Je pars cet été (juillet-août) à Quito, Equateur pour faire du volontariat. Je serai libre le soir à partir de 17h et le week end. Pourriez vous m'indiquer les lieux à visiter dans Quito et ses alentours ou d'autres endroits dans lesquels on peut aller en 2 jours. Je serai normalement seule ou peut etre que je trouverai un autre volontaire de l'association pour m'accompagner, je ne sais pas encore...
hey Salut ! désolé je ne peut pas vraiment répondre a tes questions mais je voulais savoir avec quelle association tu partais. À vrai dire, j'avais l'intention de partir en amérique du sud cette été et je suis la à chercher un organisme avec qui je pourrais partir... bref je suis pas certain de lendroit ou je vais mais je m'informe. Bon voyage !
Je pars avec l'association Passworld qui propose différents types de missions à travers le monde. La description de la mission en Equateur se trouve à l'adresse suivante : http://www.passworld.fr/Spondylus-eveil-et-protection-de-l.html#
Si tu as d'autres questions n'hésite pas et si tu choisis de partir dans la même mission que moi préviens moi ;)
Pour le week-end, ne t'inquiète pas, 2 jours suffisent amplement pour visiter Quito, sa vieille ville, ses quelques musées (lorsqu'ils sont ouverts) et aller au musée de la ligne équatoriale (dont j'ai perdu le nom...). Quito est une grande ville très accessible à pied ou en bus. Tu vas pouvoir t'y promener facilement
Le soir, j'ai souvenir d'arpenter les bars de la ville et d'y avoir fait des rencontres de tout type ! -- mais pas trop tard, car tout était fermé après 23h à l'époque--
Une autre idée week end -> prends le bus et fais un tour du côté du Chimborazo. Ce n'est pas très loin et cela te permettra d'avoir un 1er aperçu de la Route des Volcans...
Bonjour, le Vieux Quito est superbe ( classé Patrimoine Mondial unesco), il mérite qu'on s'y arrête un peu ( nombreuses églises, ruelles...). Quito by night avec les monuments trés bien éclairé est un vrai régal... de nombreux musées valent le coup. Je me souviens entre autre du "musée de l'or" ( je n'ai plus le nom là en tête mais pourrait le retrouver...) et du musée San Francisco cela ne plaira pas à tout le monde mais depuis 2005, il y a un téléphérique à Quito. En y montant, la vue sur la ville est sublime.... si tu aimes lire, je te conseille un petit détour par la Librairie Mundi très bien achalandée...
A l'extérieur de la ville : je laisse d'autres forumistes répondre !
Par contre, aller au Chimborazo en 2 jours, c'est bien court, je ne le ferai pas ( cet avis n'engage que moi ) ! ( 4 heures de bus minimum...). Tu trouveras des infos sur cette région sur notre site alecoledesandes.com
Voilà quelques idées, n'hésites pas pour d'autres questions !
Bon projet en tous cas !
cécile
Le truc c'est que j'ai 8 week end à remplir et j'ai vu que des endroits comme les Galapagos ou Guayaquil étaient trop loins pour faire y faire un aller retour en 2 jours et pour d'autres j'ai pas vraiment la notion des distances et de la durée que ça peut prendre en bus... Je viens d'acheter le lonely planet, j'espère que j'y trouverai des réponses à mes questions...mais je reste ouverte à toutes propositions !!! ^^
En cherchant des infos sur Quito je suis tombée sur ce forum. Moi aussi je pars à Quito avec Passworld pendant 3 semaines en aout. Y seras-tu?
Moi aussi je me renseigne sur les endroits à visiter dans les environs, on pourra se filer les tuyaux.
8 week ends c'est génial tu vas avoir le temps de voir pleins de choses! L'Equateur est un petit pays même si les routes et transports ne te permettent pas de trop t'éloigner non plus...
