Ecuador Guided Tours & Trips

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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Ecuador
Travel specialist Jacquie Granda
active 1 hour ago

Jacquie Granda

I am an Ecuadorian woman, born and raised in Quito, deeply proud of my cultural heritage. I was fortunate to grow up in a lush valley surrounded by mountains, snow-capped volcanoes, thermal...

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Travel specialist Alvaro Pereira
active 39 mins 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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Travel specialist Paola Vera Feijoo
active 16 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 Maria Jose Jaramillo
active 3 mins 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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Trip Reviews for Ecuador

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

The trip into the Amazonia was really an eye-...
Ecuador | Mar 27 - Apr 10, 2026

T
tommy h.
Minneapolis, MN | Reviewed on Apr 20, 2026
The trip into the Amazonia was really an eye-opener and very enjoyable a great place at the Napo nature Center. Read more

The trip into the Amazonia was really an eye-opener and very enjoyable a great place at the Napo nature Center.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel La Laguna
Puerto Villamil

Puerto vida meal is comparatively small and not a lot going on so this is probably one of the premier hotels there it was clean comfortable the staff was accommodating

Authenticity & Character
It's near the ocean near the port and not too far from the few restaurants that exist there
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Las Plazas
Quito

Hotels right in the center of keto and the Old Town so it's very convenient that way it's an old building much like Old Town you would expect the only downside that I had was there's a lot to gate to get out in caseville fire could have been problematic

Authenticity & Character
Very real old building
Location
Right in the center of Old Town quito
Staff
Staff was always super accommodating ready to help always open the door when you ring the bell breakfast was good and well served generally very nice
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean very comfortable no questions in that area
Hotel Galapagos Suites
Puerto Ayora

The owner of the hotel was super accommodating worried about us making all of the connections and whatnot call people just super helpful

Authenticity & Character
A nice courtyard very well camped Hotel
Location
Just off the main street close to the restaurants but not loud
Staff
Can't say enough about how helpful the order was the woman was super duper
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean very comfortable
Casa Playa Mann
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

The service is great the hotel is a lovely location and the owners are super friendly they go out of their way to make you feel comfortable

Authenticity & Character
It's authentic clearly built with some thought
Location
Close enough to the downtown area but without the crowds really close to a beach that's beautiful and a very comfortable location very comfortable Hotel
Staff
The owners were tremendous in service
Cleanliness & Comfort
Just excellent
Napo Cultural Center
Quito

I guess it's a hotel The cottages are really very nice when we were there was not a high concentration of people so it was very quiet also something I really appreciate they're very authentic they're in the rainforest but easy enough to walk to the pads are well done the food is great the service was very good and it was just a fun place to be

Authenticity & Character
The cabins are clean easy to get to up off the ground and it is the rainforest
Location
In the rainforest what more is to be said
Staff
Super service at the meals everything was very well done
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean comfortable cabins
Courtyard by Marriott Quito Airport
Quito
Authenticity & Character
He'll tell us at the airport so arrivals and departures are made super simple highly recommended if you got wait times involved
Location
Staff
Staff are very helpful courteous and very businesslike
Cleanliness & Comfort
Super clean Hotel easy to use
Activity Reviews
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Ecuador

I'd pretty much give it up snorkeling by the time we got here my partner was much into it but I did talk to a nice young German guy who had eardrum problems and couldn't snorkel so that part was really worthwhile. You get a whole different perspective no

Quality of Experience
Walking on the lava was impossible for me I have no balance so that was torture
Guides, Drivers and Staff
I thought the guys did a great job and the boat driver was very good an old fisherman knew how to get amongst the rocks
Transport
He retired fisherman who knew the rocks in the passages and went places that I thought were pretty darn narrow
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Ecuador

I would have to characterize this is a low quality adventure essentially a paddle around the narrow Bay or a small Bay there are things to be seen lots of turtles some penguins but all in all you're out in the hot sun and open Kayak it wasn't my favorite

Quality of Experience
Less than an hour paddle and an open Kayak not my favorite
Guided Hike to Tortuga Bay
Guided Hike to Tortuga Bay
Ecuador

A great Beach although some of the locals did refer to it as torture Beach the water was very nice at the equator hot hot hot sun very little shade on the trail but still very nice trail as a person who passed us commented Camino del Diablo

