Discover what makes Ecuador unforgettable
The Galápagos Islands are world-famous for their one-of-a-kind wildlife. You can snorkel with sea lions, hike beside giant tortoises, and spot exotic birds like the blue-footed booby. Every day feels like a new adventure in these islands, where you can experience nature in its purest, most untouched form—no other place quite compares.
Ecuador’s Andes are not only breathtaking but deeply connected to the local culture. Hike around Cotopaxi, one of the world’s tallest active volcanoes, or visit traditional villages like Quilotoa, where indigenous communities still thrive. You can explore the stunning landscapes while learning about the customs and way of life of the people who call these mountains home.
Ecuador’s slice of the Amazon is a lush, vibrant paradise. Imagine cruising along jungle rivers, surrounded by towering trees and exotic animals like pink dolphins and howler monkeys. Stay in eco-lodges that blend luxury with sustainability, and experience the natural wonders of the rainforest while learning about its critical role in our ecosystem.
Cities like Quito and Cuenca blend old-world charm with vibrant local culture. Think cobblestone streets, beautiful colonial architecture, and bustling markets. You can spend a day wandering through Quito’s historic center, a UNESCO site, or just sip coffee in a plaza, soaking up the atmosphere.
Unveiling Ecuador’s hidden gems and iconic wonders
Step onto the shores of the Galápagos, where giant tortoises roam freely and marine iguanas bask in the sun. Hike through volcanic landscapes, snorkel with sea lions, and witness wildlife that exists nowhere else on Earth. With a private guide, you’ll explore at your own pace, diving deeper into the islands' extraordinary ecosystem.
Stroll through the cobbled streets of Quito’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with baroque churches, colorful plazas, and hidden courtyards. Your guide will take you beyond the main sights, introducing you to local artisans and secret viewpoints that reveal the city's true character.
Wander through the vibrant Otavalo Market, where indigenous artisans sell handwoven textiles, intricate jewelry, and colorful ceramics. Beyond the stalls, your guide will introduce you to local weavers and musicians, giving you a deeper look at the traditions behind the crafts. Take your time browsing, chatting with artisans, and enjoying the lively atmosphere of this iconic market.
Trek along the rim of Quilotoa, a stunning volcanic crater lake with vivid turquoise waters. The crisp mountain air and sweeping Andean landscapes make this a hike to remember. Your guide will lead you along scenic trails, sharing the history of the region and introducing you to indigenous communities along the way.
Visit a small Andean village where skilled weavers continue traditions passed down for generations. Watch as they spin, dye, and weave intricate patterns by hand, then try your own weaving under their guidance. This is a chance to connect with Ecuador’s indigenous heritage in a meaningful, hands-on way.
Venture deep into the heart of the Amazon, where towering ceiba trees, winding rivers, and the calls of tropical birds surround you. With your private guide, explore hidden jungle trails, visit a remote indigenous community, and paddle through calm waters in search of monkeys, sloths, and vibrant macaws. This is nature at its most raw and breathtaking.
After a day of adventure in Baños, unwind in soothing natural hot springs surrounded by waterfalls and misty mountains. Your private guide will take you to a quieter, locally-loved spot, where you can relax in mineral-rich waters while listening to the sounds of nature.
Glide through the still waters of the Amazon at dusk, watching pink river dolphins surface and colorful birds settle in for the night. Your private guide will help you spot hidden wildlife and share stories of the indigenous communities that call this region home. It’s the perfect way to experience the Amazon’s magic away from the crowds.
The best time to travel to Ecuador varies depending on which parts of the country you intend to visit. There’s no real summer and winter in Ecuador, and its weather generally varies by regional geography, with temperatures determined more by altitude than by season or latitude.
The warmest and driest months in the sierra are June to September, though this is complicated by various microclimates found in some areas. Outside these months, typical sierra weather offers sunny, clear mornings and cloudy, often wet, afternoons.
