What our customers say...
“We have returned safely back home yesterday morning. Tired but happy. It was an amazing experience to visit Ecuador and Galapagos. The organization was perfect! We did feel like traveling with friends If anybody plans to come to Ecuador, we will definitely recommend EC TRAVEL” - Rolf Pekar, Czech Republic. April’10. “We were a little group of four people travelling through the wonderfol country of Ecuador. We spend our time on several places like Quito, in the jungle in a beautiful lodge called Yachana, Cuenca, Banos, Guayacil, Puerto López and Esmeraldas which was organized by EC travel. Thank you Rafael for the nice moments, we’ve learned a lot about the culture and the life in Ecuador.We also enjoyed travelling with you as an excellent guide. We can recommend ec travel for all who want to make a journey which is secure and full of adventure. - Christie, Jonas, Petra and Natalie, Germany. August’08
The Ecuadorian Andes
The Andes hold some of the most important ecosystems in our Country. From Rainforests considered being some of the main biodiversity biodiversityhotspots hotspotsininthe theworld, world,to tothe theclosest highestpoint active tovolcano the sun on in our planet. These are not to be left unseen. Cotopaxi volcano
Breath in the sierra air...Go Andes
Quito A vibrant city full of history and legends. It was the first city in the world to be declared human patrimony of mankind by the UNESCO, Quito is also known as “Luz de America” (Light of America). Founded on 1534, San Francisco de Quito is said to be built over an ancient Inca village. The Architecture architecture shows shows an incredible an blend of cultures, incredible blend ofwhich cultures, can which be seen can in be placesinlike seen places the like Basilica, the Basilica, a gothicachurch gothic with local church withanimals local animals like dolphins, like dolphins, iguanas and turtles iguanas andinstead turtles of instead gargoyles. of gargoyles. Apart from the Historical Center, this city enjoys some incredible hotels, delicious restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.
Iglesia de la Compañia
Iglesia de la Compañia
Iglesia de la Catedral
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Teatro Sucre
MINDO Mindo is a small little village located in the heart of one of Ecuador’s rainforests. It has an incredible biodiversity. Over 500 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies and countless species of orchids call this place home. Hike through the rainforest, jump from a waterfall 12 mts high, tube down the river or relax in a beautiful lodge. Mindo is one eco-destination that shouldn’t miss in your Ecuador experience.
Cock of the Rock
Tubing down
Hummingbird
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Canopy lines
COTOPAXI The Cotopaxi is one the highest active volcano in the world. Located only one hour and a half from Quito, the Cotopaxi National Park provides an incredible opportunity to experience the Andean “Paramo� first hand. It has 33.390 hectares and is the most visited mainland park in the continental part of Ecuador. Enjoy a picnic in the Limpiopungo Lake located at 3850 mts of altitude, do some downhill biking in the volcano or horseback ride throughout the valley. Climbing is possible in two days, it is not considered to be a technical or difficult climb, but special equipment and acclimatization are required.
Cotopaxi Summit
Cotopaxi Volcano
Horseback riding
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Friends at Cotopaxi
Otavalo Otavalo holds the biggest traditional folkloric handicraft market in the country,a place full of color,culture and life. You will find that Otavalo’s charm is not only in its sights and markets, but also its people who are well known by their kindness. Otavalo enjoys a prime location, located around incredible natural sights like the Cuicocha Lake, a beautiful volcanic crater made into a lake over the years. On our tours, we will visit not only the markets and sights, but enjoy a full day with an Otavalean family in their home in Iluman. An activity that involves over 40 members between handicraft producers, musicians, housewives and dancers from this small community.
Otavalean Dancers
Shaman
The Mals family and friends
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Don Angel’s looming factory
Ba単os Ba単os is a city of adrenaline, ecotourism and adventure. Located in the skirts of the Tungurahua volcano, this is an exciting and safe destination that holds an incredible variety of activities. Take a chiva ride to the volcano at night, do some rafting, canyoning or swing jumping. Or take a hike through the most beautiful waterfalls in the country, take a splash on the rivers or hike in the cloud forest. Ba単os is a magical place.
Manto de la Novia
Manto de la Novia
Canyoning
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Rafting
Papallacta Papallacta is a small village located at an altitude of 3,300 m in the Andes just off the Eastern Cordillera on the road from Quito which leads into the Amazon jungle. The scenic drive from Quito passes through several towns and small villages before ascending to a peak of over 4,000 m where views of mountains and glaciers are visible. Descending from the peak to Papallacta, one passes through the portal where the ecosystems transform from alpine to tropical jungle. The village of Papallacta itself is not known as a tourist destination but houses several hot springs and spas.
