Ecuador Small Group Tours
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10 best Ecuador small group tours
Compiled by
MelissaEcuador travel expert at TourRadar
- 7 Days Gay Small Group Trip Wellness Retreat
- 10 Days Andes Group Tour for Gay Travelers
- Ecuador & Galapagos Tour
- Galapagos Encounter - Archipel I (Itinerary D)
- Galapagos Encounter - Archipel I (Itinerary A)
- Jewels of Ecuador: Galapagos and Amazon
- Galapagos Essentials
- 10 Days Andes and Pacific Coast Small Group Tour for Gay Travelers
- Full Day Otavalo Indigenous Market - Shared Group
- Full Day Mindo Cloudforest - Shared Group
LGBTIQ+ travelers, averaging 38 years old, share wellness experiences at Polylepis Lodge and spa treatments in Ibarra. Small group format ensures personalized attention during Cotopaxi horseback riding and Baños waterfall visits, with English and Spanish-speaking LGBT+ guides throughout.
Duration 7 days Destinations Quito, El Angel Ecological Reserve, Ibarra, Cotopaxi National Park, Banos Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Responsible Travel South America From
- NZ$3,822
LGBT+ guides lead intimate groups through Ecuador's highlights, including Plaza Grande and La Compañía church in Quito. Like-minded travelers share cocktail-making classes and horseback rides through Cotopaxi.
Duration 10 days Destinations Quito, Otavalo, Cotopaxi National Park, Banos, Chimborazo Volcano, Cuenca Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Responsible Travel South America From
- NZ$3,705
Wildlife encounters flourish in small groups at Tortuga Bay and Lobos Island. Guests receive focused attention during snorkeling sessions at Kicker Rock and wildlife spotting with local naturalist guides in the Galapagos.
Duration 8 days Destinations Quito, Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil Age Range 2 to 90 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Wonderful Holidays UK From $10,141
15% Off- NZ$8,620You save $1,521
The Archipel I accommodates 16 passengers, with 9 crew members and expert naturalist guide. Intimate wildlife encounters await at Pitt Point and Gardner Bay. Close-up observations during snorkeling with sea lions and hiking volcanic formations highlight the journey.
Duration 10 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Las Tintoreras Islet, Isabela Island, Fernandina Island, Seymour Norte, Genovesa Island, Bartolomé Island, Santiago IslandSee all destinations Age Range 12 to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
15% Off- NZ$12,320
The Archipel I catamaran hosts 16 passengers, offering intimate wildlife encounters at El Chato Tortoise Reserve and Chinese Hat islet. Nine crew members and expert naturalist guide provide personal attention throughout Ecuador's diverse ecosystems.
Duration 10 days Destinations Quito, San Cristóbal Island, South Plaza Island, Santa Fé Island, Floreana Island, Santa Cruz Island, Las Tintoreras Islet, Isabela Island, Fernandina Island, Baltra IslandSee all destinations Age Range 12 to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
15% Off- NZ$12,320
Small groups under 15 people allow close encounters with blue-footed boobies on Lobos Island and detailed guidance during Jatun Yacu River rafting. Local guides provide individual attention at sites like Kicker Rock Islet and Panecillo viewpoint.
Duration 11 days Destinations Quito, Tena, Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil Age Range 2 to 89 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Wonderful Holidays UK From $6,084
15% Off- NZ$5,171You save $913
Galapagos Essentials
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“An excellent trip with a very knowledgeable guide. This beautiful landscape is rich in geography, history, and fauna.”
Rosalind, traveled in September
Wildlife encounters thrive in small groups during this 7-day Ecuador adventure. Solo travelers and couples observe giant tortoises in Santa Cruz and marine life at Academy Bay with expert naturalist guides.
Duration 7 days Destinations Quito, Santa Cruz Island, San Cristóbal Island, Lobos Island Age Range 8 to 89 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Operator Adventure Journeys From $3,150
40% Off- NZ$1,890You save $1,260
Small groups of 8-12 travelers ensure personal attention at sites like Quito's La Compañía church and Otavalo Market. The intimate size allows exclusive access to local experiences, including traditional cocktail-making classes and spiritual ceremonies at Peguche Waterfall.
Duration 10 days Destinations Quito, Otavalo, Cotopaxi National Park, Banos, Chimborazo Volcano, Cuenca, Guayaquil Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Responsible Travel South America From
40% Off- NZ$3,523
Highland adventures unfold in small shared groups through Ecuador's finest spots. Guests enjoy unhurried exploration of Otavalo's market stalls and 45 minutes in Cotacachi's leather shops, with bilingual guides providing cultural insights.
