Welcome! I’m so very glad you landed on this page and are considering this special trip. In general, every trip we lead is focused on two main experiences: the best sightseeing in the country and connecting with women.
Our love of sightseeing means an itinerary that is as full of local culture as we can fit into an intimate, fun, and experiential trip. We want to see everything that is well-known in that country, when we can, and we also want to make sure there are some small and special experiences that leave us touched and connected with that country in surprising ways! We want to see the “must-sees,” but it’s also crucial to us to get off the beaten track and really connect with locals and their lives. To support that, we want all of our travel to live up to the highest standards of sustainability and ethical travel, so we place special emphasis on meeting the locals, supporting their causes, and making sure we frequent their businesses/hotels/restaurants to ensure our money is reinvested back into those who live wherever we visit. Plus, we've got our eye on adding the "little things" that really make a trip feel special: making your own perfume scent at a perfumeria, visiting a local spa, arranging for beautiful walks and hikes, attending rooftop concerts, sampling artisan chocolate, etc.
And when it comes to connecting with women, every trip is first and foremost about us supporting and connecting with the other women in our group, but is also about us connecting with women in our destination country. We will have a female guide and put special emphasis on meeting local women—learning about the causes that most affect them, being inspired by the contributions they’re making in their communities, and hearing about what life is like for women in their country. To that end, we will inevitably visit a couple of nonprofits that serve women, shop at co-ops to buy handiwork made by women, and have opportunities to interview local women. Our hope is that you feel more connected to women around the world and also feel like you made new friends!
So if you love travel and want an incredibly special curated trip with a group of amazing women you're invited to join us! xoxo
Ecuador is an adventurer’s dream, offering a vibrant mix of culture, history, and some of the most awe-inspiring natural beauty on Earth. From the towering peaks of the Andes to the lush Amazon rainforest and the iconic Galapagos Islands, Ecuador is packed with unforgettable experiences. Known as the “Middle of the World,” it’s the only place where you can stand with one foot in both the northern and southern hemispheres. As one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet, Ecuador boasts incredible wildlife, stunning landscapes, and rich indigenous and colonial history. Whether it’s exploring ancient Incan ruins, wandering colorful markets, or strolling through Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage site, this trip promises adventure, culture, and lasting memories.
Our 11-day/10-night TravelCircle adventure focuses on the magical Galapagos Islands, where we’ll spend 6 days snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and boating through one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. As the birthplace of Darwin’s theory of evolution, the Galapagos offer you the chance to witness species found nowhere else on Earth—like giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies—in their natural habitat. Whether you’re swimming with sea lions or hiking volcanic craters, the wildlife and scenery are second to none.
Before and after the Galapagos, we’ll immerse ourselves in the rich culture of Quito, one of Latin America’s most beautifully preserved cities. You’ll stand on the equator, explore historic Old Quito, visit the legendary Otavalo market, and connect with locals to learn more about Ecuador’s indigenous peoples. It’s the perfect mix of culture, history, and connection to locals.
If you love fun activities, breathtaking landscapes, incredible wildlife, and a dash of history, this trip is for you! Plus, with our carefully planned day trips, you’ll enjoy all the adventure without constantly packing up, giving you a more relaxed and settled vacation.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
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Visit the Equator on a tour of the Middle of the World Monument and stand on the divide of the northern and southern hemisphere
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Enjoy a guided walking tour of Old Quito and view major colonial sites
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Connect with local women through a women’s panel, featuring a Superior Court Judge and youth speaker
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Shop around South America’s largest market
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Enjoy an easy hike around the Peguche waterfalls, a sacred place in the culture of the indigenous people of Octavalo
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Experience a water purification ceremony with a local Kichwa Curandero/ Shaman
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Adventure to one of the best snorkel sites in the Galapagos
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Visit sea turtle nesting sites
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Boat to the island of Isabella, a volcanically active island famous for its wildlife
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Get up close to giant tortoises during a hike through the Galapagos mangroves
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Experience a hike around the Sierra Negra volcano, one of the largest volcanic craters in the world
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Kayak through the Bay of Puerto Villamil and observe penguins, sea iguanas, sea turtles, blue-footed boobies, and more
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Snorkel and explore Concha Perla and swim with fish and sea lions
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Relax on the island of Santa Cruz and explore lava tubes and tunnels
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Visit the Charles Darwin Research Institute and learn about the ongoing conservation efforts in the Galapagos
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What are TravelCircles?TravelCircles are international trips, hosted by author and social relationships expert, Shasta Nelson, and organized by Altruvistas travel agency, designed to bring people together for meaningful travel. These are group travel experiences with the primary intention of seeing as much of the “must-sees” as possible in our destination countries, but with a secondary intention of meeting new friends and having fun together as a group. We take special delight in planning magic moments off the beaten path, curating meaningful conversations with locals, and scheduling unique hands-on experiences in each country, and similarly, we are just as intentional about fostering belongingness among those who choose to travel with us!
