Best of the Amazon

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around The Amazon
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Explore Ecuador's Amazon Region
Map of Yacuma Ecolodge: Day & Multi-Day Tours in the Amazon
Yacuma Ecolodge: Day & Multi-Day Tours in the Amazon

If you’re looking to experience the Amazon and have 3-5 days to spare, this is the perfect retreat only half a day’s drive from Quito. The Yacuma Ecolodge is a sustainable, community-run lodge located on a tributary of the Amazon next to 275 hectares of protected rainforest.

Your trip to the Galápagos includes plenty of beach time
Map of Ecuador Adventure in the Amazon Rainforest & Galápagos Islands - 13 Days
Ecuador Adventure in the Amazon Rainforest & Galápagos Islands - 13 Days

This exciting tour combines two of Ecuador's most exotic landscapes: the Amazon rainforest and the Galápagos Islands. Start the trip in Quito, the country's capital, and take a self-guided tour before transferring east to the edge of civilization. Here you'll canoe to your lodge in the Amazon to partake in several days of excursions into the remote jungle. Then catch a flight to the Galápagos Islands to observe its extraordinary inhabitants and local culture, with plenty of time to relax at the tropical beaches.

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.

Cotopaxi, an active volcano in the Andes Mountains, Ecuador
Highlights of Ecuador: Quito, Galapagos Islands & More - 10 Days

The incredible diversity of Ecuador is highlighted on this 10-day trip around the country. Tour the colonial center of Quito and hike to Cotopaxi Volcano in the Andes before venturing into the Amazon to explore the rainforest's wildlife and indigenous culture. Then it's off to the Galapagos for a few days of island exploration, including snorkeling, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Spotting penguins and giant tortoises in their natural habitats is an unforgettable way to finish this once-in-a-lifetime journey.

Spot colorful toucans on a wildlife hike
Map of Diverse Ecuador: Andes, Amazon & Galápagos - 11 Days
Diverse Ecuador: Andes, Amazon & Galápagos - 11 Days

Experience unique wildlife and cultural heritage on this 11-day tour of Ecuador's natural wonders. After touching down in its charming, vibrant capital of Quito, you'll head out on an expedition to see the birds in the Mindo Cloud Forest. Then it's on to the picturesque crater lake of Quilotoa. The Amazon rainforest is next to spot monkeys, toucans, and sloths; then, you'll fly to San Cristóbal Island in the beautiful Galápagos Islands for snorkeling and bird-watching.

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.

Colorful Macaw in the Amazon
Map of Mountains & Rainforest in Ecuador: Quito, Andes, & Amazon - 10 Days
Mountains & Rainforest in Ecuador: Quito, Andes, & Amazon - 10 Days

See rare wildlife, climb into the clouds, traverse volcanoes, and more on this 10-day Ecuador itinerary. You'll get to experience cultural highlights, like Quito's UNESCO-designated city center and the Otavalo market, but the true gem of this trip is nature. From the lush cloud forests of Mindo to the ecologically diverse Amazon, there's no shortage of wildlife sightings: howler monkeys, pink river dolphins, and iridescent blue butterflies all call this region home. 

Pink River Dolphin in the Amazon
Map of Wildlife & Nature in Ecuador - Quito, Amazon, & Galapagos - 10 Days
Wildlife & Nature in Ecuador - Quito, Amazon, & Galapagos - 10 Days

Ecuador is one of the world's hotspots for ecological diversity, so it makes sense to spend this 10-day trip exploring nature as much as possible. Start in Quito to see the UNESCO heritage city center, then head to the rainforest for three days at an ecolodge where you'll spot macaws, pink river dolphins, and howler monkeys. Round out your trip with a flight to the Galapagos, where giant tortoises, white-sand beaches, and uninhabited islands await.

Head into the Ecuadorian Amazon near Tena for wildlife-spotting and rainforest adventures
Map of Family Fun in Ecuador: Quito, Baños & Tena - 7 Days
Family Fun in Ecuador: Quito, Baños & Tena - 7 Days

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.

Relax on the beaches of the Galápagos Islands
Map of Wild Ecuador: Quito, the Amazon & Galápagos Islands - 9 Days
Wild Ecuador: Quito, the Amazon & Galápagos Islands - 9 Days

Discover a range of Ecuadorian destinations on this exciting nine-day adventure. You'll start with sightseeing and a cooking class in Quito, then venture into an Amazonian forest reserve to spot wildlife and learn about Indigenous traditions. Catch a flight to the Galápagos Islands, where you'll spend several days sailing, hiking, observing rare birds, cycling, and snorkeling. The journey ends when you return to the mainland.