Duration 1 day Destinations Quito, Otavalo Age Range 12 to 80 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Responsible Travel South America From
40% Off- NZ$133
Mindo's butterfly sanctuary and chocolate factory welcome small groups for personal attention. Bilingual guides ensure clear communication during canopy adventures and waterfall hikes.
Duration 1 day Destinations Quito, Mindo Valley Age Range 10 to 80 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Responsible Travel South America From
40% Off- NZ$208
Reviews of Small Group tours to Ecuador
- Journeys: Ecuador’s Amazon and Volcanoes National Geographic Journeys
It was great! We had a lot of fun and saw so much. Everything was arranged very efficiently and was very well organized!
- Galapagos Affordable 8 Days Tour
I had a wonderful trip on Galapagos. I saw everything what i wanted to see on this amazing islands. Even though Alejandro was not there with me everything was well organized and he stayed in contact with me to check if everything is good. I would definitely book GuidEcuador Travel again.
- Ultimate Galapagos: Central Islands (Grand Daphne)
This experience was awesome! The itinerary was mostly kept, we were kept informed if there were adjustments. The only real issue was a minor one when refueling required took longer than expected on Day 8, so we had a bit less time in the touristy city of Santa Cruz... which I didn't mind (saved a bit of money). We saw every animal we came to see and much more. We snorkeled with sharks, sea lions and stingrays! Our guide (Jacinto) was excellent, even helping my wife with snorkeling, as she was a bit reticent at first. My only suggestion is to bring a lot of cash. They don't take credit cards on board for expenses (drinks, wetsuits, etc.).
What our customers ask about Ecuador Small Group Tours
What's the typical accommodation experience on Ecuador small group tours?
Small group tours in Ecuador include stays at boutique hotels and local lodges that provide an authentic atmosphere larger groups often miss. Travelers can expect accommodations like Casa de Marita Hotel Boutique on Isabela Island or the mountain-nestled Llullu Llama Lodge in the Andes. Casa del Suizo Lodge in the Amazon offers riverside rooms with local character. Recent guest feedback highlights the personal touches these smaller properties provide with one TourRadar traveler noting "Alejandro chose unbelievable accommodations that were unique and memorable and he knew the business owners and locals everywhere we went!"
How does the cost of small group tours compare to larger group tours in Ecuador?
Small group tours in Ecuador generally run 20-30% higher than large group options with daily rates between USD 200-400 for comfort-level experiences. This price difference reflects the more personalized service and access to exclusive locations. An 8-day Galapagos adventure for example costs around USD 341 per day including stays at selected properties like Arena Blanca Hotel where travelers get dedicated naturalist guides and close-up wildlife encounters.
How do meal arrangements work on small group tours in Ecuador?
Daily breakfast comes standard on Ecuador small group tours along with select lunches and dinners at carefully chosen local establishments. Casa del Suizo Lodge serves regional Amazonian dishes while traditional Andean meals are available at local haciendas. According to a recent TourRadar review "The food and drinks were wonderful. Every day included something unique and local we never went hungry." Tour operators readily accommodate special diets including vegetarian vegan and gluten-free requirements.
What unique experiences are available on small group tours in Ecuador?
The intimate size of these tours allows for exclusive activities like private snorkeling at Kicker Rock close encounters with wildlife at the Charles Darwin Research Station and flexible hiking schedules at Sierra Negra Volcano. A TourRadar participant shared: "Having a small group meant we could easily change plans to spend extra time with sea lions at Isla Lobos and get detailed explanations from our guide about the unique Galapagos wildlife."
How experienced are the guides on small group tours in Ecuador?
These tours feature guides with extensive regional expertise and required certifications. Galapagos guides for instance must hold naturalist certification from the Galapagos National Park Authority. Guest reviews regularly mention standout guides like Jose and Sofia in San Cristobal with one noting how "their intimate knowledge and ability to give personal attention to each group member made the experience exceptional."
How much interaction is there with local communities on small group tours?
Local community engagement is central to these tours with opportunities ranging from exploring indigenous markets in Otavalo to spending time with Quichua families in the Amazon region. Visits to Floreana showcase community-based tourism initiatives. As one traveler observed "Being in a small group meant we could really connect with the local families and learn about their daily lives in a way that felt authentic and respectful."
More about Ecuador
Ecuador Travel Guide | All You Need to Know