Author: soleqmaster


Excursions within the rainforest region of Ecuador

view into the rainforest of Ecuador

Excursions within the rainforest region of Ecuador Maria S. During my trip to Ecuador this year, one of my longer excursions took me to the rainforest region. A few years ago in Puyo, I met Yaku, a guide who is a member of an indigenous community and lives with his family outside Puyo near Mirador […]

Ecuador in a state of emergency?! My personal experience

fenced presidential palace during state of emergency in Ecuador

Ecuador in a state of emergency?! My personal experience Maria S. As a freelancer, I work from Germany most of the time, but I also spend several weeks in Ecuador every year. Since even the international media reported on the incidents in early January 2024, especially my relatives were quite worried about my trip to […]

The 10 most beautiful lakes and lagoons in Ecuador – Part 1

view over San Pablo Lake

The 10 most beautiful lakes and lagoons in Ecuador – Part 1 Maria S. The small country of Ecuador on the equator is – among other things – very diverse in terms of landscape. The Andes mountain range, which runs through the country from north to south, is characterized by paramo plateaus, active and extinct […]

Cuyabeno – 3 days in the jungle of Ecuador

sunset over the laguna grande in the Cuyabeno reserve

Cuyabeno – 3 days in the jungle of Ecuador SOLEQMASTER Our intern Elizabeth spent three days at the Bamboo Lodge in the Cuyabeno Reserve in the Ecuadorian rainforest. Read about her experiences in one of Ecuador’s most important protected areas Day 1 – The journey from Quito to Cuyabeno From the terminal “Quitumbe” in Quito […]

Floreana – The small Galapagos island with an exciting history

view over typical landscape of Floreana

Floreana – the small Galapagos island with an exciting history Maria S. Floreana in the south of the archipelago is the smallest of the inhabited Galapagos Islands, but certainly the one with the most varied history in terms of its settlement. Several books have been written about it, which we will refer to later. In […]

Cuenca – 8 Things you should see

new cathedral of Cuenca

Cuenca – 8 things you should see SOLEQMASTER Are you visiting the Latin American country of Ecuador? Then it is definitely recommended to plan some days in the great city Cuenca. These following eight activities are a must-do and should not be missed. 1. The great market in Cuenca – Feria Libre If you go […]

Cacti on Galapagos

cati from up close on the Galapagos Islands

Cacti on Galapagos – the amazing flora SOLEQMASTER In previous articles about the Galapagos, we have primarily focused on the impressive fauna of the islands. But the flora of the islands is also amazing. There are around 560 species on the islands, of which around a third are endemic. As with the animal species, the […]

Galapagos Whitetip Reefshark

whitetip reefshark in the ocean at Galapagos

Galapagos whitetip reef shark SOLEQMASTER The underwater world of the Galapagos Islands is impressive and amazing. The archipelago is one of the most popular diving and snorkeling destinations in the world. We have already presented some species that you are sure to encounter underwater, such as the Galapagos hammerhead shark or various species of rays. […]

Backpacking in the North of Peru – Part 2

the oasis of Huacachina in the peruvian desert

Backpacking in northern Peru – Part 2 SOLEQMASTER The first part of the Peru blog was about entering the country and all the details to consider. Then it was about the onward journey and my stay in the coastal town of Mancora. This part is about my last days in Peru, which I spent in […]

Backpacking in the North of Peru – Part 1

boats in front of the beach of Mancora

Backpacking in the North of Peru – Part 1 SOLEQMASTER Elisabeth was an intern at the office in Ecuador. Before starting her internship, she traveled with her cousin to the northern part of Peru for about 10 days in. Read about her experiences and adventures below: Backpacking in Peru sounded dangerous and a bit reckless […]

Galapagos Racer Snake and Sally Lightfoot crab

Sally Lightfoot Crab on a beach in Galapagos

Galapagos racer snake and Sally Lightfoot crab SOLEQMASTER A variety of diverse creatures call the archipelago located west of Ecuador home. In previously published blog articles, we already reported about different animal species, such as lizards, sea lions, different bird species and the namesake of the islands, the Galapagos giant tortoises. This blog is about […]

