You can discover the country's unparalleled biodiversity and rich culture with a week in Ecuador. We've assembled some immersive itineraries worth checking out, such as this Ecuadorian Highlands adventure that takes you to the bustling Otavalo Market, the gorgeous Cotopaxi National Park, and the remarkable city of Cuenca. For families who enjoy the beach, consider an itinerary similar to this Pacific Coast itinerary, which includes canoeing in the Manglares Churute Reserve, beach days in Salinas and Puerto López, and a trip to Isla de la Plata. If you're looking for a trip with plenty of fun activities for all ages, opt for an itinerary like this family-friendly adventure, where you can enjoy a kid-friendly cooking class in Quito, the thermal baths of Baños, and an Amazon jungle adventure in Tena.
See our itineraries below or read our guide to the best 7-day trips in Ecuador.
Traverse the very best of the Ecuadorian highlands on this 7-day itinerary. Starting and finishing in the capital, Quito, you will encounter bustling markets, awe-inspiring volcanoes, centuries-old colonial towns and Inca ruins. There's great hiking along the way in terrain ranging from glaciers and high-level plateau through to forests and waterfalls.
This action-packed seven-day tour of Ecuador is perfect for travelers searching for adventure, culture and spectacular scenery all within a few hours' drive from the capital Quito. The trip begins with a thrilling bike ride down an active volcano and continues with hikes in the cloud forest, a climb up a waterfall and visits to an indigenous community. There will be plenty of opportunities to unwind too, with stops at hot springs and a quiet, mountainside hacienda.
Leave the cold climes of Quito and descend to the sinuous rivers and sticky jungle of the Ecuadorian Amazon, one of the most bio-diverse places on Earth. On this 7-day itinerary, you will wildlife-spot along mighty waterways, climb into rainforest canopies, brave some of South America’s best white-water rapids and bathe in beautiful thermal pools. If you are set on exploring the Amazon, Ecuador is one of the best places to do it.
This weeklong itinerary is perfect for travelers who are interested in seeing the astoundingly beautiful landscapes of Ecuador. Travel along the Andean highlands to see ancient volcanoes, sacred waterfalls, and lagoons before ending your trip in the lush coastal lowlands. At the end of each adventurous day, you will be able to relax at beautifully restored haciendas that will allow you to step back in time.
Use Ecuador's capital as your base for this adventure-packed, weeklong trip. Explore Quito's colonial past and visit the equator line, head to the lush Mindo Cloud Forest to see its incredible diversity of wildlife, and browse local markets for handmade art and handicrafts. No trip to Ecuador would be complete without a visit to one of the country's volcanos, and you'll get to hike two: Quilotoa and Cotopaxi.
Ecuador is famous for its snow-capped volcanoes and UNESCO historic sites, and you'll get to visit both on this 7-day itinerary. In Quito, visit colonial churches, stand on both hemispheres at the Middle of the World, and hike the nearby Ruco Pichincha Volcano. You'll also hike the Pasochoa Volcano, admire the scenery in Cotopaxi, and browse for gifts at mountain markets.
If you want to visit Ecuador but can't decide between city or rainforest life, this itinerary has the best of both worlds. Start in Quito to see colonial churches and visit the equatorial line, then head to the Amazon rainforest. Spend three days in Yasuni National Park relaxing at an ecolodge, panning for gold in a stream, and learning to make chocolate the authentic way.
You can pack a lot of adventure into a week in Ecuador, and this family-friendly itinerary does just that as it takes you from high-altitude Quito to the Amazon rainforest. Active kids and parents will love hiking the Andean highlands in Cotopaxi National Park, chasing waterfalls around Baños, riding a boat to your remote ecolodge in the Amazon, meeting the local wildlife at a jungle sanctuary, and much more.
If rushing around with small kids in tow doesn't sound like your idea of fun, you're in luck—this weeklong family vacation bases you in Quito so you can see the best of Ecuador's capital and its surroundings at a gentler pace. Little ones can sample tasty snacks on a street food tour, ride a cable car up volcanic slopes, and get their hands dirty with a family cooking class. When you feel like escaping the city, fun-filled day trips to the Mindo Cloud Forest, Cotopaxi, and the Papallacta hot springs await.
Escape from it all on this exhilarating seven-day journey through Ecuador. Start in the capital of Quito, which sits between two impressive mountain peaks. Take a road trip to Baños to follow the Avenue of Waterfalls along the Río Pastaza, relax in the natural hot springs, and observe the active volcano of Tungurahua. Continue to Archidona for two nights in a rainforest lodge, with canoeing and wildlife-spotting in a lush biosphere reserve.
