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View from the roof of the cathedral with hills visible in the background in the historic colonial centre of Quito, Ecuador

Ecuador Holidays


south & central america
Ecuador holidays offer a perfect blend of colonial cities, towering volcanoes and wildlife-rich cloud forests, plus the lush Amazon Rainforest. While a wonderful holiday destination in its own right, mainland Ecuador is also the perfect accompaniment to any trip to the remarkable Galápagos Islands.

Picturesque plazas, cobbled streets and historic churches await you in the charming capital city of Quito, from where the magical cloud forests and the colourful Otavalo market are easily reached.

Following the Andes southwards, past Cotopaxi and along the Avenue of the Volcanoes, lie sleepy towns such as Baños and Cuenca, where you can relax in thermal hot springs or wander the age-old streets. To the east of the Andes lies the verdant and biologically diverse Amazon Rainforest, home to the Napo River and Yasuni National Park.

Trailfinders offers a range of Ecuador holidays and our expert travel consultants are a mine of information about what to do here, often with first-hand travel experience. Whether you want to explore colonial Quito on a private tour, or discover the Amazon Rainforest on a small group adventure tour – they are the perfect people to ask.
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HOW TO GET AROUND ECUADOR

With such varied regions, mainland Ecuador is best explored with expert local guides and naturalists. Follow one of our excellent private tours or ask our specialist travel consultants to tailormake your perfect Ecuador holiday.

If you’d rather travel with a group then why not join a sociable guided small group adventure, whilst our multi centre holidays are a great option for combining Ecuador with neighbouring Peru or beautiful Costa Rica.

A Galápagos cruise offers a fantastic way to discover the unique wildlife of the archipelago, alternatively our private tours also offer the option of exploring the islands from the comfort of a hotel.

OUR HOLIDAYS TO ECUADOR

Here's a snapshot of some of our most popular Ecuador holidays.

If you don’t see what you’re looking for, click on the link below them to see our complete range of holidays and tours in the destination or give us a call and speak to one of our travel experts.
Enchanting Ecuador from Dublin
Multi Centre Holiday
16 days / 15 nights

Discover two sides of the natural world in this small yet diverse country.

Guide Price: €11,379 £Please contact us pp

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Wild Ecuador - Amazon & Galapagos
Private Tour
13 days / 12 nights

Embrace two of the world’s most astonishing destinations in one unforgettable journey.

Guide Price: €10,029 £8,729 pp

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Ecuador in Style
Private Tour
18 days / 17 nights

Explore the stunning scenery of northern Ecuador whilst staying in some of the country’s most luxurious properties before flying to the magical Galápagos Islands for an unforgettable adventure.

Guide Price: €12,949 £11,279 pp

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Journeys: Ecuador's Amazon and Volcanoes
National Geographic Journeys Guided Small Group Adventure Tour
9 days / 8 nights

Ecuador is a small country that packs a punch when it comes to natural beauty, biodiversity, and indigenous heritage.

Guide Price: €1849 £1679 pp

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Complete Galapagos (Grand Daphne)
Guided Small Group Adventure Tour
10 days / 9 nights

Discover the rich marine life, abundant bird colonies and natural landscapes of the Galapagos Islands on this action-packed 10-day adventure cruise.

Guide Price: €6783 £5903 pp

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Machu Picchu, The Sacred Valley & Galapagos Islands from Dublin
Private Tour
16 days / 15 nights

This bucket list tour combines two of South America’s greatest wonders, taking you from the iconic ruins of Machu Picchu to the marvellous Galápagos Islands for a truly unforgettable experience.

Guide Price: €9,629 £Please contact us pp

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WHERE TO GO IN ECUADOR

Each region of Ecuador boasts its own attractions and, whilst the stunning Galápagos Islands are often the focus, spending time in mainland Ecuador as well should not be overlooked.