Is it safe to travel to Ecuador

sacred valley of Vilcabamba

Is it safe to travel to Ecuador Mathew IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO ECUADOR?  Ecuador is a country of incomparable beauty, known for its geographical diversity, also called the land of 4 worlds, since it includes the Amazon rainforest, the majestic Andean mountains, the Pacific coast and the paradise of the Galapagos Islands. Thanks […]

Discover the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve: An Ecological Paradise in Ecuador

Caiman in the Napo River of Yasuni

Discover the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve: An Ecological Paradise in Ecuador Dayana Yasuní National Park, together with the protected zone and the adjacent Waorani area, has been recognized by UNESCO as the “Yasuní Biosphere Reserve” since 1989. This natural treasure in the provinces of Napo and Orellana in Ecuador covers an area of about 10,000 square […]

Galapagos Short-Eared Owl

tipical bush vegetation on Plazas

THE GALAPAGOS OWL – SHORT-EARED OWL SOLEQMASTER In our blog series about the fauna and flora of Galapagos, we have already reported about the giant tortoise, land iguana, sea lizard and lava lizard, but also about the Galapagos sea lion, different species of rays, hammerhead shark, flamingo, blue-footed booby, and penguin. Another bird that inhabits […]

Quito the Leading Tourist Destination in South America.

church of san francisco

Quito the Leading Tourist Destination in South America Mathew Recognition from the World Travel Awards (WTA) The “Oscars of Tourism” are the World Travel Awards (WTA). They honor excellence in the global tourism sector each year. Quito’s popularity as a tourist destination and the value of the experiences it offers visitors is evidenced by the fact that […]

Ecuador – A victory for the environment

river in the ecuadorian rainforest

Ecuador – A victory for the environment Mathew August 20, 2023 marked another milestone in the history of conservation in Ecuador and the global fight for environmental protection. On that day, Ecuadorian citizens made an important decision in a referendum: to preserve the natural treasure of Yasuní National Park by keeping its oil untouched in […]

Galapagos Flamingo

Flamingos at Las Bachas on Santa Cruz Island

The Galapagos Flamingo SOLEQMASTER The archipelago in western Ecuador is one of the most famous in the world. On the one hand, because the flora and fauna served Charles Darwin as the basis for his theory of evolution, on the other hand, because the islands are fantastically beautiful in addition to the great diversity. If […]

Why travel to Ecuador?

young tourist and his motorbike in ecuador

Why travel to Ecuador? Mathew Ecuador is the right place for you if you are looking for a place that offers unforgettable experiences, attractive landscapes and a rich culture. In this article, we would like to remove your doubts and show you why you should visit Ecuador. Improved safety It is important to consider security […]

Galapagos Penguin

Where you can find the Galapagos Penguin SOLEQMASTER After some other interesting blog articles, today we continue our series on the amazing flora and fauna of Galapagos. This time it’s about the Galapagos penguin to answer the question: Where you can find the Galapagos Penguin? Most people know penguins from cold areas like Antarctica. This […]

Centro Histórico – A guided tour of the old town of Quito

A guided tour of the old town of Quito SOLEQMASTER The Centro Histórico If you want to get to know Quito better in a short time, you should go to its old town, because from here everything is within walking distance. The Centro Histórico offers not only a great ambience, but also large squares, several […]

San Cristobal on your own

360 degree tour from San Cristobal Island

San Cristobal on your own SOLEQMASTER Day 7, 8, 9 and 10 of my ten-day Galapagos trip I spent on San Cristóbal Island. On the days before I had already visited the islands of Santa Cruz and Isabela. When I arrived about 17 o’clock on the capital island San Cristóbal I was welcomed directly by […]

More explorations in the north of Esmeraldas

More explorations in the north of Esmeraldas Maria S. Last year I had already explored some places in the province of Esmeraldas, but I had not enough time to see everything I wanted to. Therefore, I decided to visit this area again this year. A night trip by bus makes sense for me only from […]

Isabela on your own

hiking tour to Sierra Negra volcano

Isabela Island on your own SOLEQMASTER I spent 3 days on Santa Cruz Island, which I already told you about in the second blog article. On day 4 I left Santa Cruz Island at 6:30 in the morning and went by boat to Isabela Island. Before leaving Santa Cruz, there was a bag check, I […]

