Activities & Experiences

Looking for new experiences for your clients? ECUADOR is a unique destination

 

Ecuador’s nature multiplies awesome visions of snow covered volcanoes, green valleys, tumbling rivers and waterfalls, flatlands and rice fields, pristine and unspoiled beaches in a relative small surface. The majesty of the Pacific Ocean, the lush world of the Amazon rainforest and the extraordinary Galápagos Islands with their unique species, found nowhere else in the planet, contribute to the exceptional experience, that visiting Ecuador mean.

 

ACTIVITIES

RAFTING

Ecuador offers excellent, year-round whitewater rafting

In addition to the rivers’ nearly continuous flows, they have warm, tropical waters and excellent accessibility, especially those in the east. There are a variety of rivers to choose from, with varying grades of difficulty. Ecuador is an unrivaled whitewater destination that you should not miss.

ACTIVITIES

KAYAKING

There are two destinations within the country

that are highly valued for kayaking in Ecuador: The Galapagos Islands and the Amazon. Enjoy Kayaking in different rivers in mainland Ecuador as well in the “Enchanted Islands of Galápagos” where there are selected places where kayaking is available.

ACTIVITIES

DIVING & SNORKELING

These activities are available in the Galápagos Islands

At Isla de la Plata located in the continental coast or Manta. Diving in Ecuador requires that passengers performing this activity are professionals while snorkeling is usually included as one of the activities in each itinerary in the Galápagos for passengers to have the opportunity to observer the wonderful marine fauna.

ACTIVITIES

HIKING

Hiking in Ecuador can be done all year around in the Andes

a well as in the Amazon rainforest, the coast and in fact in the Galápagos Islands.  Active nature-lovers of various fitness levels can enjoy a wide variety of hikes in Ecuador.

ACTIVITIES

BIKING

This is a very popular activity mainly performed

in various places of the Avenue of the volcanoes as well as in the Galápagos Islands.

ACTIVITIES

ROCK CLIMBING

One of the best places to perform rock climbing is

near the small town of Baños, which is located on what has been called the entrance to the Amazon rainforest.

ACTIVITIES

CANYONING

The small town of Baños

offers the possibility to do Canyoning as well as other adventure activities.

ACTIVITIES

HORSE BACK RIDDING

Even if you are not a horse riding enthusiast

the idea of riding a horse across the striking Ecuadorian countryside might appeal to you. Ecuador offers the possibility to ride through the moorlands or ¨Paramos¨ with the wonderful views of the Andes as well as through very unique ecosystems in the Galápagos Islands.

ACTIVITIES

BIRD WATCHING

Ecuador is home to more than 1660 species of birds

according to the most recent accounts. The staggering diversity of ecosystems ranging from ocean and coast to high Andes and Amazonian rainforests, plus the unique Galapagos Islands have made of the country one of the world’s best bird-watching paradises. Birding is excellent year-around. Whether you are an amateur or an advanced birdwatcher, Ecuador is the place.

EXPERIENCES

GASTRONOMY

If folklore and handicrafts in Ecuador compete in variety and richness

gastronomy, the art of food and meals, is not the exception….quite on the country….it can be safely stated that Ecuador, within its small territory, hosts a gigantically superior gastronomical diversity .The combination of climates and products which land and sea offer, together with the regional, climatic and cultural diversity have produced as a result the existence of an extensive, varied, healthy and above all, delicious cuisine, exquisite to all palates….Here you can find from the most traditional and antique recipes to the most unique and sophisticated fusions of products, tastes and textures which, based on the traditional or “typical” Ecuadorian  kitchen is creating a “new cuisine” with surprising results and once again the local chefs’ imagination producing truly gourmet masterpieces for the most demanding palates.

If you want to enjoy a unique, truly different, special and undoubtedly delicious culinary and gastronomic experience, Ecuador is the place…. just don’t miss it!

EXPERIENCES

ARCHAEOLOGY

Thousands of years ago, well before the famous Pyramids of Giza

were built in Egypt, human settlements established and flourished, particularly along the Ecuadorian coast and later in the Andes and Amazon regions.  Actually, present day Ecuador’s coast was home of some of the most ancient and remarkable cultures in Latin America, who left a truly superb legacy of their skills and knowledge.

The presence of these great cultures is evidenced on the many excavations, site-museums and the outstanding objects which can be admired on dozens of museums, big and small, all across Ecuador.

For those interested in archeology, Ecuador provides numerous opportunities to learn about and see the testimonials of the presence in our territory of these millenary cultures.