Boating in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
Map of Outdoor Adventures in Ecuador: Quito, Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve & the Galápagos - 12 Days
Outdoor Adventures in Ecuador: Quito, Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve & the Galápagos - 12 Days

Featuring activities from cycling to hiking to snorkeling, this exciting 12-day itinerary is perfect for outdoor adventurers. Discover Quito on a bike tour, then soak in the hot springs of Papallacta. Hike and canoe in the rainforest in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve before catching a flight to the Galápagos Islands. Spot giant tortoises in the wild, snorkel with sea lions, and explore an uninhabited island to end the trip.

Take in views of Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano from the hiking trail
Map of Culture & Outdoor Adventure in Ecuador - 8 Days
Culture & Outdoor Adventure in Ecuador - 8 Days

Explore Ecuador's cultural highlights and outdoor landscapes on this action-packed eight-day itinerary. Begin in Quito with a city tour and a cooking class, then bargain for traditional crafts in the famed Otavalo Market. Discover the Amazonian rainforest, including an Indigenous community, when you arrive at a jungle lodge by boat. Finish with a hike near Baños and a quick visit to Cotopaxi National Park.

Soar over mountainsides on the "swing at the edge of the Earth" in Baños
Map of Ecuadorian Highlands & Amazon Rainforest Adventure - 12 Days
Ecuadorian Highlands & Amazon Rainforest Adventure - 12 Days

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.

Exploring scenic terrain with the family in the Galapagos Islands
Ecuador Family Trip: Quito, the Amazon & Galapagos Islands - 11 Days

From the colorful wildlife of the Amazon rainforest to the underwater playground of the Galapagos, this family-friendly journey around Ecuador offers adventure and education for all ages. Start in Quito, where you'll take a hands-on cooking class and set foot on both halves of the equator at Mitad del Mundo. Then delve into the Amazon rainforest, spotting exotic insects on a nighttime jungle tour and canoeing to a parrot habitat — bring your binoculars for the best views! Finish the itinerary in the Galapagos Islands with several days of wildlife viewing, snorkeling, and so much more. Keep your eyes open for giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies!

School of Fish in the Galapagos
Map of Best of Ecuador: Quito, Amazon, Cotopaxi, & Galapagos  - 14 Days
Best of Ecuador: Quito, Amazon, Cotopaxi, & Galapagos - 14 Days

Experience the best of Ecuador while getting to know its three main ecological regions: the Amazon rainforest, volcano highlands, and Galapagos Islands on this 14-day itinerary. Start the trip in Quito to see the UNESCO designated colonial city center, then head to the rainforest for three days at an ecolodge. Hike near volcanic lagoons and browse mountain markets, then catch a flight to Santa Cruz for three days of exploring uninhabited islands and spotting endemic wildlife.

Dancers in Ecuadorian traditional dress
Map of Mainland Ecuador for Families: Andes to the Amazon - 14 Days
Mainland Ecuador for Families: Andes to the Amazon - 14 Days

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.

Soar over mountainsides in Ecuador's "Adventure Capital" of Baños
Map of Mainland Ecuador for Families: Andes to the Amazon - 10 Days
Mainland Ecuador for Families: Andes to the Amazon - 10 Days

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.

El Cajas National Park
Map of The Ecuadorian Andes to the Amazon - 15 Days
The Ecuadorian Andes to the Amazon - 15 Days

See Ecuador off the beaten path on this 15-day trip that takes you from the towering Andes to the edge of the Amazon. Visit the major sites of Quito as you discover its local cuisine, then hike and horseback ride through Cotopaxi National Park. Explore waterfalls near Baños before reaching Tena, where you'll float along the river through the Amazon rainforests. Discover the Andean hill towns of Cuenca, Gualaceo, and Chordeleg, and witness the ruins of Ingapirca and El Cajas National Park

Go whitewater rafting in Eduador
Map of Epic Ecuador Multi-Sport Tour - 8 Days
Epic Ecuador Multi-Sport Tour - 8 Days

This active tour of the Ecuadorian mainland is sure to get the adrenaline pumping. In just over a week you'll enjoy adventures on both land and water. Brave the rapids of the Río Jatunyacu, cycle down the slopes of the Andes, hike through virgin rainforest to secluded waterfalls, trek to the shores of Cuicocha Lagoon, and soak in Papallacta's volcanic springs.

