Ecuador's special appeal to trekkers, day-trippers, and nature lovers can be summed up in one word: accessibility. The country's unique combination of small size, exceptional geographic and biological diversity, and good transportation infrastructure places an outstanding variety of splendid natural experiences within easy reach of the adventurous visitor.

Ecuador boasts more than forty-five protected natural areas, including national parks and private reserves, almost all of which offer trekking and day-hiking possibilities. There are also innumerable opportunities for excellent day trips close to cities and towns. Many longer treks span several natural regions, from the highlands down toward the Amazon jungle or coastal plain.

Below you will find our favourite itineraries and suggestions of treks in Ecuador:

Pasochoa and Cotopaxi National Park , 2 days : (Camping or Hacienda Hotel) The highlight of Pasochoa is its protected cloud forest situated inside a collapsed volcanic crater. While hiking to this crater you will pass through dry lava flows, glacier lakes, Rumiñahui volcano (4700 m) and Incan ruins on you way towards Cotopaxi National Park.

Haciendas and Indian Villages , 6 days : A nicely paced trip, you visit indigenous markets, enjoy the Andes mountain landscapes and historic farms. Comfortable nights, well trekked days.

Inca Trail (3 days) Trek following the ancient Inca trail to Ingapirca, Ecuador's most interesting Incan ruins.

Inca trail - Achupallas to Ingapirca, 5 days : The name says it all, this path was used by the Incas in the northern part of their empire. We will visit some of the most beautiful Andean paramos on our way to the Ingapirca fortress and temple, Cañari-Inca ruins.

Trek El Altar (3 days) Hike to the `Yellow Lake´, which is surrounded by the 9 snow-capped summits of the extinct volcano El Altar

Altar trek , 4 days : Visit the majestic Altar Nature Reserve with its impressive collapsed crater and yellow lake located within the most stunning paramo scenery in all of Ecuador. This little known and breathtaking trek will give you the opportunity to spot the evasive Andean Condor as we explore this mysterious region of the Andes.

Oyacachi to Chaco trek , 5 days : The Oyacachi to Chaco trek will take you through a magical traverse from the highland of the Cayambe Volcano to the Amazon basin. You will follow a millenary man-made path used as an ancient trade route by the pre-Inca cultures. The landscape is as beautiful as it is variable. We'll cross the paramo and progressively descend through many ecological levels: high, medium and low transitional forests.

Cotopaxi National Park & Tungurahua , 2 days : This Ecuador Adventure trek combines the highland natural attractions of Cotopaxi National Park with the subtropical cloudforest reserve on the slopes of the Tungurahua volcano. Explore the picturesque town of Baños nestled in a dramatic river gorge, home to thundering waterfalls and multiple opportunities for single trail hiking. Spend the evening in this lively town in standard or superior accommodations

Carihuairazo-Chimborazo Trek (2 days) Short trek crossing the pass between two extinct volcanoes.

El Placer Trek (5 days) A long trek, descending from the paramo highlands to some beautiful hot springs in a mountainous forest.