When planning Ecuador travel think about the Ecuador tours or tour you want to complete. See our best Ecuador tour. Ecuador is diminutive country that boasts a wonderfully diverse array of luxury Ecuador holidays. Ecuador is a pocket-sized version of all that is synonymous with Latin America. It has a landscape dotted with smoking volcanoes, well-preserved colonial towns, vibrant and colourful indigenous markets and vast tracts of sultry Amazon rainforest.
But Ecuador has one unique feature all of its own - the magnificent Galapagos Islands. Famous for their wide variety of fearless wildlife and as the inspiration for Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, a cruise around these fascinating islands is one of the world’s great travel experiences.
Proving the old maxim that the best things really do come in small packages,
Ecuador has more than enough to provide any visitor with an enthralling trip.
Highlights
Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands have almost an embarrassment of riches, an influence and reputation far beyond their physical size. Natural beauties range from the world’s deepest and densest rainforest in the east, across mountain landscapes patchworked into tiny fields by indigenous Indians, over the world’s second-highest volcano and skim Pacific waters to Darwin’s ‘Natural Laboratory’ of the Galapagos.
Offering the best of Latin America in miniature, within its compact borders, Ecuador contains everything a traveller could wish for in abundance. Its national parks and wildlife reserves include some of the richest Amazon jungle, but the highlight is the Galapagos islands, an archipelago of national parks nearly a thousand kilometres offshore.Here the animals that inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution have never learnt to fear man and let visitors stray close, each island has its own species and landscape.
Overlaying this natural beauty, Ecuador also has a cultural depth with stately colonial buildings and a dramatic mountainous landscape, where thriving Indian
communities throng local markets and proudly maintain their ancient cultures.
Did you know
Guiding you further
Overview the capital, Quito, with a helicopter flight or look closer through studio tours of leading artists and lessons at a major ceramics workshop. Should you wish
to visit Cotopaxi, the second-highest volcano in the world, we can get you there in style: on a chartered train with onboard naturalist. When we visit Cotopaxi by road
however, we often stop off at Hacienda la Herrería, a historic home housing priceless artworks, for tea with the owner. At Otavalo we visit a private Indian home so you can see the entire process of textile production.
In Cuenca we visit the leading ceramic producer, with the chance to commission a piece to your own design. We can organise cooking courses in Andean cuisine,
ballet displays and special Andean spa treatments. To experience rural life we can drive out into the foothills of the Andes and visit a private hacienda for a delicious
organic locally-grown lunch and a whooping, hollering mustering rodeo.
When it comes to the Galapagos we know every vessel and island, and choose the best. Manned by expert crew, our ocean-going craft also offer skilled naturalists and inspiring guides.
The Galapagos Islands
Darwin’s living laboratory – The Galapagos Archipelago – is a world apart, exceptional for its fearless wildlife. Any visitor to the islands can swim with a sea lion, paddle alongside a penguin, be amused by the ‘fool’ booby bird and observe a giant tortoise. The wildlife is truly unparalleled, the landscape barren, volcanic and markedly beautiful.Never connected with the continent, the islands contain many endemic species; a quarter of the shore fish, half of the plants and almost all of the reptiles are found nowhere else. The Galapagos Islands were discovered in 1535 by the Bishop of Panama drifting off course on his way to Peru. Ecuador officially claimed the Archipelago in 1832 and Charles Darwin arrived in 1835 on HMS Beagle where he was inspired to write his theory of evolution. Officially declared a national park in 1959, today the islands represent one of the most unique places on Earth. The Galapagos are a two-hour flight from Quito or Guayaquil.Whilst there are seasonal variations, the islands are a year-round destination.
Did you know?
Accommodation
Akros Hotel
Description
A perfect place in the city of Quito, Akros Hotel offers excellent services and convenient facilities for a relaxing stay.
Location
Located just 10 minutes away...
Arasha Resort
The stylish, eco-sensitive bungalows that make up the resort are designed with comfort in mind, but also blend sympathetically with the forest landscape.
A wide variety...
Bellavista Cloudforest Reserve
Dramatically nestled on the western slopes of the Andes, and cut through by gorges, rivulets and waterfalls, the Bellavista Reserve has an unsurpassed location. It...
