Walking Women's first Ecuador Adventure was Awesome! - 12-Day Ecuador Adventure with Walking Women: Amazon, Galápagos & Unforgettable Magic
I just returned from an extraordinary 12-day Walking Women tour through Ecuador, and I’m still buzzing from the experience.... read more From the lush depths of the Amazon to the surreal beauty of the Galápagos Islands, this trip was a masterclass in thoughtful planning, immersive exploration, and joyful lasting connections with a wonderful group of women.
Organization & Flow:
Every detail was impeccably handled — transfers, accommodations, meals, and excursions flowed seamlessly. Even when an unexpected disturbance required a change in plans, the team pivoted with grace, replacing the original activity with a stunning mountain hike surrounded by hummingbirds and a relaxing soak in natural hot springs. It felt like a gift, not a compromise.
Our Guide Ale – Off the Charts!
Ale was with us for the entire journey, and I can’t overstate how phenomenal she was. Her deep knowledge, warmth, humor, and ability to read the group’s energy made every day feel special. She was the glue that held the experience together — a true gem who elevated the trip from great to unforgettable.
Local Guides & Experiences:
In each region, we were met by expert local guides who brought their ecosystems to life. Whether we were walking through dense jungle, snorkeling in turquoise waters, or spotting wildlife on night hikes, their passion and insight added depth to every moment.
Wildlife Wonders:
Though there was less hiking than expected the abundance of magical encounters more than made up for it:
• Spotting five different types of monkeys swinging through the canopy
• Waiting patiently — and being rewarded — as Macaws burst into view after an hour of quiet anticipation
• Catching a glimpse of a Toucan, vibrant and elusive
• Venturing out on a night hike, discovering lots of unusual critters
• Standing among giant tortoises in the Galápagos, a humbling and awe-inspiring moment
• Snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, where we swam alongside sharks, sea turtles, vibrant fish, and all kinds of mesmerizing marine life
• Food & Hospitality:
The meals throughout were consistently delicious — fresh, flavorful, and reflective of the local culture.
• Final Thoughts:
This wasn’t just a tour — it was a journey of connections, discoveries, and delights. Walking Women delivered an experience that was both adventurous and deeply restorative. I’m grateful for every moment, the endless laughs we shared and for Ginny, Ale and Johanna, whose leadership made it all shine.
This is my first trip with Walking Women, and I am already looking at my next adventure with them and would even consider traveling alone now that I have experienced the care and organization that goes into ensuring that everyone has the experience of a lifetime.
Highly recommend the Ecuador Adventure and Walking Women!
Maureen

  Walking Women Lake Como, Italy; FANTASTIC - I took a walking tour of Lake Como with Walking Women. They provided a most luxurious accommodation in Lezzano, which included prepared lunches that we carried on our hiking days... read more and a wonderfully delicious restaurant for breakfasts and dinners.

Our guide was truly fantastic. She was challenged to find us new hiking routes because of the rains that had caused landslide damage in the week before we arrived. She'd go out early mornings to find safe alternative routes that did not disappoint. She met every challenge with grace and humor and whatever stress she was under was unknown to us; we just benefitted from her behind the scenes efforts.

She made sure that everyone, whatever their level of fitness, was kept safe. I had no concerns that I was slowing the group down or that I would be on my own to make it through whatever challenging hike we did.

Fantastic preparation before the trip. It was a truly a trip of a lifetime and I would highly recommend Walking Women for their thoughtfulness, organization, and attentiveness to all of our needs.

  Capileira and Mount Mulhacén  - Enjoyed an amazing walking holiday with a small group of lovely women, a great guide and stunning surroundings. The variety of walks, the beautiful, old, quiet, white villages were gorgeous.... read more The hotel was spacious and the food we ate delicious. Certainly would recommend this holiday.

  Walking around Lake Como  - Walking Women makes us all feel very individual with all the support they give us. We stayed in a lakeside hotel with lovely rooms and views across the lake. The... read more hotel is a great choice in a village which is not as busy as some of the towns round the lake
The walks were special and interesting and we learnt about the history and culture too. Vania is a fantastic guide - she had planned every detail including finding us a wine tasting where we were made so welcome by the cellar owners with all their produce as well as their wine
Using the ferry was a great way to get to where we were walking and as always the group of women were lovely and friendly and great companions for the trip

  experiencing life in Provence away from the tourist hot spots - This was the first time Walking Women had arranged a trip to Provence. We stayed in a lovely gite where we could experience authentic life in a beautiful village and... read more cool our feet paddling in the peaceful river in the evenings. We had a wonderfully knowledgeable and caring local guide who took us to walk in places in the hills and along by rivers off the beaten track with amazing views of the lavender fields and vineyards as well as visits to ochre cliffs and ruined cave homes. We stopped for coffees and ice creams in picturesque villages and we had time for wine tastings. The area is vast and beautiful and there is so much to see.

  Walking Women, Provence, June 2025  - Everything was excellent. The guide took us to a different area every day with our hotel in Susse-La-Rousse as a base. Each day included a hike and then... read more we enjoyed some local activities, such as, lavender fields, chateaus, wine tastings, markets, historical sites, and lovely little towns. The group was great, everyone was solo except for myself and a friend. We stayed in a very nice small hotel with meals, drinks in the garden and a pool. I can't praise the whole experience enough.