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Adventure Tours in Ecuador

“Though she be but little, she is fierce!” Ecuador is more than just the equator that it is named after; it’s a country full of dark jungles, mighty mountains, rumbling volcanoes, cliffy coasts, hidden Inca ruins, really bizarre wildlife, and never-ending adventures. If your feet need a break from hiking, water sport-ing, ziplining, and sightseeing, there are plenty of options to kick back with the locals over a cup of colada de avena and listen to the energizing strums of pasillo music. Throw some Spanish practice into the mix, and you’ve got yourself an adventure travel itinerary larger than this modest landmass.

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40 Adventure Programs in Ecuador

Encounter - Ecuador
00 reviews

Encounter My Way

Encounter Ecuador Adventure Program

Embark on a 30-day adventure through Ecuador, combining culture, ...

Seamester Study Abroad at Sea
9.7651 reviews

Seamester Study Abroad at Sea

Seamester Study Abroad and Gap Year Voyages

Seamester is the educational adventure of a lifetime! For more th...

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International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
9.54762 reviews

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]

World’s #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!

International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) brings people together from all...

See All 9 Programs
Pacific Discovery
9.4122 reviews

Pacific Discovery

Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands Gap Semester

Pacific Discovery's South America Gap Semester is a transformativ...

Gapforce
9.310 reviews

Gapforce

South America Explorer with Gapforce

Visit two of South America’s most iconic countries – Peru and Ecu...

Global Works - Travel with Purpose
9.85 reviews

Global Works - Travel with Purpose

Ecuador: Summer Service Adventures

Experience the remarkable beauty and vibrant culture of Ecuador d...

Broadreach
91 reviews

Broadreach

Amazon + Galapagos: Eco Adventure

Track a tapir and Andean bears in a cloud forest. Study primates ...

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
9.6837 reviews

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

GoEco - Top Rated & Award Winning Volunteer Programs Abroad

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with awa...

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ARCC Programs
102 reviews

ARCC Programs

Ecuador & Galápagos: Animals of the Amazon

Embark on a transformative 19-day service-learning program in Ecu...

GoBeyond Student Travel
9.758 reviews

GoBeyond Student Travel

GoBeyond - Global Community Service Adventures for Teens

This program goes beyond ordinary high school travel programs and...

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Rustic Pathways
00 reviews

Rustic Pathways

Ecuador: Wild Galápagos Eco-Service with Rustic Pathways

Visit the center of the earth! Ecuador’s capital is Quito, the cl...

Projects Abroad
9.41296 reviews

Projects Abroad

Global Leader In Meaningful Travel. Trusted By 130,000

At Projects Abroad, we’re passionate about travel with a purpose....

Travel For Teens
9.52 reviews

Travel For Teens

TFT: Peru, Ecuador and the Galápagos Service

Peru and Ecuador are two countries in South America that are both...

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Sergio Photo Tours
00 reviews

Sergio Photo Tours

Photography Tours in South America's Iconic Landscapes

Sergio Photo Tours offers immersive photography expeditions acros...

ELEP Volunteer & Internship Programs
00 reviews

ELEP Volunteer & Internship Programs

Adventure Education Programs in Ecuador, South America

There is no better teacher than the great outdoors! For many year...

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Latest Program Reviews

My greatest adventure yet!

May 12, 2024by: Emma Gardner - United StatesProgram: Seamester Study Abroad and Gap Year Voyages
9

Being a student on Sea|Mester was the most incredible experience of my life. I did the South Africa to Antigua voyage on Vela, and it exceeded any and all expectations I could have possibly had. I got to visit places that I never thought I would get to go. I met people that started out as strangers, but quickly became family to me. Prior to Sea|Mester, I had very little sailing experience and no diving experience and I think that that is a common turn off for people that come across this program, but you have no need to be worried if you're in that boat (haha). The staff does an exceptional job teaching you the ropes, making you feel safe, and making you feel like the boat is your home. If you're a hands on learning that thrives on getting outside of your comfort zone, adventure, and travel then this program is for you. I can not effusive enough how much Sea|Mester and my crew changed my life. If you're presented with the privilege to be a student on Sea|Mester... do it. If Sea|Mester taught me anything, it's to say yes even when you're scared. The greatest adventure of your life could be waiting for you.

A Guide to Adventure Travel in Ecuador

Locations

They say that “the best perfume comes in small bottles,” and this is most definitely Ecuador’s philosophy. Although Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in South America, it is one of the most diverse (and one of 17 worldwide labeled as “megadiverse”), both in terms of its people and its geography. With the first two UNESCO sites of the world and a wide array of nature, Ecuador offers something for every kind of adventure traveler.

Start your adventure travel in Ecuador in colonial Quito, the second-highest capital of the world. Visit the historical town centre, stand with one foot on each side of the equator, check out the weekend markets in Parque El Ejido, and eat one of its famous envueltos. Enjoy nights in La Floresta and fill up on all the pubs, because there’s not a lot of ‘em in the jungle.

Next up, the Galapagos Islands is the location for sea lovers. These islands are a heritage of humanity; the very same islands that inspired Darwin to form his evolution and coral atolls theories. Whether your interest lies in studying turtles or snorkeling, there are blue skies and even bluer water to keep you company. Take a dive in Los Tuneles or hike to the top of the Sierra Negra volcano, and if you stray off-path or dive a little bit deeper, you might even discover a new specie!

In The Amazon, adventure travelers can canoe along its waterways and discover the jungle life (even if you do not bump into Marsupilami, you will probably spot a scarlet macaw or two). If that doesn’t make your heart beat faster, consider rafting in the Amazon Basin, making new friends while visiting long-lost communities, taking night tours to search for nocturnal critters, or learning how to use a blowgun.

If you’d like to take your adventure in Ecuador one step higher, check out the Andes. The Andean region is one of the most visited in Ecuador and it’s the perfect place to find new adventures and climb every mountain; at the top of any of which, you will feel as mighty as Emperor Kuzco. Don’t forget to check out Chimborazo, the point of Earth closest to space (yee-haw, equatorial bulge!).

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