Galapagos Hammerhead Shark

The Galapagos hammerhead shark SOLEQMASTER The Galapagos Islands are considered Ecuador’s paradise, and not without reason! Warm sunshine, white sandy beaches, clear sea water and diverse plant species that bloom all year round. Animals that enrich and make unique both the overwater world and the underwater world! One of these underwater animals is the hammerhead […]

Santa Cruz Island on your own

beach of Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Island on your own SOLEQMASTER 10 days on the Galapagos Islands sounds like a dream! For me this dream became reality in 2023. For 10 days I independently organized my trip to the popular archipelago. You can already read all the information about planning and arriving on Santa Cruz Island in the first […]

La Fanesca – The tradition of Holy Week in Ecuador

preparing the Fanesca

La Fanesca – The tradition of Holy Week in Ecuador SOLEQMASTER Fanesca is a traditional dish characteristic of Holy Week in Ecuador. This tradition originated because of the Catholic Fasting period, in which the consumption of meat was forbidden. Thus, the consumption of cereals and fish became popular at that time. In Ecuadorian gastronomy it […]

Galapagos on your own – Planning and arrival

beach of Isabela Island

Galapagos on your own – Planning and Arrival SOLEQMASTER The Galapagos Islands are one the most worth seeing places in Ecuador and are considered a paradise destination with an untouched nature. They are also called “Islas encantadas”, meaning “islands that inspire” or “enchanting islands”. I, Elisabeth am currently an intern at SOLEQ.travel and have already […]

Carnival in Quito 2023

carnival and foam in the Mariscal

Carnival in Quito 2023 Maria S. Like last year, I spent the Carnival holidays in Quito this year. I was eager to see the program without pandemic-related restrictions. On Quitocultura I had informed myself about the individual activities, although I had the impression that the program was more extensive last year. International carnival parade in […]

4 days in the Yasuní National Park – Day 3 – 4

squirrel monkey at Yasuni national park

In the middle of the Amazon Rainforest – Day 3 and 4 at the Napo Wildlife Center SOLEQMASTER Diego and I spent our first 1.5 days at the Napo Cultural Center and were allowed to visit the Añangu community. We traveled from Coca to the Napo Cultural Center on the first day. On the second […]

4 days in the Yasuní National Park – Day 2

canoe ride in the Yasuni national park on Napo River

4 days in Yasuni National Park – Day 2 SOLEQMASTER The first part of this blog series deals with the journey to Coca and the first day in the Yasuní National Park. This part is about lots of parrots, saying goodbye to the Napo Cultural Center, a two-hour canoe trip with lots of wildlife experiences, […]

Species of Rays Galapagos

ray which

Flora and Fauna Of Galapagos SPecies of Rays SOLEQMASTER The Galapagos Islands not only offer breathtaking, diverse flora and fauna above water, but also within the Pacific Ocean opens another species-rich world. In addition to land-dwelling species, the Galapagos islands are also home to 15 different species of rays. The most common among them are […]

New Years Eve 2022 in Ecuador – The “old year” tradition

colorful old years

New Year’s Eve 2022 in Ecuador – The Tradition of the “Old Year“ Diego Farewell to the old year in the traditional way in Ecuador Following the tradition of December 31 dolls are made of various materials: Cardboard, paint, newsprint, flex foam, fabric, wood, sawdust, cotton, etc. The idea is to represent in some way […]

4 days in the Yasuní National Park – Day 1

National Park Yasuní

4 DAYS IN THE NATIONAL PARK YASUNÍ DAY 1: ARRIVAL AND FIRST ADVENTURES SOLEQMASTER 4 DAYS IN THE NATIONAL PARK YASUNÍ – DAY 1: ARRIVAL AND FIRST ADVENTURES The Yasuní National Park was the destination of the next 4 days for Diego and me. I am Elisabeth and currently an intern at SOLEQ.travel. The two […]

Flora and Fauna of Galapagos: The Blue-Footed Booby

Blue footed Booby on Galapagos

BLUE FOOTED BOOBY GALAPAGOS SOLEQMASTER In our series about the flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands, we will introduce you to another creature typical of the islands now: The Blue-footed Booby. The blue-footed booby is, as the name suggests, known for its blue feet. But not only that, the Blue-footed Booby is also known […]

