Most people visiting Quito, Baños, Cuenca, Guayaquil, Cotopaxi, and Guamote spend about 15 days in Ecuador, which usually includes time for more stops as well. For travelers wanting to visit Quito, Baños, Cuenca, Guayaquil, Cotopaxi, and Guamote exclusively, plan eight to 10 days for a well-paced trip. Read on for the best itineraries.
Eight to nine days is the most popular trip length for Ecuador travelers interested in visiting both Quito and Isla San Cristóbal, especially when also including Puerto Ayora. If you're not interested in Puerto Ayora, seven to 10 days is enough for your Quito and Isla San Cristóbal trip. Even travelers with limited time can see the highlights in as few as five or six days. Check out our favorite Quito and Isla San Cristóbal trips below.
Seven to eight days is the most popular trip length for Ecuador travelers interested in visiting both Quito and Cotopaxi, especially when also including Baños or Archidona. If you're not interested in Baños, five to seven days is enough for your Quito and Cotopaxi trip. With less time, it's still possible to see the highlights in as few as four days. For the best itineraries, including Quito and Cotopaxi, keep reading below.
Travelers to Ecuador typically plan a trip for seven to eight days when combining Quito with another stop like Isla San Cristóbal, Puerto Ayora, or Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. If you're only headed to Quito, you can enjoy a comfortably paced trip in five to seven days. Even travelers with limited time can see the highlights in as few as four days. Read on for the best itineraries, including Quito and beyond.
Most travelers will find that 10 to 13 days is perfect for a well-paced Ecuador trip with stops in Quito, Puerto Ayora, Isla San Cristóbal, and Puerto Villamil. It's also possible to hit the highlights in eight or nine days if you don't mind a fast-paced journey. Or, extend your trip and explore more of the country—some of the best-loved trip extensions include Baños, Cotopaxi, and Yasuni National Park. See more ideas for Quito, Puerto Ayora, Isla San Cristóbal, and Puerto Villamil itineraries below.
Eight to 10 days is a great length for an Ecuador trip, with stops in Quito, Puerto Ayora, and Isla Isabela. If you don't mind a fast-paced journey, you can see the highlights of this route in less time—as few as seven days. Travelers with more time can enjoy extra sights and activities at each stop or explore more of the country. Keep reading for more inspiring Quito, Puerto Ayora, and Isla Isabela itineraries.
Most travelers will find that 11 to 14 days is perfect for a well-paced Ecuador trip with stops in Guayaquil, Puerto Ayora, Isla San Cristóbal, and Puerto Villamil. Travelers with less time can hit the route's highlights in nine or 10 days, which makes for a fast-paced journey. Travelers with more time can enjoy extra sights and activities at each stop or explore more of Ecuador's mainland. Get inspired with our trip ideas below.
Most travelers will find that 10 to 14 days is perfect for a well-paced Ecuador trip with stops in Quito, Puerto Ayora, Yasuni National Park, and Isla San Cristóbal. Travelers with more time can enjoy extra sights and activities at each stop or explore more of the country—our favorite itinerary extension includes Puerto Villamil. See more ideas for Quito, Puerto Ayora, Yasuni National Park, and Isla San Cristóbal itineraries below.
Seven to eight days is the most popular trip length for Ecuador travelers interested in visiting Quito, Otavalo, and Cotopaxi, especially when also including time in another region. If you're not interested in extending your itinerary, six to seven days is enough for your Quito, Otavalo, and Cotopaxi trip. With less time, it's still possible to see the highlights in as few as four or five days. Read on for the best itineraries, including Quito, Otavalo, Cotopaxi, and beyond.
For most travelers, six to eight days is the perfect amount of time for an Ecuador trip, with stops in both Quito and Yasuni National Park. If you don't mind a fast-paced journey, you can see the highlights of this route in less time—as few as five days. With more time, you can enjoy extra activities at each stop or a few days in another region like Puerto Ayora and Puerto Villamil. Keep reading for more inspiring Quito and Yasuni National Park itineraries.
For most travelers, 10 to 12 days is the perfect amount of time for an Ecuador trip, with stops in Quito, Puerto Ayora, and the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. If you don't mind a fast-paced journey, you can see the highlights of this route in less time—as few as seven to nine days. With more time, you can enjoy extra activities at each stop or a few days in another region. Keep reading for more inspiring itineraries.