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What is the focus of TravelCircles?These TravelCircles are unlike any other trip you could ever go on because of two special features: Bond with new friends! Most travel is either with people you already know or with groups of strangers where you're herded like cattle . . . Ours is a beautiful mix between the two: a small group of strangers committed to traveling as new friends! With social relationships expert Shasta Nelson as our host, her goal is to help us connect in casual but meaningful ways. We love the diversity of ages and backgrounds that come together to share their love of travel with each other. We keep our groups small and meaningful—anywhere between 10-16 women—which ensures our circle is small enough to connect and yet large enough to ensure there is always someone excited to go with you on a side excursion (the group doesn't have to be together all the time!). Enjoy the focus on women! We'll still see all the famous sites and experiences of every destination, but we're also being super intentional about adding some experiences that will connect us with women in each country: cooking classes, visits to agencies that are helping women's issues, dance classes, meaningful conversations with local women about their life in that country, etc. So we're not just traipsing through a country; we're doing so with some intention to respect and meet our sisters in other countries!
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Are these trips for women only?Historically, these trips were women-only trips and our goal is to always have 2 new trips every year for women. However, in response to demand, Shasta also occasionally invites her husband, Greg Nelson, to join her and opens those trips up to both men and women! Watch the list as it’s our intention to have at least 1 trip each year that is also open to men!
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What is the style/philosophy of travel?Eco-consciousness & Social Responsibility: Our travel partner Altruvistas is committed to making sure that as much of our travel money as possible is used for supporting the local economy. Their goal is that we really connect with the country and people by getting off the tourist trail, connecting with locals in conversations, and supporting philanthropic organizations along the way. This means, for example, that rather than stay in familiar US hotel chains, great care is given to stay in locally owned hotels that, on a rare occasion in certain countries, may be more humble than we’re accustomed to in the US but will always be chosen because they are clean and safe. Diverse Itinerary: Some groups cater to the outdoors/adventure, some to literature and art—we try to do a little bit of everything! That means we will always see the famous sites and pick a few important museums, try to show you a bit of the country, connect you with a few community organizations so you can find out the needs of the country, and then schedule some really special moments like a cooking workshop, a craft class, or a concert. Plus, there is always time for meaningful shopping excursions. Multi-Generational: Some of our best feedback has come from women who were surprised how much they loved the multi-generational connections made on these trips. There is something really magical about reminding ourselves that we can connect and love far more people than those who are most like us. On most trips we have women spread out through ages 21-65! Loving Connection: Shasta, a social relationships expert, hosts all these trips to help facilitate some connection and foster healthy group dynamics. Our goal isn’t just that you travel with others, but that you get to know them and love them! You’re an adult! We trust you! While we hope everyone is as conscientious of the group as possible (i.e. showing up on time, being kind), we most definitely don’t see our role as babysitters! If you need a day off—take it! If you would prefer to skip the museum and sit in a café instead—do it! Just let us know what you need and prefer—we’ll aim to please!
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What sizes are the TravelCircles?Our groups can be anywhere between 10-16 people. That means we’re small enough to rent our own private van, fit into cute restaurants, and not feel like we are lost in a huge tourist group, but we're also big enough to find someone we relate to, to learn from each other, and to ensure we can schedule special features only available to groups.
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Who exactly is in charge of these trips?While social relationships expert Shasta Nelson chooses the destinations and approves the itineraries of every trip, it is Altruvistas, a registered and licensed travel agency, who will oversee our trip. Altruvistas is an eco-conscious and socially responsible company in charge of communicating all trip details, answering your questions, hiring guides and translators, contracting all lodging, ground transportation, and activities, etc. We chose Malia and her team because of their integrity, strong reputation in the ecotourism industry, and passion for scheduling local experiences that are off the beaten path. All your liability forms are with them directly and we are covered under their insurance. Once on the trip, you are in the care of two people at all times—a local guide who oversees logistics (hired by Altruvistas) and Shasta, who is there to love on you and foster healthy group connections!
We are a proud partner of Altruvistas, the socially responsible and philanthropic travel company that is organizing all our details. We are thrilled to have Malia and her team overseeing our trips to ensure that our itinerary is as authentic of an experience as possible while making sure that our money is spent in an eco and socially-conscious way. Malia and her team will work with you one-on-one to make sure you are all ready for our amazing adventures.
If you have questions about this trip, please email malia@altruvistas.com