Ecuador Round Trip

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Travelling in paradise

Navigating through Ecuador and to the Galapagos Islands 10 years ago used to be complicated and strenuous. However, in recent years Ecuador has taken measures to drastically improve and renew its infrastructure. For example, Quito has a new airport which is said to be South America’s longest runway. While Guayaquil, the biggest city in Ecuador, has a newly built terminal at its existing airport. The highways are in excellent conditions, and most cars have an inbuilt navigation system. Many locations are also easily accessible by train.

As the tourist and transport infrastructures continue to improve in the last 10 years, many charming and luxurious hotels have sprung up in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Many areas are bustling with cafes and restaurants serving up creative and delicious local dishes. Visitors can also explore the Amazon on a river cruise or from a rainforest lodge. There are plenty of environmentally friendly yet luxurious accommodations to choose from. The Amazon lowlands are easily reachable by bus or on a flight. Travel time from Quito To Tena is around 4 hours. The famous avenue of Volcano in the Andes is also accessible by train, bus or individually by car.

Modern Mode of Transport

Ecuador currently has three airlines, Aerogal (the daughter company of Colombian Airline Avianca), LAN Ecuador (the daughter company of LATAM) and TAME, the Ecuadorian national airline. The airlines, including the ones with flights to Galapagos Islands, are all flying with newest aircrafts such as the Airbus and the Embraer. The intercity buses are also very comfortable, and taxis remains affordable and safe.

Discover and experience Ecuador on a road trip!

The improved transport infrastructure means that you can easily discover new places in Ecuador by car. The great thing is that you will get to do it at your very own pace and long drives are never boring with the amazing landscapes in Ecuador. Driving through Ecuador is especially fun for small families and experienced travellers.  It is crucial to have a preplanned route and to save you a great deal of hassle, and we have created a special combination road trip tour for you.

We strongly advise you to rent your car ahead of your trip due to a general shortage of cars for rental in Ecuador. We have staff on site to make sure that you get your car as planned.

Please note that car rental is not available on the Galapagos Islands. Other modes of transportation on the Galapagos Islands include taxis, public buses, hotel ships, speedboats, and cruises.

Train rides in Ecuador

There are very few train lines in Ecuador and they are a tourist attraction in itself. The bus is the main mode of transport for Ecuadorians as there are only 5 train lines operating throughout Ecuador.

  • Train to the Devil’s nose – to/from Alausí
  • Train to the Clouds – to/from Quito
  • The Liberty Train (Tren de la Libertad) – to/from Otavalo or Ibarra
  • The Ice Train (Tren del Hielo I) – to/from Riobamba or Ambato
  • The Train of sweetness (Banana, sugar cane and cacao) – to/from Guayaquil

and one multi-day train tour:

  • Tren Crucero – A nostalgic train ride beginning from Quito  – 4 days along the avenue of Volcanoes

It is recommended that train tickets be reserved in advance. The train stops at several places of attraction along the way and lunch is included in the price for full day tours. More information on train tours is available below:

Wanderbus

A great and safe way to travel through Ecuador is with the new Wanderbus. It is a bus for tourists which travels from Quito along the avenue of volcanoes to Guayaquil or to Montañita, the party town at the coast. The bus stops at all the highlights along the way in order for you to explore these places. Alternatively, you can choose to alight the Wanderbus and stay at your preferred location for a few days before hopping back on the next bus. The Wanderbus is an alternative to having a tour guide/driver on a rental car tour. Our travel recommendation for the Wanderbus can be found below:

Round trip with driver/nature guide

A relaxing way to embark on a round trip through Ecuador is to travel with a driver or a nature guide. We have excellent experts who are eager to show you the beauty of Ecuador. Our team can help design the perfect length and routes for your rental car tour.

Environmental Protection at the Galapagos Islands

Tourists infrastructures on the Galapagos Islands are all developed according to the National Park regulations. The Baltra airport also has an energy neutral airport. All requirements for environmental protection are strictly monitored.

You can visit different parts of San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island and Floreana Island with a speedboat (Lanchas). Alternatively, the EMETEBE airline offers trips to the Galapagos Islands, which takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Please take note of the flight schedule 1 – 2 days before your intended excursion and inform the reception of your hotel in Galapagos of your plans.

Be aware that the departure time varies daily as the national park closely monitors the current environmental conditions. All cruise companies and Galapagos PRO always strive to find the best alternative for you should any unexpected event arise. We want to ensure that you have the best possible holiday experience.

Ecuador Tours

Dragon Hill at Santa Cruz Island

Ecuador & Galapagos trip with the experts 2026

Duration: 15 - 15 days
Highlights:

This trip is accompanied by Galapagos and Ecuador expert Beate Zwermann, founder of Galapagos PRO.

