10 Of The Best Tours In Ecuador - Updated 2024

best tours in ecuador
Farrah
Farrah 
Updated
| 4 min read

A traveler who wants to explore Ecuador will find this country has many natural attractions, plenty of diverse culture and many activities to do. As the most interesting nation in South America, it is one of the best destinations that can attract nature lovers. One of its cities has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don’t miss out on the the wonders of Ecuador, here are the country’s best tours!

1. Gualaceo and Chordeleg tour from Cuenca (from USD 48.0)

Ceramics hand crafted
Source: GetYourGuide

This trip will take you to the rural area of Ecuador for a full day tour. Discover the artisan crafts and the villages from Cuenca. Look at the creative artisan-crafted guitars of San Bartolome, the famous traditional shop where you can see how they process the musical instrument.

Apart from that, admire the elaborate ceramics and jewelry of Chordeleg. The best part of Gualaceo is the textile store. After lunch, you will be able to learn how Hispanic technique of ikat for shawl making and ponchos in Gualaceo.

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From Cuenca: Gualaceo and Chordeleg Tour

Duration: 4.0 hour

13 reviews

2. Sweets and culinary experience tour in Quito (from 104 USD)

Yummy pastries!
Source: GetYourGuide

Let’s get some delicious food in Quito on this culinary tour. The flavors you can find here are sure to whet your appetite. On this trip, you have a chance to meet artisan bakers and cooks, see the uniqueness of heritage architecture of Quito, discover the local market and learn to cook their recipes.

You will be here for six hours to explore the oldest bakeries in Quito and traditional sweets that have been perfected over the generations. You can join an interactive cooking class while you are here. Fill your stomach with a delicious meal and gain knowledge with the cooking techniques.

Sweets and culinary experience tour in Quito

Price: from 104 USD

Duration: 6 hours (approx.)

Website:

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3. Amazing tour in Ecuador: Puyo day trip from Banos (from USD 85.0)

4 day trip to La Selva Lodge on the Napo River in the Amazon jungle of E. Ecuador - anybody know what kind of Monkey.?? - (26865743855)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Murray Foubister used under CC BY-SA 2.0

You will have an exciting experience looking at exotic wildlife and beautiful wonders of the Amazon during this 11-hour trip to Puyo. Follow your naturalist guides to sightsee at a rescue center for animals such as ocelots, caimans, and monkeys. You will also swim near a magnificent waterfall, paddle a canoe on the Puyo River and visit local Quechua society. Your lunch is also provided during this Amazon jungle adventure.

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Banos to Puyo Amazon Rainforest Full-Day Trip Including Lunch

Duration: 11 hours

72 reviews

4. Private tour to Cajas National Park and Cocoa Farm from Guayaquil to Cuenca (from USD 73.0)


Enjoy spectacular views from Guayaquil to Cuenca. This trip visits Cajas National Park, Cacao Farm, and the market in the lowlands. You can customize your itinerary because this private tour is flexible to your own preferences. Lunch is provided during this journey and you have the option of a vegetarian meal. The fees include free hotel pickup and drop off. You will take a short hike to view the fascinating Polylepis Forest and Moorland ecosystems.

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Guayaquil to Cuenca, Cajas National Park One-Way Private Tour

Duration: 6 to 8 hours

40 reviews

5. Cotopaxi National Park full-day tour from Quito (from USD 75.0)

You will be excited to see the volcano views from the Limpiopungo Lagoon in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador. The volcano is active in this park. Then go to the Jose Ribas for hiking at 5,000 meters (16,500 feet) above sea level to experience the high altitude environment.

The tour takes 9 hours, departing from Quito. There is a naturalist guide that will show you the extraordinary assortment of flora and fauna. After that, this adventure trip will continue with hiking to Limpiopungo Lagoon situated on the slopes of the volcano.

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From Quito: Cotopaxi National Park Full-Day Tour with Hike

Duration: 9.0 hour

162 reviews

6. Private tour to Salinas Beach from Guayaquil (from 55 USD)


You need to spend about eight hours in Guayaquil to enjoy the beautiful beach, fishing villages, local museum and the popular ‘chocolatera’ on your private tour here. You will not regret coming to this stunning beach. It takes about two hours to drive to the seaside resort of Salina.

Later, visit fishing villages and the ‘chocolatera’ museum. La Chocolatera is one of the main attractions of South America in the Pacific. This place is where the two oceans currents combine and the waves crash against the rocks.

Private tour to Salinas Beach from Guayaquil

Price: from 55 USD

Duration: 8 hours (approx.)

Website:

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7. Full-day Otavalo tour from Quito (from USD 89.0)

best tours in ecuador | full-day otavalo tour from quito

Another point of interest in Otavalo, Quito is the Imbabura and before you arriving at the ‘Mercado de Ponchos’ there are other places called Quisato Solar Watch and San Pablo Lake that you can visit. You will see the beautiful nature at amazing sights from the main attractions. To visit Imbabura takes about 10 hours, overpassing the valley of Guayllabamba to get to the Solar Clock Quitsato by passing the Equator.

There is the Indigenous market, which is the largest market in South America for shopping. Later, don’t miss the chance to go to the Peguche waterfall. There, you will see an attractive ritual and spiritual place where the inhabitants take a sacred bath on the eve of Inti Raymi. The tour guide has great knowledge about this interesting place.

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Otavalo and Imbabura Sightseeing Tour from Quito

Duration: 9.0 hour

34 reviews

8. Ingapirca Ruins: Day trip from Cuenca (from USD 79.0)

Hictorical site of the Pre-Columbian Ingarpica Ruins
Source: GetYourGuide

From Alausi, ride the Devil’s Nose Railway in 90 minutes and observe the remarkable Andean scenery along your journey. Then you will stop at the pre-Columbian Ingarpica Ruins and the largest Inca site in Ecuador from the 16th century. You will spend 12 hours here.

This full day trip will begin from Cuenca and drive to the north of the town of Alausi. You can capture pictures while viewing the Andean panoramas. The train you are riding is a recognized high achievement of the 20th century.

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Ingapirca Ruins: Day Trip from Cuenca

Duration: 12 hour

2 reviews

9. The Andes tour from Quito with the Avenue of The Volcanoes Train Ride (from USD 417.0)

Ecuador train roof ride view 8
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Frank am Main used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Let’s take a challenging trip to The Andes located at the south of the capital city of Quito. Your tour guide is an outstanding person that will assist you in this exploration. It will take two days to explore The Andes through Ecuador’s Avenue of The Volcanoes.

In the winter months, the green mountain tops are covered with white snow. This is in line with the 300-kilometer (185-mile) stretch of the nation’s countryside. During your stopover at Cotopaxi National Park, you will see the active volcano and after that continue your journey at a quaint hacienda in Riobamba before ending your adventure trip towards the famed Devil’s Nose with a two-hour train ride. It will be an unforgettable memory looking at the scenery.

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Andes 2-Day Tour from Quito with Avenue of the Volcanoes Train

Duration: 2 days

5 reviews

10. Quito culinary tour and cooking class (from USD 105.0)


There are a variety of pastries freshly made in Ecuador. You can meet artisan bakers and talented chefs to get secret ingredients and tips to prepare the most popular dishes in Equador. I’m sure you will enjoy being here with very friendly local people. This is the perfect way to learn about the culture, fantastic foods and local activities.

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Quito Culinary Tour and Cooking Class

Duration: 6 hours

10 reviews

Highly recommended tours!

Enjoy and learn how to cook local food here and when you go back to your own country, you can try out a special recipe and share with your loved ones. Every experience you could have in Ecuador is so much fun.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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