Marvel at Chimborazo volcano from Riobamba
Map of Ecuador Cities, Mountains & Jungle - 9 Days
Ecuador Cities, Mountains & Jungle - 9 Days

Discover Ecuador's fascinating culture and magnificent wilderness on this nine-day journey that starts in Quito and ends in Guayaquil. Between exploring the monuments and marketplaces of two major cities, you'll go hiking and bird-watching in the Yacuma Natural Reserve, see Inca ruins at Ingapirca, visit waterfalls and volcanoes near Baños, see how the Panama hat is made in colonial Cuenca, and so much more.

Explore the Amazon
Map of Ecuador's Volcanoes, Amazon Rainforest & Galápagos Islands - 13 Days
Ecuador's Volcanoes, Amazon Rainforest & Galápagos Islands - 13 Days

This exciting 13-day adventure covers an impressive range of cultural and natural highlights in Ecuador. Starting in Quito, the UNESCO-listed capital, you'll visit Indigenous markets and volcanoes before paddling into the Amazon to stay two nights at an ecolodge. The trip finishes with several days of island-hopping in the Galápagos to observe its unique inhabitants—like giant tortoises and white-tipped sharks—sprinkled with some quality beach time.

Go for a swing at the "end of the world" in Baños
Map of Active Family Adventure in Ecuador: Andes, Amazon & Cloud Forest - 14 Days
Active Family Adventure in Ecuador: Andes, Amazon & Cloud Forest - 14 Days

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.

Explore the Ecuadorian Amazon by canoe
Map of Ecuador's Pacific Coast to the Andes & Amazon - 15 Days
Ecuador's Pacific Coast to the Andes & Amazon - 15 Days

Ecuador boasts a wide variety of geographical regions, each with its own distinct landscapes and ecosystems. Spend 15 days exploring the country from the shores of the Isla de la Plata to the verdant rainforests of the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. Along the way, you'll hike past volcanoes, crater lakes, and Inca ruins in the highlands and visit some of Ecuador's largest cities, like Guayaquil and Quito.

Tungurahua
Map of Ecuador Adventure Tour: Quito to Yacuma Natural Reserve, Baños & Riobamba - 15 Days
Ecuador Adventure Tour: Quito to Yacuma Natural Reserve, Baños & Riobamba - 15 Days

Explore active volcanoes, spot colorful birds, and capture stunning photos on this 15-day Ecuadorian adventure. Begin with a tour of Quito and a challenging hike up Volcán Pichincha, then head into the rainforest for some wildlife watching in Yacuma Natural Reserve. Climb to waterfalls in Baños, and transfer to Riobamba and Latacunga for more volcanic treks. Immerse yourself in nature in Cotopaxi National Park and Antisana Ecological Reserve, then wind down in Papallacta's natural hot springs.

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.

Baby Alpaca
Map of Multi Country South America Adventure: Ecuador & Peru - 14 Days
Multi Country South America Adventure: Ecuador & Peru - 14 Days

Experience the best of Ecuador's mainland and Peru's highlights on this two-week trip. Start in Quito to tour the UNESCO-designated city center, then head to the Amazon for cultural experiences with the Kichwa indigenous community, wildlife viewing, and a peaceful rainforest atmosphere. Return to Quito by way of Cotopaxi National Park, home to the eponymous volcano. Then, catch a flight to Lima—the urban hub of Peru. End the trip with a visit to Cusco's pre-Inca ruins and a tour of the Sacred Valley and imperial Machu Picchu residence.

Hoatzin in Yasuni National Park
Map of Nature & Culture in Ecuador: Quito and the Amazon Rainforest - 7 Days
Nature & Culture in Ecuador: Quito and the Amazon Rainforest - 7 Days

If you want to visit Ecuador but can't decide between city or rainforest life, this itinerary has the best of both worlds. Start in Quito to see colonial churches and visit the equatorial line, then head to the Amazon rainforest. Spend three days in Yasuni National Park relaxing at an ecolodge, panning for gold in a stream, and learning to make chocolate the authentic way. 

Other popular travel destinations in Ecuador
Quito · Baños · Cotopaxi · Otavalo · Guayaquil · Cuenca · Riobamba · Papallacta · Tena · Yasuni National Park · Mindo · Archidona · Quilotoa · Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve · Isinliví · Cacha · Lago Agrio