Cabanas Balandra
Located 15 minutes from the airport and a short walk from the waterfront, this attractive accommodation is perfectly situated for exploring Manta.
Its walkways are lined...
Cafe Cultura
Café Cultura is a delightful mix of English tradition and contemporary trend. We consider ourselves an inner city retreat, with an out-going personality and inspirational...
Casa Aliso Hotel & Boutique
The Casa Aliso is a 10-room gem that offers all of the style and comfort of a small luxurious home. The interiors are especially inviting....
Dann Carlton Hotel
Dann Carlton Quito Hotel is located in the center of the business, shopping and banking area of the city, just 15 minutes away from the...
El Crater Hotel
The Crater, a restaurant and art /gallery project, originated ten years ago, conceived within an artistic and ecological context, and inspired by the beauty of...
El Dorado Hotel
There is no doubt about it, staying at El Dorado Hotel is different. And now more thanks to all innovations that we have designed to...
El Relicario Del Carmen Hotel
Located in Historical Old Town.
A truly historic house, dating back to 1705 has just opened it's door as a hotel with 18 comfortable rooms.
It is...
Four Points Sheraton
Conveniently located 3 minutes from Simon Bolivar International Airport, the Four Points by Sheraton Guayaquil is situated in front of El Mall Del Sol, Ecuador's...
Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel Guayaquil is unique; it shares a whole city block with the largest and the most spectacular Cathedral in Guayaquil. The Cathedral's spires...
Chillo-Jijón serves as a perfect base to visit Quito and the surrounding area. Built in the 18th century,...
Hacienda Cusin
Hacienda Cusin is a restored 17th-century Andean estate at 8,500 feet, close to the Equatorial Line and 90 minutes north of Quito and its airports....
Hacienda La Alegria
Is a family-run organic farm in the heart of Ecuador's "Avenue of the Volcanoes", situated one hour south of the historic colonial city of Quito,...
Hacienda Pisanqui
In the heart of Ecuador's lake district, Hacienda Pinsaquí, rich with centuries of history, invites you to become part of its magic, tradition, romance and...
Hacienda San Pedro
Description
Located about an hour and a half’s drive from Quito and within easy reach of Otavalo, this small traditional hacienda looks out onto spectacular views...
Hacienda Zuleta
Originally built by the Jesuits, the famous "Black Robes" in the 17th century. King Charles III of Spain deeded the property to Canon Gabriel...
Hampton Inn
The Hotel Hampton Inn Boulevard Hotel & Casino is located in the heart of the tourist, financial and commercial district of the city and just...
Hilton Colon
Set by the Guayas River in Ecuador, and located just seven minutes away from the José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport, the Hilton Colón Guayaquil...
Hilton Colon
Just 20 minutes from Mariscal Sucre International Airport, the Hilton Colon Quito hotel is 10 minutes’ walk from the colonial Old Town, a UNESCO World...
Hosteria Abraspungo
The "HOSTERIA ABRASPUNGO" is located at the 3½ kilometre marker on the way to Guano city, in a residential suburb named “Las Abras”, in...
Hosteria Hacienda Pinsaqui
In the heart of Ecuador's lake district, Hotel in Otavalo, Hacienda Pinsaquí, rich with centuries of history, invites you to become part of its magic,...
Hosteria La Cienega
The magnificent, eucalyptus tree-lined drive is a fitting approach to this grand 17th century hacienda complete with its original private chapel and beautifully manicured gardens....
Hotel Quito
The Hotel Quito lies on an 7.5 acres ground, and is superbly located on the top of a hill within the city itself, from which...
Hotel Santa Lucia
The Santa Lucia is perfectly situated in the heart of the colonial centre of Cuenca, just steps from the main square. Itself one of the...
Hotel Silberstein
Hotel Silberstein, formerly known as Hotel Angermeyer, is located on Santa Cruz Island in the town of Puerto Ayora, five minutes walk to Charles Darwin...
Hotel Victoria
Classic Colonial architecture is reflected in the charming interiors. Wooden accents, individual Colonial style decor, and comfortable rooms will make your stay special. Rooms come...
