A view of Cerro Ilaló from the Valley of “Los Chillos”.

Hiking to the top of this volcano is one of the classical easy outdoor activities for locals and foreigners in the surroundings of Quito. it is also the starting point for any acclimatization program before climbing the country's highest peaks.

This path to the summit is well marked but a little steep, probably the hardest part of the ascend, it can take from half an hour to one hour from the sub-summit or “La Cruz”.

A great view of the Pichincha volcanoes complex, from right to left:

Rucu, Ladrillos, Padre Encantado & Guagua.

This is the route we take when we hike to the summit of this dormant volcano from the west side to the east side.

When climbing Ilalo you´ll get to see some of the local architecture.

Hiking Ilalo will show you some of the local culture.

Rabano or Radish is one of the local crops farmed at Ilalo mountain.

One of the most conspicuous birds you see when ascending Ilalo is this Golden Grossbeak.

This flower introduced from Africa at the beginning of the 20th century now lives freely in the drier areas of the inter-Andean valleys, a common encounter when ascending Ilaló.

This hummingbird is attracted like a magnet to this introduced flower. It is a common encounter when climbing Ilalo.

This lake complex landscape is one of the most fantastic in Ecuador.

this is the first lake we encounter on our hike towards Papallacta, full of flora and fauna of the High Andes.

Another fantastic lake in the middle of nowhere, a good place to spot “Spectacled Bears”

An amazing lake that we will pass by on our hiking day.

This is an easy mountain to reach in the vicinity of Quito, the name suggests “Sleeping Lion”

The volcanoes in this view are Cotopaxi, Pasochoa, Ilinisas, etc.

To the south, on a clear day, you can get fantastic views of Antisana.

This is the highest point of this mountain.

The Card is a common plant when hiking to this mountain, in the past, it was used to card the sheep`s wool.

This glacier lake is found near the Otavalo city and market, which is a great place to admire especially the flora of the Andes full of Orchids and plants of the Mountain Forest.

This orchid species on the genus Pleurothallis is a very common encounter when hiking Cotacachi.

This pretty flower on the Alstromeriaceae family is a common encounter on our Andean hikes.

This orchid on the Genus Masdevallia is another common encounter when hiking Cotacachi

These giant plants of the Andes on the Bromeliad families is another common encounter, usually with birds feeding in their flowers.

This is a view from the arrival point, from here you can hike around the crater or descend into the crater.

When hiking around Quilotoa´s rim you find the native vegetation plus excellent views of its crater.

The full-rim of Quilotoa can take you from 5 to 6 hours of hiking.

When visiting Quilotoa you will find the local people in their daily activities.

This amazing site just two hours from Otavalo in northern Ecuador is a fantastic option for the active traveler.

This incredible reflection of the Frailejones into the lake can only be achieved with the fantastic light of the sunrise or sunset.

This unique flowers can only be found in the northern Andes of Ecuador.

During this excursion, we will hike inside this very unique and amazing forest of the high Andes.

A fantastic very old tree found during our hike in the Polylephis forest.

This is a fantastic hike in one of the most pristine areas of Ecuador.

Click here to see a video about this trekking.

Collecting firewood.

This famous route starts in Papallacta passes through Antisana & Sincholagua & ends up in Cotopaxi.

These fantastic lakes are some of the least explored within the boundaries of Ecuador.

Ancient trees from the high Andes.

You can find beautiful landscapes with local people and culture along the way.

They are located in the central Andes of Ecuador; inside the very pristine Sangay National Park.

A regular encounter during this hike.

This is where we end our hike.

When hiking in this area you´ll have an encounter with the local culture.

Some of the most beautiful sunsets you find in this part of Ecuador.

These are the best remains of the Inca empire in Ecuador.

Traveling to southern Ecuador at dusk can provide amazing landscapes like this.

El Altar is one of the most difficult mountains to climb in Ecuador, a hike around the peaks is a fantastic experience for observing glacier lakes, flora, and fauna of this enigmatic region of Ecuador.

Atacazo is an inactive volcano about 20 kilometers southwest of Quito.

The best weather is from June to September, December & January.

This sign is found bellow the rock scramble.

This route shows the start and end in the same place.

This is the description of a morning workout from a hike to Atacazo, the start and end were the same.

Atacazo is seen from the northern approach, the mist comes from the Choco bioregion in the western slopes of the Andes.

On the first slopes of the mountain with Quito behind with Lorena, Belen & Wilson.

This is a photo of me, taken by Wilson Pavon on the way to the summit.

Getting closer to the rock scramble.

Taking advantage of the very good rock of Atacazo, we can practice some very easy rock climbing (Optional). Photo by Wilson Pavon.

We are on the top of this enigmatic volcano with Lorena and Belen.

This is the route we take in our Atacazo North-South program: blue flag=Start; Ecuador´s flag=Summit; red flag=Finish

Typical flower on the paramos of Atacazo.

A view of Atacazo when descending on the southern side.

one of the beauties of the paramo.

Here you can see the remains of an old eruption from this volcano.

This Puya or Achupalla just got eaten by the Spectacled Bear, just a few minutes before our arrival.

