Multi-Day Trek: Quilotoa Loop
If you're unsure, start with day treks and progressively build up effort and altitude.
Learn More About the Quilotoa Loop →
From the great multi-day treks of the Quilotoa Loop to day hikes in the Amazon: how to choose the right route for your level and your season.
Travel local, live responsibly — no filters, no middlemen
Ecuador offers very different treks, from the routes around Cotopaxi and Quilotoa to hikes in the Avenue of the Volcanoes and the areas around Otavalo and the Andean lagoons. Duration, altitude, difficulty and season vary a lot from area to area.
Organizing a trekking trip in Ecuador means choosing well: season, difficulty, gear, guides, overnight stops and weather margins. Not every trek suits everyone, but with a well-built itinerary Ecuador can become a memorable outdoor trip.
3–4 days among Andean villages, canyons and the Quilotoa lagoon. A flexible route, with overnight stays in small local guesthouses.
Book guides, overnight stays and transport in advance when the route crosses areas with limited capacity.
Day excursions are the most flexible solution for those who want to hike without giving up a comfortable hotel and a changeable schedule.
Choose trails with different difficulty levels so you can adapt the plan to weather and energy levels.
Build Your Itinerary in the Ecuadorian Amazon →
Beyond the most famous routes, Mindo and the cloud forest, Otavalo and the Andean lagoons, and other regions offer lesser-known hikes with very different landscapes and environments.
In many areas a local guide improves safety, reading the terrain and the overall quality of the experience.
Discover Treks and Volcanoes in Southern Ecuador →Consider distance, elevation gain, altitude, terrain, the self-sufficiency required and the possibility of changing plans. Duration in hours alone isn't enough to gauge difficulty.
If you're unsure, start with day treks and progressively build up effort and altitude.
Learn More About the Quilotoa Loop →
5–7 days combining Cotopaxi, Rumiñahui and high-altitude areas. Requires acclimatization and careful weather planning.
Learn More About the Avenue of the Volcanoes Traverse →We'll help you choose the trails, season, guides, overnight stops and difficulty level best suited to you.
Contact Us for AdviceOptions worth considering include the Quilotoa Loop and the Avenue of the Volcanoes Traverse, as well as day excursions in the Ecuadorian Amazon and Otavalo and the Andean lagoons. The Quilotoa Loop in particular passes through traditional Andean communities along the way.
Not for every route. Difficulty depends on elevation gain, altitude, terrain, duration and the self-sufficiency required: there are options ranging from easy to very demanding, with several treks in the Avenue of the Volcanoes exceeding 4,000 meters in altitude.
It depends on the trail and the region. In remote areas, at altitude or with complex route-finding, a local guide is strongly recommended: they know the weather, terrain conditions and support points along the Andean trails.
Practical guides to help you choose when to go, what to see, and how to build the itinerary that's right for you.
No filters, no middlemen — with local operators in Lima, Cusco and Arequipa