Ecuador Outdoor: Top 5 Activities You’ll Absolutely Love

Ecuador, you know, it’s almost like a treasure trove brimming with unbelievable outdoor adventures. From, actually, seriously high Andean peaks to lush Amazon rainforests, and the famously unique Galapagos Islands, this relatively compact country packs a seriously huge punch. The amazing thing, too, is that something pretty unforgettable is usually just around the corner. So, grab your backpack, put on some, like your comfiest hiking boots, and come explore, honestly, maybe the top five outdoor activities that could just make your Ecuadorian adventure an absolutely wild ride.

1. Hiking in the Andes Mountains

You know, that jagged spine of the Andes runs right through Ecuador, actually offering what might be some of the most gorgeous hiking opportunities. Arguably, you might kick things off with a trip to Cotopaxi National Park. The park basically has the snow-capped Cotopaxi volcano. You can trek up to the refuge, so, too, it’s at about 4,800 meters. I mean, honestly, the altitude can really leave you gasping for air. The landscapes, though, that’s just a totally different world. You can see those sprawling paramo grasslands and almost feel the raw power of nature all around you.

Another spot, actually, a bit more accessible maybe, is the Quilotoa Loop. So, this multi-day trek winds, very much, around indigenous villages, up and down pretty dramatic valleys. Eventually, it leads to that breathtaking Quilotoa crater lake. The lake, as a matter of fact, is a mesmerizing turquoise gem that kind of sits snugly inside a volcano’s caldera. That’s pretty cool, if you ask me. For something maybe just a bit different, there’s the hike to Laguna Cuicocha, inside a volcanic crater too, it’s almost like. There are these little islands in the center. They kind of give it this, you know, surreal feeling. Hiking there lets you soak up the mountain vibes, clearly experiencing, in some respects, the high-altitude ecosystems and encountering locals. Seriously, it is a trip of a lifetime.

Read our full review: Hiking in the Andes Mountains Full Review and Details

2. Amazon Rainforest Tours

Did you know that Ecuador kind of lays claim to a significant chunk of the Amazon rainforest? Too, honestly, exploring the jungle is pretty easily one of those, very, best outdoor adventures on offer. You know, places like the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, arguably, provide a seriously amazing glimpse into pretty much what a huge, wild ecosystem is actually like. During, too, guided tours—and I mean by seriously knowledgable indigenous guides—you’re traveling down rivers. Basically, you’re canoeing on blackwater lakes, and going on foot, if you will, through what might just be the lushest vegetation you’ve almost ever set eyes on. You can see stuff such as monkeys, sloths, maybe colorful macaws, plus maybe, just maybe, even, too, elusive jaguars.

Night walks, right, I mean those can be, basically, pretty thrilling. And, too, you might just, honestly, spot caimans and those other nocturnal creatures as they’re coming out to basically prowl. You can, actually, sometimes stay in eco-lodges that might just be deep inside the jungle, almost experiencing the true remoteness. Actually, so you’ll definitely be away from city life and all that usual hubbub. That will allow you, so, to, perhaps, fall asleep, naturally, too, hearing what almost sound like the symphony of jungle sounds, pretty easily putting you in sync with nature’s very own pulse. Rainforest expeditions offer a great opportunity, very, to, in some respects, not only see amazing wildlife but pretty much learn, naturally, all, everything there could ever be, nearly, about medicinal plants and what different indigenous cultures are really like.

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3. Galapagos Islands Wildlife Encounters

The Galapagos Islands, and you may know of them, you know, are basically like this enchanted archipelago and, basically, probably, a dream trip just, literally, for lots of people, if I’m just being honest. They are extremely famous basically for all their totally unique wildlife. It’s wild here. And, really, honestly, what’s so unique about, very, Ecuador’s Galapagos is, like, you can actually experience these totally unusual animal species with no fear of people.

I mean, you could possibly be snorkeling with playful sea lions or maybe watching the ancient giant tortoises lumber across volcanic landscapes. Blue-footed boobies there, and they almost seem to be performing these seriously quirky mating dances. What you may find, usually, too, is that the islands pretty much offer an amazing, truly unforgettable experience that may just, very, kind of showcase pretty much what the sheer biodiversity we got going on in, too, this place could possibly even look like. Cruising pretty much around the islands kind of lets you get to, you know, a load of different visitor sites and ecosystems. That just might, I guess, maximize what, I mean, basically, everyone goes to Ecuador and these islands actually hopes to accomplish. That, really, pretty much gives you really amazing up-close looks into Darwin’s living laboratory. Actually, that place basically shaped his ideas pretty heavily about evolution. I mean, I’m pretty sure you knew that already.

Read our full review: Galapagos Islands Wildlife Encounters Full Review and Details

4. Surfing the Pacific Coast

Ecuador doesn’t only boast mountains or rainforests, alright? This nation boasts some awesome Pacific coastline perfect just, too, for surfers of, too, pretty much all levels of experience, as I was saying. Montañita can be this famously known party town; you’ll pretty much catch what are almost seriously solid breaks plus some extremely lively vibes. Just so you are aware of that.

If you’re kind of looking for something slightly less crowded you, know, try spots such as Mompiche or Ayampe, so, as a matter of fact, with, I mean, very beautiful beaches and calmer scenes, as a matter of fact, at least slightly calmer scenes than some of those seriously hopping places you hear all about. What some may very well tell you about Ecuadorian surfing could be the fact that you’re really taking your pick of a whole lot of surf schools to show pretty much absolute beginners the basic skills. You should always kind of have expert instructors leading surfers out basically toward those super challenging breaks to boost your own skills further as, if you know, an extremely advanced surfer! As it is what all these tourists basically come there hoping they’ll be, I can imagine. In other words, so the chance to pretty much experience Ecuador’s outdoors extends right into the ocean, definitely inviting all those folks wanting some totally great times out on the water.

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5. Whitewater Rafting and Kayaking

Too, for those folks really hunting for what pretty much might just be an adrenaline kick, Ecuador, seemingly, gives you awesome whitewater rafting or maybe, you know, possibly kayaking experiences, right, which almost might, could be, be on pretty thrilling rivers basically descending from those absolutely magnificent Andes mountains! I almost think that can’t be possible, I can almost hear some tourist from Iowa or wherever asking this! Ecuador?

Seriously though, the Tena area especially is where almost a bunch of very popular rivers flow, pretty easily giving people like you, maybe, a fair amount of chances for totally pretty much, too, varying intensity, rafting, as a matter of fact, experiences. A river like, almost like, the Rio Napo just will absolutely take you all the way pretty deeply down into the Amazon, and you almost might, arguably, pretty easily get to combine these exciting water-based activities plus, like, additional opportunities for spotting wildlife on those basically super-close riverbanks. All the adventure tour businesses typically give you, seemingly, guided trips so you will actually be absolutely super secure in some super super beautiful environments. Pretty much going with all those thrilling rapids just is totally something super fun, for instance, for very almost anybody wanting basically a seriously great way actually to come pretty fully appreciate Ecuador from another, more exciting angle, is it not?

Read our full review: Whitewater Rafting and Kayaking Full Review and Details