Climbing & Hiking in Ecuador

Ecuador as an great outdoor destination offers many climbing, trekking and hiking opportunities along its territory, most of them quite close to Quito the capital of Ecuador. This avoids the long appoaches and expedition-style procedures often necessary for high altitude climbs in other parts of the world. Snow-capped volcanoes in a superb mountain scenery as Cotopaxi, Antisana, Chimborazo, Iliniza South Peak, Cayambe, Carihuayrazo, Altar and Sangay are waiting for the skilled climber. Guided by a certified ASEGUIM mountain guide (>>Mountain Guide Association of Ecuador) many summits and snow peaks can even be climbed by the novice.
Medium altitude peaks as Pasochoa, Iliniza North, Corazon, Cotacachi, Imbabura, Rumiñahui, Pichincha, Quilindaña are interesting and worthwhile aims and well suited as acclimatizing ground for higher and more challenging summits in the andes and other mountain ranges. Mountain trails leading to Inca Ruins (e.g. Ingapirca) and cross-country hikes through indian villages and andean paramo are also offered by tour operators in Quito, Baños, Latacunga, Riobamba, Otavalo and Cuenca. Some well-known and treks and hikes are: the Abraspungo Trekking from Urbina to the Chimborazo refuge, the Altar Trek from Candelaria tu Playas de Collanes and Alao, Antizana Trek from Papallacta to the Cotopaxi National Park, El Angel - Golondrinas Trek, Piñan Trek, Podocarpus National Park Trekking, Inca Trail from Achupallas to Inga Pirca, Condor Trek, Cotopaxi & Illinizas National Park Trekking, the Quilotoa Crater Lagoon hike and many hikes in the Cajas National Park close to Cuenca and in the Mojanda, Cotacachi and Cuicocha area near Otavalo.