The indígenas are incredibly friendly, hospitable and grateful. As women we never felt unsafe for a single moment.
Our trip to Ecuador was wonderful. The country turned out to be even more varied than I had thought.
Besides the beautiful colonial cities of Quito and Cuenca, we especially enjoyed the breathtaking Andes. We hiked around the lakes of Cuicocha and Quilotoa. We climbed Cotopaxi, but the highlight of the trip was without doubt the climb of Chimborazo. What a beautiful, overwhelming landscape!
Then we travelled on to Guamote. There we got to know the local people up close. The indígenas are incredibly friendly, hospitable and grateful. That goes for the people in general, by the way. As women we never felt unsafe for a single moment.
Completely different, but also a great experience, were the three days we spent in the Amazon rainforest in Cuyabeno. We saw lots of animals, including several kinds of monkeys, an anaconda, sloths (moving, with a baby on their belly!), river dolphins and caimans. We also swam in the lagoon and then enjoyed a beautiful sunset: unforgettable!
The drives were never too long and we could always enjoy beautiful views. The drivers spoke Spanish and English and talked enthusiastically about their country. We also learned a lot from the guides who joined us on our hikes. What a luxury: no need to look at the map or search for anything, just follow the guide, listen, look and enjoy!
During our trip we stayed in authentic, beautiful hotels and lodges. The places were carefully chosen and as varied as the country itself.
A big thank you to the organisation, the guides, the drivers and especially Tom, who kept everything running smoothly.