Ecuador Small Group Tours
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10 best Ecuador small group tours
Compiled by
MelissaEcuador travel expert at TourRadar
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- Full Day Otavalo Indigenous Market - 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 Ages 18+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Responsible Travel South America From
- NZ$3,849
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 Ages 18+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Responsible Travel South America From
- NZ$3,548
Duration 10 days Destinations Quito, Otavalo, Mindo Valley, Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island Age Range Ages 26+ Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Authentic Ecuador From
- NZ$4,684
Duration 8 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Wanderful Holidays LLC From
- NZ$7,194
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 All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Wonderful Holidays UK From
- NZ$10,217
Local guides lead small groups through Ecuador's biodiversity, maintaining an easy-paced schedule perfect for all fitness levels. Daily activities include personal experiences like Mindo Cloud Forest hikes and Tortuga Bay beach visits. The intimate setting ensures quality time at Charles Darwin Station and Lobos Island.
Duration 8 days Destinations Quito, Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator Wanderful Holidays LLC From
- NZ$6,859
Journeys: Ecuador’s Amazon and Volcanoes National Geographic Journeys
11 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Travelling with Gaventures is for sure a guaranteed successful vacation. I really recommended touradar.”
Nathalie, traveled in February
Groups of 12-16 travelers share personal interactions during the Otavalo weaving demonstration and Amazon family visit. The intimate size ensures quality time with your CEO guide at Cotopaxi National Park and authentic cultural exchanges at the Kawsaymi Community.
Duration 9 days Destinations Quito, Otavalo, Papallacta, Tena, Banos, Coca, Yasuni National Park Age Range Ages 12+ Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Operator National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures From $3,539
20% Off- NZ$2,831You save $708
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 Ages 18+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Responsible Travel South America From
20% Off- NZ$3,732
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 Ages 10+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Responsible Travel South America From
20% Off- NZ$209
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 Ages 12+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Responsible Travel South America From
20% Off- NZ$134
Reviews of Small Group tours to Ecuador
Adventure Journeys is a great company to trust with your travel experience. We broke the seal on the lock down culture surrounding Covid, and were the first folks back on the trail in a year! Because Ecuador is just opening up, now is a great time to get the extra value of a personal bevvy of guides. We often had just my son and myself with a naturalist all to ourselves. I was most impressed by the care of the Adventure Journey team that was evident, yet unseen. For example, going to Kicker Rock to snorkel. They could have hired a cheaper boat for us that would have taken 1. 5 hours just to get there. However, they gladly hired a speedy boat that whizzed us out for more time snorkeling, less time riding. Another example of attention to detail, was when it was quite hot, and they didn't want us to walk back to the entrance of the Charles Darwin Center to meet our taxi without refreshment. So, they bought us some fruit slushies to "fortify" us for the walk. The details count, although you might not see them getting them ready. The guides really care about sharing the people, animals, culture, and geography with you. I had no idea of all the micro climates caused by various currents, underwater features and winds. It was fascinating. Each micro climate engendered its own adaptations of species. Meeting people while you travel is the best part, and we enjoyed sharing our stories of our lives in the United States, as well as getting to know about the families of the guides. I am the type that asks a lot of questions, from how is your car insurance here, to does your family enjoy scouting, to what are your favorite Christmas traditions, to what is your grandmother's favorite saying. I love the connections of people to people. That's what make the world grander. Here is another example of my guides extra care. When snorkeling at Kicker Rock, I was not comfortable just jumping into the ocean, so they gladly lowered a ladder, so I could immerse myself slowly. Then, they helped me on with my fins and mask, along with a little floaty, and I was good to go. We saw sharks, turtles, beautiful fish and a wall of rock just teaming with colorful life of the sea. I could have looked at that for hours. So cool. We stayed an extra day after Galapagos to tour Quito with a guide and visit the Equator line. It was so fun going up into the catwalk above the vaults in the church and doing gravity experiments on the line of the Equator. Amazing stuff, that science! I highly encourage you to go explore with Adventure Journeys. They will take excellent care of you. Ecuador if vaccinating the tour guides in Galapagos (after first responders), so that tourists will be welcomed safely back. I had no worries. I hope you will go and explore.
Galapagos Essentials
- 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
This was the first time I had visited Southamerica and it was far out my expectations . The group was small, accommodation comfortable and food excellent. The expert guide who accompanied us was outstanding - passionate, informative, engaging and entertaining. The itinerary was very well thought out, combining leisure time with activity and not-to-be-missed opportunities to swim at the sea . I would highly recommend this company to anyone wanting a fun, relaxed holiday with fine food - they will deliver!
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