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Ecuador

TRAVELLING TO Ecuador

In Ecuador, Chimu offers superior styled itineraries that have been refined, simplified and perfected, especially for the discerning traveller and their travel party.

Why visit? Ecuador might be relatively small in size compared to some of its neighbours but when it comes to diversity, it is nothing short of impressive, boasting an incredible plethora of geographical, cultural and biological wonders.

From the snow-capped peaks of the mighty Andes, to the remote waters of the magnificent Amazon, awe-inspiring volcanoes, luscious rainforests brimming with endemic wildlife, indigenous villages reflecting the country’s endearing culture and endless stretches of beautiful beaches, an Ecuador holiday really is a once in a lifetime adventure. 

Usually, travellers start their Ecuador tour in Quito, Ecuador’s capital, an exciting city that impresses not only with its lively vibe, bustling streets and ancient buildings but, being nestled amidst the Andean mountains, it also enjoys the most stunning of settings a city could ask for. The city is bursting with architectural gems and is one of the best preserved historical centres in all of Latin America.

For an exploration of Ecuador’s famous biodiversity, visitors will be spoilt for choice with the huge amount of nature reserves, forests, mangrove coastlines and beaches covering the country’s mainland.

In the east, Coca is the gateway for tours of the Amazon rainforest, one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world. Wildlife spotting at its most impressive is offered on an Amazon Tour where you can set off on canoe rides along the remote waters and rivers, hike through the thick forest as rich in flora and fauna as no other place on earth.

In the west, off the coast, a Galapagos Islands Cruise is a highlight of any visit to Latin America. Set against the backdrops of spectacular landscapes that range from volcanic peaks to ancient lava fields, the Galapagos Islands are one of nature’s most impressive wonders boasting some of the famous wildlife species unique to Galapagos such as the giant tortoise, marine iguanas and Darwin’s finches.

More information: You'll find all of our Signature Ecuador and Galapagos Islands trip itineraries below. 

Still wondering? Contact us - we're always here to help, so please give us a call or drop us an email and let us do the hard work for you, planning your perfect Ecuador trip from Australia

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In Ecuador, Chimu offers superior styled itineraries that have been refined, simplified and perfected, especially for the discerning traveller and their travel party.

Why visit? Ecuador might be relatively small in size compared to some of its neighbours but when it comes to diversity, it is nothing short of impressive, boasting an incredible plethora of geographical, cultural and biological wonders.

From the snow-capped peaks of the mighty Andes, to the remote waters of the magnificent Amazon, awe-inspiring volcanoes, luscious rainforests brimming with endemic wildlife, indigenous villages reflecting the country’s endearing culture and endless stretches of beautiful beaches, an Ecuador holiday really is a once in a lifetime adventure. 

Usually, travellers start their Ecuador tour in Quito, Ecuador’s capital, an exciting city that impresses not only with its lively vibe, bustling streets and ancient buildings but, being nestled amidst the Andean mountains, it also enjoys the most stunning of settings a city could ask for. The city is bursting with architectural gems and is one of the best preserved historical centres in all of Latin America.

For an exploration of Ecuador’s famous biodiversity, visitors will be spoilt for choice with the huge amount of nature reserves, forests, mangrove coastlines and beaches covering the country’s mainland.

In the east, Coca is the gateway for tours of the Amazon rainforest, one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world. Wildlife spotting at its most impressive is offered on an Amazon Tour where you can set off on canoe rides along the remote waters and rivers, hike through the thick forest as rich in flora and fauna as no other place on earth.

In the west, off the coast, a Galapagos Islands Cruise is a highlight of any visit to Latin America. Set against the backdrops of spectacular landscapes that range from volcanic peaks to ancient lava fields, the Galapagos Islands are one of nature’s most impressive wonders boasting some of the famous wildlife species unique to Galapagos such as the giant tortoise, marine iguanas and Darwin’s finches.

More information: You'll find all of our Signature Ecuador and Galapagos Islands trip itineraries below. 

Still wondering? Contact us - we're always here to help, so please give us a call or drop us an email and let us do the hard work for you, planning your perfect Ecuador trip from Australia

[ Read Less ]

WHY TRAVEL WITH CHIMU ADVENTURES

  • We offer flexible travel options in Latin America for the discerning traveller and their travel party.

  • Choose one of our Signature itineraries, choose your date and add extensions to make it yours. 

  • We know each Latin American country by heart and will work with you to determine which itinerary is best suited to your needs.

  • From your initial enquiry until your trip ends, you will be assigned a personal Destination Specialist who will offer a full service for your travel needs: we can book flights, insurance and any ancillary travel required to complete your journey.

  • We have offices across South America so you can be assured that ground staff are close at hand to assist whilst you are travelling.

  • We have refined, simplified, and perfected our itineraries over two decades to give you the ultimate experience in each location.