Quality of Experience
Enjoyed standing in the water after the hike
Food
Stopped at a local restaurant $7 lunches very good
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was good got taxis and introduced us to a local restaurant when we got back that was $7 lunch very good something I would not have tried on my own
Transport
A typical taxi ride in a pickup truck
Hiking Sierra Negra Volcano
Hiking Sierra Negra Volcano
Ecuador

Probably could have avoided this activity a Long Walk 3% up to the top end when you get there there's civista but not much in the Vista but it is hot

Quality of Experience
Long walk up a a ton of stairs with not a huge amount of scenery at the top
Transport
A long slow boat ride however the yucca puffs were good
Highlands of Santa Cruz Island
Highlands of Santa Cruz Island
Ecuador

Lots of huge tortoises the one right at the entrance at likes the bananas that are hanging up will follow you around if you're wearing bright yellow shoes he's pretty sure that those are bananas so that was a good time lots of tortoises they're just doing tortoise like things

Quality of Experience
Food
Ate at the restaurant as part of this event and it was very good food your typical chicken or fish well done tasty
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora

A strangely compelling place it's very out of the ordinary not what I expected at all and I really enjoyed it

Quality of Experience
It was hot as it is at the equator but there's quite a bit of shade which I found to be useful and the museum Center part is air conditioned so it gave you a little bit of relief
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Good guide
Bike Ride & Visit La Lobería
Bike Ride & Visit La Lobería
Ecuador

A lot of sea lions everywhere but they had decent restaurants and certainly an experience of different types of people's and whatever bingo game on a Friday night sea lion in the middle of the plaza experience

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Staff was truly amazing our guide and driver was it really interesting guy
Snorkel at Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido)
Snorkel at Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido)
Ecuador

Water clarity was not particularly good the day we were there so it was kind of disappointing I'm not a huge fan of snorkeling but you didn't really get to see very much because of the water clarity issues

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The staff and the drivers did what they could but you only can work with what you got
Transport
Visit the "Middle of the World"
Visit the "Middle of the World"
Ecuador

So much more at the equator than you could ever even consider second time I've been there and they have added the actual equator center not just the monument that was apparently a bit off .

Quality of Experience
When you're right down the equator things really happen differently balances completely different water does not have a Coriolis effect who knew
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Thought they were all very good
Last rainforest activities, Transfer to Coca & Flight to Quito
Last rainforest activities, Transfer to Coca & Flight to Quito
Ecuador

Another two and a half hour boat ride back up the river it had rain so there was quite a bit of log and debris floating in the river luckily the captain of the boat was able to avoid at all

Quality of Experience
Another long boat ride
Urban Bike Tour
Urban Bike Tour
Quito

Given the altitude changes in keto and the steepness of the hills we were somewhat concerned about the bike trip it turned out to be kind of a highlight actually we went to the serpent house in the park and an open air fruit market that was truly great the guides were both very good and it turns out they had the pretty flat route

Quality of Experience
Really enjoyed the Open Air market and the fruit
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very good guiding experience they didn't push us too hard to and traffic was not that bad
Arrival to Coca, transfer to rainforest lodge, rainforest hike
Arrival to Coca, transfer to rainforest lodge, rainforest hike
Ecuador

Two and a half hours up the river a clay Bank to unload on and a muddy trail to get to the lodge it was an adventure the little electric carts that they use have no suspension but it was all just really worthwhile

Quality of Experience
Second time in the Amazonian rainforest and it just an amazing place to be
Guides, Drivers and Staff
They were all really good at what they did
Transport
Long boat rides long paddles the paddles up the Blackwater River a lot of animals out there monkeys jumping across the waterway Caymans birds huge blue butterflies that are so iconic
Community projects - Paddling excursion - Traditional dinner - Night walk (NCC)
Community projects - Paddling excursion - Traditional dinner - Night walk (NCC)
Yasuni National Park

I enjoyed the women's Center and the experience that we had there the way that the fires were built the cooking the food bits it was all very interesting the night walk was dark and wet the day we were there but that's kind of what the rainforest is about

Quality of Experience
Definitely something you need to experience
Food
Excellent food including the jungle bacon
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
It's a long ways up there for a couple of hours so comfortable seats help
Parrot clay lick - Intercultural interpretation center - Observation tower - Ancestral catamaran ride (NCC)
Parrot clay lick - Intercultural interpretation center - Observation tower - Ancestral catamaran ride (NCC)
Yasuni National Park

The clay elixir something everybody should probably experience at least once the parrots are truly showing their their own behaviors

Quality of Experience
It's a very popular place so they're typically will be several boats in the river at the same time
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was excellent pointed out things that we might not have seen on our own
Transport
A boat ride like all the others on the river
Local specialist: Ariel Chasi
Ariel
Ariel Chasi
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Apr 22, 2026

Dear Tommy,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback on each hotel and activity. It is always super helpful to know your feedback for improvement. I'm glad that the experience in the Amazon was an eye-opener for you and that you enjoyed

Thank you again for choosing to travel with us. I wish you many more wonderful adventures in the future!

