Volcanic Adventures in Ecuador

Ecuador has plenty of geothermal unrest that makes visiting the country an explosive and exciting adventure. Both on the mainland and in the Galápagos Islands, you will find there is a plethora of volcanoes that provide exciting outdoor adventures.

Go bathing in Baños, a jungle-frontier town with steaming thermal pools full of allegedly health-inducing minerals. The inexpensive public bathhouses provide a relaxing and soothing Ecuador vacation. While Volcán Tungurahua causes a lot of trouble for the locals, it also allows for the large and relaxing natural Jacuzzi located nearby.

One of the most sought-after summits in Ecuador is the ice-cream-cone shaped Cotopaxi. This volcano is steep and one must properly acclimate before, but does not require much technical knowledge. The view from the top and into the crater is dizzying, due to both the altitude at 5,897 meters and the natural beauty of the site.

Quito is the only capital city that is actually threatened by an active volcano, but the laidback locals don’t seem to mind neighboring Volcán Pichincha looming over their heads. You can ride a sky tram up to 4,100 meters on the volcano, and if you’re up to it, it is possible to climb a three hours to 4,680 m to Rucu Pichincha.
The lava fields on San Salvador in the Galápagos have unique age-old lava crusted into shallow pools and cool caves and geological swirls. The wildlife in the region only makes this interesting destination better; marine iguanas, seals, and Sally Lightfoot crabs all roam here.

Cross the mouth of a volcano by canoe. The pea-green pool deep in the Quilotoa crater takes six hours to circumnavigate.

Active Isabella is the largest of the volcanic Galápagos Islands. You can see a few of Darwin’s famous finches by taking an 8-km trail from Santo Tomás up to the sides of Volcán Sierra Negra where there are steaming fumaroles.

Another Galápagos volcanic adventure can be found on the main island, Santa Cruz. There are a number of extinct craters that are teeming with giant tortoises and vermillion flycatchers.
For a high-speed adventure, flying down Volcán Chimorazo on a mountain bike is exhilarating! It is possible to drive up the highest peak in Ecuador, at 6310 meters, and then roll down past grazing vicuña.

Any equally intimidating ride can be found on a train ride from Riobamba to Sibambe. The ride through the mighty peaks of the Avenue of Volcanoes and across the twisty descent of the Devil’s Nose (a 765-meter sheer cliff) is only for the fearless.

If you aren’t keen on outdoor pursuits, you can spend the day shopping at Otavalo’s traditional Saturday market, all while under looming Volcán Imbabura. Good finds include ponchos, tagua-nut jewelry, and ponchos.

This guide to summiting Ecuador’s peaks was written by a Ecuador travel expert at Peru For Less available to help you custom design your exciting Ecuador vacations.