FEATURED Ecuador TRIPS & DEALS

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Up to 50% off
4 Days

Central & South 4 Day Itinerary Galapagos Angel

Ecuador, Galapagos Islands

SHIP: Galapagos Angel

START: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

FINISH: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

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5 Days

Western Islands 5 Day Galapagos Cruise

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

SHIP: Alya

START: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

FINISH: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

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5 Days

Galapagos 5 Day Cruise M/Y Galaxy

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

SHIP: Galaxy Yacht

START: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

FINISH: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Ecuador TOURS

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11 Days

Signature Galapagos

Quito, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands

SHIP: Seaman Journey

START: Quito, Ecuador

FINISH: Quito, Ecuador

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9 Days

Signature Galapagos Express

Quito, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands

SHIP: Seaman Journey

START: Quito, Ecuador

FINISH: Quito, Ecuador

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9 Days

Signature Ecuador - Quito to Guayaquil

Ecuador

START: Quito, Ecuador

FINISH: Guayaquil, Ecuador

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3 Days

Mashpi Cloud Forest Lodge Extension

Ecuador, Amazon

START: Quito, Ecuador

FINISH: Quito, Ecuador

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4 Days

Ecuador Amazon Extension Sacha Lodge

Ecuador, Amazon

START: Quito, Ecuador

FINISH: Quito, Ecuador

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4 Days

Quito Extension

Ecuador

START: Quito, Ecuador

FINISH: Quito, Ecuador

Ecuador REVIEWS

All Chimu Adventures' clients are given the opportunity to review their trip once they return home. These reviews are administered by a third party and as such are unfiltered by Chimu Adventures.

BLOGS ON Ecuador

Looking for blogs on Ecuador or Latin America? If so, we have you covered! The Chimu blog is updated regularly with new articles and packed with great content on planning your trip, what to pack, and amazing adventures in each destination. 

Quito International Airport Guide

Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport (code UIO), Ecuador’s premier aviation…

Ecuador From the Beginning

From the earliest traces of ancient civilizations through to Spanish conquest and modern times, we explore the history of…

Things to do in Cuenca, Ecuador

Cuenca is one of the most beautiful cities in all of South America and one of …

Geography of Ecuador

Despite its relatively small size, Ecuador has a varied and interesting geography…

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Our Ecuador tours include breakfast daily and many other meals may also be included in your itinerary. As a rough guide for additional spending money based on having moderately-priced lunches and dinners and buying a few souvenirs at local markets, we suggest a budget of 25-30 USD per day per person. 

No specific vaccinations are required for Ecuador travel, unless you are travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever, in which case proof of yellow fever vaccination is required. We do, however, recommend that you visit your doctor or a traveller’s medical centre for current information specific to those places that you will be travelling through. 

 

As a general guide we recommend the following:

 

  • Hepatitis - Both A and B (twinrix)
  • Yellow Fever - Especially for jungle areas
  • Typhoid
  • Diphtheria
  • Cholera
  • Rabies (minimal risk)
  • Tetanus
  • Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

The unit of currency in Ecuador and on the Galapagos Islands is the United States Dollar (USD).

Please check websites such as www.oanda.com or www.xe.com for up to date exchange rates prior to your departure.

In Ecuador the standard voltage is 120/127V and standard frequency is 60Hz. Power sockets are of types A and B.

Please visit the below link for more information: http://electricaloutlet.org/

 Spanish is the official language of Ecuador but 13 Indigenous languages are spoken, the principal ones being Quichua in the Andes and Amazon and Jivaroan in the Amazon.

Ecuador is in fact one of the best places in Latin America to learn Spanish as Ecuadorian Spanish is spoken slowly and clearly.

The wildlife that you will see will depend on where your Ecuador travel takes you. Ecuador has a vast biodiversity that includes over 300 mammal species, 1,500 bird species and a huge array of reptiles and amphibians. The Galapagos Islands are home to many endemic species of birds and animals found nowhere else in the world and some only found on specific islands. 

The best time to visit Ecuador will depend on the places that you plan to visit and the activities that you plan to include on your Ecuador travel. The highlands are best visited between June and September if your Ecuador tour includes hiking in the Andes; the Amazon is a year-round destination with the wet and dry seasons offering different experiences; the coast is best visited between January and May and the peak season for the Galapagos Islands is December to June.

Most South American countries have now recognized that tourism plays an important part in their economies and governments have taken great steps to change South America’s poor security image. Violent crime is rare in Ecuador.

 

To minimise security risks we recommend the following: 

 

  • do not show any outward signs of wealth or wear expensive jewellery
  • keep your valuables in your hotel in safety deposit boxes
  • keep any valuables that you must carry with you hidden, as pickpockets can be present in crowded areas and around tourist areas
  • use only registered taxis with official identification
  • avoid going on your own to remote areas where tourists would not be expected to go
  • always keep your day pack and camera close to you and never leave them unattended

A pre-arranged visa is not required to enter Ecuador or the Galapagos for the following countries:

  • Australia
  • United Kingdom
  • The United States
  • Ireland
  • Canada
  • New Zealand
  • European Union
  • South Africa

For other nationalities please visit the website of the relevant consulate.

Due to rules and regulations constantly changing we recommend you visit the relevant country government websites for up to date information on visa and entry requirements. We are constantly updating our Travellers Guides with information, but it is still recommended to double check current advice.

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