Ecuador Cultural Tours & Trip Packages

Ecuador Cultural Tours & Trips

497 Ecuador trips. Tours from 147 tour companies. 1,202 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

254 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Cultural
Cuenca & Surroundings, Culture & Traditions
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4.5/5 Excellent
17 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Andes Mountains, Cuenca

Highlights

  • Explore Cuenca is a city well known for its history, sacred art museums, and archaeological sites
  • Opportunity to visit the New Cathedral, Central Park, Old Cathedral, Plaza de Las Flores, The Hat Factory, Museums
  • Visit Cajas National Park, which is located 30km east of Cuenca
  • Enjoy the beautiful landscape of mountains, we´ll stop in the town of San Bartolome
  • Visit Ingapirca ruins for a complete tour of the ruins and archaeological museum

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"I can't say enough about how great my experience was with Latin Adventures Tour. Our tour guide, Diageo, was great. Very knowledgeable, friendly and fun and just made our overall tour very enjoyable. Highly recommended and will definitely use again!"

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Quito and Galapagos Basic
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4.8/5 Excellent
5 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Galapagos, Quito

Highlights

  • Visit the largest and best preserved Historic Center of South America
  • Visit the Middle of the World and live experiences that defy the laws of physics and occur only in this part of the world.
  • Visit the lava tunnels and a giant turtle reserve.

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"my first trip knowing the history of quito!!! spectacular!! grateful! Both my guide and driver quality of person! Happy birthday to you! thank you for the experience!! security measures included! Recommended! congratulations! Greetings to my guide!! you are great!"

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Active Ecuador Short - Multisport Trip
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5/5 Excellent
7 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Quito

Highlights

  • Discover Ecuador
  • Visit Cock of the Rock Lake
  • Experience hike at this Cuicocha Lake
  • Explore volcanic crater edge of Pululahua
  • Visit to the market, you will be driven from the northern part of the Andes to the Central Andes

Themes

Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Family Friendly, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"They are just great!!! They have a no-nonsense ambience. The Dormitory is adequate, very clean and comfortable. The food was very tasty, homely and had a good variety. The activities catered to our satisfaction. They are provided with lots of patience. Every staff member is so friendly and they ensure that you enjoy the outing. We were a family with people from all are groups. They took care of every individual needs. Our aged mother was made very comfortable, and they arranged a chair for her at every activity area. We spent almost two days and one night. And we enjoyed every moment. If one is looking for a good outing, this is the place. Total value for money. Above all it's the passion of the staff that makes them better than most places around Bangalore."

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Extraordinary Ecuador
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5/5 Excellent
7 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Andes Mountains, Cuenca, Quito

Highlights

  • Visit Quito, one of the most beautiful cities in South America
  • Discover the second largest lagoon complex in Ecuador
  • Experience hike will highlight amazing views (if weather permits) of Chimborazo volcano
  • Explore Cuenca cultural richness of this spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"They are just great!!! They have a no-nonsense ambience. The Dormitory is adequate, very clean and comfortable. The food was very tasty, homely and had a good variety. The activities catered to our satisfaction. They are provided with lots of patience. Every staff member is so friendly and they ensure that you enjoy the outing. We were a family with people from all are groups. They took care of every individual needs. Our aged mother was made very comfortable, and they arranged a chair for her at every activity area. We spent almost two days and one night. And we enjoyed every moment. If one is looking for a good outing, this is the place. Total value for money. Above all it's the passion of the staff that makes them better than most places around Bangalore."

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Ecuador: Amazon and Galapagos Islands
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5/5 Excellent
1 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Amazon Rainforest, Galapagos, Isla Santa Fe, Quito, Santa Cruz Island

Highlights

  • Experience snorkelling on Santa cruz, Galapagos
  • Explore Amazon life
  • Enjoy cooking class in Quito
  • Visit to Limoncocha Biological Reserve
  • Visit the Historic Centre of Quito
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Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, High Adventure, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"I went on this trip with some misgivings, as my only other experience with this type of tour was a winter Tauck Family Bridges tour of Italy, that was not a good experience. Well, I am SO glad I went, as my daughter and I had a marvelous time. Disney did an amazing job of organizing this trip - I still can't believe how much they managed to fit into essentially 8 days. I also can't believe how much fun it all was! The guides were tremendous. First of all, unlike Tauck (where we traveled with one tour manager), here we had two guides with us the entire time - one a licensed guide in Greece (i.e., a native, very knowledgeable about the country and able to really take us through the historical and archaeological sites) and the other an American who has been guiding in Greece for years. The interaction between the guides was very warm, as was their way of relating to the guests. This was a complete contrast with Tauck. Here people really got to know each other, the young people had a great time with each other, and, of course, Greece itself is just magnificent. I will certainly travel with Disney again!"