Concernant Quito, je te conseille de visiter la ville le soir après ton travail de volontaire, sans forcément avoir de lieux de prédestination mais en te balladant de ruelle en ruelle, le quartier historique est magnifique, le quartier Mariscale est sympa pour son ambiance "by night", ses restos, ses bars... assez occidentalisé et évidemment pas mal de touristes..! Les volontaires se croisent généralement dans ces quartiers et tu ne resteras pas seule longtemps, les équatoriens sont également très accueillants. Si tu souhaites visiter les musées, l'idéal peut être de passer ton premier week end, lors de ton arrivée, sur la capitale, ce qui te permettra par la même occasion de te familiariser avec les lieux, l'ambiance...
Ensuite tu peux passer un week end dans l'Oriente (partie amazonienne d'Equateur), l'idéal est alors de prendre un bus de nuit le vendredi soir afin de pouvoir profiter un peu (Quito-Tena : 6h, et pourtant même pas 200km!!!). Evidemment tu ne pourras pas t'immerger dans la jungle mais tu pourras passer la nuit dans une communauté en prenant un collectivo à Tena (environ 45 minutes).Ton week end sera chargé mais ça vaut vraiment le coût!
Tu peux aussi profiter d'un week end pour aller dans la Sierra. Latacunga est sympa mais il me semble que c'est un peu loin de Quito.. En tous cas pense à prendre pull, bonnet et écharpe car il y fait vraiment froid même au mois d'Août.
Et pour continuer passer par la Costa, apparemment Purto Lopez est une bonne destination, tu y verras des baleines... Les Iles Gallapagos peuvent te plairent si tu souhaites te retrouver avec pleins d'Américains et payer ton week end la peau des fesses!
Ce qui est génial avec l'Equateur c'est que ce pays regroupe beaucoup de paysages d'Amérique du Sud tout en un!
Il y a bien sûr certainement beaucoup d'autres choses à voir mais cela te donnera une petite idée,
Profite de ce voyage et de l'Equateur tout entier, c'est un pays magnifique.
bonjour Aurélie
Je suis allée à Quito au mois d'avril, voici ce que je connais qui est très sympa et pas très loin de Quito: il faut aller le dimanche à la mitad del mundo, il y a tjrs des festivités très populaires, c'est très sympa, tu peux aussi aller aux sources d'eau chaude de Papallacta, en 3h de bus.
Bon séjour
Est-ce que quelqu'un connait PassWorld, c'est fiable comme association ?
Leurs projets ont l'air intéressants (notamment celui à Quito) mais le prix qu'il demande est assez exhorbitant, je me pose des questions.
Merci pour votre aide.
Je pars avec Passworld pour 2 mois mardi et oui cette association est sérieuse. Quant au prix, comme il est indiqué sur le site, cela permet de couvrir les frais de logement (dans une maison avec les autres volontaires) et de nourriture des volontaires mais également les frais de gestion au niveau de l'association elle-même. Et le reste est considéré comme un don et permet à l'association de développer ses projets.
Bonjour,
Je cherchais des renseignements sur l'assoc Passworld et je suis tombée sur cette discussion, je serais intéressée de partir en equateur. est ce que tu me dresser brièvement un bilan de ton experience. J'ai lu dans ton message que le prix couvrait aussi les frais de nourriture. or, il m'a semblé lire le contraire sur leur site, que la nourriture etait a notre charge...
Bonne soirée
I’m arriving in Tana on 9/10/26 as a solo female traveler.
Which hotel in Tana is good for the first night since I’ll get in at 10 PM?
What’s worth seeing around Tana?
I’m planning 2 nights in Tana,
then 2 nights in Andasibe? After that, Lake Itasy.
Any suggestions? Thanks
I contacted several agencies in Madagascar to arrange this 4x4 trip along the coast.
Always the same answer: a tailor-made trip with at least 2 participants.
Since I don’t want to travel alone and a friend isn’t available, I’m looking for a woman to share this trip with the agency Mahay Mada, which offers a 12-day, 11-night tour of southern Madagascar. I’m available from August 23 to September 14.
