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Hostal Mama Hilda

Hostel Mama Hilda

Mama Hilda is a cosy countryside guesthouse suitable for walkers in the Ecuadorian Andes which offers a friendly welcome in a family atmosphere.

Hostal Situated in Chugchilan, which is the oldest settlement in the area and home to only 30 full time residents, Mama Hilda is a modest hostel where walkers and other visitors to this peaceful countryside will be met with an authentic and friendly welcome.

The rooms are basic in terms of décor and amenities but cosy, with some having an open fireplace.  Food is home-cooked and served in a communal dining room, with most dishes created on the premises: fresh pasta and desserts are provided by the Italian monastery just down the road.

A separate building on the property has been refurbished with locally crafted furnishings as a spacious bar/lounge with cable TV and a reading room with expansive views of the valley.  Part of the hostel’s charm is that it is family-run: only a little English is spoken but the service is warm.

Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

  • We had a wonderful holiday to Quito and Galapagos with Journey Latin America. We just wish it had been longer!

    HS, W4 Jun 2011
  • Ecuador was a fantastic adventure: welcoming friendly people, beautiful landscapes and amazing wildlife. To fit in two cities, the Andes, the Amazon, the cloud forest and the Galapagos Islands into…

    GE, Glasgow Jun 2012
  • Most Memorable Moment?: Drving up Mt. Cotopaxi and watching a Gaucho chase a cow riding a horse at the gallop whilst trying to lassoe it on a cobbled road,...some rider! …

    NBH, Watchet Mar 2018
  • Ecuador is a wonderful country with much to see and do so often overlooked by those seeking to visit South America and that I now know is a big mistake. 

    DW, Lingfield Jun 2010
  • Probably the Tren Crucero (was the top experience) but too many highlights to mention.

    SB, Cambourne Feb 2020
  • It was all brilliant, we expected the Galapagos to be the highlight, but all the other trips were as good in different ways. All the Ecuadorians encountered at hotels, restaurants,…

    AH, Eastleigh Jun 2013
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Our Expert's Opinion

Hannah
Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Chris
    Chris Rendell-Dunn - Travel Expert

    Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours sales team.

  • Mary
    Mary Anne Nelson - Travel Expert

    Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tour sales team.

  • Juliet
    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

  • Sallly
    Sally Watkins - Travel Expert

    A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.

  • Rosie profile
    Rosie Kay - Travel Expert

    During a career break, Rosie embarked on an unforgettable year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. Now back in the UK, she is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others, helping them discover her favourite place in the world.

  • Ben
    Ben Line - Travel Expert

    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

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