Ecuador

Ecuador harbors a rich tapestry of traditions, some of which may appear unusual to international visitors. One of the most unexpected and fascinating traditions is observed by many crews sailing through the Galapagos Islands when they cross the equator.

For many, a pilgrimage to the Galapagos Islands represents the fulfillment of a long-cherished dream, one that entails meticulous planning and substantial savings.

On September 8, 1978, Quito was declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Unesco, the first Cultural Heritage of Humanity for having one of the highest densities of historical centers in Latin America.

Humpback whales migrate to Ecuadorian coast from June to October to breed and calve. They are known for their acrobatic displays and complex songs. Ecuador is a popular destination for whale watching enthusiasts.

A collaborative research between Marine Megafauna Foundation, Fundación Megafauna Marina del Ecuador, the Manta Trust and the Ocean Ecology Lab at Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute has identified the coast of Ecuador as the place with the largest population of giant oceanic manta rays (mobula bisrostris).

The Chakana Reserve is a highly biodiverse area located outside Quito. Here, you can enjoy an amazing experience of wildlife sightseeing and learn more about Ecuadorian culture.

Quito is an incredible place with some of the most visited tourist attractions. Here we list the 5 best road trips you can take near Quito on a day tour.

We want travelers to know how to be safe in Ecuador when they visit us. As a traveler, it is very important to be informed about safety in each country they visit. In the next blog, you will read some recommendations to stay secure and enjoy a carefree Ecuador vacation.

Kontiki Expeditions new product, Kallpa Wellness Retreat. A program built to curate your personal well-being. This luxury retreat focuses on connecting mind and body and our understanding and immersion in the local culture, traditions, and nature.

Adventure enthusiasts. You're looking for authentic and meaningful travel experiences. Our goal is to get them off the beaten track and into authentic cultures, unforgettable meals, or rare wildlife. A cookie-cutter trip won't do.

The Pacoche Coastal Marine Wildlife Refuge presents one of the most breathtaking landscapes in all of Ecuador, and is considered to be one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world. Located in the province of Manabí, on the southwest coast of the country, the Pacoche forest is an incredible place to be immersed in the beauty of nature and explore the many species of wildlife that call it home.

Marine turtles are incredible creatures that have lived in oceans and seas for over 100 million years. They are the perfect embodiment of evolution and biological diversity, as they can be found living in a variety of marine biomes, ranging from shallow waters to deep ocean environments.

Sal prieta (dark salt) is probably the single most emblematic dish in Manabí, a coastal province in Ecuador.

People tend to talk about “the Amazon” as if it was one place. Like a city, you can just go to and check off your list. Because of its sheer immensity, the Amazon jungle is impossible to just “visit”.

For such a small town, Baños de Agua Santa for sure offers a lot of attractions. It is the second most visited destination in Ecuador, inferior only to the country's capital - Quito.

If you really want to enjoy Cuenca to the last, you should choose your accommodation wisely. At the end of the day, this is where you’re going to kick back and relax, remembering all the amazing things you’ve seen so far.

Baños de Agua Santa literally translates to “Baths of the Saint Water” and it wasn’t named like that by accident. Besides being “the adventure capital of Ecuador”, where all the extreme sports meet up to have a party, Baños is also known for its hot springs and spas.

Taita Chimborazo (meaning “dad” in Quechua), as the locals affectionately call it, is a volcano that figures on a lot of “the …est” lists. The closest point to the Sun. The highest summit on Earth, when measured from the center of the planet.

Located close to the South of Ecuador in the Andes region, Cuenca is one of the five most important cities of Ecuador, and it's considered The Athenas of Ecuador for its cultural diversity, architecture, art, and the authenticity of its streets.

Cotopaxi National Park looks like an image taken straight out of the “Hobbit”. A lonely mountain arises from the vast plains of paramo with its knee-deep yellow grass and rabbits racing through the moss.