Flora and Fauna of Galapagos: The Sea Lion

Galapagos Sea Lion

GALAPAGOS SEA LION SOLEQMASTER The Galapagos Islands are one of the most biodiverse places in the world and were the basis for Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. In addition to the Galapagos giant tortoises, which give the islands their name, you will see plenty of different species of iguanas. From the unique marine iguanas to […]

Flora and Fauna of Galapagos: The Lava Lizard

Colorful Lava Lizard

lava lizard galapagos SOLEQMASTER Another animal that enriches the Galapagos Islands located west of Ecuador is the lava lizard Galapagos, which is also called the wedge-tailed iguana. The Galapagos lava lizard is also a species typical of the archipelago, found mainly on the large islands. While the lizard species, land iguana and marine iguana are […]

Flora and Fauna of Galapagos: The Marine Iguana

Marine Iguana is sitting on a rock

GALAPAGOS MARINE IGUANA Maria S. In the first part of our series on the flora and fauna of the Galápagos Islands we already introduced you to the animal eponym of the islands: The Galápagos giant tortoises. As you probably guessed, the tortoise is not the only species that inhabits these diverse islands.  Another species that […]

Flora and Fauna of Galapagos: The Giant Tortoise

Galapagos Giant Tortoise

GalapagosGiant Tortoise Maria S. The Galápagos Islands are located about 1,000km west of Ecuadorian mainland in the Pacific Ocean. In total, more than 100 small islands belong to this archipelago, but only 13 have an area of more than 10km². Furthermore, only 5 of them are inhabited, namely San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, Isabela, Floreana and Baltra.    Since 1978, […]

Favorite Places in Ecuador – Part 3

typical paramo landscape Cajas national park

FAVORITE PLACES IN ECUADOR – PART 3 Maria S. With this article we conclude our short blog series about the favorite places of our friends and acquaintances in Ecuador. Maybe we have inspired you and you would like to travel Ecuador yourself and find your favorite place? Have a look at our website or get […]

Favorite places in Ecuador – Part 2

flamingo on Galapagos

Favorite Places in Ecuador – Part 2 Maria S. In this article we continue our tour through different favorite places in Ecuador. Dora’s favorite place: Galapagos Dora is originally from Venezuela, but has lived in Ecuador for 30 years. She loves the Galapagos Islands especially for the beaches, the good food and the friendly inhabitants. […]

Favorite Places in Ecuador – Part 1

sunset in the cuyabeno reserve

Favorite Places in Ecuador – Part 1 Maria S. So far, blog posts have primarily been written by permanent or temporary members of the SOLEQtravel team and were based on their experiences, adventures and insights. In the following small blog series, we want to change the perspective. For this purpose, we asked relatives, friends and […]

A stroll through the museums in downtown Quito

Wax figures in museum Caamanio Quito

A stroll through the museums in downtown Quito Maria Come with me to A STROLL THROUGH THE MUSEUMS IN DOWNTOWN QUITO. There is a lot to see and experience in the Ecuadorian capital Quito. In various blog articles we have already presented some sights, especially in the old town. But Quito has not only many […]

The unexplored north of Esmeraldas – A region worth seeing

sunset in Esmeralads

The unexplored north of Esmeraldas – A region worth seeing Maria S. The Ecuadorian province of Esmeraldas is known to tourists mainly because of its beach and seaside resorts like Atacames, Mompiche or Tonsupa south of the city of Esmeraldas. These places are easy to reach, for example, it takes only about five to six […]

The traditional ecuadorian Fanesca

Pot with Fanesca dish inside

The traditional ecuadorian Fanesca SOLEQMASTER A typical dish that you can enjoy only here in Ecuador. Fanesca is a delicious soup made of cooked tender legumes, especially prepared at Easter. Although Easter was a while ago this year, we don’t want to deprive you of this delicious dish. History of the Fanesca. In Latin America, it is […]

Tayos Caves excursion – Interview with guide Omar

entrance to the Tayos caves

Tayos Cave excursion – Interview with guide Omar Maria The Tayos Caves are located in the Ecuadorian province of Morona Santiago in the rainforest. The nearest major town is Limon Indanza. From Quito the caves are about 470 km away and one reaches the entrance after a hike of several days. Once at the entrance, […]