In the Oriente, you can expect it to be warm, humid and rainy throughout the year, though there are often short breaks from the daily rains from August to September and December to February.
In the lowlands it can get particularly hot on clear days, with temperatures easily topping 30°C. The coast has the most clearly defined wet and dry seasons, and the best time to visit is from December to April, when frequent showers alternate with clear blue skies and temperatures stay high.
From May to November it’s often overcast and relatively cool, especially in the south, with less chance of rainfall.
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Our trip to Ecuador spanned a variety of regions from Galapagos to Yasuni, ending at the Volcanic region of Ecuador. This complex 2 week trip with young kids was made possible thanks to Rough Guides and their Ecuador partner. Instead of pushing back on our requests, they accommodated all our needs, staying in touch throughout the planning process. We have booked previous trips with Rough Guides as well, and they even appreciated us as repeat travelers. A shoutout to Tamer and Maria Jose for their attention and support during the planning process as well as during the trip. As with any trip, there were minor hurdles and issues here and there, Maria was regularly seeking feedback and helping either resolve the issues, or provide complementary dinner as a token. All the guides were very friendly and accommodating. But we were especially impressed with Daniel for Quito and surrounding areas and Jose for the Yasuni experience. Daniel was passionate about sharing his love for Ecuador with us. He helped us through long, tiring journeys ensuring that kids felt cared for. Jose from Yasuni Cultural Center went out of the way to ensure that my little kids are able to enjoy the wilderness of the Amazon basin. Overall, Rough Guides will definitely be on my radar for next travel.
We just returned from a 2 week trip to Ecuador and visited the capital city, Amazon basin and the Galapagos. Tamer is world class and assembled a perfect itinerary. He checked in with us constantly ensuring we knew all the details about our upcoming adventures. Tamer also connected us with the most wonderful guides and experts- Alejandro, Sebastian and Remi (Namo Wildlife Reserve). They were incredible, accommodating and made the experience one we will remember forever. Thank you from the Barbato’s!
Rough guides curated the perfect experience for my family. I cannot thank Tamer and the team enough from Rough Guides - we just returned from a two week adventure Quito, Amazon & Galapagos. And he was there every step of the way before, during & after. Answering all of questions supporting my requests to ensure we created the most magical experience for my family. He went above and beyond to ensure that my 9 -year-old who was celebrating his bday while we were away, had a birthday cake and a lovely dinner. The guides that he recommended were so knowledgeable and helpful. And I felt like I could truly relax instead of having to worry about all the logistics. Thank you again so much for making our adventure truly priceless. ❤️
Our trip to Peru was organised brilliantly by Raquel and Tamer. The itinerary was perfect and the transportation and accommodation arrangements were great too. Raquel was always available for any help we needed at whatever time. She was checking in on us at regular intervals and making sure our journey was seamless. I would highly recommend Tamer and Raquel as your contacts if you are looking to visit Peru any time soon. Thanks so much both!
Rough Guides hooked me up with a local tour operator to help plan a trip to Colombia. The experience was excellent! I got exactly what I wanted, recommendations, tours, transportation arrangements etc. The local operator was very good at back and forth exchanges, asked great questions to help with recommendations that suited our travel plans and style. The local tour arranger, Nick, also checked on us multiple times via Whatsapp during the trip to ensure things were going as planned. He also had great tips for foods to try, and insider information. Couldn't have been more pleased and plan to use Rough Guides for any travel outside the USA
Tamer and Maria Jose from Rough Guides was more than helpful through the whole process from planning to execution. Tamar kept in touch with us constantly and even when another company, a cruise line, we were working with let us down while in Ecuador, Tamar and his local guide took up the slack and helped us amazingly. In addition to Tamar, the local guide, Sebastian Carrera, was amazing. In short, he was great!! Please see our review of him on Trip Advisor. Overall, an amazing trip that happened thanks to Rough Guides.
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