2 Days in Guayaquil, Ecuador’s Largest City: More Than Just a Gateway to the Galápagos

Guayaquil may be the largest city in Ecuador, but most travellers don’t actually spend much time in it. Quito may be the capital, bursting with cultural and historical significance, and Cuenca may be the beautiful jewel of the southern Ecuadorean Andes – but the largest and most populous city in Continue Reading

The Museums of Cuenca, Ecuador – Life Before the Spanish Conquest

The beautiful, laid-back city of Cuenca has something to offer everyone. For the architecture lover, don’t miss a walk around the colonial city centre (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). For the nature lover, the otherworldly Cajas National Park beckons. As for the culturally curious, don’t miss a hands-on experience of Continue Reading

10 Things You Should Know Before Visiting the Amazon

The Amazon rainforest features on many people’s bucket lists – and with good reason. If it isn’t on yours, check out these 5 reasons to visit the Ecuadorean Amazon – maybe it’ll change your mind! But before you start rushing headlong over there, here are 10 things you should know Continue Reading

Which Amazon Jungle Lodge is for You? A Comparison of Ecuador’s Nicky Lodge, Liana Lodge and Napo Wildlife Center

Thinking about visiting the Ecuadorean Amazon but feeling overwhelmed by the plethora of choices out there? How on earth, you may be thinking, are you supposed to know which is the best Amazon jungle lodge in Ecuador for you?? Well, good news – I’ve teamed up with a fellow travel Continue Reading

10 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Hiking the Quilotoa Loop

The Quilotoa Loop: an epic, multi-day trek deep in back-road country. Here, you’ll find breath-taking landscapes where the full beauty of mother nature is revealed. Small villages where life goes on as it has for hundreds of years. And a volcanic crater lake which locals swear has no bottom: the Continue Reading

Hiking the Quilotoa Loop: The Secret to Getting from Chugchilán to Quilotoa Faster Without Killing Yourself

Let’s be clear: the Chugchilán to Quilotoa leg of the Quilotoa Loop is by far most difficult. And the previous legs (Sigchos to Isinlivi and Isinlivi to Chugchilán) are already full-day hikes themselves. So, what can you expect? You’ll cover at least 13km (8 miles) It will take you at least Continue Reading

Staying Safe when Travelling: Ecuador & Colombia

“You’re travelling alone? Aren’t you scared??” The friendly woman on the cramped Colombian minibus looked shocked. She shuddered. “I would never do that.” Having been a solo female traveller for 7.5 months in Ecuador and Colombia, I got such questions a lot, especially from friends and family. It’s particularly disconcerting Continue Reading

Otavalo’s Hidden Gems (Part 2): Lagunas de Mojanda and Cuicocha

laguna de Cuicocha | Otavalo | Ecuador | hiking

First, apologies for the Spanglish in the title. I guess it should technically say either “(las) Lagunas de Mojanda y Cuicocha” or “Mojanda and Cuicocha Lakes”, but: this blog is in English, so I ruled the former out (maybe one day I’ll write something in Spanish so I won’t have Continue Reading