Things to do in Ecuador

Amazon Excursions

Daily activities include visits to the butterfly farm, ascending the observation tower, a canopy walk, treks on well-marked trails, and canoe rides through the black water creeks.

Learn about life in the Amazon with 'Me to We'

A stay at the Minga Lodge offers a unique opportunity to get to grips with what life is really like in the Amazon. Culturally, this is far more in-depth, interactive and rewarding than a regular Amazon visit and allows you to spend time with the local community during your stay.

Quito City Tour

Visit downtown Quito to relish in this urban jewel and its treasures of art and architecture. Quito’s colonial quarter, the largest and best preserved of South America, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Travel on the Devil's Nose train

Considered one of the most impressive feats of rail engineering, the Devil's Nose is a thrilling section of track clinging to the side of a steep face of rock that makes up part of the journey between Riobamba and Cotopaxi.

Jungle Excursions

There are jungle treks where experienced and knowledgeable guides will answer your questions and identify wildlife, piranha fishing excursions in the blackwater creek and stargazing in the evening.

Otavalo Market

The market features a dazzling array of crafts, textiles and jewellery, all of which are of high quality and good value.

Cotopaxi National Park

Travel south out of Quito to an area dubbed by the 19th century German explorer Von Humboldt as the "Avenue of the Volcanoes". Cotopaxi National Park is at the heart of this area and is deservedly Ecuador's most-visited mainland national park.

El Cajas National Park

The El Cajas National Park is a 28,000 hectare area of some 230 lakes and quinua forest starting at 3,000 metres (10,000 feet) that is home to a variety of wildlife including the Andean gull, black frogs, hummingbirds and condors as well as a variety of indigenous plants including many rare bromeliads and orchids.

Cuenca Scenic Tour

Have a comprehensive but leisurely tour of the colonial city of Cuenca. The tour includes the Plaza of San Sebastián, a colourful artisans' market, and the Museum of Modern Art, which features an excellent collection of contemporary fine art.

Gualaceo Countryside Tour

The valley of Gualaceo is 22 miles (36 kilometres) from Cuenca, at an elevation of 7,446 feet (2,370 metres) above sea level. The ride starts along the Santa Ana valley and then high in the mountains, through very scenic landscapes, which change at every curb.

Termas de Papallacta

As well as the soothing springs and excellent spa facilities on offer at Papallacta, there are numerous self-guided or naturalist-guided ecological paths in which you can appreciate the local flora and fauna as well as stunning views of the glacial landscape and the extinct volcano Antisana rising 5,704 m above sea level.