How many travellers will be in my group?

Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.

Yes — there's no compulsory single supplement on our small-group tours. You get your own room at no extra cost. About 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you'll be in good company.

How fit do I need to be?

Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.

When are the next departures?

The next available departures are 10 November 2026. See the "Pick your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.

What's included in the tour price?

Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; All accommodation; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.

Where exactly does this trip go?

This tour visits Ecuador. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.

Ecuador14 daysMax 12Solo-friendly

Ecuador – Astride the Equator

Straddle the Equatorial Line at Mitad del Mundo, trek volcanic crater lagoons from Quilotoa to Cuicocha, and delve deep into the Amazon rainforest on this 14-day small-group Ecuador tour for up to 12 travellers.

View dates & prices

As Featured In

About this journey

The story behind the route

Take an exciting journey astride the equator through the rugged landscapes of the Andes Mountains and the lush rainforest.

Observe the diversity of cultures from the Otavaleños and Afro-Ecuadorians in the north, to the Quichua and Shuar in the rainforest, and finally to the Kichwa in the central Andes at the foothills of the mighty volcano Chimborazo.

On our Ecuador small group journey visit vibrant markets, marvel at the impressive highland scenery on leisurely walks and enjoy the flora and fauna of the jungle.

The journey

Ecuador – Astride the Equator

Key moments

The moments that define this trip

Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.

Your route

Colonial Heritage of the Andes
Quito's UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town is one of the finest preserved colonial centres in Latin America, and this tour devotes a full morning to its magnificent churches, gilded altars, and historic plazas. From the soaring Baroque façade of San Francisco to the Presidential Palace on Independence Plaza, the depth of history is extraordinary. A visit to the first Catholic church in Ecuador, La Balbanera, and the mountain museum Urkukunapak Wasi in Riobamba adds further layers to the colonial and pre-Columbian story.
Volcanic Landscapes and Crater Lagoons
Ecuador's Avenue of the Volcanoes is one of the world's great geographical spectacles, and this tour follows it from north to south, passing beneath eight snow-mantled peaks. You'll hike the rims of both the Cuicocha and Quilotoa crater lagoons, visit the Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve at over 4,600 metres, and walk alongside the perfectly symmetrical cone of Cotopaxi in its national park. The changing volcanic scenery — from clouddraped calderas to turquoise highland lakes — is a constant backdrop throughout the journey
Amazon Rainforest Immersion
Three nights at a jungle lodge in the upper Amazon place you at the heart of one of the planet's most biodiverse ecosystems. With a native guide you'll explore the forest on foot, visit the AmaZoonico wildlife refuge, learn about medicinal plants, spot caimans on the lagoon, and get hands-on with a cocoa-to-chocolate workshop. A visit to a Quichua family for a chicha-making demonstration and blowgun experience rounds out this immersive encounter with Amazon life.
Indigenous Cultures and Communities
From the bustling stalls of Otavalo market — where merchants still use the same weaving techniques as their ancestors — to the closeknit community of La Moya with its sacred relationship to Chimborazo, this tour offers sustained, respectful engagement with Ecuador's living indigenous cultures. A stay with a local family in Cotacachi, a visit to a rondador maestro, and a Shuar spiritual waterfall ceremony in the Amazon lowlands deepen the experience beyond the surface.
Highland Markets and Artisan Traditions
Ecuador's highland markets are among the most vibrant in South America, and this itinerary takes in several of the finest. Otavalo's famous Saturday market showcases alpaca textiles, ponchos, and pan flutes; Cotacachi is celebrated for its handmade leather goods; and the Zumbahua Andean market provides an authentic, unfiltered glimpse of highland trading life. These markets are living expressions of craft traditions that have endured for centuries.

Full itinerary · 14 days

Free — no sign-up

Dates & prices

Pick your departure

Reserve your place with a 10% deposit. Final balance due 70 days before departure. Single-room supplements optional — most travellers happily share.

Departs	Returns	Status	Price pp	Single supp.
10 Nov 2026	23 Nov 2026	Available	£2,545	+£420	Book now

Departure
10 Nov 2026 → 23 Nov 2026
Available
From
£2,545 pp
Single supp. +£420
Book now

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Ecuador journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip

What's included

Everything covered — and what's not

Included in the price

Arrival and departure transfers
Overland transport throughout with professional driver
All accommodation
Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader – combined driver/guide for 3 pax or less
Meals as listed
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Budget separately for

International flights (, contact , us, for expert advice and a quote)
Any airport taxes
Travel Insurance
Visa – when required
Drinks
Items of personal nature
Tips (Discretionary)

Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

We constantly monitor official travel advice, including the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Ecuador Travel Advice, and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no specific warnings against travel to the parts of Ecuador that we visit on our tours.

Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like to understand what measures are in place to ensure your trip remains safe and trouble-free.

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Reviews from across our small-group programme — Mongolia, Madagascar, the Silk Road and beyond. Independently rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ travellers.

“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”

Anna

“This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!”

Grete

“My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.”

Frank

“Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.”

Cathy

“Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.”

Lynn

“We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.”

Andy

“We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.”

Jennie

“Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.”

Debbie

“Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.”

Alexis

“Fabulous, unusual destination, and great people. A private tour of somewhere little-visited, with great service from start to finish and excellent knowledge and advice from Undiscovered Destinations throughout.”

Steve

“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”