Ecuador 7-Day Trips & Itineraries

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Ecuador Travel Insights

Río Napo in Ecuador
Map of Best of the Ecuadorian Amazon: 7 Days
Best of the Ecuadorian Amazon: 7 Days

Leave the cold climes of Quito and descend to the sinuous rivers and sticky jungle of the Ecuadorian Amazon, one of the most bio-diverse places on Earth. On this 7-day itinerary, you will wildlife-spot along mighty waterways, climb into rainforest canopies, brave some of South America’s best white-water rapids and bathe in beautiful thermal pools. If you are set on exploring the Amazon, Ecuador is one of the best places to do it.

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

This action-packed seven-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.

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.

Highly active marmoset monkeys can be spotted on trips into the Ecuadorian Amazon
Map of 1 Week in Ecuador - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week 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 visit to the equator site. From here, choose to stay on the mainland and explore the highlands, cloud forest, and national parks, or fly to the Galapagos for a quick highlights tour of the biodiverse archipelago.

Take the kids to Ecuador's Galápagos Islands and spot exotic wildlife
Map of 1 Week in Ecuador - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in Ecuador - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

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.

Escape to Ecuador's cloud forest and thrill to jungle adventures (photo courtesy of Mashpi Lodge)
Map of 1 Week in Ecuador - 5 Luxury Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in Ecuador - 5 Luxury Itinerary Ideas

One week in Ecuador is an excellent amount of time to experience the luxuries of Quito and one or two other regions. Travel by canoe to Sacha Lodge to immerse yourself in lush rainforest, or stay at the tranquil Hacienda Zuleta to connect with local Indigenous communities. For those seeking a thrill, Cotopaxi National Park offers exhilarating outdoor adventures. Alternatively, immerse yourself in the rich culture of southern Ecuador or relax in the tranquil setting of the Mashpi Cloud Forest Reserve.

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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Ecuador
Travel specialist Paola Vera Feijoo
active 10 hours ago

Paola Vera Feijoo

Born and raised in Ecuador, I´m the second of four sisters. I love to make people´s dream vacations come true. Helping travelers to be the happiest is my big desire and, so far, one of my favorite...

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Travel specialist Paul Cisneros
active 2 hours ago

Paul Cisneros

I love to travel and discover new places. Born and raised in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, I grew up admiring the rich history of my city and the breathtaking landscapes of the Andes. I have been...

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Travel specialist Maria Jose Jaramillo
active 10 hours ago

Maria Jose Jaramillo

I grew up in a family with roots in different parts of the country. From a young age, I had the chance to travel and explore the culture, history, and nature of Ecuador and South America. These...

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Travel specialist Alvaro Pereira
active 5 hours ago

Alvaro Pereira

Born and raised in the vibrant country of Ecuador, I am the ideal person to craft a unique and unforgettable trip within my homeland. My passion for travel and exploring new and exciting places...

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Trip Reviews for Ecuador

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Incredible Ecuador
Ecuador | Mar 13 - Mar 22, 2026

N
Narasimhachar P.
Kansas City, MO | Reviewed on Apr 01, 2026

Alirio was incredible. Being with him was like traveling with a family member who is an expert guide. Jacquie did a great job at planning out our trip. Valentina greeted us and presented us with wonderful gifts. First part of our tour was mainland where we experienced diverse experiences such as rainforest , mountains, lagoon, animals, volcanoes, equator line, caves, and new foods. Second part was tropical paradise in Galapagos with incredible experiences with nature and animals, beaches etc! Our guides were kind, helpful and experienced.

Local specialist: Jacquie Granda
Jacquie
Jacquie Granda
Local specialist in Quito - Ecuador | Replied on Apr 10, 2026
Dear Narasimhachar, Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words! It means a lot to all of us. We’re delighted to hear that your experience in Ecuador and the Galápagos felt so special and that you enjoyed the diversity of landscapes, wildlife, and cultural moments along the way. Alirio will be especially happy to know he made you feel like part of the family; that’s exactly the kind of experience we aim to create. I’m also so glad you enjoyed the small welcome gifts. It was a... Read more

Dear Narasimhachar,

Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words! It means a lot to all of us. We’re delighted to hear that your experience in Ecuador and the Galápagos felt so special and that you enjoyed the diversity of landscapes, wildlife, and cultural moments along the way.

