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Introducing Ecuador

Ecuador has it all. Between the Andean peaks, the Amazon rainforest, and the beautiful white sand beaches, travelers have a myriad of experiences to pick and choose from to suit their level of adventure and comfort.

When is the best time to visit?
Ecuador is a year-round destination. There’s no real summer or winter season, and with its varied geography, weather patterns are more dependent on location than the time of year. In the mountains, don’t be surprised to experience four seasons in one day. The Andes are a little drier from June through September. The best time to visit the beaches of Ecuador is, surprisingly, during the rainy season from December to May, when the weather is pleasantly warm, with rains usually limited to afternoon showers. Learn more

Where to go in Ecuador?
Ecuador offers a compelling mix of outdoor experiences and culture. Experience one of the most amazing national parks in the world at the remarkable Galapagos Islands, soak in the scenery and rural way of life in the Andes Mountains, tour the Amazon Rainforest with local guides, and enjoy the photographic colonial plazas of Quito and Cuenca.

How many days do I need?
Spend as few as 3 days and as many as 16 days in Ecuador. With as much as there is to see and do in this adventurer’s paradise, really the answer to this question is as many days as possible. Learn more

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 6 days · 7 days · 8 days · 10 days · 14 days · 16 days

Ecuador Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
Tiny Tortoises of the Santa Cruz Breeding Center, Galapagos
Map of Quito & the Galapagos Islands - 8 Days
Quito & the Galapagos Islands - 8 Days

An 8-day adventure in Ecuador, starting and ending in Quito. During this trip, you'll get to explore Quito, the Otavalo indigenous market, and the beautiful Galapagos Islands, possibly the best-preserved national park in the world.

Countryside near Riobamba
Map of Best of the Ecuadorian Highlands - 7 Days
Best of the Ecuadorian Highlands - 7 Days

Traverse the very best of the Ecuadorian highlands on this 7-day itinerary. Starting and finishing in the capital, Quito, you will encounter bustling markets, awe-inspiring volcanoes, centuries-old colonial towns and Inca ruins. There's great hiking along the way in terrain ranging from glaciers and high-level plateau through to forests and waterfalls.

Enjoy the beaches of Ecuador
Map of The Real Ecuador: Quito, Otavalo, Amazon & Galapagos - 14 Days
The Real Ecuador: Quito, Otavalo, Amazon & Galapagos - 14 Days

Experience the cultural heritage and natural beauty of Ecuador over the course of two weeks. From the urban sprawl of Quito to the serene shores of the Galapagos and everything in between, this tour will span several diverse regions and truly open your eyes to one of South America's most fascinating countries.

Cordillera Occidental Andes Central Ecuador
Map of Ecuador: Amazon, Andes, and the Coast - 16 Days
Ecuador: Amazon, Andes, and the Coast - 16 Days

Explore the best of Ecuador in this 16-day tour through the Amazon, Andes, and Coastal regions. You'll visit beautiful colonial towns, indigenous communities, and experience ways of life both ancient and modern in this diverse country.

Ziplining towards a waterfall near the town of Baños
Map of Ecuador Highlands & Amazon - 7 Days
Ecuador Highlands & Amazon - 7 Days

This action-packed 7-day tour of Ecuador is perfect for travelers searching for adventure, culture and spectacular scenery all within a few hours' drive from the capital Quito. The trip begins with a thrilling bike ride down an active volcano and continues with hikes in the cloud forest, a climb up a waterfall and visits to an indigenous community. There will be plenty of opportunities to unwind too, with stops at hot springs and a quiet, mountainside hacienda.

Make the Most of Your Time in Ecuador

Have a fixed number of days? Maximize the things to see and do during your visit
Quito in the foreground with an erupting Cotopaxi volcano in the distance.
How Many Days Should You Spend In Ecuador?

Ecuador is a country that packs enormous diversity into a small area so it's ideal to visit for a short trip. You can spend a long weekend exploring Quito and the mountains,...

