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11 months, 4 countries, 2 backpacks and one girl who wants to travel the world.
Hey, everybody! My name is Ellie, a tiny blonde with a backpack that is almost as big as me, and although I can only say hello in Spanish so far, I'm about to travel across Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile.
How did I come up with this idea? Ever since I was little, I've been drawn to nature, sports, travel, exploring new places and cultures. Studying tourism, where I tried my rst temporary jobs abroad, con rmed this idea. It was already clear: travel, hike, photograph, write and inspire!
By the time I was studying photography in the UK, I was traveling all the time. And now that I've nished my second year, they've given me a year to see if I will be able to be a freelance photographer and traveler and can handle living on the road with a backpack. So here we go!
I'll be wandering through the Amazon jungle, along the erce but breathtaking Andes, up the west coast, and across countless national parks, exploring the local culture and unique wildlife.
On September 3, I'll y into Quito, Ecuador, from whence the Ecuador adventure begins. I'll travel to the Napo River valley in the Amazon as well as to the coastal cities and Machalilla National Park. And don't forget about the Andes full of volcanoes, multi-day treks and nally a charity climb to the highest mountain in Ecuador - Chimborazo (6 263) which I am doing together with the non-pro t organization Globalteer.
In mid-October I will move to neighboring Peru for 6 months, where I will work with the non-pro t Globalteer and travel between several charity projects as a photographer and media content creator. I'll also be trekking the Peruvian Andes with an expedition group.I'll see the famous Machu Picchu and the Rainbow Mountains and I am also not going to miss the historic cities, the west coast and the Sechura desert.
Bolivia became a complete last minute decision. So many people have been recommending it to me, so why not make a little stop and explore it properly before I set foot in Chile? And later in Chile I'll have 3 months to travel all of it from the dry and harsh north to the south into Patagonia. I'd also like to continue volunteering and work with mountain guides and expedition organizations along the way.
The 30 degree heat in the Amazon will be followed by freezing temperatures in the snow-covered Andes, also huge humidity, and since I'll meet the rainy season almost everywhere, I'll need a lot of waterproof clothing.
From Kilpi I will take with me for the year both lightweight and breathable pieces suitable for warm areas, opti dry material is a must as well as waterproof jackets due to frequent rains and for mountain climbing on snowy peaks will need thermal underwear, mid layers and jackets suitable for cold and windy weather. And of course a 70l backpack to t it all in, and a 40 liter one for smaller hikes.
Along with my clothes, I pack my camera, lenses, tripod, drone, GoPro, and laptop (oh the photography). I don't think I'll ever be an ultralighter. I can't forget a quality sleeping bag, a camping mat, and a tent, which I've used before, so the premiere will be somewhere in the mountains (I'm pretty sure I'll end up sleeping under the stars).
Well, I'm not going to kid myself, I de nitely don't have it all planned. Why should I? you can always improvise and it makes it all the more interesting! So keep your fingers crossed.
Ellie Švrlanská
