Mathias Onisseit
Originally from Germany, in 2010 I set out to explore South America and soon fell in love with the super-diverse country named Ecuador (and its neat little attachment Galapagos). What fascinates me the most about this country is the fact that it has it all: lush rain-forests, mystic cloud forests, snow-capped mountain peaks, endless beaches and the most particular ecosystem, the Galapagos Islands. Everything just a few hours travel away. Diverse landscapes along with equally diverse people. My goal is to make you experience all of this first-hand. If after your trip you wish to return to Ecuador (you wouldn’t be the first!) then my mission has been achieved.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"I cover all Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands, but due to interest I focus on off-the-beaten-track regions such as Manabí and Azuay provinces, as well as on cloud and rain forest habitats including their unique wildlife, especially fungi, birds and also insects."
How did you get involved in travel?
"While at the biggest travel fare of them all (ITB in Berlin), I was looking for some new travel inspiration, I stumbled into what would be my future employer, a travel agency in Ecuador. Immediately I got excited about the idea of being able to share the fascination of this country with others and at the same time being able to live here."
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"To me, there is not the one special travel experience, instead it is the simple things that make memories: waking up to the singing of birds and howling of monkeys, snorkeling with baby sharks on a sunny beach day, a stroll in the rain on a muddy cloud forest trail or the interminable hike to the top of an active volcano. And of course, all the incredible personalities that you meet along the road contribute to awesome experiences that last a lifetime."
Featured trips & expertise
Best of Ecuador: Quito, Quilotoa, Baños, Cuenca, & Guayaquil - 8 Days
This eight-day itinerary is perfect for travelers hoping to see Ecuador's most notable national parks and explore the country's most populous cities. You'll begin your trip with a free day in the capital of Quito before heading off to hike the Quilotoa and Cotopaxi Volcanoes and explore Ecuador's gateway to the Amazon. Then, make a stop at Mount Chimborazo, take a scenic train ride through the Andes, and take a walking tour of the historic port city of Guayaquil.
Great Honeymoon Ideas for Ecuador
Ecuador makes for a superb honeymoon destination that combines romance and adventure: canoe in Amazon jungle and then enjoy a spa treatment, go wildlife watching and then stargaze in the Galapagos, climb a volcano and then dip in thermal baths. Use this guide to kick off your marriage in a country of astounding biodiversity, diverse landscapes and unique culture.
2 Weeks in Ecuador - 5 Unique Itineraries
Two weeks in Ecuador gives plenty of time to enjoy all three of the country's main ecosystems—Amazon, Highlands, and Galapagos—or focus on one to fully immerse yourself in the area. Use Quito as a base for day trips to local volcanoes and national parks while still exploring the capital's history, or opt to spend your time looking for wildlife on the remote Galapagos Islands. Alternately, maximize your trip by adding on a week in Peru to see Lima, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu. Read on for more unique itineraries.
10 Days in Ecuador - 5 Unique Itineraries
Local people are fond of saying that Ecuador is four countries in one: coast, highlands, jungle, and the Galapagos. Whether you want to relax on the beach, climb volcanoes, hike around Andean lakes, go zip-lining in the cloud forest, canoe up an Amazon tributary or cruise the Galapagos, there is a perfect itinerary for everyone.
Ecuador: Amazon, Andes, and the Coast - 16 Days
Explore the best of Ecuador in this 16-day tour through the Amazon, Andes, and Coastal regions. You'll visit beautiful colonial towns, indigenous communities, and experience ways of life both ancient and modern in this diverse country.