Papallacta Lake
Termas de Papallacta
Antisana
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Termas de Papallacta
Ingapirca This ruins are the largest Incan ruins in Ecuador. The most significant building is the temple of the sun, an elliptical shaped building constructed around a large rock. The building is made in the Incan way without mortar. The stones were simply chiseled and fashioned to fit together perfectly. The temple of the sun was positioned so that on the solstices, at exactly the right time of day, sunlight would fall through the center of the doorway of the small chamber at the top of the temple. Although most of this chamber has fallen down, one can still marvel with the beauty of these ruins.
Temple of the sun
Temple of the sun
Stairwell
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Temple of the sun
RIOBAMBA Riobamba is the capital of the Chimborazo Province in central Ecuador, located at the Chambo River Valley of the Andes. It is 200 km (125 miles) south of Ecuador’s capital Quito and located at 9,000 feet (2,700 m) on the Avenue of the Volcanoes. It is considered to be the City of the Andes as on a clear day you can see four of the main volcanoes in Ecuador: Chimborazo, Carihuairazo, Altar and Tungurahua.
Chimborazo volcano
Girl from Chimborazo
Devil’s nose train
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Church in Riobamba
Cuenca Cuenca (full name Santa Ana de los cuatro ríos de Cuenca) is the third largest city in Ecuador by population, which totals 467,000. It is the capital of the Azuay Province. It is located in the highlands of Ecuador at about 2500m (8200 ft) above sea level. The center of the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Trust site because of its historical buildings. It is considered to be the most traditional city in Ecuador. The Cajas National Park located nearby, holds a beautiful Andean “paramo” setting with over 230 lakes.
Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción
Llama at Cajas
Iglesia de San Blas
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Arch at Catedral
Around 300 kms of beatiful beaches, exotic food, delicious cocktails and sunsets await. The coast of Ecuador is very diverse. Each destination has a special appeal of its own. Enjoy a nice luxurious hotel in Salinas, try your surfing skills in the vibrant beach of Monta単ita and discover your paradise at Los Frailes. Or enjoy a delicious coconut shake in the lively Atacames, and continue down to the spacious and sunny beach of Canoa
Take the plunge...Go beach
Los Frailes
The Ecuadorian Coast
Puerto Lopez & Machalilla National Park
Humpback whale breaching The Machalilla National Park is amongst the most important parks in Ecuador and holds some incredible sights and landscapes to visit: Los Frailes beach, considered the most beautiful on the continental side, the Isla de la Plata, once called “Little Galapagos� as blue footed boobies, masked boobies, frigates and green turtles call this island home. The island provides excellent scuba diving conditions. Massive coral reefs, beatiful reef fish, moray eels, manta rays, rays and more can be seen here. Puerto Lopez is an enchanting and magical destination. A small fishermen village it enjoys a prime location close to Machalilla National Park main attractions. Humpback whales come to this coasts to mate and breed during July to September.
Humpback whale
Blue footed booby
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Sulfur pool in Aguablanca
The Amazon Jungle
The Amazon region is the world’s largest rainforest, where over a third of the earth’s freshwater flows. It is considered the biologically richest area on earth because of its enormous diversity and unique species. There are innumerable varieties of flora, including many of Ecuador’s 4,500 species of orchids, and many plants with medicinal value. Wildlife such as butterflies, bats, monkeys, sloths, parrots, macaws, river dolphins and caimans are some of the possible sightings you can have. Cascada Magica, El Chaco
Discover the untold... Go Jungle.
The best way to explore the Amazon is with a Jungle Lodge. Our catalogue has the best and most reknowned lodges in Ecuador in different locations, each with its own unique experience. When choosing an option, you should consider four key factors: location, time availability, budget and the activities that you have most interest in. Lodges that are closer to the Andes are a less expensive option that can be done in less days, and will give you a very good impression of the experience of the rainforest.
Kichwa man, Yachana Lodge
Kapawi Lodge
Casa del Suizo
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Napo Wildlife Center
Lodges that are deep within the Amazon jungle have higher operation costs, and therefore are more expensive. Depending on their location, some offer higher possibilities of animal and bird sightings than nearby lodges. Some even offer canopy bridges and towers specifically designed for birdwatchers. Other lodges offer a more cultural approach by designing programs with the surrounding communities or even sharing some of the resort’s management with them.