Warmly,
Ariel

Incredible family trip
Ecuador | Mar 27 - Apr 4, 2026

James
James W.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Apr 20, 2026
Paola helped us plan one of our most incredible family trips! She was very attentive and responsive to our questions and preferences, and helped curate a trip that every single person in the family loved from the parents and high school students down to the elementary school-aged child. Our primary in-country guide Jose was amazing! Beyond just helping us appreciate the areas and sites we saw, he went out of his way to give us extensive local insight and was always happy to answer our many... Read more

Paola helped us plan one of our most incredible family trips! She was very attentive and responsive to our questions and preferences, and helped curate a trip that every single person in the family loved from the parents and high school students down to the elementary school-aged child.

Our primary in-country guide Jose was amazing! Beyond just helping us appreciate the areas and sites we saw, he went out of his way to give us extensive local insight and was always happy to answer our many questions.

Based on this experience, we will definitely be planning another trip with KimKim

Activity Reviews
Papallacta Hot Springs & Spa
Papallacta Hot Springs & Spa
Ecuador
Discover Isla Pinzón & Playa La Fé
Discover Isla Pinzón & Playa La Fé
Puerto Ayora
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora
Quality of Experience
Lo
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transfer to Quito Airport, Arrival to Galapagos & Highlands of Santa Cruz
Transfer to Quito Airport, Arrival to Galapagos & Highlands of Santa Cruz
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit the Pailón del Diablo Waterfall, Explore Baños
Visit the Pailón del Diablo Waterfall, Explore Baños
Baños
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Quito - Cotopaxi National Park - Baños
Quito - Cotopaxi National Park - Baños
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Quito City Tour - Middle of the World
Quito City Tour - Middle of the World
Quito
Local specialist: Paola Vera Feijoo
Paola
Paola Vera Feijoo
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Apr 20, 2026

Dear Jim, Thank you so much for this wonderful review! It was such a pleasure helping you curate a trip that worked for every member of the family :) I’m especially glad to hear that Jose made such an impact with his local insight; I’ll be sure to share your kind words with him. We can't wait to help you plan your next adventure! Warmly, Paola & the Authentic Ecuador team

Thanks to Paola for a wonderful week in Ecuador!
Ecuador | Apr 5 - Apr 11, 2026

Paige
Paige H.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Apr 12, 2026
The trip that Paola put together for me and my two kids (ages 16, 13) was great! The trip was exactly as promised, and yet also exceeded my expectations. Paola was easy to communicate with, efficient and responsive. She listened and we had productive exchanges during planning and in the lead up to the holiday. She even visited our hotel in Quito to introduce herself. We spent a week in Quito, Banos and Cotopaxi. Paola arranged for Jose from Authentic Ecuador to be our guide for the week... Read more

The trip that Paola put together for me and my two kids (ages 16, 13) was great! The trip was exactly as promised, and yet also exceeded my expectations. Paola was easy to communicate with, efficient and responsive. She listened and we had productive exchanges during planning and in the lead up to the holiday. She even visited our hotel in Quito to introduce herself.

We spent a week in Quito, Banos and Cotopaxi. Paola arranged for Jose from Authentic Ecuador to be our guide for the week and he was fantastic! He is knowledgeable about all things Ecuador, from where to eat to how many meters tall rise each volcano (I tested him for fun at one point and he was accurate within 10m for every volcano!) and he could identify flora and fauna. He was on time, friendly and we felt completely cared for. When we had a hiccup (e.g. morning canyoning postponed from rain), Jose seamlessly helped to pivot our day. Thank you!

Our days were long, but had only a week - old town tour/chocolate tasting/cooking class in Quito, hiking/biking/canyoning in Banos, and hiking/riding horses in Cotopaxi. I will absolutely use this service again, and I will be recommending Paola and Jose to all my friends.

