Local Insider - Highlights From Culture Trip's Adventure In Ecuador

If you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip in the coming months, Ecuador in South America is probably on your list. Our 8 day trip covers the incredibly biodiverse landscape – and with so much packed in to the schedule, we couldn’t think of anyone better than our Local Insider, Antonio, to introduce his home.

Culture Tripper Molly is looking forward to joining one of our trips in 2023, and wanted to find out more about one of her top picks. Speaking to Antonio, who has more than 16 years of experience, we find out with her exactly what happens on one of these curated small-group trips.

Antonio exudes a great sense of calm and knowledge, which instantly makes us feel like we would be looked after from the moment we land in Ecuador to the final day of the adventure. With an almost endless list of things you can try in this underrated part of South America, it helps to have someone with a wealth of knowledge to make the most of your time.

Here are some of the trip highlights, and make sure you check out Antonio’s take on some of his favourites – to see these magical locations brought to life.

Explore Cotopaxi National Park on horseback
Hike around the ethereal Quilotoa crater lake
Visit a traditional Tigua art studio
Cycle the Baños Waterfall Route
Go white-water rafting in the Amazon rainforest
Whip up a feast at an Ecuadorian cooking masterclass
Sample fine chocolate in Quito

It’s safe to say Molly has made her choice about her first trip 2023 after speaking to our Local Insider – and you can join her in Adventurous Ecuador, too.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.