Day Trips & Excursions in Ecuador

Enjoy a day at beautiful Garrapatero Beach on this eco day trip from Puerto Ayora. Bike across a lovely stretch of Santa Cruz Island to the protected Cerro Mesa Ecological Reserve, where you can enjoy a guided nature walk and fantastic island views from a lookout. At Garrapatero, relax with a waterfront picnic on the pristine white sand, venture into the crystalline waters on an optional kayak ride and soak up the serene, unspoiled landscape populated by birds like flamingos and mallards.

Spend a full-day at the UNESCO listed Cajas National Park on a private day tour. Skip the confusion and irregular schedules of public transit with private hotel pickup and drop-off.  With a private guide by your side, all you have to do is enjoy the adventure. Your two hikes at different altitude levels offer spectacular views. Along the way, stop for lunch at a local restaurant.

This roundtrip hiking & biking tour of Cotopaxi National Park from Quito has everything you're looking for in a memorable South American adventure. Drive down the Pan-American Highway through the Avenue of the Volcanoes to reach Cotopaxi National Park for sweeping views and an Andean-style breakfast. Discover unique geology, flora and fauna with a hike to Limpiopungo Lake, then gear up and cruise downhill on a mountain bike through volcanic landscapes.

Explore the rugged surroundings and stunning scenery of Cotopaxi National Park and Cotopaxi Volcano during this 8-hour day trip. Enjoy a short hike into the Limpiopungo Valley before driving ever-higher into this sky-high region, stopping at the 15,800-foot (4830-meter) Padre Rivas Refuge. If you're feeling up for it, you'll continue to the 16,500-foot (5,050-meter) Cotopaxi Glacier. This Cotopaxi day trip also includes national park fees, a guide, bottled water, round-trip hotel transport and an optional trip upgrade with lunch.

Experience unique Ecuadorian culture on a full-day market tour to Otavalo and Cotacachi Market. Comfortable transportation will pick you and other group members up from two convenient Quito locations, before taking you to the Mazapan handicrafts market in Calderon.  A stop at the Otalvo market is the perfect opportunity for taking photos.  You'll enjoy a hearty lunch in Cotacachi before exploring the natural area surrounding it.

Spend the day exploring some of Ecuador's top attractions with this popular tour from Quito. Follow your expert local guide to Nanegalito, where you'll savor the region's unique and bold flavors. Visit the Museum of Tulipe, sip coffee at the Reserve of Bellavista and trek through the lush landscapes, then make a stop at the Middle of the World Museum on the equator.

Cajas National Park with its 200 glacial lakes and numerous hiking trails is easily one of the most beautiful places in Ecuador. With this tour, travelers with limited time in Cuenca can still spend a few hours exploring the Andean highlands with two guided hikes through two different forest ecosystems.

The Galapagos Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most bio-diverse places on earth, but you don't have to take a pricey multi-day tour to experience Ecuador's natural wonders. Discover Bartolome Island on this full-day tour from Santa Cruz, marvel at the extraordinary volcanic landscapes and enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding islands. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Take a thrilling journey through the Andes on the Devil's Nose Train on this full-day tour from Cuenca. Marvel at the wild mountain scenery, tuck into a delicious Ecuadorian lunch, and explore the ancient Inca ruins of Ingapirca. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Explore the iconic area of Bartolome Island on a full-day tour from Puerto Ayora. This volcanic island is rich in biodiversity both on land and underwater. Take in the beautiful landscapes from the viewpoint at the top of the island and discover the abundant marine life with a snorkeling excursion. Enjoy a boxed lunch and listen to informative commentary from your guide throughout the day.

Spend the day touring some of Quito's top attractions and experience the thrill of enjoying extreme activities during this full-day option that's perfect for first-time visitors. Straddle two hemispheres at the Middle of the World, volunteer for experiments at Intiñan Museum, then soar over jungle canopies and scenic landscapes on a Tarzan Swing in one of the surrounding valleys.

Cajas National Park protects a huge swath of lake-dotted Andean grasslands - one of the most biologically diverse in the Andes range - just west of Cuenca. During this full-day tour, save time waiting in line at the national park visitors center, and go on a hike through highlands, wetlands, and a Polylepis forest, home to the highest altitude trees in the world. This leaves time for lunch at a local restaurant specializing in fresh trout.

Escape the city on this memorable adventure that includes stops at two of Ecuador's incredible volcanoes. Enjoy an exciting 3-hour horseback ride across the Pululahua Crater and head to the Mital del Mundo complex located at the equator. Learn the history of local tribes and how they cultivate the volcanic land. This thrilling outdoor excursion is perfect for first time visitors looking to make the most of their time in Quito. Upgrade your tour an indulge in lunch with panoramic views over the valley and cloud forest. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Immerse yourself in the wild terrain of Ecuador's Cotopaxi National Park during this 8-hour combination biking and hiking excursion. Journey through the surreal volcanic landscape and grassy highlands in Cotopaxi to begin a hike to the 15,780-foot (4,810-meter) Jorge Rivas Refuge. You'll also have a chance to admire the park's glaciers amidst the sky-high environs of Limpiopungo Lagoon at 16,400 feet (5,000 meters). Finish your day with a thrilling (optional) downhill bike ride and lunch before returning to Quito. Your Cotopaxi adventure includes national park fees, breakfast and lunch and cycling equipment.

Spend eight hours exploring the Cloud Forest of Quito, visiting a local cacao farm and sampling handmade chocolates on this memorable tour from Quito. Take a leisurely hike through scenic landscapes, make a stop at the World Museum in Quito and sample freshly brewed local coffee at Bella Vista.

This full-day tour of the Mindo Cloud Forest from Quito, Ecuador is designed to combine nature and adventure in one of the most biodiverse regions on earth. Explore the Mindo-Nambillo Ecological Reserve looking for birds in the wild and at hummingbird feeders in Mindo town. Choose a zipline adventure (extra cost) or a jungle hike to a waterfall, then relax with lunch and more birds or butterflies.

Cover the highlights of Quito, including the Middle of the World (Mitad del Mundo), the Intiñan Museum, and the Pululahua Crater, on this double-decker bus tour. During the full day, you'll learn about the landmarks and popular attractions in Quito from your guide and enjoy VIP access to all of the attractions in the Middle of the World Complex.

Head to the wetlands on Isabela Island for a 3-hour walking tour to discover the area's diverse wildlife. See animals such as flamingos, land turtles, and many species of birds along the way. Learn about the area's rugged volcanic terrain from your guide and even see the island's first cemetery with ancient tombs from its first inhabitants.

Make sure you check this must-do off your list while visiting Ecuador by booking ahead for a ride on the Devil's Nose train. With a guide providing commentary, enjoy the ride on the marvel of engineering, which tackles near-perpendicular walls and gives views of the Chanchan River. Learn about the traditions and history of the Puruhuas native community in Sibambe and get a chance to take photos and explore on your own during free time.

Spend the day exploring the stunning natural landscapes of Ecuador on this full-day Quilotoa Lake hiking tour from Quito. Your expert guide will lead you through tropical forests to one of the area's most beautiful lagoons. Make stops at a quiet village and local markets as part of this incredible day away from the city.