My partner and I had an unforgettable trip to Ecuador with Much Better Adventures. The experience was well-organised from the start — we were greeted at the airport as promised and transferred smoothly to our hotel. The location of the first hotel was perfect for exploring Quito’s beautiful Old Town, which we found both accessible and affordable.
Our day at Cotopaxi National Park was a fantastic introduction to Ecuador’s stunning natural landscapes, even if the weather wasn’t entirely on our side.
The next part of our journey took us to Baños, where we completed all the listed activities — each one delivered to a very high standard. Special mention goes to our incredible guide, Jorge, whose enthusiasm and energy really elevated the whole experience. He created a fun and inclusive group atmosphere and was a wealth of knowledge. Some of us opted for an extra adrenaline rush with a bridge bungee jump, which was absolutely exhilarating! Although the weather prevented us from paragliding on the final days in Baños, we appreciated the full effort made to accommodate plans around the conditions.
We then travelled into the Amazon, which was another trip highlight. We were able to swim, kayak, hike, and canoe through the incredible rainforest surroundings. Our local guide Héctor, along with the welcoming Waorani tribe, made the experience truly immersive. Their knowledge of the jungle was astonishing — from identifying animal species by sound to spotting wildlife that we would’ve otherwise missed entirely.
Throughout the trip, Jorge really stood out. He went above and beyond for the group and handled any logistical challenges with ease. His local connections meant we enjoyed some fantastic meals in Baños — we genuinely felt we were dining in the best spots!
While the trip overall was exceptional, we did encounter a few issues we think could improve the experience even further:
- Amazon Travel Time – The journey to and from the Amazon was significantly longer than outlined in the itinerary — in both directions it took nearly twice as long. This unfortunately meant we missed a 4–5 hour jungle hike and a planned night walk, turning what should have been activity days into full travel days.
- Hotel Location in Baños – While comfortable, the hotel was located quite far from the town centre. This made exploring independently difficult without relying on the group vehicle or taxis, which limited flexibility during free time.
- Sleeping Arrangements in the Amazon – About 3–4 weeks before the trip, we were informed that we would need to sleep separately in the Amazon lodge, which wasn’t mentioned in the itinerary. This caused some pre-trip frustration, although Jorge was thankfully able to resolve this for us upon arrival.
- Bar Billing Issues – At the hotels in Baños and the Amazon, we experienced some confusion around drinks bills — in some cases, prices had been agreed ahead of time, but the final bills didn’t match. This led to a few awkward conversations, though again, Jorge stepped in and resolved things swiftly.
Overall, this was a truly special adventure, full of unforgettable moments, brilliant guiding, and a well-designed itinerary. With a few refinements to travel timings, accommodation details, and clearer local billing practices, we believe this trip could be near perfect. Huge thanks again to Jorge and the MBA team — we would absolutely recommend this trip to anyone looking for an active and immersive Ecuadorian experience!
