Top Ecuador How to Get Around in 2026

Add some adventure to your Ecuadorian vacation on a private bike tour from Cuenca. Comfortable transfer from your hotel takes you for a downhill bike ride along "El Camino Viejo" to the Yunguilla Valley. Starting from an elevation of 9,064 feet (2,760 meters), you’ll enjoy a 25-mile (40-km) ride through native forests, farms, and local communities. Go at your own pace and are free to pause at any time to take photos.

Nature lovers will relish in the opportunity to roam through the landscape of this extinct volcano, and discover all the geological wonder hiding along the Ruco Pichincha on this guided hike. Escape the rushed pace of city life. Instead, relax and enjoy the journey to the top. Upon arrival admire incredible views out over the nearby city and the reward of visiting the home of paranormal spirits.

Cerro Blanco is a birdwatcher's paradise home to more than 200 bird species, many of which live nowhere else on Earth. Rise and shine on this roundtrip door-to-door tour from your Guayaquil hotel, arriving at Cerro Blanco visitors center in time for the morning chorus. Your naturalist guide will lead you around the lower mountain paths, helping spot and identify the flora and fauna you'll see and hear along the way.

Take a break from city sightseeing to enjoy some rest and relaxation on a private day trip to the Termas de Papallacta Spa. Go hiking in the Andes mountains at a pace set by you and your party before enjoying free time to soak in the hot springs. Plus, this private tour gives you the freedom and flexibility to customize your itinerary.

Explore the iconic area of Bartolome Island on a full-day tour from Puerto Ayora. This volcanic island is rich in biodiversity both on land and underwater. Take in the beautiful landscapes from the viewpoint at the top of the island and discover the abundant marine life with a snorkeling excursion. Enjoy a boxed lunch and listen to informative commentary from your guide throughout the day.

Discover the wonders of San Cristobal Island stress-free on a full-day small-group tour. This comprehensive excursion seamlessly blends land and water exploration, offering the best of the island’s landscapes, species, and sites. Between a private nature walk and group snorkel opportunities, you enjoy up-close views of sea lions, marine birds, iguanas, sea turtles, sharks, and more. Top-notch snorkel gear and wetsuits are provided for additional convenience.

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.

The villages of Gualaceo and Chordeleg with their traditions of producing fine local handicrafts lie just east of Cuenca. With this private tour, browse the colorful wares at your leisure while learning about traditional artisan techniques. Watch as guitars, filigree jewelry, Panama hats, and shawls are being made, taste local fruits only found in Ecuador, and sit down for a local lunch. You’ll have plenty of time to shop in each village.

The Ingapirca ruins, one of Ecuador’s largest and most important archaeological sites, sit just north of Cuenca. Save time navigating public transport and waiting in line at the entrance to the site with this private tour, and visit this Incan fortress-temple in the Cañar Valley with a guide who can fill you in on its history. This leaves time to visit a family of indigenous weavers to see who Panama hats are made.

Discover Cuenca’s cuisine and history on a small-group walking tour. In addition to sating your appetite and cultural curiosities, this tour is a great way to orient yourself to the city’s layout. Culinary highlights include Sanduche de pernil, tamales, empanadas, and traditional beverages like morocho and coconut juice. Along the way, visit the ruins of Todos Los Santos, the Broken Bridge, and numerous other landmarks.

Literally, get off the beaten path on a private hiking tour in Cajas National Park. After a hassle-free transfer from your Cuenca accommodation, your guide will lead you on a light trek through a secluded valley. Have your camera ready for postcard-worthy views of Lake Llaviucu, an abandoned German brewery, and wild horses and alpacas.

Don’t let limited time in Ecuador stop you visiting the majestic Quilotoa Lagoon, an emerald crater lake surrounded by mountain landscapes. Reach the natural wonder the easy way on this full-day tour from Quito, ideal for nature lovers. Stop at a traditional craft market before arriving in Quilotoa National Park and opting to hike or ride a mule (own expense) to the rim of the dormant volcano. Lunch and transfers are included.