Napo Wildlife Center
La Selva Lodge
Sacha Lodge
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Tapir Lodge
Galapagos Islands
Home of Darwin’s theory of evolution. The Galapagos Islands are a breathtaking experience. Enjoy the amazing and unique flora and fauna these islands hold. Snorkel or dive and explore a completely different world than the one we know. Watch evolution happen... Go Island
Sea lion, San Cristobal
Galapagos The magical Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most peculiar species in the world, like the Giant Galapagos Turtles, marine iguanas and Galapagos Penguins. The archipelago is one of the most exotic and diverse destinations in the world. It provides the rare opportunity to appreciate wildlife on its natural habitat. They also hold one of the most incredible underwater ecosystems in the planet. Only reachable by airplane from Ecuador’s mainland, this archipelago consists of 15 main islands, 3 small islands and 107 rocks and islets.
Galapagos Penguins, Isabela
*Courtesy from Red Mangrove Lodges
Las Tintoreras, Isabela
Galapagos Turtle
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Pinnacle Rock, Bartolome
Galapagos cruises There are three ways of exploring the Galapagos: Cruise or Yacht: This is the best way to travel. By sleeping in a cruise you reduce travel time between islands and maximize your land time during the day. This is why ships can visit more islands and more destinations that the other options. The downside is that this is the most expensive option, although we offer more economic cruises we advice our guests to carefully consider choosing a economic cruise. 4 and 5 days cruises usually travel either to the west or east of the archipelago while 8 day cruises visit both sides.
M/C Nina, Catamaran
M/V Grace, Yacht
Archipel II, Catamaran
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Galapagos Legend, Cruise
Island Hopping Island Hopping: An excellent alternative that do not wish to spend their days in a vessel. We offer the option of visiting and sleeping in 3 to 4 of the main islands in high quality hotels. (Santa Cruz, Floreana, Isabela and San Cristobal). The advantage of this program is experiencing more land time on this four islands than any cruise.
Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge
Isabela Lodge
Floreana Lodge
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Aventura Lodge
land tours Budget travelling (Day tours from Santa Cruz): An economic option to exploring the islands. Guests sleep in one 3 star hotel in Santa Cruz and do day trips to nearby islands. Usually visits include Santa Fe and Floreana, and the Santa Cruz highlands and sights. The downside of this tour is that transfer times between islands can range from 45 min to 1 and a half hour one way depending on sea conditions, hence reducing the time for exploring. We do not recommend this option unless you are in a tight budget.
Marine Iguana
Sea Lion
Flamingos
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Blue footed boobies
Ecuador’s Underwater world
Exploring the Ecuador’s underwater world is a unique experience and it is one of our favorite things to do. Diving takes you to places you never imagined, it brings a world of exploring and learning. The Galapagos Islands hold one of the most diverse and unique marine ecosystems in the planet while the Machalilla National Park is considered the best diving spot in continental Ecuador. Mantaray, Isla de la Plata
Take a deep breath... Go Diving
Machalilla national park The Machalilla National park’s underwater surroundings are abundant in coral reefs, gorgonian coral, black coral and more. It is a great place to snorkel and even a better place to dive. Dive difficulty goes from easy to advanced depending on the dive site. Reef fish, rays, moray eels, green turtles and other marine species, make their way through. Sometimes manta rays, sunfishes and other big pelagic species arrive. Over 12 years of experience with diving and being the only PADI IDC 5 star divecenter in Ecuador guarantees that you will be diving with the most qualified professionals in the country.
Explora I
Male boxfish
Dive buddies
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Green turtle
Galapagos With over 300 different fish species up to date, from which 17% are endemic, 27 shark species, 31 non-reef builing corals, from which 30% are endemic, over 600 of mollusk species and more, it is no wonder why Galapagos has been considered one of the best diving sites in the world. This islands hold an underwater paradise waiting to be explored. Galapagos has some incredible dive sites, some of them close to Puerto Ayora like: Academy bay, La loberia, Punta Estrada and the world famous Gordon Rocks. Our day tours comprise two dives on sites around Santa Cruz island, Seymour, Floreana and Champion Island.
Whaleshark
Hammerhead shark
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Sea horse