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Ecuador

A world of natural wonders

Ecuador tailor-made holidays

Introduction

Ecuador is small by South American standards, but nonetheless rich in treasures – perfect for a tailor-made holiday packed with adventure. In one trip you could watch the dawn break over the Amazon, go hiking in the high Andes, and watch the sun slip into the Pacific Ocean. And, that's not mentioning the Galápagos – an archipelago of such incredible biodiversity that its inhabitants helped inspire and inform Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection. 

Quito and surrounds

Surrounded by soaring peaks, Quito is a colonial feast with a spring-like climate year-round, situated 2,850m above sea level in Ecuador's Andean foothills. Its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town hosts the city's greatest treasures, from its cobblestone streets framed by impressive Spanish-era façades to the picturesque squares overlooked by grand churches filled with precious works of art. Meanwhile, to the north, Otavalo is an Andean Highland gem where bustling markets sell indigenous textiles and crafts. And, to the south, the impressive 'Avenue of Volcanoes', a region of rolling greenery, perfect for gentle hike and horseback rides under the watchful gaze of snow-dusted mountains, including the perfect cone of Cotopaxi.  


The Amazon & Mindo Cloudforest

To the west of the capital, the unspoiled expanse of the Amazon jungle offers expert-led exploration in one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. Float through a network of tributaries in search of toucans, sloths, monkeys and river dolphins on a river cruise, or stay in a jungle lodge to spot rare birds from tree-high towers. Whichever way you choose to explore, you'll be treated to a truly incredible array of excursions, from dug-out canoe trips to catch-and-release fishing and trips out to village communities located deep in the jungle. If you don't want to head as far as the Amazon, then between Quito and the Pacific Coast is the Mindo Cloud Forest – a haven for bird life. Take it all in with a stay at Mashpi Lodge – a luxury gem surrounded by nature.


The Galápagos

A trip to the Galápagos Islands – 1,000km west of mainland Ecuador – is an unforgettable experience. Fly out from Guayaquil to explore this stunning island chain, home to several endemic species, including Darwin's finches, the Galápagos iguana and Galápagos penguin. A trip here is filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences, from sharing sandy beaches with colonies of seals to swimming with sharks, dolphins and turtles in crystalline seas. The most popular way to explore is on a cruise, but there are also several lodges which offer the option for island-hopping adventures if you'd rather remain on land.


 

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At a glance

Flying time from UK
12 hours

Time zone
GMT -5 (-6 Galapagos Islands)

Currency
US Dollar (USD) = 100 cents

Language
Spanish

Travel advice
(UK/US) None

See Ecuador travel guide

Top itineraries in Ecuador

Pinnacle Rock, Bartolome Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Mashpi Lodge & the Galápagos Islands

12-day tailor-made holiday from £7,795 pp incl. flights

Combine the history of Quito and the unique biodiversity of the Amazon with perhaps the ultimate in wildlife-watching experiences – a luxury Galápagos cruise.

Isabela Island

Quito, Otavalo & Galápagos Island Hopping‬‬

12-day tailor-made holiday from £6,770 pp incl. flights

This is a comprehensive appreciation of the Galápagos’ natural world, taking in its spectacular scenery and wildlife on a range of guided excursions. You’ll also have time to explore Ecuador’s colonial heritage and indigenous culture.

Eagle Ray, the Galápagos

Wonders of Peru and the Galápagos

15-day tailor-made holiday from £9,395 pp incl. flights

Take in the unique history of Peru's archaeological treasures before flying out across the Pacific for a four-night cruise exploring the wildlife-rich islands of Ecuador's Galápagos.

Cotopaxi Volcano, Ecuador

Grand Tour of Ecuador & the Galápagos

17-day tailor-made holiday from £9,710 pp incl. flights

Straddling the equator, mainland Ecuador hosts colonial cities, beautiful haciendas, towering volcanoes and green, steamy jungles. Combined with the incredible diversity of nature that can only be found on the Galápagos, it's a truly compelling destination.

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Top places to stay in Ecuador

Terrace, Casa Gangotena, Quito, Ecuador

Casa Gangotena, Quito

Historic hotel

Forming part of Quito's cultural inventory, Casa Gangotena is a historic hotel situated on Plaza San Francisco – Quito's main square, once home to several Inca temples.

Mashpi Lodge, Ecuador

Mashpi Lodge, Ecuador

Contemporary lodge

The stunning lodge in Ecuador's cloud forest is part of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, a collection of boutique hotels in extraordinary places with a demonstrated commitment to sustainability, authenticity and excellence.

Pool, Finch-Bay Eco Hotel, Puerto Ayora, Galapagos

Finch Bay Galápagos Hotel, Galápagos

Contemporary hotel

Based on the south of Santa Cruz island, this eco-friendly hotel is provides private, spacious terraces with fabulous views of the bay. Activities include kayaking, mountain biking, surfing, guided walks and sea excursions on board the hotel's own yacht.

La Selva

La Selva Lodge, the Ecuadorian Amazon

Traditional safari lodge

Billing itself as the lodge's finest eco-lodge, La Salva offers everything from spa treatments and gorgeous accommodation to gourmet full-board dining and a list of included activities. It's all set deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

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Where to go in Ecuador

Sea Lions, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

The Galápagos

The Galápagos Islands lie more than 1,000km from mainland Ecuador but have a reputation and place in the history of science and evolution that far exceeds their small size.

Ecuador Amazon

Ecuador Amazon

Ecuador's El Oriente jungle region is beautifully unspoiled wilderness region of indigenous settlements dotted along various tributaries of the Amazon.

Quito, Ecuador

Quito & Northern Highlands

Explore Quito, a colonial gem set high in the Ecuadorian Andes. It's the perfect counterpoint to the highland region to the north, where colourful market towns are framed by towering volcanic peaks.

Ecuador cloud forest

Ecuador's Cloud Forest

The western slopes of the Pichincha Volcano near Quito are covered in beautiful cloud forests, perfect for nature lovers wanting to indulge their sense of adventure.

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When to go to Ecuador

Ecuador is situated on the equator and hence, there are only two seasons: winter (rainy season) and summer (dry season). Due to the varied geographical structure of the country it is best to divide the climate information in accordance to these areas: The Galápagos Islands: The weather in the Galápagos Islands is largely determined by ocean currents. June to December is cool and dry and in December, there's a definable climate pattern of hot sunny mornings followed by clouds and sparse showers in the afternoons. January to May is generally hot, humid and wet. The Andes: There is a varied range in temperature and weather, which depends on …

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Ecuador articles

  • Krishna's Galagos trip - October/November 2022

    Trip report: The Galápagos

    Travelling in late-October 2022, Wexas specialist Krishna explored Ecuador’s wildlife-rich Galápagos Islands, sailing aboard Celebrity Flora.

  • Seal in the Galápagos

    Trip report: Ecuador and the Galápagos

    Galápagos specialist Debbie Mayger recently visited the Galápagos Islands and Ecuador's capital, Quito. Read her review of both for some honest insight into the accommodation, facilities and overall experience, as well as her advice for anybody thinking about going to visit.

  • Silver Origin, Silversea

    Introducing Silversea's Silver Origin

    Introducing Silver Origin. A luxury ship designed specifically with Ecuador's Galápagos Islands in mind.

  • Silver Galapagos

    Why book a cruise to Latin America?

    Latin America is spectacularly varied and unimaginably vast, from rainforests in the Amazon to glaciers in Patagonia. We explore why cruises are of the best ways to fully immerse yourself in the dramatic landscapes of the region.

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Meet our Ecuador experts

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Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0692 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

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