Je voudrais partir début février pour un périple d'un mois et demi vers la Colombie et l'Equateur. J'essaie de prendre le maximum de renseignements auprès de mon site fétiche et de quelques autres, mais comme on lit un peu tout et son contraire, j'aimerais vos avis si vous y êtes vous-même allés il y a peu.
Déjà pour la météo, est-ce la bonne époque ? En Colombie, comme en Equateur, j'aimerais faire les zone de montagne, donc ni l'Amazonie ni la côte et ainsi, je pense, éviter des traitements anti-paludéens.
Après, pour une femme seule (mais je ne sors pas la nuit et j'essaie de ne pas prendre de risque), est-ce facile et sans (trop de) danger ?
Question budget, je voyage à la routarde, peut-on trouver des guesthouses à moins de 10 € la nuit ?
Et enfin, comme je n'ai pas encore de guide papier, quels sont, pour vous, les endroits à ne pas manquer et avec quel bouquin partir ?
Merci d'avance pour toutes vos réponses qui m'aideront bien, je l'espère.
Le départ est pour bientôt ! Je suis plus spécialisé sur l'Equateur, je laisse donc la place à d'autres pour la Colombie :-)
En février, c'est la saison des pluies dans la sierra équatorienne (de décembre à mai). Cependant pas besoin de vaccin anti-paludisme sur la côte équatorien, et ça sera également la saison des pluies (la plus chaude). Pour l'Amazonie, ce n'est pas la meilleure saison pour la visiter car saison sèche (rivières asséchées, peu d'animaux...)
Comme tu le dis, en ne sortant pas la nuit et en ne prenant pas de risques, en Equateur et en règle générale, tu n'auras pas de problème de danger. Tu pourras te sentir en sécurité.
Tu pourras trouver des hostals et auberges de jeunesse pour 10$US ou moins (dortoir ou chambre simple).
Les endroits à ne pas manquer: Quito et ses environs, La lagune du Quilotoa, le volcan Cotopaxi et Chimborazo, Baños, Cuenca... Je te laisse ce carnet de voyage 3 semaines en Equateur pour te donner quelques idées :-) Mais tout dépend de tes envies ! Tu es plutôt randonnée, nature, sportive ?!
Si tu le désires, n'hésite pas à me contacter pour des bons plans sur place !
bonjour.
Avec quel bouquin partir:
tu as le choix entre le guide du routard le petit futé le llonely planet .
ce sont les plus connus.
Comme dans tout pays étranger il faut etre prudente dans les bus(bagages) et tout vos déplacements en general.
Bogota est une très belle ville ce serait dommage de ne pas la visiter.
le passage en Equateur ne pose pas de problèmes.
Préparez votre itinéraire en conséquence que les voyageurs du forum puissent vous répondre.
merci à vous de vos réponses. Je vais déjà acheter mon billet !!! J'ai failli le faire aujourd'hui sur opodo. Mais j'ai tellement lu d'avis négatifs sur ce vendeur que je n'ai pas osé, pourtant il était 50 € moins cher que les autres !!! Tant que tout va bien, c'est bon, mais visiblement s'ils décident d'avoir raison même quand ils ont tort, on en est pour nos frais !!!
Bonsoir,
un conseil: achetez directement votre billet sur le site de la compagnie aérienne choisie.
C'est mieux que de passer par un revendeur (Opodo) même si c'est un peu plus cher.
Cordialement,
Danyflore.
j'ai fait l'Equateur en 2008 donc un peu vieux pour te répondre mais je n'ai eu aucun soucis particulier. Je suis actuellement en Colombie depuis le 29/12 et pour l'instant tout se passe bien.
Evite el Valle de Cocora et à la place va à Salamina. Tu peux dormir là et après tu prends un bus à 6H pour San Félix. Tu demandes le chemin pour les palmier à cire et tu as 7km allé pour arriver au mirador tenue par une famille sympatique, à marcher dans des paysages de rêves sans touristes. Je trouve des guesthouse à 10€ et à Salamina j'ai dormi pour 5€ chez une famille.
Si tu veux plus de renseignements, demandes quand tu auras fait ton parcours.
Bonne préparation.
Corinne
"Evite el Valle de Cocora et à la place va à Salamina."
pour quelles raisons? peux tu nous en dire plus? merci de me tuyauter! ( nous arrivons à Bogota le 19 janvier)
à l'intention de Choupette185, nous avons passé un mois l'an dernier (février/mars 2016) en Équateur avant d'aller au Pérou, aucun soucis particulier, tous nos déplacements effectués en bus sans problème, vigilance habituelle bien entendu...