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Amazonian Immersion
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5/5 Excellent
22 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Andes Mountains, Avenue of Volcanoes

Highlights

  • Discover Achuar Culture
  • Connect with Andean Cultures
  • Visiting Ecuador’s Amazon and Andes
  • Travel the Avenue of the Volcanoes
  • Explore Achuar Territory

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"I believe we are all one people, one voice, one drum beat and one consciousness that needs to be heard around the world and i think this is a great platform to be heard from to learn from and to act from we only have one earth and we all have to live here together~ as one peoples all equal and accountable to mother earth."

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Andes, Coast, and Galapagos
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4.8/5 Excellent
5 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Cuenca, Galapagos, Guayaquil, Quito

Highlights

  • Meet an indigenous market and its crafts, and immerse yourself in the culture of the Andean peoples
  • Get a wonderful train ride through the famous “Devil’s Nose”
  • Take a city tour through the cities of Cuenca and Guayaquil

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"my first trip knowing the history of quito!!! spectacular!! grateful! Both my guide and driver quality of person! Happy birthday to you! thank you for the experience!! security measures included! Recommended! congratulations! Greetings to my guide!! you are great!"

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Authentic Quito
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4.8/5 Excellent
5 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Quito

Highlights

  • Admire the attractive illuminated churches at night and learn about urban legends related to the history of the city
  • Meet a local market and its traditions, in addition to La Capilla del Hombre, where the artist Oswaldo Guayasamin left his work to delight its visitors

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, Photography

What travelers are saying

"my first trip knowing the history of quito!!! spectacular!! grateful! Both my guide and driver quality of person! Happy birthday to you! thank you for the experience!! security measures included! Recommended! congratulations! Greetings to my guide!! you are great!"

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Galapagos Discovery
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Galapagos, Isabela Island, Otavalo, Quito, San Cristobal, Santa Cruz

Highlights

  • Get your blood pumping as you scale Sierra Negra Volcano during an epic hike, then cool off with a swim in the perfect waters of Isla Isabela’s beaches.
  • Many come to Isla Santa Cruz just for the giant tortoises. Get up close and personal with these enormous animals as they drag themselves through the sand.
  • Learn about the unique habits of the marine iguana. This dinosaur-like little creature has an iridescent sheen and is only found on the Galapagos Islands.
  • Birdwatching at the Galapagos is quite an experience. Watch the aerobatic routines of blue-footed boobies and the death defying stunts of the frigate birds as they whizz through the air.
  • This trip combines plenty of must-try activities and islands with generous mounts of free time, so you can explore the Galapagos at your own pace.

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

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Health Safety +

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8 Days in Ecuador's Heartland: From Mountains to Hot Springs
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5/5 Excellent
16 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Baños de Agua Santa, Cotopaxi National Park, Otavalo, Quito

Highlights

  • Immerse in the Vibrant Culture at Otavalo Market: A Colorful Fusion of Crafts and Tradition
  • Experience Serenity at Cuicocha Lagoon: Nature's Tranquil Oasis in the Andean Highlands
  • Marvel at the Majestic Cotopaxi National Park: Nature's Splendor Unleashed
  • Enjoy panoramic views of the turquoise lake surrounded by high Andean peaks.
  • Visit iconic waterfalls like Pailón del Diablo and Manto de la Novia, surrounded by lush rainforest.
Show more

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, Hiking & Walking, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"We just returned from a wonderful 3-week trip in Ecuador that included Quito, Amazon jungle, touring down the Andes to Cuenca, and Galapagos cruise. Our travel agent Alvaro did an excellent job helping us plan our trip - he was very knowledgeable, patient, and kind. All our guides were excellent, special shout-out to Christian, Sergio (aka Mike Tyson), and Pablo. Our favorite experiences were the Napo Cultural Center in the Amazon, biking/hiking at the Cotopaxi and Chimborazo volcanoes, and cruising the Galapagos."

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Galapagos Islands Retreat
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4.9/5 Excellent
51 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Galapagos, Pacific Ocean, Quito, San Cristobal, Santa Cruz Island

Highlights

  • Be inspired by the serenity of yoga on this wellness tour of theGalapagos Islands
  • Watch the dance of marine iguanas and see a parade of blue-footed boobies as frigate birds soar overhead
  • Quito is one of the most incredible cities in South America. From its historic churches to the middle of the world, there is always something to do
  • Get up close and personal with the famed giant tortoises in the highlands of Santa Cruz island
  • Witness the most incredible, endemic wildlife on the planet. Remember, the animals can touch you, but you can’t touch the animals!

