Top Ecuador Outdoor Activities - page 3

Ecuador’s Cotopaxi National Park is a unique area with a diverse ecosystem of fauna and flora. Join this full-day tour from Quito to explore the area around the active volcano and learn about the natural history of the region. You also visit the Limpiopungo Lagoon where you enjoy beautiful views of the volcano and surrounding areas.

Visiting Mindo immerses you in natural beauty with cloud forests, rich biodiversity, and activities such as bird watching, hiking, and canopy adventures , ideal for lovers of nature and the outdoors. This tour combines Mindo's wildlife with the cultural fascination of the Middle of the World, where you stand on the equator line and experience both hemispheres at once, a truly unique geographic moment. Combining both destinations gives you a balanced experience of nature and knowledge, making your trip to Ecuador diverse and unforgettable.

Find out why Baños is famous the world-over for its white water on a rafting tour that helps you navigate the rapids of the Pastaza River safely. Under the expert guidance of your instructor, you’ll paddle on Class III-IV rapids and soak up scenery that’s only accessible from the river.

Explore the rugged surroundings and stunning scenery of Cotopaxi National Park and Cotopaxi Volcano during this full-day trip. Enjoy a short hike into the Limpiopungo Valley before driving ever-higher into this sky-high region, stopping at the 15,800-foot (4830-meter) Padre Rivas Refuge. If you’re feeling up for it, you’ll continue to the 16,500-foot (5,050-meter) Cotopaxi Glacier. This Cotopaxi day trip also includes national park fees, a guide, bottled water, round-trip hotel transport and an optional trip upgrade with lunch.

Enjoy this full-day tour of Otavalo Marketplace, the largest Indigenous market in Latin America. Departing Quito, you’ll travel to Otavalo Marketplace, to browse stalls for colorful, artisan souvenirs and delicious flavors. See, too, the famous equator monument and stop in Peguche to visit a waterfall and a local family to learn about local music.

If you’re visiting Quito for the first time, get an in-depth introduction to Ecuador’s capital on a private city tour that includes food tasting. Rather than navigating the metropolis alone, you’ll overcome the language barrier and get help making your way around with a local guide.

Experience the biodiverse Mindo Cloud Forest to observe its many species on this full-day tour from Quito. Join a small group and visit a reserve to see more than 1,000 colorful butterflies fluttering around you. Then, walk through the Mindo-Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve to a waterfall, where you can take a refreshing dip. Your tour also includes access to a canopy zipline or another adventure sport.

Experience the best of Ecuadorian nature on an eight-hour trip to Cajas National Park.  Avoid the stress and confusion of public buses with pickup and drop-off from your Cuenca hotel. Spend three hours exploring the Toreadora area of the park at a leisurely pace with your guide.  Break for an lunch at a local restaurant, then visit a different ecosystem during a walk around the lake.

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.

Take a break from sightseeing in order to relax mind, body, and soul on a day trip to Termas de Papallacta Spa from Quito. A serene experience ideal for tired travelers, this tour covers the thermal springs of Termas de Papallacta Spa. Spend ample time soaking in the steaming waters of the pools, created by volcanic activity and natural heat. Refreshments and entrance fees are included.

Experience the natural beauty of the Galapagos Islands on a group hiking tour to Sierra Negra and Chico Volcano from Isabela Island. Begin with an invigorating hike through the rugged terrain and explore the area's geological features. Along the way, take in the panoramic views of the surrounding areas and learn about the fascinating history and culture of the region from your guide.

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.

Spend time at the UNESCO-listed Cajas National Park on a small-group tour from Cuenca. With a guide by your side, all you have to do is enjoy the adventure on a hike that offers spectacular views as well as a look at the Andean flora and fauna.

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.

After your guide collects you from your hotel, set off an adventure around the city.  First, ascend to Quito’s famous viewpoint in a cable car. From 4,100 meters (13,000 feet) above sea level, you’ll see the city in all its splendor. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the historic center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Sight and stop to visit major attractions like the Presidential Palace, La Ronda, and the Cathedral.

Satisfy an appetite for adventure during an extreme canyoning tour in the Cashaurco Canyon. In a small group limited to only 10—to ensure you receive personalized attention from your instructor—you’ll go swimming, diving, abseiling, jumping, and ziplining, while soaking up the stunning natural scenery surrounding Baños.

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.

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.

Combine two of Quito’s top attractions without having to worry about booking each one separately on a combo tour of Otavalo Market and the Middle of the World Monument that includes a bike ride. Plus, a small group limited to only six other travelers means that you’ll be able to pedal at your own pace and enjoy personalized attention from your guide.

Prepare for a wet and wild day of family fun on this Pastaza River white-water rafting tour from Baños. Brave Class III and IV rapids, splashing, paddling and laughing along with your guide as you go. Finish off your day of rafting adventure with an included lunch at a local eatery.

Explore the culture of Quito on this small-group bike tour. Discover local life as you pedal around the city. It’s an ideal tour for travelers who want to go beyond the touristy parts of Quito. You’ll be riding 8.5 miles (13.5 kilometers) at an altitude of 9,390 feet (2,862 meters) above sea level. You’ll need to climb two easy hills with an elevation of 328 feet (100 meters), with most of the route along bike paths.

Make the most of your vacation with a small-group day tour from Puerto Ayora to Isabela Island, offering an ideal Galapagos Islands experience that combines education and adventure. Explore Isabela Island's diverse flora and fauna during a ground tour, spotting land turtles, flamingos, and zarapitos. Later, enjoy swimming and snorkeling at las Tintoreras with tropical fish, penguins, and turtles for the ultimate wildlife excursion.

Wheel your way through Ecuador’s stunning capital Quito on this half-day small group bicycle tour. There is something for everyone on this guided ride through the city’s key districts. Appreciate local art, smell the flora in the botanic gardens, and join the locals you end the day at one of Quito’s iconic markets. A safety-certified helmet and safety vest is provided for comfort and safety while you experience Quito’s vibrant La Floresta, Carolina, Mariscal, and Iñaquito districts.

Journey to the beautiful Quilotoa volcano, driving through stunning mountain scenery and stopping to visit local Andean communities, during this day trip from Quito. Travel along the spectacular ‘Avenue of Volcanoes’ passing beneath its towering peaks, eventually stopping at a village of an indigenous community, to explore a local home and learn about their daily life. Finish your day with a trip to the lagoon inside Quilotoa volcano. This day trip includes a guide, entrance fees, round-trip hotel transport, and lunch.