Motorcycle trip through Ecuador

Motorbike

Motorcycle trip through Ecuador – from Quito via Riobamba to Cuenca Mathew If you got to this article, it means you are thinking about a motorcycle trip in Ecuador. You’ve come to the right place, because I’m going to tell you about my experience traveling through Ecuador on a 250 CC motorcycle. This adventure of […]

Avocados in Ecuador – A visit to Hacienda Verde

Soleq.travel team tasting the products of Hacienda Verde

Team excursion to hacienda verde Maria S. Arriving to Hacienda Verde On Saturday two weeks ago, the Quito office team went on a trip to Hacienda Verde near Guayllabamba. We left early Quito in the morning, headed towards Otavalo and turned left after the bridge over the river Pisque, following the path to the protected […]

Recreational areas in Cumbaya

Path in the Algarrobos Parc in Cumbaya

Recreacional Areas in Cumbaya Maria S. After a two-day trip to Papallacta and a relaxing visit to the spa there, I headed back towards Quito. This time I wanted to take a closer look at Tumbaco and to the recreacional areas in Cumbaya on the way. I had often driven through these two suburbs of […]

Trip to the thermal baths of Papallacta

spa papallacta, Healing bath

Trip to the thermal baths of Papallacta Emilia We took the opportunity last weekend to go on a day trip to the thermal baths of Papallacta and to enjoy the wonderfully warm water of the baths and the nature. We left Quito by car at 8 o’clock in the morning and passed the Cayambe-Coca National […]

Carnival in Quito

foam carnival quito, carnival dancing girl

Carnival in Quito – a colorful experience Maria S. Two weeks ago carnival was celebrated in Ecuador. The holiday lasted from Saturday to Tuesday. I never had spent Carnival in Quito before, so I was excited to see what the Ecuadorian capital would offer. Various program items that I had read in an agenda from […]

What to do at the Mitad del Mundo

equator monument

What to do at the Mitad del Mundo JULIA One of the many special features of Ecuador is its location on the equator. Therefore, during a trip to this beautiful and diverse country, a visit to the equator should not be missed. In the north of the capital Quito is one of the most popular […]

Visit to the domes of the churches of Quito

View church Compania

Visit to the domes of the churches of Quito SOLEQMASTER Get to know the city of Quito from above. The other day our agency, SOLEQ.travel, was invited by the metropolitan public company of Quito Tourism Destination Management to get to know one of the secrets of the city of Quito. This time I was the […]

Current entry regulations for Ecuador and Galapagos

view from plane window

Current entry regulations for Ecuador and Galapagos Maria S. Last Uptdate: 11.02.2022 As in the whole world, the regulations for entering Ecuador and Galapagos are currently changing very frequently due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With this article we want to give you an overview of current regulations and measures for your trip to Ecuador and […]

Beach trip to Mompiche

hammock

Beach trip to Mompiche EMILIA Over the last holidays in November we packed our suitcases and headed to the coast of Ecuador. To be more precisely, to the small fishing village of Mompiche in the province of Esmeraldas. The place is more than small – in fact, it consists of only two streets and a […]

Guided city tour Quito: Ruta Romance y Libertadores

Calle de las 7 cruces

Guided city tour Quito: Ruta Romance y Libertadores EMILIA Last week we had the opportunity to take part in a guided tour through the old town of Quito, Ecuador’s capital. The theme of the route is “Romance and Liberators” and takes its guests to the city’s historic churches and squares. Everything revolves around the love […]

A visit to the province of the lagoons – Imbabura

A visit to the province of the lagoons – Imbabura JULIA  THE UNEXPLORED NORTH OF ESMERALDAS – A REGION WORTH SEEING Even before I arrived in Ecuador I knew that I really wanted to visit the artisan market in Otavalo. However, I didn’t know that the province in which Otavalo is located is so incredibly […]

10 must-see places in Quito

Quito

10 must-see places in Quito JULIA Quito is the capital of Ecuador and due to its altitude of 2850 meters it is the highest capital in the world. With its 1.4 million inhabitants, Quito is the second largest city in the country, after Guayaquil. The historic center of the Andean metropolis was declared a World […]

New marine reserve in the eastern Pacific

Marine reserve

New marine reserve in the eastern Pacific Master There is good news for the Pacific: As part of the UN climate summit, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica announced the establishment of one of the largest and most biodiverse marine reserves in the world. This will significantly increase and join already existing protected waters in […]