Hotel Vieja Cuba
Description
This lovely old colonial house was renovated in 2002 to house the city's newest hotel. The owner, a Cuban immigrant, has spared no expense in...
Kapawi Ecolodge & Reserve
General Information
The Kapawi project was initiated in 1993 by Carlos Perez Perasso, founder of Canodros, through his vision and passion to nature his goal was...
La Casa del Suizo
Rooms
We have 75 private rooms and a capacity for 180 guests. We provide matrimonial rooms, double rooms, triple rooms, and also quadruple rooms for families....
La Mirage Garden Hotel & Spa
Perched on an Andean Hillside a one and a half hour drive north of Quito, La Mirage is a contemporary Resort built on the grounds...
La Selva
Deep in Primary forest of Ecuador, in its Amazon Jungle, lies an ecolodge unlike any other. Constantly refining its skills over the past twenty years...
Luna Runtun Spa
Luna Runtun is the perfect compliment to your trip to Galapagos or Quito. Located just above Baños, Ecuador, access to the Amazon Rainforest, the paramos...
Manatee Amazon Explorer
This Amazon riverboat accommodates 26 lucky guests in 13 double cabins with individual air conditioning, running hot water, large dining room and inviting bar and...
Mansion Alcazar
A turn of the century Mansion, completely restored during 2000 and 2001 in order to satisfy the most discriminating traveler, is located in the heart...
Mansion del Angel
The epitome of style and elegance, the Mansion del Angel is opulently furnished with crystal chandeliers, oil paintings, luxurious chaises longues and rugs. This small...
Mantaraya Lodge
Mantaraya Lodge is located at the Machalilla National Park in the Province of Manabi, 15 minutes drive from Puerto Lopez. Its construction is a Mediterranean...
Napo Wildlife Centre
Napo Wildlife Centre is located by the Anangu Lake on the south side of the River Napo. It is set within its own 82 square...
Oro Verde
The only member of The Leading Hotels of the World in Ecuador.
Strategically located in the downtown commercial and banking heart of the city, at only...
Patio Andaluz
Situated in the very heart of the historic centre of Quito, this newly converted colonial house has been restored to a high standard, carefully retaining...
Plaza Grande Hotel
The Hotel Plaza Grande rises above Quito's central square, known as the Plaza de la Independencia.
It was one of the first hotels ever constructed...
Plaza Resort
Description
In twelve acres of beautiful tropical gardens this fine hotel has a private marina lined by spacious villas and suites. A pearl-white beach stretches from...
Posada Ingapirca
Posada Ingapirca is located in the most beautiful and mysterious region that has been populated by cañaris and incas, and where the more known archaeological...
Radisson Hotel Quito
Connected to the World Trade Centre and centrally located in Quito's most exclusive financial and residential area, the Radisson Royal Quito Hotel is an elegant...
Sacha Lodge
Imagine yourself drifting down a narrow, winding creek surrounded on all sides by a lush, endless sea of tropical greenery, and all that separates you...
San Agustin de Callo
Located within the boundaries of the Cotopaxi National Park, this lovely hacienda grants visitors a glimpse of the influences of the two dominant powers in...
Septimo Paraiso
Hosteria Septimo Paraiso is located at just 1 1/2 hours from Quito, Ecuador; 2 km from la Y de Mindo, towards the village. The Hosteria...
Swissotel
Swissotel Quito is a luxury hotel conveniently located in the commercial and residential area of Quito. The hotel is within easy access to the Old...
Tandayapa Bird Lodge
Description
The only lodge in the world designed by birders, owned by birders, and run for birders by birders. Here your hobby is not some...
Termas de Papallacta
Termas de Papallacta is a hot springs spa, resort & convention centre nestled in a majestic valley of the high Andes only 40 miles (67...
Villa Colona Hotel
This boutique bed and breakfast offers six beatiful suites with fireplaces and beautifully decorated large bathrooms.
Suites come with wireless internet connection and a complementary phone...
Villa Colonna
Description
Villa Colonna is a beautifully renovated and lovingly restored colonial house. The property features only five suites, each with real fireplaces and superior furnishings. There...
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