Top Activities on the Ground in Ecuador - page 2

One of the best Experiences in the Andes Mountains Near to Quito City. Cotopaxi is consider the highest active Volcano in South America. If you are a lover of outdoor activities, this is for you. Horse Riding in the highlands. Hiking to the José Ribas Refuge 4864m (15958ft), a lot of flora and fauna are part of this great adventures.

Escape the hustle and bustle of Baños for a half-day canyoning experience at the Río Blanco waterfall. Round-trip transfers mean you can save your strength for the day instead of wasting time and energy on public transport, while certified guides and provided safety equipment mean you’re in safe hands throughout. Plus, take home complimentary photos and video footage of your experience.

Get a sense of the architecture, history, and culture of Quito during this private tour visiting the city’s top sights. Start with an exploration of the historic city center of this Ecuadorian capital, visiting its main Basilica, Independence Plaza, and many more colonial-era sites. Then take a trip aboard the Teleférico to a peak more than 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) above the city for sublime views, finishing your day at ‘Mitad del Mundo,’ a monument marking where the earth’s equator splits the world into north and south.

Experience the magic of the Galapagos Highlands at The Tortoise Dome Lodge, a peaceful eco-lodge located inside a private reserve on Santa Cruz Island where giant tortoises roam freely and visitors can explore impressive lava tunnels surrounded by lush endemic vegetation. This unique experience combines nature, adventure, and comfort in a tranquil setting far from the crowded tourist areas. During your visit you will enjoy a guided walk through the private reserve, where you can observe Galapagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat, explore fascinating lava tunnels formed by ancient volcanic eruptions, and learn about the flora, fauna, and volcanic history of the islands. You will also walk through the endemic highland forest, where it is common to see native birds and unique vegetation typical of the Galapagos ecosystem. As part of the experience, guests will also enjoy an overnight stay in our private dome at The Tortoise Dome Lodge, surrounded by nature and tranquility.

Our company has a team of professionals who with their continuous effort and professionalism make each trip an unforgettable experience.

What makes this tour unique is its flexibility and personal touch. Unlike group tours, this private experience allows you to explore Quito at your own pace, focusing on the sites that interest you most. Enjoy breathtaking views from the Andes, walk through the charming colonial streets of the Historic Center, and visit the famous Middle of the World Monument—all with the comfort of a private vehicle and a knowledgeable bilingual guide. Our goal is not just to show you Quito, but to make you feel connected to its history, culture, and people.

Take in the sights of Quito and its surroundings as you ride in the famous TeleferiQo cable car. Your private driver picks you up from your Quito hotel and transfers you to the cable car where you enjoy a ride to the observation deck. Take in the scenic views of the city, the Pichincha Volcano, and if the conditions are right, several other Andean Mountains in the distance.

Our tour will begin early in the morning. We will make several stops along the way. Our first stop will be in San Tadeo, where we’ll observe different species of hummingbirds, as well as other native birds from the area. After visiting the hummingbirds, we’ll enjoy a traditional breakfast in Mindo (optional). Our next stop will be at the Mindo butterfly sanctuary, where we’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the different species that live there, as well as their life cycle and reproduction. After this stop, we’ll take a hike through the Mindo-Nambillo cloud forest to the famous waterfalls, which will last approximately an hour and a half. At the waterfalls, you’ll have the option to swim, so it’s a good idea to have your swimsuit ready. Finally, we’ll visit the chocolate tour, where you’ll learn more about the process of making chocolate from cacao. On our way back to Quito, if time allows, we’ll make a stop at the Intiñan Museum. Admission fees are not included.

Mindo, just two hours from Quito, is in a biodiverse cloud forest that's home to hundreds of species of birds and butterflies. This full-day tour with a private driver and guide stops at a butterfly farm and a tour of a chocolate factory, plus a cable car ride to access beautiful waterfalls. Note: all entrance fees and the cable car ride are at your own expense.

Find out why Baños is considered the adventure travel capital of Ecuador during a half-day canyoning experience at either the Chamana or Río Blanco waterfalls. Forget public transport and save your strength for the canyoning thanks to round-trip transfers, while benefiting from the support of your English-speaking guide throughout.

The day is yours-we can go wherever you want! Share your interests and we’ll handcraft your ideal Ecuadorian adventure—whether it's exploring Quito’s historic center, hiking Cotopaxi, visiting Quilotoa’s crater lake, or chasing waterfalls in Baños. From iconic highlights to hidden gems, we’ll create a flexible, personalized itinerary just for you. Travel like a local with your Ecuadorian guide and friend—our day could explore local eats, artesan markets, ancestral ceremonies, city architecture, volcano views, scenic drives, waterfall swims, and more! Skip conventional tourism and join us for meaningful travel. All net profits support our sister onprofit, Awaken Foundation, which empowers Indigenous and rural communities across the Amazon, Andes, and coast through health and wellbeing, education, and bioeconomics projects. When you travel with us, you support the development of self-sufficient, empowered Ecuadorian communities! So book with us and travel with purpose!

