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- Issue #17: Ecuador: Adventure Between the Clouds
Issue #17: Ecuador: Adventure Between the Clouds

WHAT YOU’LL FIND IN THIS ISSUE:
Andes hikes, crater lakes, cloud forests & Amazon lodges LGBTQ+ safety notes
Where to stay in Quito (chic or arty — your call)
Quick Campfire Questions with Neil Laird
New poll: What kind of travel support do you like
MAIN FEATURE:
Ecuador: Adventure Between the Clouds
There’s something quietly extraordinary about Ecuador. It draws you in with altitude, mystery, and the kind of calm that slowly takes over, whilst giving you that adventurous feeling.
Can’t quite put my finger on how that happens, but it does.
Base yourself in Quito, a high-altitude capital (2,850m) with Andean peaks in the distance and volcanoes on every horizon.
The city’s a mix of cobbled history, colonial mansions, progressive politics, and unexpected little queer moments tucked between bookshops and rooftop cafés.
And this is where your adventure starts.
Head west and the air thickens with cloud forest mist. Go east and the trees get taller, louder, more Amazonian. Stay in the Andes and you’ll find crater lakes that look Photoshopped, and remote hiking routes with local alpacas.
And the vibe?
Welcoming.
Ecuador has strong LGBTQ+ legal protections including same-sex marriage. However, attitudes can vary outside urban areas, Quito is politically progressive, artistic, and used to a diverse crowd.
You’ll find low-key queer nightlife, inclusive lodging, and the kind of place where holding hands gets curious smiles.
When to Go
Ecuador sits right on the equator (clue’s in the name), but thanks to its altitude, Quito stays cool year-round, average temps hover around 15°C.
Expect spring-like days, chilly nights, and the odd rainstorm that clears up as fast as it arrives.
Best time to visit? June to September because it’s dry, sunny, and ideal for hiking. If you’re heading to the Amazon, aim for shoulder months (May or October) to avoid the worst of the heat and bugs.
Plan the vibe, not just the logistics. Make space for introverts, extroverts, and quiet wanderers.
Who this is (and isn’t) for
Best for:
Queer couples or small groups wanting flexibility, nature, and no rigid schedules
Travellers who like cultural immersion with optional adventure
Those curious about the Amazon (but not keen to rough it too much)
Probably not for:
High-maintenance luxury lovers (outside Quito, it gets “rustic” fast)
Families with very young kids (altitude + jungle + logistics = tricky)
Suggested Itinerary (4–5 Days + Optional Add-Ons)
Day 1 – Land + Local Culture
Check into your base: Casa Gangotena (elegant) or Mama Cuchara (arty)
Wander the Old Town’s colonial plazas and churches
Try Ecuadorian comfort food and a local canelazo (hot spiced aguardiente)
Day 2 – Andes Views + City Vibes
Ride the Teleférico cable car up Pichincha volcano
Hike the high-altitude páramo trail or grab a coffee with a view
Explore La Floresta's street art and book a low-key dinner at a rooftop spot
Day 3 – Cloud Forest Day Trip
Day trip to Mindo, a lush cloud forest town
Optional ziplining, chocolate tour, birdwatching, or waterfall walks
Return to Quito for a chill evening or a glass of wine somewhere cosy
Day 4/5 – Optional Extensions
A. Quilotoa Crater Lake:
Drive to this surreal turquoise caldera lake (see pic above)
Hike the rim or kayak inside the crater
Stay in a rustic ecolodge with epic morning views
B. Amazon Escape:
Fly to Coca or Tena
Stay in a remote eco-lodge (2–3 nights recommended)
Canoe safaris, wildlife watching, rainforest treks, river swims
Final Takeaway
Ecuador isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about letting the place reveal itself, layer by layer. If you're craving something flexible, culturally rich, and quietly queer, Ecuador delivers.
Fun Fact:
Ecuador used to straddle two time zones.
Before 1986, mainland Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands ran on different clocks, and even today, the Galápagos are one hour behind. Locals joke that the further west you go, the slower time moves. 😅
Quick Campfire Questions
This week, we’re lighting up the campfire with Neil Laird (He/Him), executive producer & travel/history content creator who’s been exploring queer joy in unexpected corners of the world.
In this mini-feature, he answers 5 quick questions about travel, identity, and what keeps him coming back for more. Grab a cup of something warm, and join us by the fire.

Neil Laird
Q1. Where in the world are you right now, Neil?
In the exotic lands of Downtown Brooklyn, mere steps from the BQE Expressway.
Q2. What’s your go-to travel vibe? (e.g., slow & scenic, thrill-seeking)
I love anything that transports me into the ancient past-- the older the better. So for me, a thrill-seeking holiday crawling through Mayan ruins, diving on ancient Greek vessels, or exploring forgotten Egyptian tombs is my getaway of choice. Followed by a good cocktail bar, of course....
Q3. One place you’d go back to in a heartbeat, and why
Egypt has long my happy place. Its the locale that got me excited about far-off travel, and I never get bored sailing the Nile, or touring another cliff-side tomb. It also has my favorite gay site on the earth--the (so-called) Tomb of the Brothers, which is really the world's oldest known queer couple, buried together in the shadow of the pyramids and a testiment to eternal love.
Q4. What’s your dream adventure, no budget, no limits?
I'd love to take the old Hippie Trail across Asia, as it was in the 1960s-- from Istanbul and overland in a Magic Bus through Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and into India and Kathmandu. But I guess that involves a bit of time travelling, doesn't it?
Q5. What’s one myth about LGBTQ+ travel you’d love to bust?
Even in places where gays are officially outlawed by the government, most of the locals don't care who you are or who you love. They mostly only see people who love their country so much that they've come for a visit.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Nope! Happy to chat further
Catch Neil at www.neillaird.com
A Quick Poll (if you don’t mind)
Quick Q; If you’ve ever paid for a travel resource, which of these would feel most useful to you?Click on A, B, C, or D — and don’t worry, I won’t chase you for your card details. Just want your opinion. Promise. |
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That’s a Wrap! Here’s how we help:
We plan LGBTQ+ adventure travel for you and yours, saving the headache
Whether you’re hiking near home or planning a big escape, we got tips!
Got a favourite place you want us to feature next? Email me I’m listening
Until next time, Go beyond the usual