserve is a bird lovers’ paradise. It is famous worldwide for the ease with which hummingbirds of all colors can be observed at very close range. The “vibe” here is one of absolute peace; it is the perfect time to relax and marvel at the country’s biodiversity. Ending this magnificent day in Half the World gives the perfect cultural and scientific closure to the tour. It's the opportunity to set foot in each hemisphere at the same time.

This shuttle transfer service is a comfortable and efficient way to travel between Cuenca and Guayaquil. Simply choose the time, date, and location that works for you, and enjoy a convenient door-to-door service. No need to share the ride with other passengers—this is a private service just for your party.

This tour is for the more adventurous! It will be a complete jungle, river and waterfall experience from 9am to 6pm. You will explore caves, enjoy an exquisite meal and an incredible adventure walking to the Grand Canyon of ñachiyaku.

In the fleeting embrace of time, the vast tapestry of Ecuador unfolds before you. Picture this: a caldera, spanning a vast three kilometers, its birth a testament to nature's raw power, carved from the earth by a cataclysmic eruption some eight centuries ago. And then, the towering majesty of one of the planet's highest active volcanoes, standing as a sentinel of nature's fiery heart. As you find respite in the historic charm of Quito, remember, each stop on this journey is but a brief interlude, a mere 30 minutes. Yet, in that half-hour, vistas of unparalleled beauty unfurl, beckoning you to capture their essence in frames that will forever echo the spirit of Ecuador."

Gain insight into an indigenous community that you likely wouldn’t be able to access alone during a full-day jungle excursion from Baños. Immerse yourself in the culture, something few travelers get to experience, by sampling a typical drink, watching a traditional dance, and more. Plus, learn more about traditional jungle plants from your bilingual guide than you could alone.

Combine culture with nature on a private full-day city and cocoa farm tour from Guayaquil. Designed for travelers passing through Guayaquil, this excursion takes you to a rural cocoa farm where you’ll tour the plantation and make chocolate from scratch. Then, you’ll embark on a sightseeing tour of Guayaquil city, home to attractions such as Las Penas neighborhood, Malecon 2000, and Parque Historico. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

For an unparalleled nature experience, take a day tour to Antisana Volcano.  After morning pickup from your hotel, you’ll set off to hike along the Andean slopes with your private guide.  Along the way, you’ll spot exciting species like carunculated caracara puma, and the noteworthy Andean condor. Explore the flora and fauna at your own pace. You’ll dine at a local restaurant for lunch, before being returned to your lodgings.

Immerse yourself in the natural wonders of the world-famous Andes on a private tour to Cotopaxi National Park. After pickup from your Quito accommodation, enjoy the scenic drive through the mountains. Without the stress of a large group and with your guide for company, you’re free to hike at your own pace at the park. Highlights include Limpiopungo Lake, the park's museum, and Jose Ribas Refuge (weather permitting).

Spend a day amongst the waterfalls and wildlife of Ecuador on a full-day private tour to a coastal cloud forest. Comfortable round-trip transportation from your Guayaquil hotel offers spectacular views of the Bucay Mountains. Follow your guide through the cloud forest trails to three different waterfalls and swim beneath each. Afterwards, learn how to operate a sugar cane press and enjoy a traditional lunch before your return to the city.

Venture to some of the most remote parts of the Galapagos Islands on a spacious luxury yacht. The small-group tour is led by a naturalist guide and filled with opportunities for wildlife-spotting—see sea lions, frigate birds, nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, petrels, pelicans, flamingos, and more. You'll also enjoy snorkeling in marine wildlife-filled waters, fishing, and exploring unique landscapes.

This full-day private adventure from Quito to Banos includes whitewater rafting, waterfall hikes, a visit to the Amazon jungle and a cable car ride across the Pastaza River. Start early from your hotel to reach the Class 3 rapids and join a group to shoot the chutes. Float between national parks to arrive at the “Avenue of the Waterfalls” where lunch and a hike down into the Ecuadorian Amazon basin awaits. Ride a 500m cable car over a roaring river before heading back to your hotel.

Get up close and personal with marine iguanas, sea lions, and hawks on a day trip to Santa Fe Island from Santa Cruz. Included hotel pickup ensures a smooth start. Once aboard the yacht, you’ll set off for Santa Fe Island. In addition to wildlife sightings, you’ll have time to enjoy Playa Escondida. The day tour also includes a filling lunch with a vegetarian option available.

You don’t need to visit the Galapagos Island to experience the rich wildlife of Ecuador. Get up close to howler monkeys, freshwater birds, and more on a tour to Churute Mangroves Ecological Reserve. After comfortable transfer from your Guayaquil hotel, enjoy a peaceful canoe ride and hike through the tropical dry forest. Later, tour the grounds of a nearby cocoa plantation and enjoy a traditional lunch prepared with local ingredients.

Discover the amazingly diverse wildlife and scenic beauty of the cloud forests of Mindo during this full-day trip from Quito. This unique ecological area is known for having one of the highest concentrations of biodiversity anywhere on earth, including numerous exotic species of birds. During your excursion, stop by the Hummingbird Garden and walk into the forest to admire the beauty of this natural reserve before proceeding to Mindo. Choose from among a range of optional activities (at your own expense), including a visit to a chocolate factory, an orchid garden tour, ziplining, a bird-watching trip with a local expert, and much more.

Escape the city for a full-day adventure in the Ecuadorian Andes on this private tour from Quito. Get your adrenaline pumping as you zipline through the Mindo Cloud Forest, sample coffee and chocolate on a tour of the El Quetzal Chocolate Factory, and walk along the equator line at the Mitad del Mundo. Tour includes lunch, hotel pickup, and all activities.