Blessed with a bonanza of perfect beaches and the wildlife haven of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador’s wealth of natural riches creates a one-stop shop for incredible experiences. Whether it’s spotting hummingbirds in the Amazon rainforest, seeing a condor swoop through the Andes or getting an up-close view of marine life along the coast – Ecuador is unrivalled in serving up South America’s best.
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Terms & ConditionsAmazing wildlife, both on land and underwater, is the drawcard of the remote Galapagos...
Visit South America and travel to the Galapagos Islands, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia....
Travel to the Galapagos Islands and sail around the central eastern islands, witnessing...
Sail the aquamarine waters of the Galapagos’s central southern islands taking in...
See the Galapagos Islands on an eight-day adventure including Isla Isabela, Isla Santa...
Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
Spend 10 unforgettable days on board the Grand Daphne, discovering the central islands...
Explore the Galapagos Islands on this island-hopping tour that begins in Quito and...
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As far as face-to-face wildlife encounters go, the Galapagos wildlife experience rivals...
Take an active 10-day adventure cruise though the Galapagos Islands, from Isla Santa...
Travel to the Galapagos Islands from Quito and embark on a sailing adventure around...
Explore the best of the otherworldly Galapagos Islands on this 10-day tour that takes...
Embark on an immersive Adventure Cruise through the Galapagos Islands and experience...
Discover the treasures of the northern Galapagos Islands on this cruise, including Isla...
Take to the water and explore the beautiful Galapagos Islands. See huge populations of...
Take to cerulean waters to explore the beautiful Galapagos Islands. See huge...
Explore the Islands of the Galapagos on this startling adventure that highlights the...
Explore the central islands of the Galapagos on this startling adventure that...
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Experience the highlights of Peru and the Galapagos Islands on this 30-day tour,...
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Explore the Amazon Jungle, Cotopaxi National Park, and Pailon del Diablo waterfall on...
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Journey deep into the Amazon and spend three days in the jungle searching for wildlife,...
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Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality. Check the Essential Trip Information section of the itinerary for more information.
While tipping isn’t mandatory, tips are very much appreciated by service workers and guides. Leaving a 10% tip is customary in restaurants. Some automatically add a 10% service charge to your bill, in which case an extra tip isn’t required.
Internet can be accessed at internet cafes and hotels in large cities and towns but is limited in rural and remote areas.
Mobile phone coverage is good in Ecuador’s cities, but may not be available in rural and mountainous areas. Ensure global roaming is activated with your service provider before leaving home.
Ecuador has a mix of Western-style flushable toilets and squat toilets. Either way, always carry your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer, as these are not always provided. You’ll notice that most flushable toilets have a wastebasket next to them. This is because toilets in Ecuador can’t handle toilet paper and will overflow if you try to flush it. Instead, always put used toilet paper in these baskets.
Short bus ride = USD 0.20
Juice = USD 1
Street food snack = USD 1.50
Simple lunch = USD 3-5
Sit down dinner at a cafe or restaurant = US$10
Travellers should avoid drinking tap water in Ecuador. For environmental reasons, try to avoid bottled water. Ask your leader where filtered water can be found as some hotels provide this. Remember to peel fruit and vegetables before eating and avoid ice in drinks.
Credit cards are usually accepted by hotels, large retailers and tourist sites but are less commonly accepted by smaller vendors and family-run restaurants and market stalls. Always carry enough cash for smaller purchases in case credit cards are not an option.
ATMs are easily found in the large cities and airports, although are less common in rural and remote areas. When travelling out of the city, be prepared by having enough cash, as ATMs aren't always available.
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of your trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
For a current list of public holidays in Ecuador go to: https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/south-america/ecuador/public-holidays/
Most people can start to feel the effects of altitude at over 2000 m (6561 ft) regardless of age, gender or fitness level. Quito, as well as other tourist spots, sit above this elevation and some travellers might experience symptoms of altitude sickness, including shortness of breath, headache, nausea and loss of appetite. It’s important to take it easy, drink plenty of water and speak to your group leader at once if you feel unwell.
We recommend seeing your doctor if you have any health concerns before undertaking the trip. Particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition or take any medication.
Ecuador requires proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever. Many South and Central American countries pose a risk (including Argentina, Brazil and Colombia), so if you are planning on visiting other nearby nations before Ecuador you may be required to get this vaccine.
Visit your doctor or travel clinic for advice and make sure to schedule your vaccination 4-6 weeks before your departure date, as some require time to become effective. No other vaccines are required in order to enter Ecuador but some are recommended for protection against disease.
Ecuador is a relatively hassle-free destination for LGBTQI-travellers. Same-sex marriage was legalised here in 2008 and the country hosts several fiestas where it’s acceptable for men to cross-dress as women. In saying that, conservative attitudes still largely exist throughout the country and LGBTQI travellers are generally advised to use discretion.
For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or ILGA before you travel.
Intrepid is committed to travelling in a way that is respectful of local people, their culture, local economies and the environment. It's important to remember that what may be acceptable behaviour, dress and language in your own country, may not be appropriate in another. Please keep this in mind while travelling.
In Ecuador, we stay in locally run accommodation including guesthouses, smaller-scale hotels and homestays in an effort to support the local economies. We also visit locally-run restaurants and markets where travellers will have opportunities to support local businesses and purchase handicrafts created by local artisans.
The Intrepid Foundation provides travellers with an opportunity to give something back to the many wonderful communities we travel to. By donating to The Intrepid Foundation you can make a difference in local communities - in health care, education, human rights, child welfare and the protection of wildlife and the environment.
In Ecuador, The Intrepid Foundation proudly supports:
We have a variety of similar destinations, trips and routes that you could consider! Tie another trip into your holiday, or, see how we can help you get from A to B. We have tours departing from a range of locations across South America. The options below may be of interest:
Quito to La Paz
Quito to Lima
Tours from Quito
Tours to Quito
Galapagos Tours from Quito