Highly active marmoset monkeys can be spotted on trips into the Ecuadorian Amazon
Map of 7 Days in Ecuador - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
7 Days in Ecuador - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Spend a week in Ecuador exploring the country's diversity, from volcanoes to the rainforest. Each trip starts in Quito, with tours of the UNESCO-designated historic city and a...

Boy riding a horse at Quilotoa lake in Ecuador
Map of 10 Days in Ecuador - 5 Unique Itineraries
10 Days in Ecuador - 5 Unique Itineraries

Locals are fond of saying that Ecuador is four countries in one: coast, highlands, jungle, and the Galápagos. Whether you want to relax on the beach, climb volcanoes, hike...

Marine Iguana, Galápagos Islands
Map of 2 Weeks in Ecuador - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
2 Weeks in Ecuador - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Two weeks in Ecuador gives plenty of time to enjoy all three of the country's main ecosystems—Amazon, Highlands, and Galápagos—or focus on one to fully immerse yourself in the...

Ecuador Travel Essentials

All you need to know to get started planning the perfect trip
Cotopaxi
Best Time of Year to Visit Ecuador

On the northwestern side of South America, straddling the equator, Ecuador contains a remarkably diverse range of landscapes, altitudes, and climates. Despite their great...

Trekking along the Quilotoa Loop is an Ecuador highlight.
Best Things to Do in Ecuador

Stretching from the Amazon to the Andes and straddling the southern and northern hemispheres, Ecuador boasts a remarkable range of landscapes, cultures and ecosystems. From...

The mountains surrounding Guaranda, an off-the-beaten-path town in Ecuador well worth visiting.
Going Off-The-Beaten-Path in Ecuador

Even as tourism boom in Ecuador, there are still plenty of enticing destinations that remain under the radar, offering travelers the chance to explore architectural gems, surf...

One of the Ecuador's dramatic train rides, the Naríz del Diablo
Options for Touring Ecuador

By South American standards, Ecuador is a fairly small country. Most major destinations — with the exception of the Galápagos Islands — are within a day's drive of each other....

Ecuador Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip

Ecuador Hotel Advice

Unique places to stay, curated by kimkim specialists
Enjoy your time exploring Quito
9 Best Boutique Hotels in Quito

There is something for everybody in Quito, and a hotel for every taste and sensibility. Top neighborhoods include the historic center and hip La Floresta. English is largely...

Our Latest Ecuador Content

Quilotoa Lagoon in the Ecuadorian Andes
Map of Ultimate Ecuador: Quito, Baños, Cotopaxi & the Galápagos - 10 Days
Ultimate Ecuador: Quito, Baños, Cotopaxi & the Galápagos - 10 Days

Adventure awaits on this exhilarating 10-day journey through Ecuador. Starting in the country's rugged Andean highlands, you'll hike and horseback ride through a landscape of towering volcanoes, crater lakes, and dramatic waterfalls before hopping over to the Galápagos to discover some of the most remarkable biodiversity on earth. Explore uninhabited islands, snorkel with sharks, and get your adrenaline pumping as you rappel deep into a dormant volcano.

Volcanic peaks and dense jungle near Macas
Map of Ecuador Glamping Adventure: Cities, Jungles & Highlands - 9 Days
Ecuador Glamping Adventure: Cities, Jungles & Highlands - 9 Days

Immerse yourself in Ecuador's natural splendors on this 9-day glamping adventure. From the capital of Quito to the depths of the Amazon and the volcanic slopes of the highlands, you'll spend your days hiking, kayaking, and rafting through breathtaking landscapes. Meanwhile, nights are spent close to nature in a series of unforgettable "glamorous camping" sites.

Embark on a luxury cruise through Ecuador's rainforest
Map of Amazon Luxury Cruise & Galápagos Island Hopping - 10 Days
Amazon Luxury Cruise & Galápagos Island Hopping - 10 Days

Experience two of Ecuador's most remarkable ecosystems in style on this 10-day adventure. Starting from the capital of Quito, set off into the wilds of the Amazon and board a three-night luxury river cruise through Yasuni National Park. Spot primates, parrots, and piranhas as you explore the rainforest by kayak and on foot, returning to the comfort of your ship each evening. Then it's time to switch gears and fly to the Galápagos for an itinerary of island hopping, snorkeling, and wildlife encounters.