EXPERIENCES

LOCAL EXPERIENCES

The variety and richness of Ecuador’s culture is so big

that it rivals with its enormous natural and geographic diversity.  Being a multi ethnic country, its cultural variety is reflected, among many ways, on its folklore and popular fiestas.  On each one of the regions, cities and villages, throughout the year, an admirable array of festivities and events take place. Visitors will marvel at the colorfulness of the dresses and outfits, the rituals full of symbols and characters extracted from the most ancient traditions, or those brought in by the Christian and Hispanic culture…

Among the most colorful and notorious celebrations one can mention the “Corpus” fiestas, the Sanjuanes on the northern province of Imbabura, the Aruchicos in Cayambe or Pomasqui, just north of Quito; the “Danzantes” (The “Dancers”) of Pujilí in the central highlands (their dresses and outfits being astonishingly impressive); the famed “Mama Negra”; the festivities of “El Chagra” (the local Andean cowboys) in Machachi, the Carnivals of Ambato and Guaranda; the unique and massive Good Friday processions of Quito and Guayaquil; the “Montubio” (coastal countrymen) Rodeos with their dances and ingenious verses; the aquatic processions along some rivers on the afro-Ecuadorian northerly province of Esmeraldas; the rituals and traditions of Year’s End (New Year’s Eve) throughout Ecuador….

These are all popular festivals full of color and tradition which mix the religious with the pagan, the sacred with the profane but always within a frame of historic traditions, happiness and merry atmosphere, music, dance, typical food and beverage.

EXPERIENCES

CLASSIC CARS

Enjoy a quiet

and different visit to the old Colonial Quito on board a Classic car.

EXPERIENCES

FLOWER & FRUIT PLANTATIONS

Ecuador offers the opportunity to visit flower and fruit plantations as:

roses in the Andes, the Amazon rainforest and the coast; tropical flowers in the Coast, orchids in the Andes and in the Coast as well as fruit plantations as: banana, coffee, tropical fruits. Most of these plantations are located in the Coast; nevertheless, in the Galápagos Islands there is also the possibility to visit the Coffee plantation.

EXPERIENCES

INDIGENOUS MARKET

The indigenous markets are the most important cultural

and social events in the area where they take place; they are fabulous scenarios to admire the most unimaginable explosions of bright colors of fruits, vegetables and other products of the earth, as well as the incredible colors of the crafts that are exhibited, mainly the fabrics. The multicolored costumes of the different ethnic groups that populate the country are manifested in an amazing festival of skirts, blouses, ponchos, shawls and other accessories that put the visitor in front of an authentic explosion of the most varied and bright shades of reds, oranges, yellow, green, blue and purple, a unique and unforgettable vision.

Among the most important indigenous markets are: Guamote, Zumbahua, Otavalo, Saraguro, Salaron, Cajabamba, Pujilí, Saquisilí and Colta.The local fairs in all the cities of the country open the opportunity to admire the impressive variety of fruits, vegetables, seafood in some of them, meats and local food.

EXPERIENCES

LOCAL HANDICRAFTS & ARTISAN CENTERS

Throughout the country, mainly in the area of the Andes

there is a wide variety of crafts still made by hand; the artisan centers collect in a single place a sampling of what is elaborated in each one of the communities, like:

Local Market

Tapestries, ponchos, shigras. It is located in Ambato

Toquilla straw hats and the “macanas” (shawls). Located near the Cuenca

Dedicated to preserving the ancestral knowledge of the Kichwa people; they show the dyeing and spinning of woolen fabrics. It is located in the small town of Peguche in the north part of the country.

Located very close to the city of Cuenca. It shows the weaving process of the Macanas, the Ikat technique, embroidery, hats and figures made of Toquilla Straw.

in Peguche, It collects patterns of musical instruments made by hand and still used in the bands and indigenous musical groups.

Local Market

in Ambato, Performs a variety of handicrafts and typical dresses such as: lishtas, hand-embroidered blouses, shigras, rebozos, anacos, ponchos and muchikus.

Dedicated to leather processing, visit the main tanneries.

Its whole population is a craft center of all kind of items made of wood in different sizes.

In the North of the country shows its embroidery and its organic medicinal herb plantations.

Develops a wide variety of crafts such as: fine jewelry workshops where you can see the artisans of the area working with extraordinary manual skills the most beautiful pieces in gold, silver and filigree; “toquilla” straw hats, known as Panama hats, ceramics, embroidery, basketry elaboration, among others.

EXPERIENCES

LEARN FROM THE MASTER'S HAND

Learn about local traditions guided by teachers

These are only a few examples from the wide variety of opportunities that Ecuador presents.

in the small town of La Victoria and receive it finished in your hotel. (It could take a couple of days to receive your piece)

with the help of one of the most famous painters of Tigua; a painting class in a local style that usually represents the daily activities of the Community, make your own painting.

a musical instrument widely used in the performance of Andean music in Ecuador, at the “Instruments House” located in the small town of Peguche.

such as: Wool carding, dyeing with natural productsand use of the different types of manual looms, all these in the “Peguche Wasi Craft Center” located in Peguche Village. You can also share lunch in the style of the Otavalo Community.

of your pottery painting at the “El Alfarero Workshop” in Cuenca and receive this unique piece at your hotel, once it has passed the drying and cooking process (It could take a couple of days to receive the piece).