Quito
A colonial historic center, museums and markets in a spectacular setting amid the Andes. A strategic base for starting the trip.
Guide to Quito →From Quito to the Avenue of the Volcanoes, from the Galápagos Islands to the Amazon: the most important macro-areas to consider when building your itinerary in Ecuador.
These are the most significant macro-areas to consider when planning a trip to Ecuador. Each destination has different features, seasonality and logistics: use them as a starting point to build an itinerary that fits your time and your style.
Build Your Itinerary →A colonial historic center, museums and markets in a spectacular setting amid the Andes. A strategic base for starting the trip.
Guide to Quito →A more relaxed pace, colonial architecture and a strong cultural identity. A good stop between the southern Andes and routes toward Guayaquil.
Guide to Cuenca →Cotopaxi, Quilotoa and the Andean valleys amid volcanoes, lagoons and high-altitude trails. Ideal for trekking and hacienda stays.
Guide to the Avenue of the Volcanoes →The country's great natural highlight: cruises, island hopping and snorkeling require a clear choice of travel pace.
Guide to the Galápagos Islands →The Amazon rainforest with lodges and guided programs combining boat trips, walks and wildlife watching.
Guide to the Ecuadorian Amazon →Cloud forest, waterfalls and birdwatching with simple logistics, just a few hours from Quito.
Guide to Mindo →Ecuador is a very diverse country: you can't see it all in a single trip, and there's no point trying. The right choice depends on how many days you have, what season you're traveling in, what you want to experience and how much logistical complexity you're willing to handle.
We'll help you decide what to see and what to leave out based on your days and your travel style.
Create Your Personalized Itinerary →It depends on the type of trip. For a first itinerary, consider Quito, the Avenue of the Volcanoes and Cotopaxi, the Galápagos Islands and a slower stop in Otavalo or the high-altitude vineyards. A well-calibrated itinerary always leaves room for acclimatization, since much of continental Ecuador sits at high altitude.
In two weeks you can combine Quito, Cuenca and one or two major areas among the Avenue of the Volcanoes, the Ecuadorian Amazon and the Galápagos Islands. Avoid adding a new region every couple of days: changes in altitude and ecosystem need time to adjust between stops.
Yes, if it's a priority for the trip and you have enough days. The Galápagos Islands add a very different experience, but should be weighed against access times and overall logistics: they require a dedicated flight and at least four or five independent days to enjoy without rushing.
Practical guides to help you choose when to go, what to see, and how to build the itinerary that's right for you.