Ecuador.
Beautiful Cities, Diverse & Otherworldly Nature, Deeply Rooted Traditional Cultures & Markets, Unmissable.
Ecuador is an incredibly diverse country that is sadly and often overlooked on the classic South American backpacking route. Ecuador boasts mountains, volcanoes, jungles, otherworldly paramo landscapes, cloud forests, and one of the most unique places on our planet, the Galapagos Islands. Ecuador is home to Inca ruins, Cañar culture, and the Indigenous roots are strong. Many ancient traditions are still honored and practiced.
Ecuador can be explored through a variety of tours, but what I love most is exploring the beauty of this country on my own terms, by riding local buses, eating in the bustling markets, visiting sacred spots, trekking on forgotten Inca Trails, and spending time in small artisan villages.
Please don’t make the mistake of skipping Ecuador.
General Ecuador Travel Guides
✔ 22+ Charming South American Villages in the Andes Mountains
Ecuador Villages That Are Worth a Stop
Cuenca Ecuador Travel Guides
➜ Browse the Best Places to Stay in Cuenca
Day Trips from Cuenca Ecuador
✔ 10+ Stellar Ideas for Epic Day Trips From Cuenca Ecuador
✔ The Best Cuenca Day Trips To Discover Artisan Villages
✔ Visit Ingapirca Ruins as an Easy Day Trip from Cuenca
✔ Hike the Beautiful El Chorro Waterfall in Giron Ecuador
✔ Spectacular Hiking in Ecuador | Cajas National Park
✔ Underrated Cajas National Park Trails | Beautiful Laguna Llaviucu Loop
🗺 El Chorro Waterfall Hike ↗
Hike to the 2nd Tier of the El Chorro Waterfall in the Ecuador Cloud Forest
🥾 Cajas National Park Route 1↗
Ruta 1 in Cajas National Park through the paramo landscape and the unique Polylepis tree forest
Ecuador Trekking Guides
🗺 Ecuador Inca Trail Map ↗
Hike the intrepid Qhanan Ñan, or the ancient road system of the Incas to Ingapirca
🗺 Quilotoa Loop Map ↗
This Quilotoa Loop Map follows the Standard Route over 3 Days and starts from Sigchos and ends at the Quilotoa Crater Lake
🗺 Devil’s Nose Hike Map ↗
Hike “La Nariz del Diablo” from Alausi Ecuador
Latest from the Blog
Ruta dos Muíños do Folón e do Picón A Hidden Gem Hike in Galicia
The stone mills of Galicia are a treasured cultural icon of the region’s history. Many of these mills in Galicia can be seen along rivers, on hillsides, and the routes of the Camino de Santiago. Tucked away in the southwest corner of Galicia, not far from the Minho River are the Muíños do Folón e…