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.
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!
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!
Crossing the Ecuador-Colombia border by bus: a practical guide for 2026
How to cross the land border from Ecuador to Colombia by bus from Quito. Route: Quitumbe-Tulcán-Rumichaca-Ipiales, including prices, border formalities, and practical tips for backpackers.
Responsible tourism: how to truly immerse yourself in the local culture while traveling
Discover how to do responsible tourism and turn every trip into a truly authentic cultural immersion. From local markets and countryside buses to spontaneous encounters, here is our best advice on how to travel with respect, tolerance, and curiosity.
Currently, we are
in MexicoSince 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 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.
A look at modern Ecuador: the journey from independence to dollarization
From independence in 1830 to dollarization in 2000, Ecuador's journey has been shaped by cocoa and banana booms, Eloy Alfaro's historic railway, oil in the Amazon, and a major banking crisis. You can explore the country's modern history firsthand at the Museo de la Ciudad in Quito.
Ecuador
20 Aug 2026
Kisses from us!Mathilde et Tristan
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.
Ecuador
7 Aug 2026
Kisses from us!Mathilde et Tristan
Shrunken heads and Amazonian tribes: Pumapungo Museum in Cuenca
Discover the fascinating history of tsantsas (shrunken heads), Amazonian tribes, and Inca ruins at the Pumapungo Museum in Cuenca, Ecuador. With 10,794 ethnographic artifacts, it offers an incredible window into the Shuar worldview and ancestral rituals. | Our travel guide, specially crafted by De Sacs et d’Eau
Ecuador
29 Jun 2026
Kisses from us!Mathilde et Tristan
Animal volunteering in Peru: our experience at a sanctuary
Volunteering at a dog shelter and looking after 98 dogs for 2 weeks is quite an adventure—you really build an amazing bond with the animals!
Peru
21 May 2026
Kisses from us!Mathilde et Tristan
5,000 years of Andean civilizations: from Caral to the Incas
Long before the Incas, Peru was home to Caral, the Chavin, the Chimu, and dozens of other forgotten civilizations. We retrace 5,000 years of Andean history through the stories shared by our guide on the Salkantay trek.
Peru
13 May 2026
Kisses from us!Mathilde et Tristan
Peru, a country of true superlatives
From the Atacama Desert and tropical glaciers to the richest coastline in the world: here is what makes Peru truly exceptional, well beyond Machu Picchu. Discovered while hiking the Salkantay trek. | Our travel guide, specially crafted by De Sacs et d’Eau
Peru
13 May 2026
Kisses from us!Mathilde et Tristan
Inca engineering: the questions everyone asks
Imagine 60,000 km of roads built without wheels, 200-ton stone blocks seamlessly fitted without mortar, and suspension bridges swinging over deep canyons. On our Salkantay Trek adventure, we set out to answer the big questions about the marvels of Inca engineering.
Peru
13 May 2026
Kisses from us!Mathilde et Tristan
Apus, Pachamama and Syncretism: Understanding Andean Spirituality
Deified mountains, high-altitude sacrifices, and Christian festivals packed with Inca roots: here is your guide to Andean cosmology, all shared with us by our local guide on the Salkantay trek.
Peru
13 May 2026
Kisses from us!Mathilde et Tristan