A beautiful mountain in the western cordillera.

From this point is about 20 minutes to the summit.

Even though this is not a picture of El Corazon Mountain, this is a view of Iliniza Sur. When climbing Corazon you can get excellent views of the surrounding peaks.

Here with a group of friends getting to the top of Corazon.

Hiking and climbing to the top of Rucu Pichincha is a moderate hike that can take us 5 to 6 hours to reach the summit of the mountain, it has a moderare difficulty.

The first activity we´ll do when we go to Pichinchas, is taking the cable car that will take us to an altitud of 4,000 mts.

A fantastic view of the city of Quito from “Cruz Loma”, the starting point of our hike.

A hiker reaching Rucu Pichincha´s base.

This is a fantastic flower found mainly in the Pichincha mountains.

At the base of the mountain there are several places where you can establish a camp site.

This sand path is the last effort before reaching the summit of Rucu Pichincha or the pass to continue to Guagua Pichincha.

Our first peak out of four.

Here is the pass from Rucu to Guagua Pichincha.

This fantastic bird is a common companion when climbing Pichincha mountains.

The “Urcu Rosa” (Ranunculus Guzmanii) or Andean Rose, is one of the magnificent endemic flowers found mainly in the Pichincha mountains close to Quito.

After Rucu Pichincha we continue to Guagua Pichincha, an active volcano south west of Rucu.

Our second peak out of four.

The third peak after passing Rucu and Ladrillos, is this peak that we can reach to the top or just pass by to get to Guagua Pichincha.

Our third peak out of four.

At the end of our hike, we´ll end up at the rim of the crater of this fantastic volcano.

A dark form of Variable Hawk can be found during the hike of the Pichincha mountains.

Climbing Cerro Puntas is a good acclimatization before you climb any of the major peaks. To reach the top we fix 50mts of rope for the climb and for the rappel down (Exciting).

When we start the ascent to the mountain, we´ll get great views of Cayambe volcano.

On the short breaks, you can enjoy the fantastic flora of the high Andes.

When approaching the top of the mountain you get fantastic views of the puntas (points) of this eroded volcano.

A great view of Cayambe from the base of the rock at Cerro Puntas.

Here you can see the tipi top of this incredible rocky peak.

The last 50 mts. will require a fix rope in order to reach the summit.

After reaching the summit our Guides will belay you down the rocky exposed part.

Amazing little flowers grow on the cracks of the rocks of this fantastic mountain.

Pretty colorful flowers can be enjoyed during our descent of the mountain.

Fantastic view of the mountain and lake from the south west side.

The beginning of the climb provides us fantastic views of the city of Ibarra and lake Yahuarcocha in the background.

Before you reach the top of Imbabura you need to scramble through rocks grade III.

Sunsets can also be fantastic after you have climbed the mountain.

In the foreground, you can see Limpiopungo lake inside Cotopaxi National Park; in the background Rumiñaui volcano with its three peaks.

The flower of good luck for climbers.

You can get fantastic views of Cotopaxi when you climb Rumiñahui.

Another fantastic flower of the high Andes.

Here are the three peaks of Rumiñahui in B/W.

Some rock scramble grade III is needed to reach the central summit of this volcano.

At the top of the central summit of Rumiñahui

A fantastic view of Cotopaxi at dawn from the Ilinisa Mountains.

During the approach to Sincholagua, you get fantastic views of Cotopaxi National Park & volcanoe.

To reach the top of Sincholagua we´ll fix a 50 mts. rope for the ascent and the rappel down.

When hiking around Cotopaxi a nice option is staying overnight in one of the hacienda houses near Cotopaxi.

This amazing volcano is located right on the equator line a few kilometers northeast of Quito, a hike in the surroundings will provide us with an amazing experience of the flora, fauna, and landscapes of the high Andes. Reaching the top is only for experienced climbers.

Fantastic trekking from one to three days inside Antisana National Park.

When hiking around Chimborazo, you will have the chance to see the local crops of the high Andes.

The Cordillera Blanca is one of the most extraordinary mountain ranges in the world with still some peaks not reached yet.

Entering the Cordillera Blanca by car takes you through this fantastic route known as the “Ducks Canion”

The peak on the background belongs to the highest mountain in Peru; ( 6,757 m.a.s.l.)

Hiking on the Cordillera Blanca of Perú will reward you with some of the most incredible landscapes of the planet.

This is an easy hike to the top of this mountain, one of the most accessible glaciers on the Cordillera Blanca of Perú. Here we are doing the rough route with some ice climbing.

This is a view of the valley seen from the ridge that takes you to the top of Rainbow Mountain.

In the middle of reds and yellows, local people farm in this Green Valley.

When hiking to Rainbow Mountain you get fantastic views of this huge snow-capped peak.

There are several glacier lakes that you pass by when hiking to the Rainbow Mountain.

Here with my local Guide and Friend.

Easy hiking near La Paz.

This is a quite technical climb, here we are about to reach the top.

The best way to get to Macchu Pichu is like the Incas did, hiking on the Inca Trail.

When hiking on the Inca trail you pass by several fortresses like this one.