To my surprise, it was actually one of the many places in this country where I enjoyed returning to time and again. What’s more, it wasn’t half as bad as I imagined and there are some cool places to discover and things to do there.

The opinions about Mindo are divided. Some say it’s overcrowded and overpriced and that’s a fair point, but I think there’s more to it than meets the eye.

If you were doing some research about the things to do in Ecuador you may have heard the name “Quilotoa” come up more than once.

The Kontiki Wayra is not brand-new but it's a sparkling clean, beautifully decorated and safe home that is a true labor of love

Luxury travel has progressively evolved into a daring exploration of places that awaken emotions; locations that inspire travelers though a connection with local people, natural, treasures, unique cuisine, and traditions

Vilcabamba is a small town in Ecuador that is becoming a popular destination for tourists, here we present you with a in depth travel guide to Vilcabamba, the town and it's surrounding valley. Vilcabamba is known for its beautiful scenery and its many wellness retreats.

This species can reach a height of 20 meters and is characterized by a dense and leafy canopy that measures about 10 meters. Guayacanes bloom once or twice a year.

Five best dishes of Manabí's gastronomy The province of Manabí is known for having in its territory magical places that generate visits from different parts of the country and the world.

Kontiki Expeditions has designed a series of curated experiences which depict a different type of tourism, more conscious about environmental care, respectful of the place and the communities visited, and truly meaningful for the mindful traveler.

Luxury Travel has progressively evolved into a daring exploration of places that awaken emotions; locations that inspire travelers through a connection with local people, natural treasures, unique cuisine, and traditions.

Maquipucuna was the first place where bear season started. It is a private ecological reserve in Nanegal that is about two hours from Quito.

It’s no secret that we get really excited about terroir—on how the flavor of something is influenced by the specific land it has been grown on.

The luxury goods industry has seen a progressive shift in consumers' behavior towards a new set of values in which offers with purpose, production with integrity and slowing down are preferred over abundance, capricious consumption and fast paced living.

Are you ready for travel? A recent report from the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) at Adventure Travel Xpo shows that adventure travel will recover in the next three to four years, and then grow faster.

Conscious Travel is a fundamental principle located at the core of Kontiki Expedition’s philosophy. We have designed slow-paced meaningful experiences that allow our guests to have a deeper understanding of local people and places, while protecting the environment and giving back to rural communities.

His fantastically eccentric house—in a chic neighborhood in Quito, perched high above the city—has been converted into an art museum. For anyone visiting Ecuador, it is a must-see.

Discovering a new location is never complete without getting inmmersed in its gastronomy. At Kontiki Expeditions, we explore the culinary traditions in every stop of our route to experience Ecuador's local coastal flavors and culture in a distinctive way.

Kontiki Expedition will set forth on a chartered exploration of the seldom-visited Ecuadorian coast, allowing for a rich cultural adventure and an exclusice voyage. With only nine staterooms for 18 people and stops at unpopulated coastal ports, social distancing is the norm rather than the exception.

If you're ever taking a vacation in Ecuador, you would be remiss not to include national parks and reserves in your itinerary. That's because Ecuador is home to one of the most ecologically unique places in the world.

Ecuador can pass as an entire planet. It’s a country so diverse, and it fools your mind into thinking that you’re entering another territory when you go from one city to another.

There are total 10 agencies that take you for whale watching tours. The agencies are convenient to spot with offices right along the coastal area.

South America has a wide range of options to live the best adventures. Check our top five experiences, the ones that we suggest you take during your trip.

Here is five of our favourite things to do when soaking up the amazing atmosphere that this beautiful city has to offer. We are sure, you will love it!

Here, you can see a list of the Eight top-rated tourist attractions you can’t miss in Ecuador. You should visit at least once in your lifetime.

The colonial downtown of Quito is among the best preserved in America. Discover the five reasons why Quito should be your next travel destination

Read more about the All you need is Ecuador Campaign. Here are all the best of Ecuador and the Galapagos summarized for you!