Quito’s colonial old town with its cobbled streets and expansive plazas should not be missed, while a journey into the Amazon Rainforest is a wonderful addition to any Ecuador holiday. Discover the towering peaks of the Andes in the Avenue of the Volcanoes, or head to the cloud forest for stunning lodges and beautiful wildlife.

Explore the tiles below the Ecuador map for more details on each destination. Alternatively, if you are looking for some inspiration, give us a call and speak to one of our expert travel consultants.
Quito
High in the Andes, Ecuador’s dynamic capital city boasts a dramatic location. The carefully restored historic centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is brimming with charm. Meander the cobbled streets of the old town to explore beautiful plazas and impressive churches.
Galápagos Islands
Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin with a trip to Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands. Set 600 miles off the mainland, a visit to this archipelago will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience. Explore the islands with expert guides and either choose to stay on board a cruise boat or in a hotel on Santa Cruz Island.
Amazon Rainforest
The verdant rainforest of the Amazon basin occupies close to half of the Ecuadorian mainland. At the heart of this lies the incredible Yasuní National Park which is one of the most biologically diverse places on earth.
Cloud Forest
Cloud Forest
Perched on the slopes of the Andes are a number of cool and misty cloud forest reserves which are home to an abundance of flora, fauna and birdlife. Only a few hours from Quito, soak up the peace and tranquillity of the area as you follow winding trails through lush forest vegetation.
Ecuadorian Andes
Stretching from the colourful Otavalo market north of Quito, through the towering peaks of the Avenue of the Volcanoes to charming Cuenca in the south, the Ecuadorian Andes boast a host of highlights.
Guayaquil
Guayaquil
The largest city in Ecuador, Guayaquil lies on the banks of the Guayas River and is the country’s financial and commercial centre, as well as being the gateway to the Galápagos Islands.

OUR RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN ECUADOR

We feature a great range of accommodation in Ecuador, with something to suit all budgets. Maybe you’re looking for a luxury hotel in the heart of Quito before your flight to the Galápagos Islands? Or perhaps or a beautiful lodge deep in the cloud forest, a rustic retreat in the Amazon or a working hacienda high in the Andes?

What you won’t find here are thousands of Ecuador hotels to wade through. We have done the hard work for you and selected the best places to stay and our travel consultants are on hand to help, often with first-hand experience.
Casa Gangotena
5 star

Quito

This beautifully restored colonial mansion occupies a prime position overlooking the Plaza San Francisco in Quito’s old town.
Mashpi Lodge
4 plus star

Cloud Forest

This stunning lodge is located in a protected area of Andean cloud forest, just a few hours drive from Quito.
Napo Wildlife Centre
3 star

Ecuadorian Amazon

Offering an authentic Amazon experience deep in the Ecuadorian jungle, this wonderful property is the only lodge set within the Yasuní National Park, one of the planet’s most biodiverse regions, and is owned by a local community.
Hacienda Zuleta
4 star

Otavalo

Set on a working farm of a former Ecuador President, boasting spectacular Andean scenery, this charming hacienda features traditional touches throughout.
Finch Bay Galápagos Hotel
4 plus star

Galapagos

Located on a small beach close to the town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, this charming property offers exceptional service and excellent facilities.
Sacha Lodge
3 star

Ecuadorian Amazon

Perched on the shores of Lake Pilchicocha, this peaceful lodge boasts a beautiful setting within a 5,000-acre private reserve close to Yasuní National Park.

WHAT TO DO IN ECUADOR

As well as some awe-inspiring sights, Ecuador is also home to unforgettable experiences. These provide a unique insight into the local culture and history alongside the natural splendour of this wonderful country which sightseeing alone simply can’t replace.

One day you might be standing with a foot in each hemisphere at the towering Equatorial Monument, the next exploring lagoons at the foot of mighty peaks along the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Discover the astronomical observations of ancient sun cultures, or hike through protected forests whilst colourful hummingbirds hover above.

