After some beautiful trips in Europe, we decided to take a long-haul journey with our three teenagers.
Ecuador seemed like the perfect destination: a diverse country where it's not winter during our summer vacation. Though it turned out to be a bit colder than expected, it was a welcome change during a heatwave in Belgium.
In our search, we found some sample itineraries on Tom's website. We decided to focus mainly on the more adventurous trips in the Andes. We loved it!
We started in Mindo with a cable car — and you can forget any idea you have of Alpine cable cars. Then we got to soar across the cloud forest on 10 ziplines in a row.
In Otavalo, we got used to the altitude and learned our first words in Kichwa.
We felt proud standing at high altitude on Cotopaxi, thrilled to take shelter in the mountain hut from the melting snow. We pushed our limits again on Chimborazo and were rewarded with breathtaking views. From the mountain hut, we descended by mountain bike through a remote landscape.
In Baños, we went all in with rafting and then relaxed in the hot springs — mountain views, cocktail in hand.
We took a stunning hike around Quilotoa, which is even more beautiful in real life than in any photo.
In Guamote and Tigua, we got to know the friendly Ecuadorians even more.
Tom included a hike in Ozogoche in our itinerary, and I had no idea what to expect. It turned out to be incredibly authentic — bright blue lakes in a place that’s not even in Lonely Planet… should we send them a little tip? Still debating.
After all those climbs and altitudes, we ended up on the coast in Puerto López: a close-up encounter with whales, dolphins, and turtles — all in one boat trip!
But what truly shines throughout this entire trip are the genuine smiles of the Ecuadorian people — when you greet them, travel with them, sing and dance with them in the car.
Tom carefully selects accommodations and lunch spots that support the local community without sacrificing comfort and variety. Everything was perfectly arranged! We never once felt like voyeurs or unwelcome visitors.
The Ecuadorian people — especially our guides, drivers, and Tom himself — are ultimately what made this trip truly unforgettable, beyond all the adventure.
