Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in South America, but for climbers and trekkers it offers an incredible diversity of mountains, ecosystems and cultures to explore. Within a day's drive of the modern capital city of Quito are 20,000 foot glaciated peaks, Amazon rainforest, warm coastal beaches, and dense cloudforest with hidden Incan treasures. Whether you decide to ramble out on your own or hook up with a local guide service, the logistics of planning excursions in Ecuador are simpler and the approach time shorter than in other, more remote, areas of the world. .

The high Andean peaks of Ecuador are located primarily along the Avenue of the Volcanoes, a fertile central valley, which is buttressed by two ranges, the Eastern and Western Cordilleras. Most of the highland populace, including the indigenous Quichua, ekes out an agrarian living in this region.

Some of the summits are young, cone-shaped volcanoes like Cotopaxi with technically straight-forward climbs offering the novice a chance to get near or above 20,000 feet. Others are deeply eroded, older volcanoes with challenging rock and ice routes (e.g., the glorious ring of peaks on El Altar).

For your first few days in Ecuador, you should acclimatize by ascending some of the smaller mountains (15,000 feet or less), such as Iliniza Norte, Imbabura or Pichincha to avoid developing AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) or the more severe Pulmonary Adenoma or Cerebral Adenoma. These lower peaks are non-glaciated, easily accessible within a day's travel from Quito, and offer either hut facilities or nearby hostels that can be used as a climbing base.

Once your body has adjusted to the altitude, you are ready to try one of Ecuador's four classic glaciated peaks: Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Cayambe or Tungurahua. Although the standard routes are technically straightforward, people do die every year - primarily from avoidable mistakes. Novices should hire a local guide. Experienced mountaineers can attempt the more remote and/or more difficult peaks of Antisana, El Altar and Iliniza Sur or the more challenging routes on the other mountains. As a relatively recent playground for climbers, Ecuador still provides many opportunities for first ascents on new routes.

There are three anomalous volcanoes (Reventador, Sumaco and Sangay) that don't belong to either of the Cordilleras, but rather thrust up from dense jungle east of the Andes. These climbs have the added attraction of giving you a chance to test out your machete skills, as you must blaze trails through dense cloudforest or rainforest just to get to the base of these giants. Sangay is also noteworthy for its healthy population of woolly mountain tapirs

New York has Fifth Avenue, Paris the Champs Elysees—Ecuador has its own famous avenue, with a bit of a twist: the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Thus named by the legendary explorer Alexander von Humboldt, the central highlands of Ecuador take the form of a highland valley flanked by two parallel cordillera of the Andes. Eleven major peaks, many of which are still active volcanoes, emerge on either side and make a superb area for trekking and mountain climbing.
Although trekking opportunities abound throughout Ecuador, perhaps the best regions are around the volcanoes of Chimborazo (at 6310m, the highest peak in Ecuador) and Cotopaxi (5897m), the world’s highest active volcano. The beautiful national park surrounding the area adds wildlife and lush landscape to the mix. Indeed, it's a prime place to spot the amazing condor in all its ten-foot-wingspan glory.
While each mountain has its unique ecosystem and landscape, the grassy paramo surrounding these volcanoes generally makes for easy trekking—and these treeless plateaus are set against stunning snow-capped peaks to boot. In addition to ample trekking routes, Cotopaxi offers great climbing opportunities for in-shape novices who don’t have technical expertise. Chimborazo offers equally superb mountaineering, but requires a much greater technical proficiency.
But the draw of the central Highlands is more than just trekking—the Ecuadorian people offer a brand of cultural interaction not found in many destinations. Many of the Native Americans here are descendants of the Inca (and many still speak Quechua, their original language); other mestizos are of mixed Native American and European ancestry. Visit local markets, not simply for indigenous foods and crafts, but to walk and talk among the locals. (Otovalo is the most famous in the region, but there are many others.) These colorful spots are not just tourist traps, but the real native gathering places. The fact that this area is less visited than some parts of Peru means that these Indians are much less jaded. The result: many fewer in-your-face hawkers of trinkets.
If you tire of trekking, there is mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and birdwatching that soars even beyond the condor. The leisurely way to explore the highlands means staying in a hacienda. Many of these are beautiful old ranches that have been converted to inns, excellent base camps for hiking, biking, or horseback riding. Or those more challenging treks.

Practically Speaking:
The volcanoes are very accessible only several hours outside of Quito, so you could visit the city and venture here as well. Many U.S. operators run trips here: high end U.S. companies will run trips in the range of $175-200 day (after airfare); many will combine them with trips to the Amazon or the Galapagos; they’ll do full support often packing with horses or mules, or in some cases llamas. Fully supported trips with Ecuadorian companies will run about $100/day. Several guidebooks on offer excellent advice on how to do it yourself. The entire range of itineraries is possible. Many popular treks range from five days to more than a week. Climbs to the top of Cotopaxi require an overnight stay at the volcano’s base camp, and will cost you $150. Most Ecuadorian operators also operate multi-day climbing expeditions.

The weather in Ecuador is quirky. In the highlands June to September are generally the driest times; as is December and January. You don’t have tremendous temperature swings, but the amount of rain can vary widely. Be prepared for some rain at any time of year in almost all places. There is no summer and winter per se; you get the same amount of sunlight year round (it’s a funny thing about being on the equator.)
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is found about 37mi south of Quito in Parque Nacional Cotopaxi, whose cone-shaped centerpiece, 19,350ft Cotopaxi Volcano, is the world's tallest active volcano. Don't attempt to climb higher than the José Ribas refuge 15,750ft without a guide, proper equipment and a good deal of previous snow and ice climbing experience. Further south, the town of Baños makes a good base for short walks and ambitious climbs, and it has the added bonus of having toasty thermal springs nearby.
Near Cuenca in the southern highlands, the Area Nacional de Recreación Las Cajas offers rugged hiking in bleak terrain scattered with beautiful lakes. Ecuador's highest peak, the 20,700 ft Chimborazo, is not for day trippers - if you're not an experienced climber, stick to the area around the mountain, which is easier. 
Tours by "Isla Blue Tours" Although Ecuador is a relatively small country with the densest population of any South American country, it offers many remote areas ideal for trekking and hiking excursions. 

Hiking programs are from 1 day to several days in the high altitude regions of the Andes mountains, passing glaciers and high mountain peaks and in the Amazon tropical rainforest region, hiking through primary jungle and climbing active volcanoes. The treks are suited to everyone in fairly good physical conditions and have the will to endure a few days away from civilization and roughing it out in the wilderness. The high altitude treks are also ideal for acclimatization purposes, if you are thinking of climbing some of the high volcanoes.

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