Nestled in the heart of Quito, Ecuador, Barefoot Expeditions is not your typical travel agency; it’s your gateway to extraordinary experiences, cultural immersion, and unforgettable adventures in one of the world’s most diverse and captivating countries. If you’re dreaming of a vacation that takes you close to nature, provides cultural insights, and offers tailor-made experiences, then Barefoot Expeditions is your perfect partner.
Travel, Designed with Purpose
Today’s travelers are looking for more than a standard vacation. They want to understand a place — its landscapes, cultures, and natural rhythms — through direct experience, not just observation.
At Barefoot Expeditions, we design journeys that bring together exploration, learning, and adventure in a natural and balanced way. Each experience is created to be engaging and active, while also offering space to slow down, take it in, and connect more deeply with Ecuador and its people.
Our approach is based on what consistently works in travel:
- Proven patterns from meaningful travel experiences
- Practical insight from operating across Ecuador
- A clear understanding of how people move, learn, and connect along the way
This allows us to design journeys that feel smooth and well-paced — combining movement, rest, and meaningful moments throughout the experience.
Fun is always part of the journey — but understanding is what gives it lasting value.
Experience Freedom
Travel at your own pace, connect more deeply with each place, and enjoy Ecuador through experiences designed with care and intention.
Cultural Context & Real Experience
We encourage a respectful connection with Ecuador’s culture and landscapes.
This may include time in local communities, traditional markets, and everyday environments shaped by history and geography. Rather than staged experiences, we focus on helping you understand the place as it is.
Why Travel with Barefoot Expeditions
Traveling through Ecuador should feel exciting and easy — not complicated. Our role is to make your journey clear, well-organized, and fully supported, so you can focus on the experience itself.
We combine local knowledge, thoughtful planning, and ongoing support to create trips that feel natural from start to finish.
What you can expect
Clear planning
We take the time to understand your interests, pace, and expectations — designing a journey that feels balanced and easy to follow.
Simple communication
We work in both English and Spanish, keeping everything clear before and during your trip.
Support along the way
Once you arrive, we stay available and connected — ready to help whenever needed.
Local knowledge that matters
We keep track of routes, timing, and conditions, so everything runs smoothly on the ground.
Help when you need it
If something unexpected comes up, we respond quickly and keep things on track.
We believe that a new breed of travelers has emerged in the 21st century. A traveler that is aware of cultural differences and the fragility of wildlife and far more knowledgeable than ever before
We strive for the challenge of serving this new type of traveler. We stand for low impact yet mind-blowing trips in Ecuador. Since 2005
Barefoot Expeditions has been working since 2005, making trips in Ecuador, The Galapagos Islands, and Peru.
All our trips have been tested and experienced to be able to give you the best advice possible
Our guides are one of the most experienced & professional in each adventure. We know that there is a level of risk in our trips, and an experienced guide makes a big difference in safety.
We have a first-hand travel experience to share. We work with a group of guides who have been continuously working for local and specialized adventure travel
Barefoot Expeditions work with local guides, family-owned hotels, Drivers, local guides, most of your payments go to local people and to areas where tourism industry helps to preserve nature in an Eco-Logic way.
During your trip to Ecuador, we provide 24/7 support in English and Spanish, both before and during the tour. Our exceptional service ensures a worry-free experience.
Barefoot Expeditions Team
Our team brings together a wide range of talents, skills, and local knowledge, creating journeys that feel thoughtful, dynamic, and well supported. Each member and partner adds something unique, helping us design travel experiences with care, flexibility, and purpose.
Diego is an adventure traveler passionate about adventure and Ecuador, his homeland. Diego, a National Adventure Guide, runs and coordinates all the Barefoot Expeditions Trips. He has more than 15 years of experience in adventure travel. He is a mountain climber and whitewater paddler and has traveled to many countries worldwide. He wants to share his passion with Barefoot Expeditions, creating unique adventures.
“I take care of people through experience, presence, and responsibility.
I create safe environments where people can reconnect with themselves and with nature”
Franklin is a fierce adventurer, he is one of the most experienced mountains and trekking guides in Ecuador, his expertise is in mountain climbing tours in Ecuador and Peru. Also, he is part of the rescue high mountain climbing team.
Henry is a very active person that likes to travel and stay on the route, he Paraglides professionally, in Ecuador and Dubai. His hometown is Baños de Agua Santa, a little piece of Heaven as it’s named after.
Born in the heart of the Amazon Jungle, Gregorio is a true lover of nature and adventure. He is not only a skilled whitewater kayaker of Class V, but also runs his own cabins in the Jungle. As a native of Quichua culture, Gregorio is a natural leader for our whitewater and jungle trips, sharing his knowledge and expertise in Quichua, Spanish, and English.
Jacob is a Naturalistic expert jungle guide, he was born in Nuevo Rocafuerte in the border with Peru along the Napo River. He leads the tours to the Yasuni Park, one of the most biodiverse places on the world, and to the Waorani Territory to get to know ancient tribes into the Jungle.
Sebastian’s extensive experience in tourism makes him an invaluable asset. His profound knowledge of Ecuador and Galapagos Tours and Cruises, coupled with his passion for rafting, makes him an excellent trip advisor. It’s no surprise that he was recognized as the top salesman of the year.
Collaborators and Supportive Network
At Barefoot Expeditions, we take pride in our extensive network of service providers, which includes top-notch hotels, reliable transportation companies, private properties, trusted local operators, reputable airlines, exceptional Amazon lodges, experienced boat operators, dependable insurance companies, knowledgeable national guides, skilled adventure guides, experienced native guides, professional drivers, and reputable gear stores. Our meticulous attention to detail ensures that every aspect of your journey is flawlessly executed, leaving you with unforgettable memories that last a lifetime.