Ecuador Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Ecuador map: 10 Days in Ecuador: 5 Suggested Itineraries
10 Days in Ecuador: 5 Suggested Itineraries
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Ecuador map: 7 Days in Ecuador - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
7 Days in Ecuador - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Ecuador map: 2 Weeks in Ecuador - 4 Unique Itineraries
2 Weeks in Ecuador - 4 Unique Itineraries
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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Ecuador
Travel specialist Mathias Onisseit
active 1 day ago

Mathias Onisseit

Originally from Germany, in 2010 I set out to explore South America and soon fell in love with the super-diverse country named Ecuador (and its neat little attachment Galapagos). What fascinates me...

read more...
Travel specialist Linda Schulz
active 2 days ago

Linda Schulz

Originally from Germany, I have traveled around the world and lived in Australia, Bangladesh, and finally Ecuador. Ecuador is such a diverse and beautiful country, so I soon fell deeply in love...

read more...
Travel specialist Alvaro Pereira
active 8 hours ago

Alvaro Pereira

Traveling and getting to know new and exciting places have always been my biggest passion. I believe that Ecuador, Galapagos, Colombia and Peru are such vast locations filled with special sites,...

read more...
Travel specialist Jackeline Valarezo
active 2 days ago

Jackeline Valarezo

I've always been in love with my country, and when I got the chance to work in this wonderful industry, I knew I belonged here. One of my favorite aspects of my job is interacting with people and...

read more...

Related Destinations

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Why travelers love kimkim

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A portion of every kimkim trip goes toward the removal of carbon from the atmosphere. Learn more
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Seller of Travel Registration number: CST #2136279-40.
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Trip Reviews for Ecuador

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

This company is the real deal. I was skeptic...
Ecuador | Dec 16 - Dec 30, 2022

Lisa
Lisa T.
Burleson, TX | Reviewed on Jan 03, 2023

This company is the real deal. I was skeptical to use a travel agent to book a trip but I am so glad I did. I found Kim Kim on a Facebook page and decided to give them a try. Matthias communicated with me in a timely fashion and listened to what I wanted and made it happen. We were greeted as we walked out of the airport and from there everything was very close to perfect. We had great hotels; great excursions; great tour guides and food. We felt safe every where we went and could not... read more

This company is the real deal. I was skeptical to use a travel agent to book a trip but I am so glad I did. I found Kim Kim on a Facebook page and decided to give them a try. Matthias communicated with me in a timely fashion and listened to what I wanted and made it happen. We were greeted as we walked out of the airport and from there everything was very close to perfect. We had great hotels; great excursions; great tour guides and food. We felt safe every where we went and could not have asked for a better service.
From Quito to Galapagos to Banos and finally Archidona, it was a Fantastic Vacation! Thank you so much.

10 out of 10, would highly recommend

Hotel Reviews
Kuyana Amazon Lodge
Archidona

The most beautiful hotel I have ever stayed! Amazing It’s kinda scary to get to but so worth the drive.

Authenticity & Character
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The food and staff were amazing. Gorgeous place
Ikala Galapagos Hotel
Puerto Ayora

Great location, friendly staff and clean rooms

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Casa Alquimia
Quito

Very quaint Was not expecting it to be warm but we got a fan and that was cured.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Holiday Inn Quito Airport, an IHG Hotel
Tababela

Nice Hotel Close to the airport Provides a shuttle

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Middle of the World
Ecuador

I really enjoyed this visit to both equator destinations.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cooking Class
Quito

My son and I did this and loved it. I came home and tried to recreate the potato soup. It turned out famously.