Most travelers will find that eight to 10 days is perfect for a well-paced Ecuador trip with stops in Quito, Puerto Ayora, and Puerto Villamil. Travelers with less time can hit the route's highlights in six or seven days, which makes for a fast-paced journey. With more time, you can enjoy extra activities at each stop or a few days in another region, like Isla San Cristóbal or Yasuni National Park. See more ideas for Quito, Puerto Ayora, and Puerto Villamil itineraries below.
Most people visiting both Quito and Puerto Ayora spend about eight to nine days in Ecuador, which usually includes some time in Isla San Cristóbal and Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve as well. If you're not interested in extending your itinerary, seven to nine days is enough for your Quito and Puerto Ayora trip. With less time, it's still possible to see the highlights in as few as five or six days. For the best itineraries, including Quito and Puerto Ayora, keep reading below.
Most travelers will find that seven to 10 days is perfect for a well-paced Ecuador trip that combines Quito and a Galápagos cruise. It's also possible to hit the highlights in five or six days if you don't mind a fast-paced journey. Travelers with more time can enjoy extra sights and activities at each stop or explore more of the country. Get inspired with our trip ideas below.
With 10 days in Ecuador, you and your family can visit at least three regions. Families keen on wildlife and watersports should head for the Pacific coast or the Galápagos. Those that stick to mainland Ecuador can experience history and cuisine in Quito, nature and Indigenous culture in the Amazon, and outdoor adventures, such as horseback riding, in the Andes. Families that prefer a relaxed pace can make Quito their base and experience the city and surroundings, including bird-watching in Mindo Cloud Forest.
You can explore at least three regions with your family on a two-week vacation to Ecuador. Families visiting for the first time can enjoy adventure, culture, and wildlife in Quito, the Andes, and the Amazon. Those seeking a beach escape can spend time on the Pacific coast and try snorkeling at Isla de la Plata. Active families with a range of interests should head for Quito, Baños, Cuenca, and Guayaquil, where there's hiking in El Cajas National Park, biking the Avenue of Waterfalls, pottery workshops, and guided city tours.
Active families can experience the best of Ecuador's great outdoors on this 10-day itinerary that takes you from the Andes to the Amazon. Start in Quito with a walking tour and family cooking class, then set off into Cotopaxi National Park, where the kids will channel their inner adventurer with horseback riding and high ropes courses at a local hacienda. See dramatic waterfalls and the world's most famous treehouse in Baños, venture deep into the Amazon for two nights at an incredible ecolodge, and wrap things up with a dip in the natural hot springs of Papallacta.
This relaxed 10-day family itinerary bases you in Ecuador's vibrant capital of Quito, where you can settle in and explore the surrounding countryside with easy day trips and fun-filled adventures. Roll up your sleeves for a kid-friendly cooking class, live the life of an Ecuadorian cowboy with a horseback ride through Cotopaxi National Park, and fly through the cloud forests of Mindo via zipline. End your tour by biking through Quito's historic neighborhoods and reaching new heights on the TelefériQo cable car.
Pack your family's bags for an unforgettable introduction to Ecuador. This 10-day kid-friendly tour combines Quito's cultural and culinary highlights, the waterfalls of Baños, and, of course, the nature-lovers trip of a lifetime—the Galápagos Islands. Get to know this fascinating country as you tour magnificent buildings, cook with the locals, and explore its natural beauty via sailing, snorkeling, and hiking—the perfect adventure to nurture a sense of wonder in your family.
Explore two of the world's most diverse wildlife destinations in one trip! This 10-day itinerary will take your family through the wonders of the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest and the Galapágos Islands, with a couple of nights in high-altitude Quito to boot. You and the kids will get up close to macaws, giant tortoises, and sea lions in their natural habitats, experience both traditional life in the Amazon and Quito's city style, and learn about one of the frontiers of science and conservation research.
With one week in Ecuador, your family can cover up to three destinations. Nature lovers will want to include Yasuní National Park in the Ecuadorian Amazon, while beach-focused adventurers should visit the Pacific coast. Overnights in Baños and Tena and the Galápagos Islands ensure you and the kids will get up close to wildlife. For families wanting a more gently-paced itinerary, Quito is an excellent base for day trips to see the butterflies at Mindo Cloud Forest and for visiting Cotopaxi National Park.
