Ecuador group tours for solo travellers
Travel solo as part of a group tour to Ecuador
Why travel solo to Ecuador?
From snowcapped mountains to Amazon Rivers, there are few other countries that could lay claim to such an impressive array of landscapes.
Nestled between Peru and Colombia, Ecuador is small enough for you to have breakfast with sloths in the Amazon, lunch in the lee of the Andes and spot giant tortoises after dinner. With so many different microclimates, it’s no surprise that this is one of the most biodiverse places on earth.
The exotic wildlife of the Galápagos Islands will keep you enthralled, whether it’s watching an albatross take flight, swimming with reef sharks and marine iguanas, or admiring the mating dance of the magnificent frigatebird.
Yet the cities, too, are beautiful. The well-preserved capital, Quito, recalls Ecuador’s Spanish heritage, with its World Heritage treasure trove of colonial art and architecture. While just a few miles north, you can straddle the equator line with one foot in each hemisphere.
Don’t fancy going it alone? Our nine-day solo group Galápagos trip is full of can’t-do-by-yourself adventures in Quito and the islands.
Top places to visit in Ecuador
Quito
Ecuador’s capital city is built on the foundations of an ancient Incan city. Its well-preserved colonial center is rich with 16th and 17th-century buildings that blend together European, Moorish and indigenous influences. Head into Old Town to feast on traditional Ecuadorian food.
Tena
This ‘cinnamon capital’ with its colonial history is also the gateway to the Amazon rainforest. From a base here you can explore the jungle at night or hop on to one of the many expert tours during the day, but don’t overlook the city itself. The fast-flowing surrounding rivers also attract plenty of white-water rafters.
Galápagos Islands
Witness one of the greatest wildlife shows on earth on this remote archipelago, 600 miles off the Ecuadorian coast. The extraordinary collection of volcanic islands has to be seen to be believed. Chock-full of fearless land and marine creatures – which inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution – it’s a nature-lover’s dream.
Cuenca
This city is located in southern Ecuador’s Andes mountains known for its Tomebaba ruins. It still has a Historic Walled Town with steep cobbled streets and medieval castle ruins. Head into the central plaza to visit the blue-domed Catedral Nueva and the 16th-century Catedral Vieja, now a religious museum.
Trips to Ecuador
Ecuador facts
What’s the national language?
Spanish
What's the currency?
United States dollar
Timezone
Ecuador’s timezone is GMT-5
Top three activities
1. Kayak or paddleboard through the Itabaca Channel
2. Hike to the caldera of the Sierra Negra volcano
3. Swim with marine wildlife in the Galápagos Islands
Top five dishes to try
1. Encebollado – fish stew
2. Caldo de gallina – chicken soup
3. Cuy – roasted guinea pig
4. Churrasco – grilled steak served with fried eggs
5. Seco – stewed meat served with plantain
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