When South Carolinians Frank and Lola board their flight to undertake Hobnail Trekking’s Ecuadorian Odyssey in early December, they aren’t entirely sure what to expect. They know the trip will stretch them, but they also sense it’s going to be the adventure of a lifetime. They had been toying with the idea of an overseas trip for years, but kept putting it off for one reason or another. But when Lola’s sister passed away unexpectedly, the couple realized that time was fleeting. Ecuador was an easy flight from South Carolina and offered an amazing amount of diversity in a relatively small area, so they decided to make the leap this December.
After a six-hour flight to Quito, the couple’s journey begins deep in the Amazon Basin, where warm, humid air greets them the moment they step off the small plane. December here means daytime temps in the mid-70s to low 80s with bursts of rain, which only make the rainforest shimmer greener. Canoeing along quiet tributaries, they spot playful monkeys in the treetops and colorful macaws wheeling overhead. A nighttime walk reveals darting frogs and the glowing eyes of a caiman on the riverbank. Their guide takes them to a Kichwa village, where they meet a local shaman, and they hike jungle trails in search of spectacled bears and tapirs. For Frank and Lola, it feels like stepping into a living, breathing cathedral of creation.
From the lush lowlands, they ascend into the Andes, where the crisp mountain air is a world away from the humidity they’ve just left. December here brings mild daytime temps (50s–60s°F) with cooler nights and occasional afternoon showers. Trekking the rim of Quilotoa Crater, Frank marvels at the turquoise lake glistening below while Lola soaks in the sweeping views of nearby peaks. They wander vibrant markets filled with woven textiles and fresh produce, then walk the hallowed slopes of Cotopaxi, reaching nearly 17,000 feet. Wrapped in layers against the thin air, they pause to watch an Andean condor glide effortlessly above them. Between treks, they visit a local artist’s gallery and share laughter with new friends over steaming bowls of locro de papas.
Their final stop is the Galápagos Islands, and it’s everything they dreamed of — and far beyond. December brings warm, comfortable days in the 70s and low 80s, with seas around 73°F. If the Galápagos portion of the Ecuadorian Odyssey were a standalone adventure, Frank and Lola would be hard-pressed to find a better island experience. They spend their days visiting giant tortoises and marveling at the first hatchlings breaking free of their shells this season. Exhilarating boat tours carry them to remote islands, where they snorkel through lava tunnels and swim beside sea turtles, playful sea lions, and schools of iridescent fish. On the beaches, they notice green sea turtles beginning to nest, while young sea lion pups sprawl in the sand, waiting for their mothers to return from fishing. Overhead, frigatebirds inflate their brilliant red throat pouches in flamboyant courtship displays, and blue-footed boobies perform their comical dances.
Evenings are slower: walks along the shoreline outside their oceanside 4-star hotel, sampling fresh-caught seafood, and browsing local shops for keepsakes. It’s the perfect, relaxing finale to the intensity of their journey through jungle and mountains.
By the time they board their flight home, Frank and Lola realize they’ve done far more than cross three ecosystems off their list. They’ve tasted the rainforest, breathed the high mountain air, and swum in waters alive with creation. Their “someday” adventure has become a treasured memory — one they’ll carry with them long after their boots are unpacked.
Be Frank and Lola. Explore the welcoming world of Ecuador and create those life-changing memories today. Tap HERE to see the details of our Ecuadorian Odyssey.
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