About Us

Why Travel With Us?

• Custom & Personalized Trips: Every itinerary is crafted to fit your preferences — whether you want adventure, culture, nature, or relaxation.

• Local Bilingual Experts: Our team and guides know Ecuador inside out, combining insider insights with professional service.

• Responsible & Sustainable Approach: We are committed to respecting local communities and protecting the environment.

• Comfort & Safety: Whether you’re traveling solo, as a family, or with a small group, we offer comfortable, safe, and memorable experiences throughout your journey.

Our Mission

At Real Dreams Ecuador, our mission is to design authentic, high-quality travel experiences in Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands that connect travelers with the country’s rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and unique wildlife. As a local tour operator based in Ecuador, we specialize in creating custom-made tours, small-group journeys, and private travel experiences tailored to each traveler’s interests and expectations

Our Vision

To inspire travelers from all over the world to explore Ecuador’s natural wonders and cultural treasures — while helping preserve them for future generations. At Real Dreams Ecuador, we don’t just plan trips — we help you live your travel dreams.

Diego Plazarte 

My name is Diego Plazarte, a passionate traveler and photography enthusiast, born in Quito in 1994. Travel has always been an essential part of my life, and when the time came to choose my future, it played a key role in my decision to pursue a degree in Ecotourism.

My path led me to the world of guiding, where I found my true calling. As a Certified National Tour Guide, I truly enjoy showcasing the beauty of my country and sharing Ecuador with travelers from around the world. Ecuador is an incredibly biodiverse, multicultural nation with a rich history, and there is always something new to discover—every journey leaves you wanting to explore even more.

One of my most enriching experiences was traveling across much of Ecuador in just 21 days, an adventure that deepened my connection with the country and its people. My commitment is to provide peace of mind, trust, and safety at all times, ensuring that every traveler enjoys a secure, meaningful, and unforgettable experience in Ecuador.

Irene Minda

Hello! My name is Irene Minda. I was born and raised in Quito, a true quiteña at heart and soul. I live in the south of Quito with my mother and my two younger sisters—and also with five cats and two dogs, who are very much part of the family.

Many moments during my student years inspired me to become a Tour Guide. First, my teachers and the different tourism-related projects and events we worked on helped me fall in love with this profession. Second, seeing how travelers fall in love with Ecuador when they explore it—when they discover its immeasurable beauty and, at the end of their journey, say that Ecuador exceeded their expectations and that they will return someday—fills me with pride as a guide. That feeling is truly inspiring.

My first experiences as a guide took place in Quito’s Historic Center, leading theatrical walking tours. I love this type of tourism, where you bring traditional characters from Quito back to life and use them to tell visitors how our city and country were in the past and how they are today.

About a year ago, I traveled through different parts of Bolivia. I went as a tourist, and it is a beautiful country. Seeing it through a traveler’s eyes helped me understand even more what visitors must feel when they arrive in Ecuador for the first time—perhaps even more strongly.

Before becoming a guide, I worked as a babysitter and later as a secretary at a cleaning products factory. Honestly, I chose those jobs because I didn’t speak any English at all and was very afraid of the language—I truly thought I would never be able to learn it.

I finally decided to dedicate myself fully to tourism around 2021, when I learned my first chulla words in English and, most importantly, when I earned my professional guiding license. As I mentioned before, English was my greatest weakness, and I was truly afraid of it.

I am deeply passionate about talking about Ecuadorian food. Describing the many flavors found across our country and its regions is inspiring, and I love sharing our customs, traditions, and collective memory.

Passengers often tell me they notice the way I speak about Ecuador—perhaps they sense the pride and love I feel for my country. That makes me very happy.

One funny anecdote from my guiding experience is getting lost in a museum—yes, it happened! It was my first time at the San Francisco Museum, and I somehow ended up in the priests’ quarters. Totally not my fault… it was huge! 😋

My hobbies include dancing, especially folkloric dance, reading history, and telling legends. I love sharing legends and imagining the places and moments where they might have happened.

As a guide, I truly believe that a great travel experience is the best promotion a country can have. My mission is to offer travelers a rich and meaningful experience and to treat them the way I would like to be treated when visiting their countries.

Andres Collaguazo

What inspired me to be a guide

When I was a kid, watching the volcanoes of Quito every day made me feel a deep curiosity about nature and the history around me. That feeling of wanting to understand what I was seeing, and also my interest to share it with other people, was the reason that pushed me to become a tour guide. I discovered that walking with travelers, showing them the different landscapes and telling them the stories that our places keep, allow me to transform that childhood inspiration into meaningful experiences for the people who visit our country.

My first travel

My first trip was to the Peguche waterfall in the north of Ecuador. It is an ancestral place, full of meaning for rituals, and it left a strong mark on me. The walk was simple, but when I arrived, a vibrant energy surrounded me. I felt a deep connection with the place, like the waterfall was telling me old stories. That experience teached me that tourism is more than just looking, is feeling the essence of the places and understanding the cultural importance.

Relevant international experiences

I had not the chance to travel outside my country yet. But my contact with people from other countries helped me understand their travel styles, expectations and improve my english step by step.

My professional past before being a guide

Before working in tourism, I worked in customer service. That time helped me to listen better, understand what people look for and answer in a good way. All of that became a strong base for my work now.

How I decided to work in tourism

This decision came when I learned that the moments I enjoyed the most were always connected to routes, conversations with travelers, and the history of the places that I visited. There was a moment when I understood that this profession allows me join with the beauty things of Ecuador and the people.

What I love about guiding in Ecuador

What really moves me when guiding is the big variety of the country. Ecuador has jungles, mountains, coasts, lakes and communities with very different ways of living. This strong mix makes every route different and gives the chance to show the surprises of Ecuador, our people and our stories.

What passengers usually say about me

Passengers usually say that I have an empathetic way to get close to people and that my humor makes the tours feel lighter. They also say that I explain things in an easy way and that I teach with a friendly style, without losing the seriousness of the job.

An interesting anecdote from my life as a guide

On August 3rd, 2021, I visited one of the magical places of Ecuador (Cuicocha Lagoon). Even if I already knew this place, that day was very special. I felt again the strong energy that these places have, something that reminds us of our ancestral connection as Ecuadorians and the big pride we feel for our heritage. This connection is so strong that we can share it with others. Since that day I felt that my life changed and gave me a new opportunity to live.

My hobbies

In my free time I like to learn and research new topics and stay updated about places in the country. I also listen to music every day.

My mission as a guide

My mission is to make sure every passenger sees what they really want to see. Their expectations are my priority, and I work so that every route makes sense for them. I want them to live the country in an authentic way, with clear information and obviously when is possible, with the best views of the volcanoes and the energy of us. I think with that experiences you will remember your trip for a long time.