Themes

50 plus, Birding, Cultural, Education / Learning, Nature & Wildlife, Relaxing Retreats, Yoga, Meditation & Wellness

What travelers are saying

"We loved this trip. Our guide was excellent. We really enjoyed all the included highlights. Our favorite was Biltmore Estate. It is a must!"

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Galapagos: In Darwin's Footsteps
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a huge range of trip styles and themes, they cater to basically every type of traveler out there- even those with super specific interests.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Darwin, Galapagos, Quito, San Cristobal

Highlights

  • Trek to the crater rim of the Sierra Negra volcano
  • Enjoy plenty of island walks to discover the Galapagos landscape
  • Experience incredible wildlife-viewing and photographic opportunities with near-tame animals
  • Snorkel with iridescent fish, playful sea lions and turtles
  • Island hop by motorboat but sleep in hotels and lodges

Themes

Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Photography

What travelers are saying

"Discover Costa Rica is a great itinerary, covering varied habitats around the country and staying 2 nights each at 6 centres. Their birdwatching specials are led by local experts who really know their stuff."

Trip dates & details
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Health Safety +

Generous cancellation

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Galápagos — South & East Islands aboard the Yolita
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
They’ve partnered with well-known names like National Geographic and the Jane Goodall Institute to offer unique experiences unavailable elsewhere.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Darwin, Guayaquil, Isla Santa Fe, Quito, Sucre

Highlights

  • Four nights cruising in the galápagos islands aboard the yolita
  • Explore the beautiful southern and eastern islands to see iguanas and sea lions
  • Relax on the white sandy beaches
  • Cruise by the dramatic kicker rock
  • Visit some of the best snorkelling spots in the galápagos

Themes

National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise, Sailing

What travelers are saying

"We spent two wonderful weeks touring several of the best destinations in Portugal & Spain with a group of 16 people. Our guide (Fredy) was from Spain and intimately familiar with the region, including its rich history, attractions, and food/beverages. The tour was well-paced using a combinations of private vehicles (small buses and cabs), trains, and an airplane ride as well as a fair amount of walking to get around these two beautiful countries. We extended our stay in Lisbon to see more attractions and took a side trip to Fatima, Obidos, and Nazare that was also excellent. Would have liked to have a bit more time in a couple of the cities, but we'll just have to plan another trip!"

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Ecuador Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
1,202  Reviews
See all Ecuador tour reviews
Excellent
213
Great
45
Average
1
Disappointing
0
Terrible
0
M

Margaret

Oct 2015

Written on

Personal knowledge and experience of our guide

Personal knowledge and experience of our guide Juan Martín Aguirre who ...

J

Jessica

Oct 2015

Written on

Very good experience. Well organized and great

Very good experience. Well organized and great tour leaders.

D

Dan

Sep 2015

Written on

This is our second trip with Intrepid

This is our second trip with Intrepid and also our second amazing experience. The itinerary and of course our guide, Juan Martin, were excellent. We saw almost every...

E

Elizabeth

Sep 2015

Written on

I was completely satisfied with my experience.

I was completely satisfied with my experience. It met all my expectations, and then some.

p

patricia

Sep 2015

Written on

Everything went smoothly, well organized.

Everything went smoothly, well organized.

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Ecuador Tour Selection Trips

  • Ecuador is so rich in biodiversity and tourist attractions – the Galapagos, the Andes, the Amazon, the colonial cities, the Pacific coast -- that you may need several visits to do the country justice. 
  • Taking a week-long Galapagos cruise allows you to see more of the islands and their diverse wildlife than simply staying on one of the two populated islands.
  • Many visitors combine Galapagos tours with tours to Machu Picchu in Peru, and many tour operators offer such combinations.
  • If your tour takes you to the Amazon basin, look to stay at least three days if possible in a jungle lodge. This not only allows you to get a good taste of the region, but it will increase your chances of seeing certain species, and more animals. 
  • Even though Ecuador is on the Equator, pack a jacket if your tour includes high-elevation cities like Quito and Cuenca. In these mountain towns, the temperatures can drop pretty significantly at night.  You might also consider bringing high-altitude medication if you’re really bothered by the rarefied air, but discuss possible side effects with your doctor.

Additional details

Tours in Ecuador are great for active travelers. If you love being outdoors, many Ecuador tours focus on activities like hiking, horseback riding, rafting, and bike riding.

Food in Ecuador is heavily rice and seafood based. Vegetarians won’t have too much difficulty finding delicious meals, though many dishes involve cheese so vegans may encounter more trouble. You’ve probably heard of “Cuy” which is guinea pig, and is a delicacy throughout the country.

