Ecuador Highlights small group adventure holiday (EE)

14 day active tour taking in Ecuador's highlights

Ecuador Adventure Holiday: See the dramatic Avenue of Volcanoes, getting close to Cotopaxi and Chimborazo, experience the verdant Amazon rainforest, high puna grasslands and fascinating Andean Culture of this diverse, compact country.

This 14 day adventure and sight seeing holiday encompasses some of Ecuador's most stunning scenery.

Despite its small size, Ecuador is one of the most geographically varied countries in the world and is known as a kind of giant natural laboratory. Charles Darwin and Edward Whymper all published adventure books recounting tales of fantastic animals, ice-capped volcanoes and impenetrable Amazonian jungle.

With its snow-capped Andes peaks, the Pacific coast, Galapagos Islands and vast expanse of rainforest this compact and diverse country is rapidly becoming one of the most popular destinations in South America.

This tour aims to take you to many of these areas with their differing cultures and climates, ancient cities, jungle and spectacular Andean mountain scenery experiencing all the earth’s ecological zones from subtropical to arctic.

If you have more time, why not add on a trek along Ecuador's original Inca Trail or an island hopping holiday in the unique wildlife paradise of the Galapagos Islands.

You travel from the vibrant colonial capital of Quito northwards first, to experience the Equator and Otavalo Indian market. We then go south to the slopes of the magnificent ice-topped volcano of Cotopaxi. From one extreme to another, we then head for the wildlife rich Amazon hot and steamy jungle, stopping at the Papallacta mountain hotsprings on the way. After a few days of exploring we climb to the town of Banos, famous for its natural hotsprings and for the many activities on offer, before going southwards to Riobamba to take the breathtaking Devil’s Nose rail ride, negotiating a series of switchbacks.

We reach the colonial city of Cuenca, home of the Panama hat and handicrafts of every kind before travelling onto the port city of Guayaquil where the tour ends. You will receive a warm welcome from the colourful native Indians, witness the inspiring colonial architecture of the cities, experience the vibrant culture of the Hispanic villages and be constantly surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of green mountains patch-worked with corn fields and stark majestic snow-capped volcanoes that reach out to the crystal sky.

Ecuador truly is one if South America’s best kept secrets and now is the time to enjoy the trails and historic sites which are still quiet and off the main tourist routes of this continent.

The optional trekking expedition has a historical context as you follow a 35km portion of the old Inca Royal Trail that ran from Quito to Cusco. Trek through untouched landscapes of lagoons, rivers, natural rock arches and mountain passes to the Ingapirca ruins, the most significant site in Ecuador.

Note:

You can combine your Ecuador holiday with a magical trip to the unique Galapagos Islands. Chose a cruise or if you want to get active have a look at our popular Multi-Activity Holiday. Or if you want to extend your stay on the mainland, explore the wildlife of the beautiful Ecuadorian Amazon jungle.

Please contact the office for information and advice.