Paul Bird
From quaint Andean villages and colourful markets to staggering volcanic landscapes and the Amazon Rainforest, Paul has explored the length and breadth of Ecuador.
- 01285 880 980
Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
the people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education
Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador and considered by many to be the most attractive. Founded on the Inca site of Tomebamba, it is a designated UNESCO World Heritage City.
With cobblestone streets, flower filled plazas and many old buildings constructed in the marble quarried nearby, the city retains its traditional and colonial atmosphere
Highlights of any visit to Cuenca should include the old El Sagrario constructed on the foundations of a former Inca site, the newer Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepcion crowned by sky-blue domes and a visit to the flower market on Plaza de las Flores which fills the square with bold colour and fragrance daily.
A short distance from Cuenca lie the historic Inca ruins of Ingapirca (meaning Wall of the Inca). This excavated area displays fine Inca masonry and provides a fascinating insight into this remarkable civilisation.
Tell us what you love doing and we’ll curate a journey that’s perfect for you.
Discover the bustling flower market, brimming with colourful and scented floral displays – the ideal spot for people watching.
Tuck in to delicious, home-made food at one of the popular Cuenca eateries serving hearty maize pancakes with tasty toppings.
Explore the stunning landscape of more than 200 lakes in the National Park that supplies the majority of Cuenca’s drinking water.
Our Ecuador experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.
Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.
A sympathetically restored boutique property, Santa Lucia Hotel is well-placed for discovering the bustling colonial city of Cuenca with its UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity status. Originally built in 1859, a lengthy refurbishment has seen the creation of 20 uniquely ornamented rooms and suites that overlook a central patio, each decorated in red and gold and furnished with antiques and tapestries.
Positioned in central Cuenca, a vibrant UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity town, Mansion Alcazar is a boutique hotel set within a historic 19th-century colonial building. Within ambling distance of architectural marvels, churches and art galleries, the property evokes old-world charm and elegant modernity all at once. Its 19 cosy rooms and suites are tastefully decorated with fine antiques, traditional touches and hanging artwork, all overlooking either a quiet interior courtyard or colourful external gardens. Gourmet cuisine is served at the in-house restaurant and there is also a delightful lounge and chandelier bar.
A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.
From quaint Andean villages and colourful markets to staggering volcanic landscapes and the Amazon Rainforest, Paul has explored the length and breadth of Ecuador.
John rode the railways of Ecuador on the carriage roof before it was outlawed, but still recommends a jaunt along the Devil’s Nose – an engineering marvel that can still be enjoyed from inside a carriage.
I love to squeeze as much out of my day as possible. An outdoors fanatic, I love to delve into harsh environments having summited numerous mountains and trail running into the unknown whenever I get the chance – whether at home or overseas. Funnily enough, it didn’t start like that. It took a few years for the burning fire of adventure to truly take light with my eyes opened by the adventures travel could afford.
As usual all aspects of this trip went like clockwork, even thought we were in South America where timings can be different to other parts of the world! This we put down to the work done by Paul and his knowledge of the country.
Destination: Ecuador
Travel Expert: Paul
Two hours' drive south from Quito is the Avenue of the Volcanoes, a road that winds its way between Andean foothills dotted…
It is a birders' paradise. Without counting the seemingly endless species of hummingbirds, the list of bird species seen here would rival…
In stark contrast to the cool snowcapped Andes mountains are the humid lowlands known as El Oriente. This is an area of…
Welcome to Darwin’s playground, where a delicate collection of fearless wildlife and idyllic landscapes awaits.
The Machalilla National Park offers a fascinating variety of flora and fauna and covers an area of 55,000 hectares including Salango and…
South America’s second highest capital is sprawled along the slopes of the surrounding mountains at an elevation of 9,350 feet.
Guayaquil is Ecuador’s largest city and home to the country’s chief seaport with major industries focused on petroleum refining, shrimp fishing, and…
Loja's capital city of the same name and the area's natural wonders remain unsullied and largely undiscovered by travellers because they are…
Otavalo and the surrounding villages are famous for their dazzling textiles and intricate handicrafts, which are on proud display at the famous…
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?
Sign up and take advantage of our Wishlist if you would like to create your own holiday boards. You can click on the heart across our website and curate destinations, holidays, properties and experiences that you would like us to build your future holidays around.
Sign up and take advantage of our Wishlist if you would like to create your own holiday boards. You can click on the heart across our website and curate destinations, holidays, properties and experiences that you would like us to build your future holidays around.
All you need to do now is activate this account by clicking on the link we’ve just sent you via email to the address you’ve just provided or log in below.
Enter your email below.
you will receive an email from us in the next few minutes. Click in the link in the email to change your password.
if you can't see an email from us in your inbox, please check your junk mail folder as it may have been mistakenly categorised as spam or try a different email address.