4 Different Kinds of Escorted Trips in Ecuador 

1. Culture: Ecuador’s Indigenous People and Their Crafts

One of the most unique features of Ecuador is the strength of its indigenous population. In many Latin American countries, indigenous populations were stifled and dwindled under colonialism for a variety of reasons. In Ecuador, however, these numbers remain strong -- 25% of the entire  country has completely indigenous heritage, and 70% has mixed indigenous and European heritage. Ecuador is quite proud of its heritage this way, and as a result the country maintains specific crafts, fashions, and styles of living that are entirely their own. 

Silver Making and Chordeleg
When you visit Otavalo, and Ecuador’s largest market, you are sure to see some of the classic craft attributable to Ecuador: alpaca-wool ponchos and rugs, tagua nut jewellery, chess seats, embroidered bags, etc. What is less well known, however, is that each region of Ecuador produces its own unique crafts which may be harder to get.

For example, people living in the Cotopaxi region are known for their native paintings and ceremonial masks. The Pastaza region produces various plates and bags made of crossed palm fibers, as well as ceramic goods. Some off-the-beaten path locations are surrounded around their crafts, which you may want to visit. 

The town of Chordeleg, for example, is renowned for its silverworking. The entire town still lives by the “guild system” established during colonial times, and focuses on its handmade jewellery produced with locally mined silver. One interesting fact about this picturesque town is that has become increasingly popular for spot American retirees to settle down.

The Bowler Hat
Another cultural feature of Ecuador you will notice immediately on your escorted trip, especially in more rural areas, is the style of dress. Ecuador is unique in that a large portion of the population continues to dress in traditional clothing, or wear bits and pieces of traditional outfits.You may notice that some men wear large blue ponchos, a fedora, and have a single, long braid for their hairstyle.

This braid is called the shimba, and is so significant that men are not required to cut it in order to join the military. For women, you may notice (particularly amongst the older generation) that they choose to wear multiple layers of long skirts and ponchos, as well as bowler hats. To learn more about why these traditions remain so strong, consider taking a cultural tour of Ecuador

2. Ecuador Birding Tours

Ecuador is a very popular destination for birdwatching. The country boasts more than 1600 avian species over several kinds of habitat, and, as a result, its hard for birders to resist trying to see everything at once. If you have the time, you should definitely take a birding tour 2 weeks or longer -- however, if this simply isn’t an option, we recommend visiting the Northwest of the country. This part of Ecuador has better infrastructure (making good birding spots more accessible) and a large population of endemic species.

3. Wildlife and Outdoor Adventure Tours

One draw to Ecuador are its many national parks. Home of the Galapagos, Ecuador is a country that fully appreciates the power of ecotourism, and as a result 20% of its land has some kind of protected status. 

Some popular places to trek outside of the Galapagos include El Cajas National Park, Machalilla National Park, Cayambe National, and Yasuni National Park -- just to name a few. In these parks you have the opportunity to go on a horseback riding excursion, or be escorted on a hike to some of the most beautiful natural features of Ecuador.

Another popular activity in Ecuador is to hike its many active and extinct volcanoes. One popular volcano to hike is Cotopaxi, a massive snow-capped peak high in the Ecuadorian Andes. For those looking for an extreme and adventurous hike, here is your challenge: try summiting Cotopaxi. One thing to note is that any peak in Ecuador over 5,000 meters high cannot be climbed without a guide, so make sure to book your mountaineering guided tour.

Once you’ve exhausted yourself on a hike of the volcano, treat yourself to a dip in some of the thermal pools. One great place to warm up in the hot springs water is in the jungle town of Bãnos, where you can visit the public bath houses for relatively cheap and soak up some of the healthy minerals.

4. Luxury Tours in Ecuador

Although Ecuador is known for being a rugged and outdoors-oriented travel locale, this doesn’t mean that you can’t travel it in style. The booming tourism industry surrounding the Galapagos island has pushed the majority of accomodation options to adopt modern amenities, and there are some particularly nice lodgings today. 

For example, on a luxury trip to Ecuadoryou are likely to stay in a hacienda. A hacienda is the estate attached to what was usually a ranch, but also could have been a mine or a factory. These were typically owned by Spaniards, and are known for their beautiful architecture and large size. Many have been converted into hotels.

Another option might be touring Ecuador from the decks of a luxury cruise ship. Both small cruise ship tours, large cruise ship tours, and river cruises travel through Ecuador, so no matter your interests, there is a cruise option for you.

The Weather in Ecuador

Ecuador’s weather is famously varied depending on where you are and the time of year. Because the landscape of Ecuador covers many elevations and environments you can expect to see a lot of different temperatures and weather patterns. It rains throughout the year, most heavily between October and April.

Tours visit Ecuador year round, but one of the top times to visit is the High Season between June and September on the mainland; January through May in the Galapagos.

If you are visiting the Galapagos, consider that the seas will be very rough in the Low Season, June through September.

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