Ambato & Patate

Parque Montavalo

Exploring Ecuador’s Charms: Ambato and Patate JULIA Most tourists know the small town of Baños, located to the south of Quito on the edge of the rainforest. But not as many people know the places Ambato and Patate, which you can pass on the way there. In the following blog I will write about my […]

A day at the Pyramids of Cochasqui

Hill-cochasqui

A day at the Pyramids of Cochasqui DAYANA One of the archaeological sites near the city of Quito, capital of Ecuador, are the Pyramids of Cochasqui, which are located at 3100 meters above sea level. From the historic center, you have an 1 hour and 30 minute drive along a first class road. From the […]

Quilotoa kayaking

Quilotoa lagoon – A great place kayaking MICHELLE Last weekend I decided to do one of the day trips I’ve been dreaming about since the beginning of my stay in Ecuador – visiting Quilotoa Lagoon. In this blog you will learn everything you need to know about the destination itself, how to get there, the […]

A tour through Quito’s historical city center

a tour through quito’s historical city center MICHELLE If you have just arrived in Ecuador, you will be interested in visiting the best places in Quito. But even if you have already spent a few weeks in the country, there are still corners that have remained hidden. Therefore, we decided to do the Quito City […]

The “Laguna de Yambo” – Discover Ecuador’s breathtaking nature

Laguna de yambo – discover ecuador’s breathtaking nature MICHELLE GETTING TO THE LAGOON Do you know already die LAGUNA DE YAMBO? DISCOVER with me ECUADOR’S BREATHTAKING NATURE.  My first excursion outside the national capital Quito was to the “Laguna de Yambo” near Latacunga, about two hours away by car. Already the drive there was an […]

Cueva de los Tayos – an unforgettable experience

cueva de los tayos

Cueva de los Tayos –an unforgettable experience MICHELLE Arriving at cueva de los tayos On May 21 2021, we started our trip to the famous Cueva de los Tayos. On that morning, we were so excited because we didn’t know what to expect. Cueva de los Tayos is situated in the province Morena Santiago of […]

A weekend in Puyo

Mirador de Indichuris Puyo

A weekend in Puyo – starting poinT for exploring the Ecuadorian Amazon. MARIA The best way to get to know a country is to be shown and explained by locals. I have a friend in Puyo and after the long time when all of Ecuador was at a standstill because of the coronavirus, I decided […]

Pack for a Purpose

Pack for a Purpose

Pack for a Purpose – Little Effort. Big Impact. DIEGO Make a Difference with Pack for a Purpose! Pack for a Purpose (PfaP) is an initiative that serves as a link between communities, schools or hospitals with multiple needs and travelers. Those do not only pack their clothes, but also some supplies, which they donate […]

Ecuador is a safe travel destination – visit it!

Ecuador safe destination

Ecuador is a safe travel destination – visit it! MATHEW I can assure you that Ecuador is one of the most beautiful destinations in South America, and if you are planning a visit but feel unsure because of the reputation that precedes South America as “risky”; let me tell you that it is somehow natural […]

Actual requirements for travelling Ecuador

Mathy eCUador opens its doors for tourism again last updated: 03.02.2022 Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, several countries have issued entry restrictions, establishing health and safety measures for foreign tourists. Ecuador is not exempt from that, but it is among the countries that are open to tourism and have allowed travelers from various countries […]

Museum tip Quito: Guayasamin residence and the Capilla del Hombre

view from the Guayasamin residence

Museum tip Quito: Guayasamin residence and the Capilla del Hombre Maria S. Visiting the Guayasamin museum If you have a few hours in Quito, you should visit the Guayasamin Museum. The museum is located in the Bellavista district directly at the foot of the Parque Metropolitano. The location itself is impressive, because from here you […]

Incredible viewpoint in the Amazon: Mirador Indichuris

From Mirador Indichuris you have a beautiful view of the jungle and rivers

mirardor indichuris: incredible viewpoint in the amazon Angela One of the cities in Ecuador that is considered an ‘entrance to the Amazon’ is Puyo. This city is itself not very interesting, but from here you can start your tour into the jungle. There are plenty of options to book an organized tour, but this blog […]