Thanks for your direct response at 0784659791. See you soon, Mireille
I’d love to settle around Da Nang for about a month and explore the surrounding areas in Vietnam.
I’ve already been to this country and don’t feel like rushing around every day like I used to a few years ago.
I’d really like to find some company to stay for at least a month, and then maybe spend a month in Cambodia...
Given that I’m now 76, I don’t want to run around like I used to, trying to see everything...
I enjoy calm people... Those who love life and with whom I can share a beer... And meet people to create a great atmosphere—la dolce vita....
Hi everyone,
I’m a 67-year-old woman who loves to travel, and for my third solo trip, I’ve decided to explore Indonesia.
I’ll be there from September 1st to October 5th, and I’m really struggling to plan my itinerary.
I’d love any advice you can share—I’ll read it all carefully.
So far, I’ve booked my first two nights with a local host in Jakarta, and then I’m heading to Borobudur. That’s all I’ve got planned for now.
Do you think I should book accommodations and transport tickets in advance? It seems really complicated, or could I just decide day by day based on how I feel?
Thanks in advance for your replies!
Hi everyone,
I’m planning a solo trip to Mongolia this summer, without an agency. However, I’d like to have a guide accompany me for certain parts of my journey.
From my research, I understand that most "activities," accommodations, and transportation are best arranged day by day, depending on opportunities and encounters. Without an agency, everything is organized on the spot.
I’d love to hear more opinions on this, especially regarding the Orkhon Valley.
Here’s the itinerary I’m planning:
* UB -> Mörön (flight) -> Khatgal (local buses)
A few days at Lake Khövsgöl
* Khatgal -> Mörön -> Jargalant -> Tariat (local buses)
A few days at the White Lakes
* White Lakes -> Tsetserleg -> Kharkhorin (4x4 with driver)
A few days in the Orkhon Valley
+ the Eight Lakes (horseback trekking with a guide)
* Return to UB
From what I’ve gathered, the first part should be fairly straightforward, but I have questions about the Orkhon Valley.
Here are my questions:
-> Tsetserleg to Kharkhorin route:
Have any of you made this trip by booking a driver on the spot when arriving in Tsetserleg? Was it easy to find an available driver? And did you find it easy/difficult/impossible to find other travelers to share the ride with? Ideally, I’d like to share this leg with fellow travelers.
-> The Eight Lakes: Could you share your experience with the Eight Lakes? Did you easily find a guide directly on site? Were you able to share this experience with other travelers?
Last question for women who’ve traveled solo in Mongolia:
-> How did you experience it? Do you have any specific tips or recommendations?
I’m considering a road trip (rental car) to explore the Canadian Rockies in September 2026, starting in Calgary and ending with about 10 days in Vancouver and the surrounding area. (Two weeks in the Rockies and a little under two weeks in Vancouver and nearby.)
I’d like to say that being a woman traveling alone doesn’t really bother me. That’s not the issue. Being a woman is just how it is, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon, but traveling solo is something I could fix by finding travel companions. However, I had a not-so-great experience in India with two girls who were total strangers at first and turned out to be quite annoying, so I’m a bit put off by the idea now.
My question is simple, assuming I do this trip alone: is it worth sticking *only* to driving? I have **zero** sense of direction—with a map, I’m hopeless. So, is it realistic to think, "With my GPS, I’ll just drive from Calgary to Vancouver and see what I see," since I don’t see myself hiking alone? I’m not easily scared, but I wouldn’t feel confident doing that solo. Unless all the sightseeing is done with a guide (but then, hello, the cost—my budget isn’t exactly overflowing).
What do you all think?
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Take care and happy travels.
Cheers,
Régine
Hi,
After a week of sports south of Bergen, I’m not sure what to visit during the following week between Bergen and Oslo.
I haven’t planned to rent a car.