Cajas National Park protects a huge swath of lake-dotted Andean grasslands—one of the most biologically diverse in the Andes range—just west of Cuenca. During this full-day tour, save time waiting in line at the national park visitors center, and go on a hike through highlands, wetlands, and a Polylepis forest, home to the highest altitude trees in the world. This leaves time for lunch at a local restaurant specializing in fresh trout.

Make the most of the journey from Guayaquil to Cuenca, Ecuador. This full-day one-way trip includes a stop at a cacao farm to see how the main ingredient in chocolate is grown and processed. In Cajas National Park, enjoy a short hike through the high altitude paramo moorland which is an important and scenic watershed.

This small-group adventure is a stress-free way to see the magnificent Pailon del Diablo waterfall route and Tungurahua volcano in a day. After a private pickup, you can ride comfortably in a private vehicle with a guide to entertain you with commentary. After marveling at the waterfalls, continue to La Casa del Arbol, an outdoor adventure park famed for its exhilarating swing and treehouse.

Discover the historic center of Quito and the “Mitad del Mundo” on this full-day sightseeing tour. Alongside a private guide, walk through the historic streets to find ornate churches, colonial houses, and beautiful plazas. Head up to the Panecillo viewpoint to see the contrast between the old and modern city and then visit the Middle of the World landmark to see the true site of the equator line.

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.

This exclusive experience will introduce you to the Andes Mountain Range landscape and wildlife. Your profesional tour guide will pick you up at your hotel or airbnb to start the tour and go to Cotopaxi. The 90 minutes drive from Quito to Cotopaxi is full of beautifull mountains and cosy small villages. Arriving to Cotopaxi the local guide will be waiting with helmets, ponchos and horses. Then you will ride a horse for 2 hours around the grassland and the beautifull volcano. Then you will go to the Limpiopungo lagoon to hike around it. The lagoon is located in a flat highland where you will hike for 1 hour around it. That is an amazing place to see the local plants, flowers and birds. At the end you will come back to Quito or stop in a local restaurant to have a lunch. Dropoff at your hotel

Discover more about the history and local highlights of Guayaquil City by taking part in this guided tour. To help the day run stress-free, transportation is included, which begins with a hotel pickup to save you the hassle of going to a meeting place. Then, enjoy an itinerary of local highlights, including Seminario Plaza (Iguana Park), Malecon 2000, and Santa Ana Hills.

After hotel pickup in Cuenca, you’ll set off on an 8-hour avian adventure at El Cajas National Park. From an elevation of 3,800 meters (12,800 ft), you’ll see a long list of endemic birds, including the Tufted Tit Tyrant and Variable Hawk. Go at a leisurely pace with your private guide to maximize your sightings and enjoy the scenery. Unwind as private transport takes you back to your hotel.

This is our favorite tour. Mixing amazing flavors with stunning natural environments. You will be stunned by the views at the Coffee farm and amazed by the taste of the local gourmet choclate products. This is a great light activity tour that requires a little walking and is very easily accessed throughout. Which makes it a favorite with our cruise ship clients. In the farm we included coffe free and chocolate. maximum number of travelers 12

In this tour we will do in the bay of port villamil isabela island, we will observe several endemic animals in this tour, such as sea lions, penguins, sea turtles, sharks, marine iguanas.

Take a hike up the Sierra Negra Volcano on this 4-hour walking tour. The Sierra Negra is the oldest volcano on Isabela Island and experienced its last eruption in 2005. Walk along the rim of the crater and observe the local plant and animal life that has flourished in this rugged terrain. Learn about the geology of the area and the volcanic processes from your informative guide.

Explore Ecuador's Avenue of the Volcanoes that stretches from Quito to Cuenca during this 5-day excursion. Alongside a private tour guide, explore top Andean highlights including Quilotoa Lake, Cotopaxi, the Pailon del Diablo waterfall, and the Ingapirca ruins. Your package is inclusive of four nights' accommodation and most meals for a hassle-free experience.