Our collection of unmissable experiences will really help bring your Ecuador holiday to life.
Discover Otavalo
8 hours
Departs: Quito

Think you can drive a hard bargain? Nestled amongst dramatic Andean scenery north of Quito, ...

Cotopaxi National Park
8 hours
Departs: Quito

Towering volcanic peaks, a plethora of flowers & plants, plus a variety of birds and other wildlife ...

Panoramic Quito by Night
3 hours
Departs: Quito

There is nothing quite like experiencing Ecuador’s buzzing capital at ...

Hiking Pasochoa Protected Forest
6-8 hours
Departs: Quito

A birdwatchers and hikers paradise, Pasochoa is a cloud forest with a unique location within an ...

Live like a local
6 hours
Departs: Quito

Spend the day exploring the lives, beliefs, cuisine and traditions of Old Town ...

Mindo Cloud Forest
8 hours
Departs: Quito

Visit Mindo Cloud Forest, approximately 2 hours drive from ...

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT ECUADOR?

Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands can be visited at any time of the year.

Set high in the Andes, Quito can experience cold nights, but average daily temperatures of around 20˚C.

Whilst the nature of the Amazon means rainfall is a common occurrence, the region experiences a wetter season from December to June, when higher water levels allow for greater exploration. The dry season brings animals out of the dense jungle to the water’s edge.

JAN

30
4h  9cm

FEB

30
5h  11cm

MAR

30
6h  11cm

APR

31
6h  6cm

MAY

30
7h  3cm

JUN

29
6h  2cm

JUL

26
6h  1cm

AUG

27
6h  1cm

SEP

27
6h  9cm

OCT

27
6h  7cm

NOV

29
6h  7cm

DEC

30
5h  2cm

JAN

18
3h  7cm

FEB

17
3h  10cm

MAR

17
3h  9cm

APR

17
3h  7cm

MAY

17
4h  6cm

JUN

18
7h  4cm

JUL

18
7h  2cm

AUG

19
8h  4cm

SEP

19
7h  7cm

OCT

18
3h  8cm

NOV

18
2h  6cm

DEC

18
2h  5cm

Ecuador Top Tips From Our Travel Experts

Mike Waldon-Smith -  expert
Mike Waldon-Smith

Napo Wildlife Centre offers an incredible wildlife experience in the only protected part of the Ecuadorian Amazon, with numerous monkeys, tropical birds, giant otters and caimans in full view. Be sure to visit the fascinating Cultural Centre which gives you a window into how the local community lives.

Ed Bailey -  expert
Ed Bailey

One of the most untouched areas of the 'lungs of the world' - the Ecuadorian Amazon is often overlooked on trips to Ecuador due to the popularity of the Galapagos Islands. Why not do both and experience a completely different environment with world class opportunities to watch wildlife.

Elliott Fisher -  expert
Elliott Fisher

The Old Town is the nicest part of Quito with lots of lovely architecture, shops, markets and historical buildings to have a look at. Be sure to include a trip on the Telefonica - a cable car that goes up one of the mountains which gives you amazing views over the city and the rolling mountains which surround it.

Ecuador Fast Facts

What is the time difference in Ecuador? Ecuador is 5 hours behind GMT and does not observe daylight savings

How long is the flight to Ecuador? Flight times to Ecuador average at 15 hours

What currency is used in Ecuador? US Dollar (USD). ATM's can be found in cities and larger towns and most restaurants and hotels accept credit/debit cards

Do you tip in Ecuador? Tipping in Ecuador is not madatory but is appreciated. A 10% tip for service staff is usually sufficient

What language is spoken in Ecuador? The national language of Ecuador is Spanish. English is spoken in tourist areas

Do I need a visa to travel to Ecuador? For stays over 90 days only (Irish passport holders). Visit our visa pages for more information.


Tales from the Trail

Top tips and travel inspiration from the Trailfinders team

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