From ,-
Price per pax
Chimborazo Lodge

Ecuador by Car - classic routing

Duration: 8 - 10 days
Highlights: Vulcanos, local markets, train ride Devils nose, Ingapirca

Individual round trip along the Avenue of the Volcanoes - Quito, Cotopaxi, Baños, Chimborazo, Alausí, Cuenca, Guayaquil

From 880,- USD
Price per pax
Otavalo Artists

Best of Ecuador: Andes, Coastlines and Cloud Forests

Duration: 18 - 18 days
Highlights: Otavalo Markets, Condor Park, Cuicocha Lagoon, Mangrove Forests

Prepare to be inspired as you experience Ecuador's breathtaking landscapes. Departing every Friday

From 1660,- USD
Price per pax
Marine Iguanas

Galapagos Discovery (6)

Duration: 6 - 6 days
Highlights:

Discover the Islands of Santa Cruz and Isabela in the Galapagso Archipelago.

From 1680,- USD
Price per pax

✪ Ecuador Tours ✪

Dragon Hill at Santa Cruz Island

Ecuador & Galapagos trip with the experts 2026

Duration: 15 - 15 days
Highlights:

This trip is accompanied by Galapagos and Ecuador expert Beate Zwermann, founder of Galapagos PRO.

From ,-
Price per pax
Chimborazo Lodge

Ecuador by Car - classic routing

Duration: 8 - 10 days
Highlights: Vulcanos, local markets, train ride Devils nose, Ingapirca

Individual round trip along the Avenue of the Volcanoes - Quito, Cotopaxi, Baños, Chimborazo, Alausí, Cuenca, Guayaquil

From 880,- USD
Price per pax
Otavalo Artists

Best of Ecuador: Andes, Coastlines and Cloud Forests

Duration: 18 - 18 days
Highlights: Otavalo Markets, Condor Park, Cuicocha Lagoon, Mangrove Forests

Prepare to be inspired as you experience Ecuador's breathtaking landscapes. Departing every Friday

From 1660,- USD
Price per pax
Marine Iguanas

Galapagos Discovery (6)

Duration: 6 - 6 days
Highlights:

Discover the Islands of Santa Cruz and Isabela in the Galapagso Archipelago.

From 1680,- USD
Price per pax
Chimborazo

Volcano Summit Striker: Cotopaxi and Chimborazo +3

Duration: 10 - 18 days
Highlights: Acclimitisation, Experienced Mountain Guides, Pasochoa Summit - 4,200 meters, Guagua Pichincha Summit - 4,794 meters, Iliniza North Summit - 5,116 meters, Cotopaxi Summit - 5,897 meters, Relaxation Day, Baños, Whymper Refuge, Chimborazo - 5,000 meters, Chimborazo Summit - 6,310 meters, Daily Departures, Group Appointments by Request, Incredible Landscapes, Includes Transfers, Includes Park Entrance Fees

Experience a unique Andean panorama from the peaks of the Ecuadorian volcanoes.

From 2010,- USD
Price per pax
Lagunas de Ozogoche

Ecuador Rental Car Round Trip: 6 National Parks

Duration: 14 - 21 days
Highlights: Hotel car park , Exchangeable stops and activities, Flexible activities

Visit all six amazing national parks in the Andes by car. All stops are interchangeable.

From 2040,- USD
Price per pax
City of Guayaquil

Rental car tour to/from Guayaquil

Duration: 14 - 21 days
Highlights:

Begin your rental car tour from Guayaquil and visit the best highlights in Ecuador along the way.

From 2450,- USD
Price per pax
Zaruma

Ecuador/Galapagos Round Trip with Rental Car

Duration: 32 - 42 days
Highlights: Galapagos Islands, Safe hotel parking spaces, Exchangeable stops

Visit all highlights from North to South, East to West with this extensive Ecuador rental car tour.

From 2750,- USD
Price per pax
With the Huaorani tribe

AJ: Huaorani Warriors (5)

Duration: 5 - 5 days
Highlights:

Explore the Amazon rainforest with the Huaorani tribe.

From 3000,- USD
Price per pax
Quitos koloniale Altstadt

Gruppenreise Ecuador und Galapagosinselhopping

Duration: 14 - 14 days
Highlights:

Erkunden Sie Ecuador und die Galapagosinseln mit deutschsprachiger Reiseleitung und Naturführer

From 7480,- USD
Price per pax
Dragon Hill at Santa Cruz Island

Ecuador & Galapagos trip with the experts 2025

Duration: 15 - 15 days
Highlights:

This trip is accompanied by Galapagos and Ecuador expert Beate Zwermann, founder of Galapagos PRO.

From 8470,- USD
Price per pax