Experience Ecuador
From cities to highlands, discover the vibrant culture and stunning landscapes of Ecuador.
Learn how melcocha candy is made during a workshop. Visit with a local community in Riobamba then learn how to dance the salsa in Cuenca—and these are just a few of the many cultural immersion activities you’ll experience while in this beautiful country.
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Day 1: Fly to Ecuador
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 2: Quito
Visit the Church of la Compañía de Jesús
Take an excursion to the equatorial line
Visit the Intiñan Museum and witness the natural forces at work near the equator
Take a tour of Quito
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Independence Plaza
- Government Palace
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Day 3: Quito • Baños
Travel to Baños
Take a tour of Baños
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Old Cathedral
- New Cathedral
Learn how melcocha is made and shaped at a local candy workshop
Enjoy an authentic Ecuadorian cooking class
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Day 4: Baños • Riobamba
Enjoy a hike on one of the many trails through the Baños rainforest
Travel to Riobamba
Participate in cultural immersion activities
- Observe farming, handicrafts, cooking
- Eat lunch with the community
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Day 5: Riobamba • Ingapirca • Cuenca
Travel to Cuenca via Ingapirca
Visit the ruins at Ingapirca
Learn how your food travels from farm to table during a guided visit to the Gastronomic Museum
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Day 6: Cuenca
Take a Tour Director-led walking tour of Cuenca
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Old Cathedral
- New Cathedral
- Flower market
Visit the Straw Hat Museum to learn about the history of this traditional accessory
Enjoy an interactive experience with locals outside of Cuenca
Visit a ceramics shop
Take a traditional dance lesson
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Day 7: Cuenca • Guayaquil • Depart for home
Travel to Guayaquil
Visit Cajas National Park
Visit a cocoa farm
Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home
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Day 8: Arrive home
Add 3 more days
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Day 8: Guayaquil • Puerto López
Travel via the Ruta del Spondylus to Puerto López
Stop for a photo at one of the beautiful beaches on the way to Puerto López
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Day 9: Puerto López
Enjoy a boat ride to Machalilla National Park
Enjoy a boat ride to Machalilla National Park
Tour Isla de la Plata with an expert local guide
Go snorkeling
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Day 10: Puerto López • Dos Mangas • Guayaquil • Depart for home
Travel via Dos Mangas to Guayaquil
Hike in the coastal rainforest
Visit a handicraft workshop
Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home
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Day 11: Arrive home
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Day 1: Fly to Ecuador
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 2: Quito
Visit the Church of la Compañía de Jesús
Take an excursion to the equatorial line
Visit the Intiñan Museum and witness the natural forces at work near the equator
Take a tour of Quito
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Independence Plaza
- Government Palace
-
Day 3: Quito • Baños
Travel to Baños
Take a tour of Baños
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Old Cathedral
- New Cathedral
Learn how melcocha is made and shaped at a local candy workshop
Enjoy an authentic Ecuadorian cooking class
-
Day 4: Baños • Riobamba
Enjoy a hike on one of the many trails through the Baños rainforest
Travel to Riobamba
Participate in cultural immersion activities
- Observe farming, handicrafts, cooking
- Eat lunch with the community
-
Day 5: Riobamba • Ingapirca • Cuenca
Travel to Cuenca via Ingapirca
Visit the ruins at Ingapirca
Learn how your food travels from farm to table during a guided visit to the Gastronomic Museum
-
Day 6: Cuenca
Take a Tour Director-led walking tour of Cuenca
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Old Cathedral
- New Cathedral
- Flower market
Visit the Straw Hat Museum to learn about the history of this traditional accessory
Enjoy an interactive experience with locals outside of Cuenca
Visit a ceramics shop
Take a traditional dance lesson
-
Day 7: Cuenca • Guayaquil • Depart for home
Travel to Guayaquil
Visit Cajas National Park
Visit a cocoa farm
Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home
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Day 8: Arrive home
Add 3 more days
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Day 8: Guayaquil • Puerto López
Travel via the Ruta del Spondylus to Puerto López
Stop for a photo at one of the beautiful beaches on the way to Puerto López
-
Day 9: Puerto López
Enjoy a boat ride to Machalilla National Park
Enjoy a boat ride to Machalilla National Park
Tour Isla de la Plata with an expert local guide
Go snorkeling
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Day 10: Puerto López • Dos Mangas • Guayaquil • Depart for home
Travel via Dos Mangas to Guayaquil
Hike in the coastal rainforest
Visit a handicraft workshop
Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home
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Day 11: Arrive home
Reviews
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Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Round-trip flights on major carriers; comfortable motorcoach (boat ride with extension)
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Hotels
6 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (9 with extension)
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Regional-style meals
Breakfast and dinner daily, lunch on Days 4 & 6 (plus Days 9 and 10 with extension)
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Guided sightseeing
2 sightseeing tours led by an expert, licensed local guide on the extension; 3 sightseeing tours led by your Tour Director (4 with extension)
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Entrances
Compañía de Jesús church; equatorial line; Intiñan Museum; melcocha workshop; cooking class; Sendero de los Sauces hike; community visit; Ingapirca; Gastronomic Museum; Straw Hat Museum; another community visit; traditional dance lesson; Cajas National Park; cocoa plantation (with extension: Isla de la Plata National Park; snorkeling)
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Full-time Tour Director
Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
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Worldwide Presence
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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Peace of Mind Program
Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.
Lowest price
Price is valid for students under the age of 20 at the time of travel that room in triples and quads. Minimum participation is required. Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price will apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at www.eftours.com/baggage. Program price is valid today only.
Price displayed includes an Early Enrollment Discount; restrictions apply. To determine if you qualify, please contact your Tour Consultant. Tours departing between 10/1/2023 and 9/30/2024 may be eligible for a $100 discount. Tours departing 10/1/2024 and beyond may be eligible for a $200 discount; restrictions apply.