This family tour of Ecuador showcases the country's wild Pacific coast with an itinerary full of nature, beaches, and kid-friendly adventure. Start in the colorful port of Guayaquil to see historic landmarks and basking land iguanas, and head north to Manta for snorkeling, whale watching, and a trip to the Pacoche Wildlife Reserve. Take to the high seas in Puerto López with sailing and fishing day trips, then learn about Indigenous Ecuadorian culture with a visit to the local Agua Blanca community.
If your family is having trouble deciding between a mountain or a beach-focused vacation, this two-week tour of Ecuador ticks both boxes. Starting in the high-altitude capital Quito, you'll embark on a kid-friendly adventure through the Andean highlands, skirting the edge of the Amazon rainforest in Baños before ending up on the Pacific coast for some beach time and wildlife-watching fun.
This family-friendly Ecuadorian adventure starts in historic Guayaquil, where you'll take a guided tour of the city's most notable landmarks before heading to the coasts of Manta. Visit howler monkeys at Pacoche Wildlife Refuge and kayak the Pacific coast, then continue to Puerto López for snorkeling with colorful fish (and maybe some curious sea turtles!) at the islands of Isla de la Plata and Isla Salango. Return to Guayaquil in time to canoe through the greenery of Churute Mangrove Reserve.
Compact but diverse, Ecuador is a perfect destination for an epic two-week family vacation. This fun-filled itinerary begins and ends in Quito, with adventures in the Andean highlands and the Amazon rainforest in between. Along the way, you'll keep the kids busy as you horseback ride at a hacienda in Cotopaxi National Park, brave suspension bridges over the waterfalls of Baños, spot monkeys and capybaras at your jungle ecolodge, and barter with the locals at the colorful markets of Otavalo.
This two-week family adventure starts in Quito, Ecuador's capital city. Explore local cuisine in a family cooking class, climb volcanic slopes via cable car, then depart for Baños, where you'll hike and bike to the Pailón del Diablo waterfall and relax in the town's healing hot springs. Continue to Cuenca for traditional pottery-making classes and hikes along the alpine lakes of El Cajas National Park, ending your tour in the vibrant city of Guayaquil with its stunning architecture, culture, and family parks.
The small South American country of Ecuador is rich in wildlife, biodiversity, and natural beauty. Active kids, whatever their ages, will love this two-week tour of the country, which takes you from the high-altitude capital of Quito to the Andean plains, the jungles of the Amazon, and the cloud forests of Mindo. Horseback ride across the highlands, take night and daytime tours of the rainforest, admire dramatic waterfalls, zipline through a cloud forest, and much more.
You can pack a lot of adventure into a week in Ecuador, and this family-friendly itinerary does just that as it takes you from high-altitude Quito to the Amazon rainforest. Active kids and parents will love hiking the Andean highlands in Cotopaxi National Park, chasing waterfalls around Baños, riding a boat to your remote ecolodge in the Amazon, meeting the local wildlife at a jungle sanctuary, and much more.
If rushing around with small kids in tow doesn't sound like your idea of fun, you're in luck—this weeklong family vacation bases you in Quito so you can see the best of Ecuador's capital and its surroundings at a gentler pace. Little ones can sample tasty snacks on a street food tour, ride a cable car up volcanic slopes, and get their hands dirty with a family cooking class. When you feel like escaping the city, fun-filled day trips to the Mindo Cloud Forest, Cotopaxi, and the Papallacta hot springs await.
Young explorers and aspiring adventurers will love this family-friendly itinerary that takes you from the high-altitude capital of Quito to the biodiverse rainforests of Yasuní National Park. Head deep into the Ecuadorian Amazon for three nights in a jungle lodge, where kids can spot remarkable wildlife like monkeys, otters, and parrots. Broaden their horizons with visits to the local Indigenous community, then fly back to Quito for kid-friendly museums and a scenic cable car ride over the capital.
Check off two of Ecuador's most iconic locales on this memorable seven-day family adventure. Learn about Quito's colonial past on a kid-friendly private walking experience around the city center, and straddle two hemispheres at the interactive site of Mitad del Mundo. Then it's off to the Galápagos for four glorious days of nature, wildlife, and beaches—as you make family memories with kayaking, snorkeling, and boating trips around Isla San Cristóbal and Isla Santa Cruz.
