Ecuador

UPDATE: as of August 2017, Cotopaxi is open again to climbing. Though only Ecuador’s second-tallest peak, Cotopaxi (19,347 ft.), the world’s tallest active volcano, is certainly its most iconic.  Visible from Quito, the near-perfect volcanic cone is visible from Quito and stretches nearly four m...

Not very far from the touristy Ecuadorian town of Otavalo and the retirement paradise of Cotacachi is the Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve. It boasts a rainforest, many volcanic lakes, and waterfalls. The infamous 11,089 foot tall Cotacachi Volcano is located within the reserve, towering near...

Laguna Quilotoa is an incredibly scenic and relatively easy place to do a day hike in Ecuador. The hike down only takes ~30 minutes and views of the turquoise lake make it impossible to not stop every 2 minutes. Although it's a popular place to visit by the surrounding indigenous people, Laguna Q...

At 970m above sea level in one of the most bio diverse places on earth one entrance to Podocarpus National Park can be reached by way of the small city of Zamora.  This side of the park hosts jungle and cloud forest climate and vegetation.  ARRIVE: Zamora is about 1.5 hours by bus and 3 USD from ...

In the very south of the Ecuadorian Andes lies a mountain that appears in the form of a giant, sleeping, Inca god.  At 1,500 masl, this area is nearly always sunny, with perfect temperatures of around 70-80 F. Information, maps, and access to the Mandango Loop can be obtained at Hostal Izhcayluma...

24KM from the port you can find the small, pristine, white, sandy beach of Puerto Chino.  At the parking lot you head down a trail that will take roughly 15 minutes to descend.  Along the way you will see intriguing prickly pear cacti "trees" which are endemic to the island, as well as several of...

Playa La Lobería is an easily accesible beach on Isla San Cristóbal of the Galapagos Islands. It’s a hotspot for snorkeling and surfing year-round, as well as sunbathing (but beware it is VERY hot and sunny, you will burn without protection!) Sea lions and large iguanas frequent this beach and ca...

In the southern Andes of Ecuador, at an elevation of 2,800 m above sea level, on the road joining Catamayo and Loja, a park containing 12 wind turbines provides amazing views of the city of Loja.  For 30 cents, a local bus will take you from central Loja to Tierras Coloradas, from there you can t...

While 40 kilometers is quite long, this trek is not difficult.  The trail is long, wide, well maintained, well marked, and fairly flat if not downhill.  Beginning in Loja's Parque Lineal, this is a true experience of the mountains and Andean life.  Follow rivers, jump over streams, walk through t...

As Isabela is located west of the archipelago, it's hit directly by the Cromwell current, which is rich in oxygen and nutrients for many marine and terrestrial species not only in Isabela but for the whole archipelago. From Puerto Villamil several snorkeling sites can be reached, but one stands o...

In the south of Ecuador, in the culturally rich Andean mountains, lies the generally overlooked city of Loja.  What it lacks in backpacker hostels and museums it makes up for in culture and endless mountain trails.  Just beyond the southern end of the city is Parque Universitario, a Park used by ...

At the very south of Loja, on the road to Vilcabamba, is Jardín Botánico Reinaldo Espinosa.  "Garden" is too calm of a word to describe this botanical sanctuary.  It is full of native and exotic plant species only generally organized into an Arboretum, Andean Cultivation, Medicinal plants, an Orc...