Top Ecuador Unique Experiences

Mindo, known for its coffee and chocolate production, sits just off the main road between Quito and Esmeraldas. On this chocolate-centric tour, get a behind-the-scenes look at the chocolate-making process from bean to bar at a small-batch factory. Taste fresh fruit straight from a cocoa tree and finish with a tasting of several varieties of chocolate.

Chocoholics and cultural connoisseurs alike are sure to enjoy a private 4-hour tour from Guayaquil to a local cocoa farm. Relax, as private transportation takes you from your hotel and into the Ecuadorian countryside. Discover what makes chocolate production in Ecuador unique, as you explore the family owned cocoa plantation. Harvest ripe cocoa beans with your guide, then use dried beans to create a cocoa infusion of your own.

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.

Get ready for an educational and unforgettable adventure where rescued wildlife, exotic orchids, and Ecuador's natural heritage come together. Begin with exclusive access to the quarantine area, normally closed to the public, where you'll hear the inspiring stories of rescued animals and their path to recovery. Explore the Wildlife Conservation Center with a professional guide, witness the thrilling feeding of the lions, and hand-feed parrots, macaws, and monkeys. Enjoy a traditional Lojano lunch while the zoo's manager shares the center's history, wildlife rescue efforts, and conservation mission. Then visit the Orchid Conservatory, where a recognized orchidologist guides you through four climate-controlled sections showcasing native orchids. Finish with a guided tour of the Municipal Nursery and leave knowing you've truly experienced, and helped protect, the heart of conservation in Loja.

Combine two activities on one trip—a visit to a local rose farm and a horseback riding adventure. This helps you to make the most of your trip and see more in less time, with private transportation included as well as admission. To help ensure you keep energy levels high, a delicious lunch is included along the way too.

Discover the Amazon Witness the vibrant transformation of the Amazon at dawn on this half-day birdwatching tour in Misahuallí. As the morning light filters through the lush vegetation, immerse yourself in breathtaking landscapes and the region’s rich biodiversity. With an expert guide, you can identify fascinating bird species — from electric blue-fishing martins to colorful thongs and parrots — all while enjoying the serene beauty of the Amazon rainforest. This personalized experience guarantees you to observe wildlife in total tranquility and appreciate the natural environment before returning to your afternoon plans. Immersive experience of 5 hours of bird watching in the Amazon rainforest. Expert guide to help you identify local bird species and their habitats. Spectacular panoramic views where Amazonian rivers meet lush primary vegetation.

Sample the artisanal food producers of Manta during this 6-hour exploration of the city’s chocolate and craft beer industries. Check out the plantations and growing facilities for Creole Cocoa and Rio Chico, learning about their cultivation of cacao beans and the chocolate making process. You’ll also get to visit nearby plantations of oranges, lemons and coconuts before heading to a local craft brewery for a tasting. This food-focused trip also includes a lunch of typical local cuisine, entrance fees and round-trip hotel transport.

Visit a family-owned cacao farm on a 4-hour tour from Guayaquil, and see how Ecuadorian chocolate goes from freshly-harvested fruit to the finished product. Learn about planting and harvesting, help toast, husk, and grind the cacao seeds, and eat a farm lunch made with organic ingredients grown onsite. This 4-hour cacao farm tour includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Guayaquil, all activities, and lunch.

Itamandi EcoLodge offers sustainable travel and ecotourism vacations to one of the most interesting and diverse places in the world: the Amazon Rainforest. It is only a 4-hour drive by car and a short canoe ride away from Quito, situated along the banks of the Arajuno River and 20min. away from Tena. Our eco-friendly destination is the perfect setting for an amazing jungle trip combined with luxury accommodation. Several activities and excursions are available during your stay. Activities include cultural visits to the Kichwa community, where you can enjoy folkloric dances by the local children, educational treks through primary forests, night walks, a visit to the parrot clay lick, bird watching, floating down the Arajuno River on tubes, artisan production of chocolate and more. Across the river, you can find the famous scientific research station, Jatun Sacha. Alternatively, just chill out in the lodge open-air leisure area with pool, full-service bar, and relaxation zone.