In 2015, I did the 7-day Torres del Paine Circuit trek with Swoop Patagonia. Although I had hiked most of the trails of the Torres del Paine National Park in my 3 previous visits (it really is one of the most spectacular places on the planet), I specifically wanted to do the Circuit for the moment […]
Trekking Argentina – Southern Patagonian Icefield Expedition – Prelude Read More »
A quick half-day hike just outside of Quito is to the cross on Volcán Ilaló. And, unlike most of the hikes in this hiking mecca of a country, you can actually get to the trail-head on public transport! However, it turns out that I didn’t need to worry about that as my friends Suzi and
Hiking Ecuador – Volcán Ilaló Read More »
San Cristóbal was the last of the islands I visited on this trip to the Galapagos and, for chilling out, it is by far the best. There are numerous and different eating options in town (I can highly recommend eating breakfast at the small café outside the Hostal Galapagos, and the Sabor Cuencano Bakery on
San Cristóbal Island – Galapagos Read More »
Having survived the snorkeling trip to Los Túneles without a relapse in my illness, for Christmas Day I headed out on the second tour I’d organized for Isabela Island – a hiking tour to Sierra Negra and Volcán Chico. Once again, the day began overcast and, as we bused to the starting point of the trail,
Hiking Galapagos – Sierra Negra and Volcán Chico – Isabela Island Read More »
The Galapagos is a mecca for snorkeling and diving. And while I haven’t taken up the latter (I already have waaaaaay too many expensive hobbies), one of my favourite memories of my last trip here was snorkeling with the Green Sea turtles. I knew I wanted to do at least one snorkeling excursion while in
Los Túneles – Isabela Island – Galapagos Read More »
In order to protect the environment and the animals, the number of excursions you can undertake independently in the Galapagos is quite limited. One of the longer ones is the ~15km return journey out to the Muro de las Lágrimas (Wall of Tears) on Isla Isabela. Almost everyone does this on a bike (and that’s
Hiking Galapagos – Muro de las Lágrimas on Isabela Island Read More »
When I arrived in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos, a quick stroll down the main street showed me that all of the day-trips to the different islands were incredibly expensive. While it may be a lot cheap-er to travel to the Galapagos independently rather than on a cruise, it is still
A Day Trip to North Seymour Island – Galapagos Read More »
Most people arrive to the Galapagos Islands via Baltra airport near the island of Santa Cruz. When I first visited 14 years ago, we essentially went straight from the airport to our cruise boat (it was not possible to travel independently in the Galapagos at that time), and didn’t see anything of Santa Cruz beyond
Hiking Galapagos – Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz Read More »
Visiting the Mitad del Mundo (or middle of the world) is something that almost everyone who comes to Quito does. When I first visited it 14 years ago, it was a massive monument and a yellow line that marked the Equator line (in theory). Oh my – how it has changed! The big monument is
Mitad del Mundo – Quito – Ecuador Read More »
If you are after relaxation, the Papallacta Hot Springs (Termas de Papallacta) are a very easy day-excursion from Quito, and a really lovely experience. Investigating how to get there on public transport, I decided it would be simpler to head to the Quitumbe terminal to catch the bus, rather than trying to pick it up at
Termas de Papallacta (Hot Springs) – Quito – Ecuador Read More »