Infos complémentaires en 12 articles sur l’Équateur :
Je me suis peut être mal exprimée par "évite", cela dépend de ce que l'on recherche. Salento est un site connu avec beaucoup de touristes. De là, ils partent faire la valle de Cocora pour voir les palmiers à cire. Si tu veux sortir des sentiers battus, tu peux aller à Salamina au nord de Manizales (3H de bus). C'est un village très beau avec des maison à balcons et colorées. Tu peux y loger et manger pour pas cher et les habitants sont sympathiques. De là, il y a un bus qui pars à 6H pour San Félix (1H30 de route). Quand tu arrives, tu demandes par où partir pour les palmiers à cire. Tu as une rando de 14 km A/R au milieu de la campagne et des palmier à cire, même paysage qu'à Salento. Arrivé au mirador de Sanamaria, tu es accueilli par une famille qui t'expliques, la faune et la flore du lieu. Seul bus pour le retour à Salamina 14H.
Merci Corinne pour l'info.
Ok je comprends mieux. c'est certainement une bonne option pour s'écarter de la foule.
On prend note de cette alternative à la valle de Cocora.
Bonne poursuite de voyage!
Cordialement,
Alain
Salut choupette,
J'ai voyagé seule de mi janvier à mi mars 2012 en Colombie et Equateur ( 15 jours à l'arrivée en Colombie, puis 1 mois en Equateur, puis de nouveau 15 jours en Colombie; j'avais un AR Paris/Bogota).
Aucun souci pour voyager femme solo dans ces 2 pays. Ai privilégié les bus (jours et nuit) des grandes compagnies : trajets plus chers en Colombie qu'en Equateur et quelques trajets avion ( Medellin/Santa Marta et Santa Marta/Bogota).
Question budget : la Colombie est plus chère que l'Equateur ( à cause des transports), mais en faisant les 2, tu t'en sortiras sans problème.
Sur le site Hostelworld, tu peux trouver de bons hostels partout, selon ton budget. Sinon, sur place, directement dans les petites villes.
Pour les Guides "papier", je privilégie toujours Lonely Planet ou le Routard. Evite Le petit Futé ( pas très futé!)
Bon voyage
bonjour🙂
malheureusement le routard n'existe pas encore pour la Colombie
et le lonely planet est de 2015 et le petit fûté sortira en octobre 😕
départ prévu en novembre décembre en Colombie 😐 donc !!!!!!!!
CHANTAL
Finalement cette année, ce sera l'Inde (Rajasthan et plus au nord), mais j'espère bien, en m'y prenant à l'avance, partir pour la Colombie en janvier prochain.
Nous venons de quitter Salamina, un bien agréable pueblito.
Quant à " el valle de Samaria", ça été au-delà de nos espérances , c'est un incroyable site effectivement à l'abri de la foule et c'est peu dire: dimanche matin nous étions totalement seuls dans la vallée!
Comme nous avons du temps, nous sommes passés par Salento et Cocora avant Salamina...
si Cocora mérite qu'on s'y arrête, c'est clair que Samaria présente un décor encore plus somptueux, une vallée plus profonde, et un parcours aisé, et pratiquement personne !
en clair c'est une très bonne pioche étonnamment peu visitée!
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Voyager au féminin › Bolivie / Brésil · 12 replies
J'ai l'opportunité d'avoir 2 mois de congés.Dans l'idéal, je passerais 1 mois à Sao Paulo pour faire un stage et j'aimerais ensuite rejoindre une amie en…
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 there
I’m leaving on October 1st for Rio, which I’ll be exploring over 10 days while staying in Copacabana and Ipanema.
After that, I’m heading to Ilha Grande, Paraty, and finally a flight to Iguaçu.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on Rio. Is it possible to walk around and explore without constantly worrying about getting my phone snatched?
I’m traveling alone and don’t speak Portuguese.
I need GPS to get around.
I love walking and don’t really like taking taxis, which is why I’ve booked two places to stay in Rio to experience different neighborhoods.
But is this doable given the security concerns there?!
In short, can you travel peacefully?
Thanks for your feedback if you’ve been to Rio!
Best,
Hi everyone,
I’m planning to travel solo to Oman in December 2025, renting a vehicle that allows me to camp in certain areas. For those who’ve already explored the country this way, could you share your experiences or tips?
I’d also like to visit the Wahiba Desert, but in that area, I’d prefer a guide for driving and, most importantly, not to sleep in those luxury desert-edge camps but rather have a "wild" escape under the stars. Any guide recommendations? Thanks in advance – Clem
Hi there, I’m Brigitte, 66 years old, fairly active and in great shape. I split my time between the Tarn region and Nantes, have a youthful spirit, and am very easy-going. I’m looking for a woman with a similar profile for a road trip in Southeast Asia—half humanitarian work and half free travel. The trip starts in October 2026 in the Philippines on the island of Panay, then moves on to Indonesia and Malaysia. The journey could last up to 4 or 5 months, as I have no fixed schedule. If you’re cool and friendly, feel free to message me. See you soon!
I’m traveling solo to Armenia in mid-September for three weeks, and I’ll be using public transport. I have a few questions:
- Does Yandex work everywhere, even in villages?
I’m looking for:
- Nice guesthouse addresses in the north (national park) and the south, including the village of Ararat,
and a simple but clean hotel in Yerevan that’s convenient for getting to the bus stations later.
- Any great tips or advice you can share.
Actually, I’m a bit worried I’ll be stuck only visiting tourist sites without a car. What do you think?
Thanks for your help
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
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