Hiking in Ecuador

Its different ecosystems and geography make Ecuador the favorite place for lovers of this activity since they can find from warm beaches, mysterious forests to routes in the middle of the dense Amazon jungle. Remember that it is advisable to hire the services of a local guide to take care of the planning of the excursion, in the same way, if you want to do it on your own, always follow the recommendations provided in the parks or hiking areas.

Read on to discover the beautiful places where you can enjoy a good hiking route and be amazed by the natural wonders that this beautiful country offers.

Condor Trek (Cotopaxi, Pichincha and Napo)

Without a doubt, this is one of the most impressive and demanding treks that can be done in Ecuador. In this 5-day tour you will be able to get to know the Antisana Volcano, the Sincholagua Volcano and finally the Cotopaxi Volcano, known for being the second highest volcano in the country (5897 masl) and one of the highest active volcanoes in the world.

During the excursion you will appreciate the beauty of the flora and fauna of the place, one of the most outstanding things being the flight of the majestic condor and also the beautiful lagoons that are along the way.

Cajas National Park:

This national park, located just 3 hours from Guayaquil, has a wide variety of routes for hiking. It is considered one of the most beautiful natural places in the country since it is home to more than 230 glacial lakes. You can see orchids, paper trees, moss among other specimens.

Within its fauna you will see llamas, Andean tapirs, toucans and if you are lucky you will see the Andean condor. During the journey you will find rocky mountains where you can practice climbing. In the park there are also shelters where you can camp and leave early to start your adventure along the route you have chosen.

Walk through the Quilotoa Lagoon

800 years ago, due to the eruption of the Quilotoa Volcano, a 250 km deep caldera was formed within its crater, thus giving rise to one of the most impressive lagoons of volcanic origin in the world. The particularity of this lagoon are the beautiful green, blue and turquoise tones that it reaches every time the sun shines, this is the product of the minerals found under its waters.

The journey of this walk lasts approximately 5 hours, in which you will be able to observe the different shades that the lagoon reaches at different times of the day. This makes the landscape have a different contrast all the time. It is recommended to leave early to enjoy the fog-free views.

Snowy Gates to the Altar

Known by the Incas as Capac Urcu, which means majestic mountain, the snowy El Altar is an extinct volcano that is located in the city of Riobamba, in the Sangay National Park. It was considered the highest volcano in the world with 5319 meters high.

In this 2-day hike you will be able to enjoy spectacular Andean landscapes as well as its flora and fauna. You can also visit the yellow lagoon that is located in the center of the snowy mountain. Do not forget to do one of the most famous trek routes in one of the most beautiful mountains in the Ecuadorian Andes.

Holy water baths

Baños de Agua Santa is a cozy city in Ecuador. It is known as the capital of adventure sports due to the wide variety of extreme activities that can be done there. Due to its location and ecosystem, it is called the gateway to the Amazon. It is part of the Sangay National Park and the Llanganates National Park, both proclaimed National Heritage of Ecuador.

This beautiful city located at the foot of the Tungurahua Volcano offers several trails of different levels of demand so that you can explore the lush jungle and make your visit here an unforgettable experience.

These are two of the best known trails to explore in Baños:

Baños - La Virgen Trail: In this trail of indescribably beautiful landscapes you will find the Nahuazo community located to the southeast of the city. You will also enjoy an enviable view of the imposing Tungurahua Volcano. The physical condition to carry out this route must be excellent since it is a long journey and with a high degree of difficulty. The distance is 3.50 km.

Los Contrabandistas Trail (Agoyán - Chinchin - San Pedro): This trail was named this way because it is the route used by smugglers of cane liquor many years ago. The tour begins at the Agayán Dam until reaching the community of San Pedro. It has a distance of 10km and it is considered of medium difficulty, but it is recommended to be in good physical condition to carry out the route without problems.