Ecuador Trips & Educational Tours

The eclectic mix of diverse Ecuadorian cultures enchants visitors, beginning in the capital. Declared as UNESCO’s first World Heritage Site, Quito’s historical old town is blossoming into Latin America’s leading city break. Beyond the architectural beauty of its baroque churches and palaces, Spanish and pre-colonization roots still run through the street music, bustling plazas and local cuisine. Up in the misty mountains, communities, deep-rooted in the past, travel miles with their goods to Andean towns. Suddenly, market squares burst into a kaleidoscope of colors, from hand-woven garments to odd-shaped fruit. The sharp scent of roasted meat and chirping from local traders swirls along the streets with local bargain hunters and starry-eyed travelers.

Ecuador has more festivals than days in the year – over 400. One of the most celebrated is La Mama Negra – a festival commemorating the Virgin of Mercy’s savior of Latacunga from a volcanic eruption in 1742. In September, and again in the first week of November, the streets of this small town pound to the beat of drums, trumpets and trombones from the various parades…Though, the sight of a black-faced virgin and vivaciously-dressed transvestites, may live longer in the memory. As most Ecuadorians follow Catholicism, they hold an important festival around Easter. Carnival prepares devout believers for 40 days of fasting with an almighty blowout. If you are walking outside, expect to be covered in eggs, soap and foam. Along with the December festivities, Quito explodes into action for the Fiestas de Quito. Open-air stages sprout up around the historical old town, while parades, street dancers and bullfights, without killing the animal, celebrate the founding of this intoxicating city.

Over the past few years, a plethora of new direct routes have emerged from major North American cities to Ecuador’s two international airports. Quito’s slick award-winning airport, Mariscal Sucre, has direct links with Atlanta, Miami, Houston, and Fort Lauderdale. Guayaquil’s José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport has direct flights from Miami, New York’s JFK and Fort Lauderdale. Otherwise, stopovers are available from other major Latin American cities like Panama City, Lima and Bogotá. 

Ask any local and they’ll say “Ecuador is perfect to visit all year round.” While not far from the truth, it’s worth noting the two main seasons: Wet and Dry. If you are an adventurous group, you will enjoy cooler and drier conditions in the Andean Highlands around Quito from June to September. October/November offer variable weather – often sunny mornings, rainy afternoons and fewer tourists. The western Amazonian region is wet all year round, but less so from August to November. Humpback whales migrate along the Pacific Coast from June to September, though the warmest time is from December to May. The Galápagos is just spectacular all year round, though for smaller crowds, June to December is the time to visit (unless you jump on a multi-day cruise which restricts visitor numbers, meaning you can enjoy the clear snorkeling waters from December to May.)