Quality of Experience
Learning new fruits and recipes
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Josue and Alex
Transfer to Quito Airport, Arrival to Galapagos & Highlands of Santa Cruz
Ecuador

I love turtles and tortoise so this was a real treat.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands

Great snorkeling on Bartolome! Penguins, sea lions, shark, octopus, sting Ray. The boat was great, the staff was amazing, Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Scuba Diving - Day Trip from Santa Cruz
Galapagos Islands

The dive company is fantastic. I felt safe and would absolutely recommend them and dice with them again. The only reason it was rated as a 4 is because the water was super cold and visibility was not great. My son really enjoyed the dive on the second day. Schools of sharks and rays.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Canyoning in Baños
Baños

Fun excursion. You do have to hike out but it’s moderate. Great time

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Pailón del Diablo Waterfall & Transfer to Archidona
Ecuador

This waterfall is beautiful! Danny was our guide in Banos and he was fantastic. He took such great care of us.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rafting Río Jatunyacu
Ecuador

Super fun excursion!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Exploring El Gran Cañon & natural caves
Ecuador

I am out of shape but I still really enjoyed this hike and the waterfall. We did get tired and skipped the cave portion so I can’t comment on them. I would recommend this canyon hike and swim in the pool under the waterfall. Shawn was out guide at the hotel and on this excursion. He was awesome

Quality of Experience
You need to be somewhat in shape to hike this
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2023

Lisa,

thank you for this wonderful review, I'm very happy to hear that you and Tyler had an unforgettable trip to Ecuador & Galapagos and that your decision to use a travel agent was the right one.

It's also nice to hear that your stay in the rainforest area was an outstanding experience for you; the lodge has sent me some photos of your time there which I would like to share with you through the chat!

Always safe travels,
Mathias

From Guayaquil to Galapagos - History and Wonder at every site
Ecuador | Dec 25 - Dec 31, 2022

Michelle
Michelle L.
Houston, TX | Reviewed on Jan 01, 2023

Our Guayaquil guide, Corina and our driver, were amazing in their historical knowledge of the city and country, flexibility in the moment based on our interests, and steadfast in ensuring our safety. We had an amazing time looking at all of the effigies across the city in preparation for Ano Viejo. Our walk up the 444 steps to Diego Noboa y Arteta was finished w a lovely and delicious lunch. The rest of the week in the Galapagos was equally fun and interesting. Viviana, our guide, met us in... read more

Our Guayaquil guide, Corina and our driver, were amazing in their historical knowledge of the city and country, flexibility in the moment based on our interests, and steadfast in ensuring our safety. We had an amazing time looking at all of the effigies across the city in preparation for Ano Viejo. Our walk up the 444 steps to Diego Noboa y Arteta was finished w a lovely and delicious lunch. The rest of the week in the Galapagos was equally fun and interesting. Viviana, our guide, met us in Balstra and escorted us to Santa Cruze, all the while explaining the history of the islands, the economy, the differences between the mainland and islands, and of course introduced us to many amazing animals and sites from land iguanas to gigantic tortoises in their natural habitat. Seeing the evolution of various tortoises who come from other islands where they have different vegetation was spectacular. Thank you to the whole team for a truly eye-opening trip!!!!

Hotel Reviews
Oro Verde Guayaquil
Guayaquil

This is a lovely, modern, clean hotel with all of the amenities, including almond milk for those dairy-free concerned. There are different restaurants and a cafe to choose from. We actually switched hotels to stay here because it was so nice.

Authenticity & Character
Location
In the heart of Guayaquil
Staff
All went above and beyond to welcome us
Cleanliness & Comfort
Exe Galería Man-Ging
Guayaquil

Very basic, but clean if you need somewhere to stay and you arrive late at night and don’t want to pay for amenities that you won’t use. The artwork in the halls is a bit overwhelming though and it’s a bit dark.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sir Francis Drake
Puerto Ayora

This was an unfortunate experience. The hotel appeared dirty and not well maintained so as soon as we checked in, we asked our guides to transfer us somewhere else.

