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Limpiopungo Lagoon at the foot of the volcano Cotopaxi

Ecuador travel guides

Limpiopungo Lagoon at the foot of the volcano Cotopaxi

Ecuador is known for being the gateway to the Galapagos Islands, but the country has plenty to offer in its own right.

Our travel guides for Ecuador have been written by our country specialists, whose knowledge will help you in the planning stages of your tailor-made holiday to this fascinating country. From exploring the narrow streets and colonial buildings which make up Ecuador’s capital, Quito, to discovering the logistics of travel to the Galapagos Islands, there’s plenty of exhilarating experiences to choose from.

Speak to someone
who's been there
Holly, an Audley Travel specialist

Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Ecuador specialists

Ideas for how to explore Ecuador

Our travel guides share our specialists' passion and knowledge for Ecuador. We travel here regularly to discover new experiences, explore untried areas and dig deeper into the better-known places and attractions. At the same time, we gather advice and up-to-date information on the best-quality guides, new hotels and restaurants, and the most memorable forms of transportation.

  • Where to go in the Amazon: planning your journey into the rainforest
    Caiman, Peruvian Amazon

    Where to go in the Amazon: planning your journey into the rainforest

    Where to go in the Amazon: planning your journey into the rainforest

    Audley specialist Rebecca shares why she loves the Amazon, but explains that planning a trip there comes with a few caveats. She suggests you ask yourself: what is it I really want to see and do in the rainforest?

    8 min read

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  • My perfect trip: a grand tour of mainland Ecuador
    Quito & the Cotopaxi Volcano

    My perfect trip: a grand tour of mainland Ecuador

    My perfect trip: a grand tour of mainland Ecuador

    Ecuador’s more than the Galapagos Islands: it’s South America in miniature. Specialist Caroline talks you through her ideal trip, which includes some of the country’s unsung heroes — from Andean highlands to Amazon backwaters — and her pick of its finest properties.

    7 min read

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  • What to do in Ecuador: our highlights guide
    Canoe trip to Napo Wildlife Centre, Ecuador

    What to do in Ecuador: our highlights guide

    What to do in Ecuador: our highlights guide

    Although famous for the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador offers the visitor a wealth of other attractions, from active volcanoes and spectacular train journeys, to UNESCO World Heritage cities and wildlife trips to the Amazon.

    7 min read

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  • Machu Picchu plus one: tried-and-tested South American combinations
    Machu Picchu, Peru

    Machu Picchu plus one: tried-and-tested South American combinations

    Machu Picchu plus one: tried-and-tested South American combinations

    Did you know that thanks to ever-improving flight connections, you can easily combine Machu Picchu with other South American destinations such as the Galapagos and Argentina — without the need to extend your trip drastically? Our specialists explain how.

    8 min read

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  • The Inca civilisation
    Machu Picchu, Peru

    The Inca civilisation

    The Inca civilisation

    Discover the culture and history of a country on a tailor-made trip, with visits to explore famous sites and others not quite so well known but equally impressive.

    2 min read

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  • Experts guide to the Andes
    Andes, Peru

    Experts guide to the Andes

    Experts guide to the Andes

    Stretching for 4,300 miles, the Andes dramatically dissect the South American continent, and provide a backdrop for some of its most thrilling experiences. Here's how to enjoy the best of these mountains

    7 min read

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  • Ecuador's wildlife beyond the Galapagos: the Amazon and cloudforest
    Monkey in the Amazon, Ecuador

    Ecuador's wildlife beyond the Galapagos: the Amazon and cloudforest

    Ecuador's wildlife beyond the Galapagos: the Amazon and cloudforest

    While Scott from our Latin America team believes that the Galapagos are fundamental to any amateur naturalist’s trip to Ecuador, he’d also encourage you to consider exploring the mainland’s Amazon and cloudforest regions as part of your Ecuador wildlife tour.

    9 min read

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  • South America’s greatest railway journeys: Peru’s Andean Explorer & Ecuador’s Tren Crucero
    Belmond Andean Explorer Sleeper Train

    South America’s greatest railway journeys: Peru’s Andean Explorer & Ecuador’s Tren Crucero

    South America’s greatest railway journeys: Peru’s Andean Explorer & Ecuador’s Tren Crucero

    Travel on South America’s foremost luxury sleeper train service, Peru’s Belmond Andean Explorer, or voyage down Ecuador’s Avenue of Volcanoes on comfortable day trains. Audley specialist Holly describes why you might want to experience the continent from a railway carriage.

    6 min read

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