Hotel Reviews
Holiday Inn Quito Airport, an IHG Hotel
Tababela

This hotel is fine. It's clean and newish, and is what I would expect from a hotel by the airport. It served its purpose well (a place to stay before catching a flight). They also had an airport shuttle, which was appreciated.

Authenticity & Character
Location
A 5-minute shuttle ride to the airport. (It's about 40 minutes from downtown Quito)
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hacienda El Porvenir
Machachi

We stayed here one night and it was not enough. Everything about this place was wonderful! Our room was cozy and well-appointed. There were fires being tended in every room, the staff was incredibly friendly and the food was delicious. I went on one of the self-guided walks and it took my breath away (I don't mean the altitude). The paths are easy to follow and the views are stunning. I absolutely loved everything about Hacienda El Porvenir.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Just outside Cotopaxi National Park, which was also my favorite destination of our trip.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Samari Spa Hotel
Baños

The grounds are beautiful, and the pool was great. Our room was comfortable - it was not modern, but we weren't expecting that. But, the hotel was a 5-minute drive from downtown Banos on a busy road - next time, I would prefer lodging downtown because it's a walkable place. The restaurant was not great. The food was okay, at best. Also, the entire restaurant staff was wearing clear plastic masks - I appreciate the effort to by hygienic, but those clear masks get wet from breath/spit and it's unattractive to look at. Also, since they only cover the mouth they aren't actually preventing the spread of germs.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Go Quito Hotel
Quito

Stunning hotel, very modern and clean. The restaurant has views of the city, and the breakfast spread was fantastic!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Quito Cooking Class
Quito Cooking Class
Ecuador

This was very fun, but it may have been a bit much for us after a very long day of sightseeing (I was with my 2 kids, ages 16, 13). But the food and conversation was nice. I could have used a glass of wine with dinner but was told I couldn't have one - otherwise, all good!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Horseback Riding at Cotopaxi National Park
Horseback Riding at Cotopaxi National Park
Ecuador

This was amazing! They let us gallop, and lent us ponchos and chaps, which greatly improved the experience. Our photos from this activity are amazing - kids and I on horses w/ a view of Cotopaxi in the background.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cotopaxi National Park
Cotopaxi National Park
Ecuador

The hike on the volcano was amazing. We did not make it all the way to the Refuge b/c it was a very cold and windy day and we were suffering the altitude, but it was SO BEAUTIFUL! I want to go back already. Not to miss.

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

This was very fun, for me and my two teens (16, 13). There wasn't a lot of detail provided going into it, but we felt safe and ready for what was to come. The final descent was INCREDIBLE. Highly recommend.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit the Pailón del Diablo Waterfall, Explore Baños
Visit the Pailón del Diablo Waterfall, Explore Baños
Baños

Fantastic! This place was great. As advertised. My two teens also loved it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Quito City Tour - Middle of the World
Quito City Tour - Middle of the World
Quito

Jose took us around the city and it was nonstop fun the whole day. I appreciated Jose's vast knowledge - from the town's history to which vendors we should buy from. He brought his brother to drive the car so that we didn't waste any time looking for parking.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Biking to Pailón del Diablo
Biking to Pailón del Diablo
Baños

The biking was great insofar as I was sick of being in a car, but we were on the rode with the cars on a busy highway so it was a bit uncomfortable at times. My kids (16, 13) didn't love this.

Local specialist: Paola Vera Feijoo
Paola
Paola Vera Feijoo
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Apr 13, 2026
Hi Paige, thank you so much for taking the time to share this. I’m so happy to hear the trip lived up to (and even exceeded!) your expectations, and that you and your kids had such a special week together. It was a pleasure working with you throughout the planning process, and I’m especially glad you enjoyed your time with Jose. I’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him. I also really appreciate your honest feedback on the hotels. It’s incredibly helpful for me as I continue refining... Read more

Hi Paige, thank you so much for taking the time to share this. I’m so happy to hear the trip lived up to (and even exceeded!) your expectations, and that you and your kids had such a special week together. It was a pleasure working with you throughout the planning process, and I’m especially glad you enjoyed your time with Jose. I’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him. I also really appreciate your honest feedback on the hotels. It’s incredibly helpful for me as I continue refining experiences for future travelers, so thank you for sharing that as well. Wishing you and your family many more amazing adventures ahead—and I’d absolutely love to help you plan the next one whenever you’re ready :) Warmly, Paola & the Authentic Ecuador Team

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