Pre-trip Preparation

Before we set out, you’ll receive your Travel with HEART journal to begin exploring what it means to travel with intention. In three virtual gatherings, our circle of women travelers will begin to connect, sharing stories, expectations, and inspiration for the journey ahead.

Together, we’ll also shape elements of our itinerary — finding a balance between shared adventures and personal reflection. Each woman’s voice helps guide how we spend our time, leaving space for flexibility so our experience can follow the natural rhythm of the group, the land, and the moment.

Day 1: Quito

Most international flights arrive in Quito after dark, so this first night is all about rest. Our team will be there to greet you at the airport and bring you to our hotel in the city’s quiet northern hills. Settle in, take a deep breath, and let the travel fade away. Tomorrow, we’ll meet as a group to officially begin our journey — rested, grounded, and ready to connect.

Day 2: Journey to the East

We leave Quito behind, crossing the Papallacta Pass where the Shrine of the Virgin overlooks sweeping Andean peaks. As we descend the eastern slopes, the landscape transforms — glaciers give way to emerald valleys, rivers rush toward the Amazon, and waterfalls spill from the mountainsides. Along the way, we pause often to take in the views, breathe the thin, clear air, and prepare to settle into the rhythm of the forested Río Quijos valley.

Days 3-5: Rio Quijos EcoLodge

Together we’ll decide which trails call to us — whether it’s hiking through forest alive with birdsong, visiting nearby waterfalls, or meeting women who are building their own tourism projects, like hummingbird gardens alive with color and life. Optional white-water rafting offers an exhilarating way to experience the Río Quijos, while quiet hours invite self-guided yoga, meditation, or journaling by the water’s edge. The boldest among us may choose to immerse fully in the river’s cool, invigorating flow — a refreshing reminder of the power and presence of this landscape. In the evening, our first guided conversation helps us weave the day’s experiences into shared reflection.

Day 6: Journey to the West

We travel west, crossing the Andes once more, eventually entering a high desert — a stark, sun-baked landscape where the Rumicucho ruins stand along the Equator. Built by pre-Incan peoples who understood both astronomy and balance, this place invites us to pause and reflect on transition — between worlds, between elements, and within ourselves.

From this arid ridge, the road climbs once again before dropping and twisting as we descend into the green embrace of the Chocó. By late afternoon, we arrive at Mashpi Amagusa, greeted by mist, birdsong, and the warmth of our hosts.

Days 7-9: Mashpi Amagusa EcoLodge

Now that we know one another’s rhythms, we move through these days with ease — hiking forest trails alive with orchids and birds, visiting families whose projects help protect this ancient landscape, or taking quiet moments for journaling and reflection. The boldest among us may bathe in clear pools at the base of cascading waterfalls or climb the observation tower to greet the rising sun as the forest awakens in song. As night falls, we’ll step into the mist with headlamps, listening for the calls of frogs and discovering the forest’s secret nocturnal life. Each day invites us to lean in or step out as we need, honoring both solitude and the strength of our shared circle.

Days 10-11: Quito

Back in Ecuador’s capital, we take time to reflect on the journey we’ve shared and how it has shaped us. Together, we’ll decide how we want to experience the city — whether it’s climbing the highest tower of the Basilica for sweeping views, riding the Teleférico to watch the sunset over the Andes, exploring a corner of the Historic Center, or visiting a local farm outside the city to meet a pioneering woman cultivating traditional crops organically. These final days invite both discovery and pause — a gentle transition between the wild beauty of Ecuador and the return home.

Day 12: Departure

Most international flights depart Quito late in the evening or very early the following morning, and we’ve planned this final day for shared adventures before we part ways. Together, we’ll have time to browse the artisan market and small shops in La Mariscal, visit the Casa Cultural’s excellent museum, and savor a farewell lunch featuring Ecuadorian flavors.

It’s a relaxed day to celebrate the journey we’ve shared — a chance to reflect, laugh, and linger in good company before transfers to the airport and the journey home.

Post Trip: Virtual Reunion

Our journey doesn’t end when we return home. In this virtual gathering, we come together once more to reflect on how travel has shaped us — sharing stories, laughter, and insights while helping us grow future journeys with even more intention and heart.