De Sacs et d'Eau

One day, we decided to leave. Everything else gets written here, and on the road!

Welcome to De Sacs et d'Eau

We're Tristan and Mathilde. A French duo who set off for a year of backpacking across South America, with one simple belief: the best memories are built along the way.

De Sacs et d'Eau is our travel blog. Complete guides, itineraries tested on the ground, and interactive maps to help you plan your trip with everything you need, straight from your pocket.

To do that, we favour overland travel over flying, buy local, and choose accommodation and businesses run by locals. Travelling far, yes - but staying mindful of our impact.

Two people kissing in front of Machu Picchu
About UsLearn more about us

Discover our free travel guides!

Before you pack your backpack to go explore a new city somewhere in the world, we've put together guides to the best spots!

Things to do around Baños, Ecuador: Patate, the magic village just 25 minutes away Patate, Ecuador's very first Pueblo Mágico, is a hidden gem tucked away just 25 minutes from Baños. Packed with vibrant murals, cozy family-run restaurants, stunning waterfalls, eco-tourism, and authentic Andean cuisine, here is our complete guide to getting off the beaten path in the Ecuadorian Sierra. | Our travel guide, specially crafted by De Sacs et d’Eau The best place to stay when traveling in Ecuador Just 30 minutes from Baños, La Casta is the kind of hidden gem you only find through word-of-mouth unless you're a local. Built 23 years ago and still run by the same family, this cozy guesthouse cultivates a rare way of life: an organic garden, solar-heated pools, and even a reception desk built right around a tree! You come here for a bed, but you leave dreaming of their cheese arepas and completely relaxed by this very special place. | Our travel guide, specially crafted by De Sacs et d’Eau El Chaltén: How to get ready for the Fitz Roy trek Before we even start talking about hiking, there is one important thing to keep in mind. The original name of this iconic mountain isn't actually Fitz Roy, but El Chaltén, which means "the smoking mountain" in the indigenous Tehuelche language. It's a fitting name inspired by the clouds that almost constantly wrap themselves around its peak. | Our travel guide, specially crafted by De Sacs et d’Eau Budapest: tried and tested local favorites (thermal baths, ruin bars, eats) Discover the absolute must-sees in Budapest: the Gellert baths, the Jewish Quarter's famous ruin bars, authentic Hungarian restaurants, and handy insider tips. Here is your tried-and-tested guide. | Our travel guide, specially crafted by De Sacs et d’Eau
Guide: Here are our guides from around the worldSee our guides

Our tips to help you prepare your trip

From choosing the right backpack to tips for surviving a night bus, including the essentials you shouldn't forget before leaving.

Checklist & Supplies How can you best prepare before setting off on a long trip? From paperwork and travel insurance to your health and gear! Getting to Chichén Itzá from Valladolid Visit Chichén Itzá independently using these 3 simple, tried-and-tested modes of transport! 22 Sep 2026 Workaway review: our volunteering experience in South America (complete guide) Our Workaway feedback after our South America tour. Platform comparison, animal rescue missions, wwoofing, budget, and tips on how to get started with volunteering for free. 17 Sep 2026 Peru vs Chili: which country should you choose for your South American adventure? Peru or Chili? A complete comparison to help you choose your South American destination: budget, landscapes, culture, itineraries, and practical tips for backpackers. 17 Sep 2026
Tips: How to Make Sure You Don't Forget What's ImportantSee our practical tips

Currently, we are

in Mexico

Since we set off, we've mostly been crossing the world by bus, boat, train and on foot. Not out of necessity, but by choice. We want to cover every kilometre to discover this planet we love without slowly wearing it down - travelling without planes means admiring more scenery, supporting local businesses, meeting more people, and putting a little less carbon into the atmosphere. We only fly when there's truly no alternative, never out of convenience.

25+ countries crossed | 50,000+ km overland | Flights kept to a strict minimum | 70+ guides published

Follow this adventure day by day through our stories: local traditions, night-bus mishaps, market kitchens, and landscapes that change everything.

Our stories about what we've experiencedDiscover our travel stories

Our stories from this journey

Travelling also means collecting memories that stay with you. We've learned from local guides, been stunned by a breathtaking landscape, and discovered cultures we knew nothing about. We share our adventures, our favourite moments and our discoveries to inspire your next departure.

Colonial Quito: baroque art, golden churches, and the spirit of independence

From the Spanish conquest in 1534 to the Battle of Pichincha in 1822, discover Quito's colonial history at the City Museum. You'll explore stunning Baroque churches, the unique Escuela Quiteña art movement, the historic textile workshops known as obrajes, and the city's historic first cry for independence. | Our travel guide, specially crafted by De Sacs et d’Eau

 Ecuador 17 Sep 2026 Kisses from us!
Mathilde et Tristan

San Rafael, a natural next stop after Mendoza

After Mendoza, the logical next step is to keep heading south. We're not quite in Patagonia or Bariloche yet, but this middle stop lets us make some headway without rushing the journey. San Rafael is the perfect, natural choice on the map. | Our travel guide, specially crafted by De Sacs et d’Eau

 Argentina 17 Sep 2026 Kisses from us!
Mathilde et Tristan

Mendoza: three days to discover the city

After Córdoba, Mendoza was supposed to be a simple stopover. Two days in a transit town, then three full days before hitting the road again. Nothing more. We arrived with that plan in mind, without imagining that Mendoza would completely change how we spend our time. | Our travel guide, specially crafted by De Sacs et d’Eau

 Argentina 17 Sep 2026 Kisses from us!
Mathilde et Tristan

History of Uruguay: From the Charruas to a Model Democracy

Uruguay's history: from the Charrua people and Spanish colonization to Artigas, the Triple Alliance War, military dictatorship, and democratic rebirth. Here is the full story of a small country with an extraordinary destiny. | Our travel guide, specially crafted by De Sacs et d’Eau

 Uruguay 17 Sep 2026 Kisses from us!
Mathilde et Tristan

What is there to do in Puerto Iguazú, the town where three countries meet?

275 spectacular waterfalls stretching across 2.7 km on the border between Argentina and Brazil. That's Iguazu Falls for you! | Our travel guide, specially crafted by De Sacs et d’Eau

 Argentina 17 Sep 2026 Kisses from us!
Mathilde et Tristan

Is São Paulo dangerous to visit?

Our impressions of the largest city in the Southern Hemisphere! | Our travel guide, specially crafted by De Sacs et d’Eau

 Brasil 17 Sep 2026 Kisses from us!
Mathilde et Tristan

Is Santos worth a visit? Finding the sweet spot under Brazil’s cloudy skies

Santos was our first real stop after the crossing. We spent three relaxing days in São Vicente, up on the 10th floor, perched right on Illa Porchat. | Our travel guide, specially crafted by De Sacs et d’Eau

 Brasil 17 Sep 2026 Kisses from us!
Mathilde et Tristan

What is there to do in Búzios, the shining pearl of the Brazilian coast?

Bright sunshine, colorful alleyways, tropical greenery—everything here simply breathes warmth and light. | Our travel guide, specially crafted by De Sacs et d’Eau

 Brasil 17 Sep 2026 Kisses from us!
Mathilde et Tristan
Blog: Our Stories That Might Inspire YouSee all our stories