Explore the wonders of Ecuador's undiscovered Pacific coast on this relaxed weeklong itinerary for families. Hopping between the coastal cities of Guayaquil, Puerto López, and Salinas, you'll embark on an itinerary of scenic hikes, wildlife spotting, and plenty of quiet family beach time. Highlights include sailing to the real "Treasure Island" of Isla de la Plata, paddling through the mangroves of the Manglares Churute Reserve, and meeting the basking land iguanas along Guayaquil's waterfront promenade.
With eight days in Ecuador, you can discover the impressive architecture of Quito and the dramatic landscapes of Cotopaxi National Park on a highlights tour or split your time between the rugged Andes and the wildlife-filled Galápagos Islands on a nature-packed itinerary. Those who prefer to stay on the move can opt for a natural wonders tour, complete with overnights in historic haciendas, while those looking to get well off the beaten path can head deep into the Amazon rainforest in between stays in Quito.
Ecuador is chock-full of diverse wildlife and dramatic volcanic landscapes, and with 12 days to explore, you can experience the best of both on a trip to Quito and the Central Andes. Those looking to spend time in the rainforest and on tropical islands can split their days between Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and the Galápagos Islands. In contrast, those looking to take a deep dive into the country's culture should opt for a road trip itinerary from Quito to Guayaquil.
Combine cultural sightseeing with two bucket-list nature cruises for the ultimate two-week adventure in Ecuador. You'll start in Quito, with day trips to Mindo and Otavalo, then journey deep into Yasuní National Park for a multi-day cruise through the Amazon rainforest. Fly to the Galápagos for another four nights of cruising to uninhabited islands and unspoiled beaches—witnessing volcanic landscapes and remarkable wildlife as you explore the hidden corners of this biodiverse paradise.
Welcome to the greatest show on Earth: the Galápagos Islands' showcase of incredible biodiversity. On this 12-day tour, a mix of guided activities and time to explore independently will help you get the most from this life-changing destination. Snorkel with sea lions, come face-to-face with giant tortoises, and cycle among marine iguanas. There's time on the mainland, too, where you'll get to know the Ecuadorian capital of Quito and take a day trip into the cloud forests of Mindo.
Discover the secrets of the Andes mountains and the Amazon rainforest on this 12-day adventure in Ecuador. Combining organized tours with independent exploration, halfway through the trip, you'll join a small group on a three-night rainforest escape to Itamandi Ecolodge. After jungle hikes, canoe rides, and Indigenous community visits, you'll walk among active volcanoes in the Andes, looking out for condors, wild horses, and alpacas at high-altitude lakes.
Bird and nature lovers can observe wildlife like never before on this 12-day trip through the Ecuadorian Andes and Amazon. Start in Quito to learn about its rich culture, then head for fresher air in the bird-watching heaven of Mindo's cloud forests, where you'll hike and spot the most elusive feathered creatures in the rainforest. Cross the highlands to hike Cuicocha Lagoon and Cotopaxi National Park, then journey into the rainforest as you explore Archidona's canyons, rivers, and waterfalls.
See the best of Peru and the Galápagos Islands on this epic 15-day adventure. Spend the first week exploring Lima's coastline, the charming streets of Cusco, the famous Machu Picchu, and the Inca monuments of the Sacred Valley. Then fly to Ecuador, where you'll have a day in colorful Guayaquil before continuing to the Galápagos for a week of hiking, snorkeling, boating, and wildlife spotting.
With 15 days in Ecuador, you can visit 5-10 destinations. First-timers can hit the highlights on the Discover Ecuador or the Andes & Galápagos Islands tour. Groups will appreciate the range of activities, including surfing in Montañita and Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve hikes, on the Pacific Coast to the Andes & Amazon tour, while outdoorsy travelers will enjoy exploring national parks on Uncover Ecuador. Meanwhile, ambitious travelers will love the fast pace and variety of the Grand Ecuadorian Adventure.