I’d love your suggestions. Thanks
Hi everyone, I’m really keen to visit Iran for three weeks in mid-March 2015.
What worries me a bit isn’t so much traveling alone—I’m used to it and know the Middle East well—but rather the current events (Islamic State) that could potentially become dangerous.
Flights are pretty cheap at the moment, and I’d like to book before prices go up.
Any advice from people who know the ground situation and Iranian current affairs better than I do would be much appreciated! :)
Hi there! I’m in the middle of planning my first solo trip (as a woman). Do you have any ideal destinations with activities like hiking, diving, sightseeing, and easy ways to meet locals—all on a small budget?
I’d love to hear from anyone who’s had this experience before! :)
Hi there,
Who could recommend a reliable agency for visiting several islands, including the parks around Komodo? I’m traveling solo as a woman.
Thanks for your great tips!
Hi everyone,
I’m often in transit in Tokyo and I stay at the hotel because Japanese people speak little English and the signs are almost always in Japanese!
Any ideas for getting from Narita to a nice park or an onsen? I wanted to try Hokkaido, but apart from renting a car, it’s all trains! Any suggestions for a car with a driver? Or is it too expensive? Small group tours in Hokkaido? I read about the Explorator group’s offer—way too expensive!!!
I’ve got a maximum of 8 days. I’d just like a nice Japanese break.
Thanks for any tips you can share!
my friend, with whom I traveled to Iran, Myanmar, and India, really wanted to take a one-month trip to Armenia and Georgia. So we booked our flights (June 21 to July 19), but disaster struck—she can’t travel anymore due to serious family reasons.
Now I’m heading off on this adventure alone. It’s not that I’ve never traveled solo before—I spent three months exploring Southeast Asia by myself last year—but I still have a few questions, and I’d really appreciate your input.
* I don’t think traveling alone in these countries is very risky—what do you think?
* Maybe I could hire a driver? What would that cost, since some places seem tricky to reach by public transport. Do you have any driver recommendations?
* I don’t want to rent a car—the driving seems too unpredictable, especially in Georgia.
* I’d love to do some nice hikes—are there any guides available?
Here’s my rough itinerary:
YEREVAN and surroundings
YEGHEGNADZOR for Noravank
GORIS and TATEV
LAKE SEVAN
DILIJAN
HAGHPAT
TBILISI and surroundings
The CAUCASUS toward Mestia
UPLISTSIKHE
VARDZIA
Return to Yerevan for my flight
Thanks to anyone who can share their experiences or answer my questions!
Hi everyone,
I wanted to share a few tips that really helped me better prepare my carry-on luggage. After a few trips (and some mistakes too!), I’ve finally found a way to organize myself that makes life a lot easier. Maybe this can help other travelers here.
1. Choose a practical and sturdy bag
A good bag is the foundation. I’ve noticed that a model with a solid structure, sturdy wheels, and a well-thought-out interior really changes the experience. Hard-shell suitcases hold up better, especially when you’re hopping between flights. Personally, I use a Lambert suitcase because the interior is super well-divided, but the important thing is to find a model that works for you.
2. Rolling your clothes really works
It’s simple, but it saves so much space. Plus, it wrinkles less. I do this now for almost everything, especially lightweight clothes.
3. Keep everything in a small kit
100 ml liquids, toothbrush, cream, mini first-aid kit… Having all of that in one clear toiletry bag makes going through security much easier. It saves you from having to take everything out and put it back in a rush.
4. A pouch for essentials
Passport, headphones, charger, phone… I keep all of that in the same pouch. It saves so much stress when you need to find something quickly, especially on the plane.
5. Traveling lighter makes all the difference
Since I started choosing versatile clothes that mix and match well, I travel with a lot less. Less weight, fewer decisions to make, fewer things to lug around. It honestly makes traveling so much more enjoyable.
From the conversations I’ve had with other travelers (and several customers too), I’ve realized you can really simplify your trip just by organizing a little better and choosing good accessories.
