Ecuador

 

Avenue Of The Volcanoes

 

 

As its name would imply, Ecuador lies across the equator in the northwestern corner of South America (and you thought you'd never use that elementary school geography). Ecuador is surprisingly rich in biological diversity and natural beauty, and its wide variety of indigenous peoples, cultures, architecture and topography is impressive, despite its ranking as the smallest country in the Andean highlands. In fact, the entire country is only the size of Nevada. And, yes ... you can find cheap prime rib and hookers there, too. Just like Nevada. Don't lie: you know that's what you were wondering.

The history of pre-Inca Ecuador is unclear; in fact the earliest historical details go back only as far as the 11th century AD. Historians believe that Asian nomads reached the South American continent by approximately 12,000 BC, to be later joined by Polynesian colonizers, and eventually the Incas around 1450 AD.

Our expeditions begin in the equatorial capital city of Quito, a place where your order of tomato soup comes with popcorn floating in it. Odd, yes ... but it works. Quito also arguably the most beautiful city in South America; blessed with a mild year-round climate, magnificent architecture, and a breathtaking backdrop of snowcapped mountains.

The Andes Mountains divide Ecuador North to South creating what the celebrated explorer Alexander Humboldt termed the "Avenue of Volcanoes". The mountains of Ecuador offer an incredible variety of landscape, nature, culture and adventure. Two roughly parallel ranges of the Andes form the Ecuadorean highlands known as La Sierra; the Cordillera Oriental, the wider and higher of the two ranges, and the Cordillera Occidental, the lower range even though it is home to the highest mountain in Ecuador.

Our climbs in the Cordillera Oriental include Cotopaxi (19,348) and Cayambe (18,997); climbs in the Cordillera Occidental include Chimborazo (20,703’).

Click on the links below to learn more about our Ecuador expeditions, view itineraries, prices and dates, and to submit an Online Application. Join us for an exciting mountaineering adventure in Ecuador!