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

Horseback Journey to Ingapirca: Ecuador’s Largest Incan Ruins

Everyone’s heard of Machu Picchu in Peru. But have you heard of Ingapirca, the Ecuadorean version? As the largest and most well-preserved Incan ruins in Ecuador, Ingapirca is sometimes known as “the Machu Picchu of Ecuador”. I mean, I won’t lie – if you’ve been to Machu Picchu, Ingapirca probably 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

Christmas at Dunham Massey in Manchester, England: Is It Worth Braving the Cold and Rain?

Christmas at Dunham Massey, Manchester

Dunham Massey is a National Trust site comprising a historic Georgian house, gardens and even a deer park. We visited friends in Manchester, England recently, and had the opportunity to attend the Christmas at Dunham Massey event. I had no idea what to expect before going – all I knew Continue Reading

Kushiwaira: Living Cañari Culture in Cuenca, Ecuador

Our Cañari guide leaned forward and spoke earnestly. “Did you know,” he asked, “that what we know as Carnaval today was originally an indigenous festival to give thanks to Pachamama [Mother Earth]? The Spanish imported their traditions to make us forget our own.” Here at Kushiwaira, at least, Cañari culture is still very much 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

Salinas de Guaranda: The Little Village that Could

The next time you’re in Ecuador, check out the cheese in the supermarkets. You’re likely to come across the Salinerito brand – locally-sourced and produced right here in Ecuador, in the remote Andean village of Salinas de Guaranda. A brief history Salinas de Guaranda stands at an altitude of 3,550m (11,600ft) 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