With 13 days in Ecuador, you can cover a lot of the country. Most itineraries begin in Quito and head south to Cotopaxi, Baños, and Cuenca. Then, from Guayaquil, fly to the Galápagos to island hop and observe endemic species. Consider focusing on national parks and volcanoes or spending more time in the Amazon rainforest. Head west to explore Mindo's cloud forest, south to the Pacific coast of Ayampe to observe birds and marine life, or immerse yourself in the culture of Andean towns.
Nine days in Ecuador allows you to touch four to six provinces, including options to explore the Galápagos. Start from Quito, discover the Amazon, and see Galápagos wildlife, or cover more ground and see Inca ruins, waterfalls, and colonial cities in Ingapirca, Baños, and Cuenca. Alternatively, get active on a slower-paced trip and kayak crater lakes, hike around volcanoes, and spend the day at a traditional hacienda. Speed things up and add a night in the Andean village of Guamote and explore the Palmira dunes and Cajas National Park.
Get to know the Ecuadorian highlands on this nine-day horseback riding adventure. Start in the verdant Machachi Valley and acclimate to the elevation before taking on longer rides up the Corazón volcano in Los Ilinizas Ecological Reserve. Learn about "chagras," Ecuadorian cowboys, and follow the same paths used by the Inca and countless hikers as you approach Quilotoa Lagoon via the Quilotoa Loop.
See the many faces of Ecuador on this 13-day journey from the Andean highlands to the Galápagos Islands. Starting in vibrant Quito, strike out through Cotopaxi National Park to reach the cities of Baños, Cuenca, and Guayaquil—taking in the sights of waterfalls, volcanoes, forests, and pre-Inca ruins along the way. Then it's time to leave the mainland behind as you hop over to the Galápagos for swimming, hiking, and wildlife spotting on the islands of San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz.
Pack your binoculars and your sense of wonder for this 15-day journey from the Ecuadorian Andes to the Amazon rainforest and back. Start in Quito to discover its rich history and culture, then head to Yasuní National Park to observe biodiverse jungle life at a rainforest lodge. Continue to the cloud forests of Mindo, where avid bird-watchers can spot some of its 550 species alongside monkeys, butterflies, and waterfalls, then return to the capital to wind down with some relaxed city sightseeing.
This 13-day land, air, and sea tour offers the best of Ecuador's cities and natural wonders from Quito to the Galápagos Islands. Learn about Ecuadorian cuisine in Quito, explore the country's second-highest summit at Cotopaxi National Park, walk along Cuenca's cobblestone streets, and swim in Podocarpus National Park's waterfalls. Sail, snorkel, and kayak around the Galápagos Islands while spotting iguanas, sea turtles, and blue-footed boobies.
This active adventure covers some of Ecuador's most famous peaks and staggering volcanoes, rising to 20,702 feet (6,310 m). Starting in Quito, one of the world's highest cities, you'll drive south along the Avenue of the Volcanoes to hike in national parks, visit archaeology ruins, and explore charming towns and cities dating to the 16th century. Head west to the Pacific Ocean and take a sunset stroll along Guayaquil's boardwalk to finish the adventure.
Revel in cultural highlights and natural wonders on this 12-day trip from Peru to Ecuador. Discover colonial history and Inca ruins in Lima and Cusco, then climb Rainbow Mountain and experience the mighty Machu Picchu. Cross the border to Quito, where you'll learn about Ecuadorian cuisine and stand at the equator's center. Finally, head to the Galápagos Islands, where you'll spend five glorious days observing intriguing wildlife and stunning scenery as you sail, swim, and snorkel.
Outdoorsy types with a penchant for rock climbing will love this 11-day loop in Ecuador. The trip starts in Quito, the UNESCO-listed capital, where you'll tour the colonial sights and sample local cuisine, chocolate, and beer in one of the world's highest cities. Then head out into the great wilderness as you hike, boulder, rock climb, and paddle across a varied terrain peppered with volcanoes. Finish with two nights at an ecolodge in the rainforest to complete the adventure.
Experience 11 days of adrenaline sports and adventure against the backdrop of Ecuador's most stunning natural highlights. Check off the key sites in Quito, and explore Cotopaxi National Park on foot and horseback. Trek to the turquoise waters of Quilotoa Lagoon, rappel down waterfalls in the canyons of Baños, and summit the crater volcano of Fuya Fuya, then celebrate your achievements and soothe your tired muscles with a soak in the hot springs of Papallacta.