Chimborazo: Ascent to the highest volcano in Ecuador

chimborazo, highest volcano of ecuador

Ascent to the highest volcano in Ecuador: Chimborazo MARIA The fact that Riobamba as a travel destination is generally very often underestimated, I will go into more detail in another blog article about Riobamba itself. Now I will talk about the reason why most people visit Riobamba in the first place: The city is a […]

Cumbayá – the wealthy east of Quito

art in the park of cumbaya

Cumbayá – the wealthy east of Quito MARIA CUMBAYÁ – THE WEALTHY EAST OF QUITO The typical Ecuador – in Quito you can experience this best in the historical old town. Because in the Centro Histórico street vendors do their business. Indigenous people perform their dances and you can have lunch in the colourful, crooked […]

Hiking around Santa Rita Eco-Reserve

Hiking around Santa Rita Eco-reserve Angela The SOLEQ.travel team set out to explore an area we did not know yet: Santa Rita Eco-reserve. A beautiful place in the middle of nature, that not a lot of people know about. As our team likes to keep their reputation of true Ecuador experts, we are always looking […]

Adventure tourism in Ecuador: an excursion to Baños

Waterfall in Ecuador

Adventure tourism in Ecuador: an excursion to Baños SOLEQMASTER ADVENTURE TOURISM IN ECUADOR: AN EXCURSION TO BAÑOS Baños de Agua Santa (“The Baths of Holy Water”) is especially known for its hot springs, supposed to have special healing powers. In addition, Baños has become an obligatory destination for adventure tourism with its numerous activities in […]

Ibarra – a day in the white city

Ibarra – a day in the white city Maria Ibarra is located about three hours north of Quito in the Andes. The capital of the Ecuadorian province of Imbabura was completely destroyed in 1868 and then rebuilt. The pretty old town was mostly kept in white, which is why Ibarra was given the additional name […]

Cuenca

Cuenca - What to do. Visit the Inca Ruins

cuenca-our WEEKEND TRIP Dominik Read what there is to do on a trip to Cuenca and about my weekend trip. Cuenca is Ecuador’s third largest city. Also it is known for the unique heritage, the churches and the architecture. Herewith comes the Nickname Athens of Ecuador. I wanted to know how the City handles all […]

Ecuadorian Carnival: colorful parades, concerts and carioca

La fiesta de frutas y flores involves a big parade of colorfully decorated floats

Ecuadorian carnival:colorful parades, concerts and carioca Angela As a Dutch girl with a catholic upbringing, I have celebrated carnival since I was young. Since I love the celebrations in the Netherlands, I was excited to experience what Ecuadorian carnival is like. So I planned a four-day trip to Ambato (the ‘Carnival capital’ of Ecuador) and […]

Rainforest in Ecuador – Tena travelogue

Parque Amazónico „La Isla“ in Tena Ecuador Rainforest

Rainforest in ecuador – tena travelogue Maria https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZwiQzmFEv8Have you ever visited the RAINFOREST IN ECUADOR? discover the TENA TRAVEL REPORT with me.Tena is known as a rainforest city. The capital of the province Napo is an ideal starting point to explore the Selva, the tropical rainforest in Ecuador. The journey took me to beautiful places […]

Carnival in Ecuador – How to celebrate in Ambato

colibri of flowers ambato

Carnival in Ecuador: How to celebrate in Ambato SOLEQMASTER There are two cities in Ecuador where carnival is a must: Ambato and Guaranda! The two cities are so to speak the capitals of carnival in Ecuador. But carnival here in Ecuador is not celebrated as you might maybe know it… This blog is about Ambato: […]

Volcán Ilalo: easy day hike close to Quito

A mysterious view with clouds rolling in

Volcán Ilaló: easy day hike close to Quito Angela The city of Quito has a truly unique location. Not only it has an altitude of 2.850 meters and is very close to the equator: the city is also surrounded by 14 volcanoes. This ensures endless possibilities for spectacular hikes, at just a short distance from […]

Galapagos Cruise Travelogue

Galapagos Cruise

Galapagos Cruise Travelogue Dorit Western Galapagos Island Cruise Part II Discover my GALAPAGOS CRUISE TRAVELOGUE: We have already reported on the first days of our Galapagos Cruise. Also the second part of our trip to the western route Galapagos Islands was amazing and full of exciting experiences! Puerto Villamil and tortoise breeding centre In the […]