This active and incredibly scenic tour hones in on Ecuador's distinct landscapes. Kick off the adventure in Quito where you'll meet your guide, and then head south creating a simple loop through the Andean highlands and Amazon rainforest, exploring volcanoes, caves, and waterfalls along the way. You'll also participate in hiking, canyoning, and river rafting—with plenty of free time to chill and enjoy the tasty cuisine (and chocolate) along the way.
Check off two of Ecuador's most iconic locales on this memorable seven-day family adventure. Learn about Quito's colonial past on a kid-friendly private walking experience around the city center, and straddle two hemispheres at the interactive site of Mitad del Mundo. Then it's off to the Galápagos for four glorious days of nature, wildlife, and beaches—as you make family memories with kayaking, snorkeling, and boating trips around Isla San Cristóbal and Isla Santa Cruz.
Explore the wonders of Ecuador's undiscovered Pacific coast on this relaxed weeklong itinerary for families. Hopping between the coastal cities of Guayaquil, Puerto López, and Salinas, you'll embark on an itinerary of scenic hikes, wildlife spotting, and plenty of quiet family beach time. Highlights include sailing to the real "Treasure Island" of Isla de la Plata, paddling through the mangroves of the Manglares Churute Reserve, and meeting the basking land iguanas along Guayaquil's waterfront promenade.
Young explorers and aspiring adventurers will love this family-friendly itinerary that takes you from the high-altitude capital of Quito to the biodiverse rainforests of Yasuní National Park. Head deep into the Ecuadorian Amazon for three nights in a jungle lodge, where kids can spot remarkable wildlife like monkeys, otters, and parrots. Broaden their horizons with visits to the local Indigenous community, then fly back to Quito for kid-friendly museums and a scenic cable car ride over the capital.
Immerse yourself in Ecuador's cultural heritage over seven days, which will take you from the cobbled streets of highland cities to the rainforests and tribal communities of the Amazon. In Quito, you'll discover Ecuadorian heritage through its cuisine with private cooking classes and chocolate tours, plus visit Indigenous communities in nearby towns. Then, venture deep into the Amazon to an exclusive lodge near Yasuni National Park for jungle adventures like nature hikes and ancient purification rituals.
Pamper yourself on a weeklong escape to Ecuador to see the best of the central highlands, from Quito to the cloud forests. Enjoy first-class hotels and dining as you stroll the cobbled streets of the capital's UNESCO-listed historic center and set foot on the equator that divides the hemispheres. Then, embark on rainforest adventures like birding and nature hikes at a remote luxury lodge in Mashpi before returning to Quito for a soothing day at the natural hot springs.
Mix luxury travel, cultural immersion, and a dash of outdoor adventure on this relaxed weeklong escape to Ecuador. It starts in the capital of Quito with tours of its historic Old Town, private cooking classes, and fine dining at the best restaurants. Then, push north to the Indigenous markets and historic haciendas of Otavalo, where you'll visit artisan workshops, hike around volcanic crater lakes, try your hand at traditional embroidery, and soar over the Andean highlands in a hot-air balloon.
Pack a hefty dose of outdoor adventures in Ecuador into a mere seven days—all while traveling in the lap of luxury. The first-class treatment begins on arrival in Quito, where you'll enjoy pampering and spa treatments at your 5-star hotel before taking to the skies on a thrilling private helicopter tour. After a culinary workshop to discover Ecuador's ancient flavors, you'll head south to hike and horseback ride around volcanoes, crater lakes, waterfalls, and much more.
Journey from the Pacific to the Andes in luxury with this southern Ecuador trip that features 5-star hotels and grand haciendas. It starts on the coast in Guayaquil, where you'll visit historic parks, enjoy chocolate tours, and hike to waterfalls from your base at a sprawling countryside estate. Then, head inland to explore the prairies of Cajas National Park and the colonial charms of Cuenca, where you'll dive into local life with intimate cultural experiences and a visit to ancient Inca ruins.
Spend a week exploring the small but mighty Ecuador, from mountains to rainforest to coast. Climb above Quito for sweeping views of the capital and the surrounding Andes, then head deep into the Amazon rainforest for a two-night stay in an ecolodge. Canoe on the river, discover ancient medicinal plants, and visit a local Indigenous village before returning to Quito to catch a flight to the Pacific coast. Here you'll take a boat tour of Isla de la Plata near Puerto López before departing from colorful Guayaquil.
As exciting as it is to explore Ecuador's limitless natural wonders, its history and Indigenous culture are equally rewarding. That's exactly what you'll do over seven days, starting with luxury tours of Quito's Spanish-colonial Old Town, followed by an Ecuadorian chocolate-tasting experience. Then, you're off to the Amazon to visit native communities before sampling Ecuadorian fine dining and finishing the adventure with relaxing soaks in natural hot springs.