Get to know the historic center of Quito in just a few short hours on this walking tour. See many of the highlights of the city, including Independence Square, San Agustin Church, the catacombs, the change of the presidential guard (Mondays only) and much more. A bilingual guide (speaking English and Spanish) ensures you can ask questions and understand the historical sights you are encountering.

- You have the right to a Professional Bilingual Guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Lodging and Tourist Visits. - Tourist Transportation from Quito - Cotopaxi - Quilotoa - Quito - Hiking and horseback riding in the same tour if you decide to return on horseback not included in Quilotoa. - Visit indigenous market - Visit indigenous house - Visit Quilotoa Viewpoint - Visit and descent to the Quilotoa Lagoon - Hiking, horseback riding and kayaking in the same tour. - Visit Jose Rivas Refuge 4897 meters - Visit Glaciers of the Volcano 5000 meters - Visit and tour of the Limpiopungo Lagoon - Professionalism and Quality of Service

Don’t stress about time-consuming public transport; instead, opt for this private full-day excursion to El Giron Waterfall and Busa Lake from Cuenca. Relax and enjoy the scenery of the Tarqui Valley as you’re driven from point to point, stopping to hike through a cloud forest and lunch at a local restaurant. Ideal for first-time visitors, this tour is an easy way to see places you might otherwise overlook.

La Isla de la Plata, ubicada dentro del Parque Nacional Machalilla, es uno de los destinos naturales más importantes de Ecuador gracias a su extraordinaria biodiversidad. En esta reserva podrás observar una gran variedad de fauna marina y aves, como piqueros de patas azules y rojas, piqueros de Nazca, aves tropicales y fragatas. Además, es común avistar tortugas carey, delfines y mantarrayas, así como ballenas jorobadas durante la temporada de junio a octubre. Este destino es conocido como el “Mini Galápagos", ya que ofrece la oportunidad de apreciar especies emblemáticas similares a las que habitan en las Islas Galápagos, pero de una forma más accesible.

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.

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.

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.

Experience the Amazon in a truly authentic way at our Eco-lodge, located within a traditional Kichwa community along the Napo River. For decades, this community has protected the surrounding rainforest, preserving one of the most pristine and biodiverse areas in Ecuador. Explore lush jungle trails and discover incredible wildlife and plant species in their natural habitat. Thanks to the excellent conservation of this forest, sightings of unique Amazon species are frequent, making every visit a rewarding experience for nature lovers. More than just a stay, this is a cultural journey—learn directly from the local community, their traditions, and their deep connection to the forest. Recognized as one of the top eco-lodge experiences in the upper Napo region, this is the perfect destination for travelers seeking nature, culture, and responsible tourism in the heart of the Amazon.

Experience the duality of Tortuga Bay, a paradisiacal white sand beach, with a private, organized excursion. Discover from "Playa Brava" to up-close encounters with majestic marine iguanas. Our expert guide will lead you to a viewpoint offering spectacular vistas before exploring the serene side of Tortuga Bay, with gentle waves and minimal currents. Traverse trails for sightings of endemic birds and a shark pool. Dive into crystal-clear waters for snorkeling, where encounters with sea turtles, rays and small sharks await. Ideal for those who wish to make the most of such a prestigious location and there is no better way to explore this site than with an experienced and knowledgeable underwater specialist, who will make sure you get the best snorkel experience. This calm beach at the same time is the pefect place to practise some snorkeling if you haven't done it before and as preparation for any snorkel trips by boat that you might participate in afterwards.

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.

The Amazon Rainforest boasts some of Ecuador’s most beautiful jungle scenery—but exploring solo means you risk getting lost in the dense undergrowth. On this adventurous tour, Enjoy the one-way transportation from your hotel in Quito and back to the city of Tena, and explore the Amazon Rainforest with key logistics like lodge accommodation, activities, and meals included. Drift along calm rivers, meet local communities, and learn of the native wildlife that calls the Amazon Rainforest home.

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.

Spend the day exploring Ecuador's stunning landscapes on this full-day tour of Antisana Volcano. Located some 18,800 feet (5753 m) above sea level, this incredible destination is known for its biodiversity. Learn about indigenous plants and animals from your local guide as you tour the national park, which is full of colorful indigenous animals.