If you have other tips or methods that work for you, I’d love to read them. We always learn from others on this forum.
Looking forward to exchanging with you all!
Hi,
Has anyone recently taken the boat to Casamance from Dakar and could share their experience?
From France, is it possible to book online, or do you need to go through an agency? How far in advance?
Boarding/disembarking: how does it work? Do we have to check in our luggage and then pick it up on arrival?
What’s the vibe like on the boat in the seating area?
Has anyone ever stopped over in Carabane? Accommodation options there?
Thanks so much if you have any recent info!
Exploring India by road is all about having a good driver. I highly recommend the one I’ve traveled with for 5 "safe" trips—Rajasthan 3 times over 16 years, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab. He’s been driving tourists for 25 years now and is more than just a driver. He knows how to talk about his country, the cities you visit, and suggests alternative routes.
He’s well-connected with real local guides who don’t just ramble (as he puts it himself) or drag you into shops claiming to be run by their "so-called family." Depending on your preferences, he can suggest well-tested itineraries and recommend typical hotels like Havelis.
For dining, he oversees meal prep based on your spice-level preferences. He’s Sikh and deeply respectful of his passengers.
He speaks English better than French, but one of his daughters is studying French at university.
Hi,
We’d like to spend about twenty days in Albania next July. We’re two women traveling together and we’re thinking of renting a small car. Does that sound reasonable, or should we avoid it?
Thanks for your advice.
Hi there,
I’m spending a week in Morocco (Rabat - Meknes - Fes).
I’ll be traveling solo—is it safe for a woman over 60?
For transportation, I’m planning to take the train. I was thinking of buying my ticket last minute, but it’s around the end-of-year period…?
I’ll be in Meknes on December 31st—any suggestions on how they celebrate New Year’s Eve there?
Is anyone visiting these destinations? Maybe we could meet up…?
Thanks in advance.
Hi there,
After hearing so much about Djerba, especially the GO clubs, is it risky for a young, pretty newly-retired woman to visit the island alone?
Thanks in advance.
Hi,
Does anyone know how late the buses run from Cusco Airport to the city center? I land at 9:30 PM, plus time to clear customs, pick up my luggage, and exchange some money—figure an extra 30 to 45 minutes. Though, come to think of it, I still have 5 sols from last time—maybe that’ll be enough for the bus?
Thanks.
Brigitte
Planned arrival on Sunday evening, November 16, 2025, in San José. Staying 3 nights, then taking a bus to Tortuguero for 2 nights. Looking for a shared shuttle to La Fortuna for 2 nights, then a van-boat-van combo to Santa Elena for 2 or 3 nights. Heading to Quepos for 4 nights for day trips using local buses—Jaco, San Antonio, Uvita. After that, a full-day bus ride to Cahuita. I’m booking hotels as I go, which gives me the flexibility to stay longer in places I like. I’m looking for accommodations in city centers near restaurants and not too far from the bus station. Budget: 50 € for a room with a private bathroom (if you’ve got any great tips!). For my finale, I’ll cross the land border to Panama City for 4 days. Thanks for your suggestions! 😉
As I mentioned before, I’m heading to Istanbul next summer, and I’ve heard there have been quite a few attacks by Kurds in Turkey recently, which is making me hesitate about my trip.
What do you all think? :( I’m wondering if it’s really a good idea to go...
Hi everyone,
I’m 66 and just discovered solo travel in Uzbekistan—I loved it! So I’ve decided to explore Africa, starting with Senegal. I’m just beginning my research, but if anyone can give me advice on which month to go, what to see, and whether this destination is safe—or maybe suggest another African country—I’d really appreciate your tips!
Hi there!
We’re leaving in early November for a month.
