When I travel, I’m not just exploring for myself – I’m learning for my clients. Every itinerary I join is a chance to experience logistics, pacing and people exactly as they will. My most recent adventure with Mercury Holidays took me across Ecuador, a country that surprised me at every turn and reminded me why first-hand knowledge is a travel planner’s most powerful tool.
This was my sixth Mercury Holidays tour since 2020, following unforgettable journeys through India, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Borneo and Japan, with two more Latin America tours already booked for next year. Each one has given me insights I can pass directly on to my clients – and Ecuador was no exception.
Acclimatise in Quito
Our 12-day route mapped a perfect loop through the Andes: Quito – Mindo – Cotopaxi National Park – Riobamba – Cuenca. Quito immediately captured me with its colonial beauty and sense of altitude – you truly feel you’re in the Andes. The local guides brought the city to life, explaining how Spanish, Indigenous and modern influences weave together here. One early lesson: allow time to acclimatise and take it slowly on the first day; those tips are now part of every client briefing I give.
Soar in the cloud forests
From Quito we descended into the emerald world of Mindo’s cloud forests and waterfalls. The journey itself was part of the adventure, winding through mist-covered valleys. I’ll never forget zip-lining across the treetops, feeling the rush of air and the height between platforms – and not forgetting the climbs between the stations! Other visits included a small artisanal chocolate factory, where we learned the secrets of fine dark chocolate making, from cacao pod to tasting bar.
Feeding hummingbirds in Mindo, a tiny town in Ecuador's cloud forests
Photographers will love Cotopaxi and Riobamba
Heading south, the dramatic Cotopaxi Volcano dominated the horizon. We explored the national park’s high plains, watching wild horses graze under an endless sky. For clients interested in nature photography or landscapes, this is a dream. Later, in Riobamba, we saw daily life unfold in vibrant markets – locals trading fruit, and textiles.
Local encounters make a tour
Further on, Cuenca felt instantly different – elegant, historic, and full of artistry. I loved meeting local craftspeople, particularly the women weaving Panama hats who take great pride in this tradition and I realise how these encounters enrich a tour, and now I always encourage clients to keep a bit of luggage space for the unexpected treasures they’ll want to bring home.
Packing essentials
If there’s one moment that defines Ecuador for me, it’s standing beside the still waters of Las Cajas National Park, mountains mirrored perfectly in the lakes. Walking here, I understood why travellers talk about finding peace in wide-open landscapes. I also learned practicalities: the need for layers, sunscreen even at altitude, and the value of having a guide who knows the terrain and weather patterns.
Trena Lewis in Cajas National Park
Stories sell travel
Our stay at a traditional hacienda in the Andes was pure magic. Horses grazed in the paddocks, and the hosts treated us like family. Experiences like that remind me that accommodation isn’t just where you sleep – it’s where stories are shared. When I describe this to clients, they instantly picture themselves there, which is half the art of selling travel.
Travelling as clients do
Seeing a tour through my clients’ eyes keeps me grounded. Group travel brings camaraderie, but also teaches patience and flexibility. I took note of transfer times, meal options, and how free evenings were handled – all details that make a difference when advising others. For solo travellers, safety and companionship go hand-in-hand, and this itinerary delivered both effortlessly.
From a professional perspective, journeys like this transform how I communicate. Instead of quoting brochure copy, I can describe the wondrous sights of Quito, the sound of church bells in Cuenca, or the sensation of thin mountain air. Clients respond to that authenticity; it builds trust.
Having travelled with Mercury six times now, I’ve seen their consistency first-hand – excellent local partners, balanced itineraries and thoughtful pacing. It’s that reliability, combined with the excitement of discovery, that gives me the confidence to recommend them.
An iconic photo stop at the Equator
Don't overlook the bucket-list
Ecuador may be small, but it offers “four worlds in one country”: the Amazon, Andes, coast, and Galápagos. Even without the islands, the mainland alone delivers incredible variety. This Ecuadorian Adventure captures that essence – the colours, the wildlife, the warmth of the people.
I didn’t have enough time to add the Galápagos extension on this trip, but fellow travellers in my group did. They shared their photos and feedback in our WhatsApp group afterwards, and the verdict was clear: “The islands were great. Lots of sea lions and birds.”
These words were a great reminder that clients should be encouraged to add this bucket-list destination to their holiday.
A destination that delivers
Ecuador may be compact, but it offers enormous variety – from cloud forest to high Andes and everything in between. For travellers curious about culture, nature and connection, it’s a destination that delivers all three.
Every tour teaches me something new. This one reminded me that travel isn’t just about ticking places off a map; it’s about feeling part of a world bigger than ourselves. And when clients ask what Ecuador is really like, I can now answer with a smile: I’ve been there. And I can’t wait to send you there too.