Alirio will be especially happy to know he made you feel like part of the family; that’s exactly the kind of experience we aim to create. I’m also so glad you enjoyed the small welcome gifts. It was a pleasure to make all these experiences amazing for you and your family!

We hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future. Until then, wishing you many more wonderful travels!

Warm regards,
Jacquie - Your local Friend

Read all Ecuador reviews

Full Service
Ecuador | Mar 8 - Mar 18, 2026

P
patricia n.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Mar 28, 2026
The entire process of planning, booking and experiencing our amazing trip to Ecuador including the Amazon and the Galapagos was handled with ease and efficiency by Maria and KimKim travel. We enjoyed not having to worry about any of the logistics at any of our stops. Maria and Maurizio (our Driver) were always on time and available for any additional issues. I definitely recommend KimKim travel and will personally use them again. Read more

The entire process of planning, booking and experiencing our amazing trip to Ecuador including the Amazon and the Galapagos was handled with ease and efficiency by Maria and KimKim travel. We enjoyed not having to worry about any of the logistics at any of our stops. Maria and Maurizio (our Driver) were always on time and available for any additional issues. I definitely recommend KimKim travel and will personally use them again.

Hotel Reviews
M/Y Coral I & II

Great way to experience the Galapagos in more personalized way. There was a total of 14 passengers on our boat. The rooms were small but you don't spend much time there anyway. The common area where you dine and gather was comfortable. David, the bar tender and waiter was amazing. He did everything he could to make sure you had everything you wanted. The excursions and snorkeling allowed everyone to see all the amazing wildlife.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Multiple island stops
Staff
Staff and guides were always available and friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Small rooms and mildew smell
Sacha Lodge
Coca

A beautiful destination in the Amazon Rain Forest. Food was excellent. Gregorio our tour guide went out of his way to be sure we saw as much of the wildlife and beauty he could find. Accommodations were exceptional

Authenticity & Character
Location
Part of the adventure was getting there
Staff
Gregorio was a very good tour guide
Cleanliness & Comfort
Go Quito Hotel
Quito

Located in the center of Quito, this hotel provides everything a traveler could need. Staff is friendly, excellent drinks at the bar and spacious, clean rooms.

Authenticity & Character
Location
About a 40 minute ride from the airport
Staff
Friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Discover the Magic of Otavalo: Immerse Yourself in Indigenous Culture and Vibrant Markets and visit Cuicocha Lake.
Discover the Magic of Otavalo: Immerse Yourself in Indigenous Culture and Vibrant Markets and visit Cuicocha Lake.
Ecuador

Long day driving around. Cuicocha Lake was underwhelming but it was a nice place to get out and stretch. Enjoyed stops along the way for native treats. Could have spent more time at the market. Lunch at old estate was a nice surprise

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Maurizio and Maria
Transport
Comfortable ride
Discover Quito's Best-Kept Secrets: A Full-Day Tour of the Historic and the Middle of the World
Discover Quito's Best-Kept Secrets: A Full-Day Tour of the Historic and the Middle of the World
Quito

Chocolate tasting, tour of old town

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sacha Lodge - Return to Quito
Sacha Lodge - Return to Quito
Yasuni National Park
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sacha Lodge Day 3
Sacha Lodge Day 3
Yasuni National Park

Crane views, Piranha fishing, indigenous village

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sacha Lodge Day 2
Sacha Lodge Day 2
Yasuni National Park

Hiking and tower views

Quality of Experience
Hikes were a bit drawn out. would appreciate a little more free time
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sacha Lodge Day 1
Sacha Lodge Day 1
Yasuni National Park

Beautiful accommodations in the heart of the Rain Forest. We watched squirrel monkeys jump from tree to tree right from the back deck of our room

