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 "Choose 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 12 travellersSolo-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.

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About this journey

What to expect on this trip

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

What makes this trip special

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

Choose your departure

Reserve your place with a £350 per-person deposit; the balance is due 70 days before departure. Prefer your own space? A single room is available on every departure.

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

What your tour price covers

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.

“Jason was very helpful and the booking process was quick and easy. UD offers itineraries that many competitors do not. I thoroughly enjoyed both trips I've taken with them. While they may not suit everyone, I have happily recommended the Senegal tour to fellow travellers.”

Bernice Hird

“Excellent customer service, reliable itineraries and ability to solve local issues when they arise”

Gustavo Musto

Uruguay

“I like the small size of groups, the range of destinations and excellent itineraries. This is my third holiday with your company and I have found your itineraries really good.”

Traveller from the UK

“London to Istanbul by train - great trip from concept to execution. Very glad to have participated. Mark was an excellent and empathetic leader. ”

Ken Nathanson

Hong Kong

“Excellent company to book with. Complex tour mostly delivered as per itinerary with professional and pleasant local representatives. ”

Adam Choonara

“Jason was outstanding, patiently answering my many questions about the Senegal trip, particularly regarding accessibility. He was professional, supportive, warm and friendly, giving me the confidence to book. I truly appreciate his exceptional service and support.”

Ramnit Bassi

“Undiscovered Destinations is able to find wonderful support staff and will go to the far corners of the earth.”

Patricia Taylor

“This is my third trip with UD and all have been first rate. ”

Judith Hoyle

“I am very satisfied with every trip that I have doe with you since you match my interests in culture and tribal peoples.”

Eric Ferkins

“Jason was incredibly helpful and efficient in getting us booked last minute on this trip when our trip with another company was cancelled with no notice.”

Sarah Keir

Want to customise this tour?

Make Ecuador – Astride the Equator your own — adjust the route, dates, pace or who travels, or start from a blank page with a specialist. We'll bring the details of this trip straight into your enquiry.

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