Cleanliness & Comfort
Gran Hostal Tintorera
Isabela

This was a clean and family friendly hotel, but very basic. Appears to cater to the Ecuadorian mainland guests because nobody spoke English. But it was absolutely clean! And they were friendly so if you are ok w bare bones, it is just fine and very authentic.

Authenticity & Character
Breakfast was cooked and served right in front of you on the outdoor stove.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Guayaquil City Tour - Free afternoon
Guayaquil

The tour of the effigies was amazing. Corina’s knowledge about the history of the city and country and the economics of both, was really helpful. We loved the whole tour!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome to Galapagos: Santa Cruz Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station
Galapagos Islands

Viviana was amazing! The tortoises, the Charles Darwin center, it all was terrific.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Speedboat to Isabela Island & Wildlife on Las Tintoreras Islet
Galapagos Islands

The speedboat was fine though it would have been a little nicer on a larger boat where we could have walked around or had lunch. The guide and tour of Las Tintoreras was fine though I think it would have been better as a private tour instead of a large group. Also, the guide was very nice but didn’t appear to understand English very well as she couldn’t answer questions as much as tell us information.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Excursion to Los Tuneles
Galapagos Islands

This might have been better if we had not been snorkeling the day before and it wasn’t the 7th boat ride we had taken.

Quality of Experience
Food
They made me a GF lunch which was amazing!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transfer to Airport on Baltra Island
Puerto Ayora

Our guide Julio was terrific!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Alvaro Pereira
Alvaro
Alvaro Pereira
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Reviewed on Jan 07, 2023

Hello Michelle!

Thank you so much for your kind review, I am so happy that you loved the Galapagos Islands. and I truly appreciate the feedback, since it is the perfect chance to tweak and better the services that local providers offer for all of our travelers!

I wish you all the best!
Warm hugs from your local friend,
Alvaro

Ecuador 😊
Ecuador | Dec 19 - Dec 28, 2022

J
Jamie M.
Winter Park, FL | Reviewed on Dec 28, 2022

Where to start and what to say is not easy because words can’t necessarily do justice to how amazing of a trip was planned for us and the excellent treatment we received from both our trip planner Linda and our stellar tour guide Milton!
From the very start what made KimKim standout was how effective and efficient Linda was in communicating back and forth to understand what Stephanie and I were looking for in an experience. Linda surpassed all our expectations with the itinerary and the... read more

Where to start and what to say is not easy because words can’t necessarily do justice to how amazing of a trip was planned for us and the excellent treatment we received from both our trip planner Linda and our stellar tour guide Milton!
From the very start what made KimKim standout was how effective and efficient Linda was in communicating back and forth to understand what Stephanie and I were looking for in an experience. Linda surpassed all our expectations with the itinerary and the details that went into each day to make sure we got to enjoy a range of activities. Linda constantly checked on with us during the trip too in order to make sure everything was beyond satisfactory showing an awareness to go above and beyond…even with a surprise visit in person to give it the personal touch!!
For anyone that gets lucky enough to book a trip through Linda you will feel privileged!!
Milton as a tour guide only elevated our trip from there and his personality, photography skills, knowledge of the respective areas we visited, enthusiasm and ability to understand speaking English made it a SUPERB holiday!!! There’s sincerely not enough positive we can share about Milton in a review!!!
Two things comes to mind for anyone taking time to read this…one is Ecuador is incredible and is the most diverse and characteristic country this well travelled couple has been to and secondly you WILL want to ONLY book through Linda with KimKim. No matter if the investment is higher than other operators…the decision will be the best decision you could make for yourself!!!!

Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Reviewed on Dec 29, 2022

Jamie, thank you so much for your fabulous review! It was a pleasure to help you build your itinerary that led you through the Andes and the Amazon foothills. I am happy to hear that you've enjoyed the diversity and beauty of Ecuador, and that you were happy with Milton as your guide! I will forward your kind words and excellent review to him :)
Hopefully you can come back to Ecuador one day - maybe to visit the Galapagos Islands?
We will welcome you here with open arms!
All the best for you and Stephanie,
Linda