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Quite an adventure from Coca to the lodge, but well worth it
Transfer out Quito and flight to El Coca
Transfer out Quito and flight to El Coca
Ecuador

No issues

Quality of Experience
Food
Buffet breakfast at the hotel is very nice
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transfer from the Airport to the Hotel.
Transfer from the Airport to the Hotel.
Quito

Could have stayed closer to the airport for this brief overnight stay

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: María Belén Villacrés
María Belén
María Belén Villacrés
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Mar 30, 2026

Hi Patricia,
Thank you for your message and for trusting us with your trip, I really appreciate it. I’m glad to know everything went smoothly and that you were able to enjoy each destination without concerns along the way.

It’s great to hear that the guides and drivers made a positive difference in your experience. I’ll be sure to share your comments with María & Maurizio and the rest of the team, they’ll be happy to know their work was appreciated.

Thanks again for your recommendation, and I hope we can help you with another trip in the future.
María-Belén

Read all Ecuador reviews

We enjoyed our trip a lot. Our guide Alejandro was great
Ecuador | Feb 23 - Mar 7, 2026

K
Ken G.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Mar 15, 2026
We enjoyed our trip a lot. Our guide Alejandro was great. The only negative parts of the trip were the flights from Quito to the Galapagos were not a direct flight. It would have been better to use a different airline if needed to not have the 5 hour layover on the way. The other thing would have been to not have the long ride to go and see crater lake on the last day. That would have been an interesting day trip all by itself, but should never be added onto a another stop.
Otherwise... Read more

We enjoyed our trip a lot. Our guide Alejandro was great. The only negative parts of the trip were the flights from Quito to the Galapagos were not a direct flight. It would have been better to use a different airline if needed to not have the 5 hour layover on the way. The other thing would have been to not have the long ride to go and see crater lake on the last day. That would have been an interesting day trip all by itself, but should never be added onto a another stop.
Otherwise thank you for a great trip.

Hotel Reviews
La Isla Hotel
Puerto Ayora

This was our favorite hotel on our trip. We could see the sunsets from the hotel. Everything was clean and well run. It was very close to the the waterfront and we could walk to the piers for trips and easily walk to the shops and restaurants.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Margarit Boutique Hotel
Mindo

This was a great comfortable hotel in Mindo. The food was wonderful. The view from the dining area allowed for watching birds and even bats at night. There was easy access into town to shop and eat. It was a delight to stay there.

Activity Review
Adventure at Tambo Cóndor: Birdwatching, Hiking & Nature Exploration
Adventure at Tambo Cóndor: Birdwatching, Hiking & Nature Exploration
Ecuador

This was the best day for birdwatching to see the Condors. the Carunculated Caracaras, Andean gulls, and a variety of the other birds. The variety of higher altitude hummingbirds was impressive. Also enjoyed seeing the fox and deer.

Local specialist: Maria Jose Jaramillo
Maria Jose
Maria Jose Jaramillo
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Mar 15, 2026
Dear Ken,
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your thoughts about your trip. I’m so happy to know that you enjoyed the experience overall and that Alejandro made a positive impression during your time in Ecuador. I will be sure to share your kind words with him. I also appreciate your feedback regarding the flight to the Galápagos and the visit to the crater lake on the last day. Your comments are so valuable to us, and we will take them into account as we continue refining our... Read more

Dear Ken,
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your thoughts about your trip. I’m so happy to know that you enjoyed the experience overall and that Alejandro made a positive impression during your time in Ecuador. I will be sure to share your kind words with him.

I also appreciate your feedback regarding the flight to the Galápagos and the visit to the crater lake on the last day. Your comments are so valuable to us, and we will take them into account as we continue refining our itineraries to create the best experience for our travelers.

It was a pleasure assisting you with this trip, and we are very grateful that you chose to travel with us. I hope the memories from your time here will stay with you forever.

Please feel free to reach out if your travels ever bring you back to South America. It would be wonderful to assist you again.

Warm regards,
Maria Jose

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