Here’s our itinerary:
Arrival in Takhmau, then heading to:
Kampong Cham
Kratie – 2 days
Mondolkiri – 3 days
Ratanakiri – 3 days
Stung Treng – 1 day
Siem Reap – 4 days
Battambang – 1 day
Kampong Chhnang – 3 days
Kampot – 2 days
Islands (WE’RE HESITATING WHICH ONE?) – 4 DAYS
Phnom Penh – 2 days
That’s it! 😊
We’re backpacking… and we love spots that aren’t too touristy. If you’ve got any tips, we’re all ears!
Thanks
Hi there,
We’d like to stay in Switzerland for five days.
There are two of us (women).
We don’t know this country at all.
What cities or affordable spots would you recommend for visiting?
Cheap accommodation.
Looking for community-based options.
And being close to public transport.
Thanks for your tips and experiences!
Best regards.
Hi there,
I was wondering if anyone has taken a Rede Expressos bus from Lisbon Airport to Lagos, and if so, where exactly at the airport you need to board it? I’m worried I’ll get lost and miss my bus...
Hi again,
I’m adding more details to my info request. Here are two proposed itineraries. We’re hesitating:
Colombo - Unawatuna 2 days - Sinharaja 1 day - Bandarawela 2 days - Kandy 3 days - Dambulla 2 days - Wilpattu Park 1 day - Kalpitiya 3 days - Negombo 1 day
What should we change or add a day for to include Jaffna?
Or:
Negombo 1 day - Anuradhapura 2 days - Jaffna 2 days - Sigiriya 2 days - Dambulla 1 day - Kandy 2 days - Ella 1 day - Galle 3 days
For your advice.
Is it better to finish in Galle or Kalpitiya?
Thanks in advance!
Nicole
This is a warning message! I’d like to address it especially to young women traveling alone for the first time in India. Other travelers may react to my post based on their own experiences, but I think what I’m about to say shouldn’t be taken lightly—unless that’s what you’re looking for!
Last July, I traveled to Northern India. I stopped in Khajuraho to see the famous tantric temples. I stayed one night, and that was more than enough. Khajuraho is very touristy, but you should know that 80% of young Indian men there are "gigolos." Locals call these young men (aged 18 to 30) "playboys" or "Lapka" (which means "capture the woman" in Hindi)!!!
They approach tourists with kindness and politeness, offering tea or a motorcycle ride (which they’ve often gotten from generous Western female tourists) to waterfalls a few kilometers from Khajuraho or other tourist sites. After befriending you, they charm you—be careful, these are professionals who are very skilled at this; it’s all they do, and they do it well. They’ll offer you food, drinks, and even temple entry to confuse you. They’ll suggest spending the evening or even the night with them. **Refuse (unless you’re into local flings and that’s why you came)!!!!**
At first, you’ll be seduced by their generosity, let your guard down, and then they’ll make you believe in *true love*. They won’t leave you alone and will keep in touch via email or phone if you give them your details. The lines they use to soften you up and scam you include: *"I’m the only one taking care of my family, my brother is sick, I don’t know what to do..."* All of this is to manipulate you into offering them money. They’ll never ask for it outright (to avoid being exposed) but will wait for you to suggest it.
If you receive emails from them, they’ll never be signed, and their name won’t appear in the email address (to avoid leaving traces). They use fake names to avoid being reported. If you believe their sob stories and offer help, they’ll give you a bank account number to send money via Western Union. These young men make a living from this—selling their bodies and scamming people! They’re very skilled, charming, manipulative, and *big-time cheaters*!
(Especially one young man who goes by the alias *Tony*—apparently the most skilled. He lives in a hotel near the lake, *Krishna Cottage*, and is in regular contact via Skype with Western women he’s tricked into believing he loves them while shamelessly scamming them. He even opened an internet café on the roof of the hotel with money he stole from women who fell for his charm.)
So, young romantic women craving love, sensitive singles, or anyone emotionally vulnerable—**don’t let yourself be scammed!!!** This behavior is becoming more common in India and is still relatively unknown. Male prostitution is on the rise, and cases of romantic scams and financial fraud by gigolos are increasing.