The Mojanda lagoons

Mojanda lagoons

The Mojanda lagoons – in the spectacular landscape of the Fuya Fuya volcano SOLEQMASTER Approximately 17 kilometers from the small town of Otavalo in northern Ecuador are the four lagoons of Mojanda. They lie embedded in the spectacular mountain landscape at the foot of the Fuya Fuya volcano. The team of SOLEQ.travel made an excursion […]

Galapagos Islands Travelogue

Tintoreras Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Islands Travelogue SOLEQMASTER Western Galapagos Island Cruise Part I Discover my GALAPAGOS ISLANDS TRAVELOGUE: The Galapagos Islands represent a unique and diverse flora and fauna. Located approximately 1,000 km off the coast of Ecuador, the harmony of nature and wildlife offers a breathtaking scenery. With the Catamaran Archipelago I we travelled the western route […]

Wildlife and Activities in the Mashpi Lodge

Bird cloud forest ecuador

Wildlife and Activities in the Mashpi Lodge Ecuador Dorit Hansen How do you get to Mashpi Lodge in Ecuador’s cloud forest? How does Mashpi Lodge contribute to cloud forest protection in Ecuador? And how many waterfalls are there at Mashpi? We answer these questions in the first part of the travel report about Mashpi Lodge. […]

Between Montañita and Puerto López: the southern coast of Ecuador

Los Frailes view on beach

Between Montañita and Puerto López: the southern coast of Ecuador SOLEQMASTER The two small towns of Puerto López and Montañita are about 45 kilometers from one another on the southern coast of Ecuador. The vegetation in this region is similar to that of the Galapagos Islands. On long sandy beaches you can observe crabs, pelicans, […]

Andean bears in the north of Ecuador

Andean bears in the north of Ecuador SOLEQMASTER At 2 pm we started our tour from the office – this time to the north of Ecuador. It will be one of our most diverse excursions! Because from the warm temperatures at Pimampiro in the Valle de Chota at only 1.300 meters the tour led us […]

A trip from Quito to Patate

Patate Trip from Quito

A Trip from Quito to Patate SOLEQMASTER What do you do in Quito when you’re cold? My mother-in-law is quite “friolenta” – that she feels cold is a permanent condition, so to speak! When she once again complained about the cold in Quito, we decided to take her on a trip to the warmth. Only […]

The Mashpi Lodge – paradise in the cloud forest of Ecuador

Mashpi Lodge Ecuador

The Mashpi Lodge – paradise in the cloud forest of Ecuador Dorit Hansen The five-star Mashpi Lodge is located in the middle of the cloud forest of Ecuador. In addition to its luxurious and modern facilities, it offers numerous activities to experience the fascinating nature surrounding the lodge during adventurous explorations. What activities does Mashpi […]

Christmas at Refugio de los Sueños

Social project ecuador

Christmas at Refugio de los Sueños SOLEQMASTER https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr2Aj5ceYIg Since many years SOLEQ.travel has been supporting the day care center Refugio de los Sueños (“Refuge of Dreams”), a social project for neglected and socially disadvantaged children in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. This year 120 children and 15 Ecuadorian and international helpers attended the Christmas celebration. […]

MINDO – WHAT TO DO: BIRDS, NATURE AND ADVENTURES

Mindo

Mindo-WHAT TO DO – birds, nature and adventures DOMINIK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH7Fwj5aBTA Mindo is often associated with the unique cloud forest, the flora fauna and the adventurous activities. It is even called a paradise for bird-watcher, nature and adventures. Soleq.travel set off to Mindo for a weekend and wants to have a look at their own! How […]

Otavalo – What to do

road to otavalo

OTAVALO – WHAT TO DO DOMINIK Otavalo is often associated only with the large market that is held there on Saturdays. I wanted to know if there was anything more to discover there and so I set off. Here I share my experiences with you: How did I get there? Where did I stay? How […]

Cotopaxi National Park with the Soleq Family

entrance Cotopaxi

COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK WITH THE SOLEQ FAMILY DOMINIK The Soleq Family decided to have a one-day trip to the Cotopaxi National park. I just recently joined them as the new Intern. Therefore, I was excited as they asked me to join them on this trip. During my first two weeks in Ecuador I was exploring […]