TOP 7 BEST ECUADOR HIKING CAMPING TRIPS

Camping is one of the activities you have to experience at least once in your life. This activity allows you to connect with nature, breathe the fresh air, see amazing landscapes and above all the wonderful starry nights. 

Ecuador is a country that has a great amount of destinations for hiking and camping. The Coastal region, the Amazon or the Galapagos Islands are excellent options, but definitely in the Highlands you will find magical places for these activities. 

Venture to know the 7 best Ecuador hiking camping trips and witness all the natural beauty that the country has. 

1. El Boliche Recreational National Area

El Boliche Recreational Area is one of the best options for hiking camping trips in Ecuador. This protected area has an extension of 392 hectares and has facilities for recreational activities. Here you will find camping and picnic areas, campfire area, children’s playground. There are also cabins for lodging, a restaurant and two self-guided trails. 

This National Area is located between the border of the provinces of Pichincha and Cotopaxi. It is characterized for its unique beauty and its paramo is dominated mostly by pine and cypress trees. Camping in “El Boliche” will be one of the best experiences you will have watching the beautiful landscape at sunrise.

2. Cochasquí Archaeological Park

The second place in this list of the best Ecuador hiking camping trips belongs to the Cochasquí Archaeological Complex. This place is located in the parish of Tocachi, canton Pedro Moncayo, province of Pichincha. This archaeological park is one of the most important pieces of evidence of the pre-Inca civilization of Pichincha. It has 15 pyramids, 21 burial mounds, and four site museums. 

According to history it is said that Cochasqui was an astronomical observatory of the Quitu-Cara culture. Reason enough to know that camping in this place will allow you to have the most privileged view of a starry night. 

3. Quilotoa crater lake

Located in the province of Cotopaxi, the Quilotoa Lagoon is one of the most beautiful places for hiking and camping. This emerald turquoise lagoon was formed inside the crater of the volcano of the same name. Its particular color is due to minerals found inside the crater. 

For those who love hiking, you can walk around the lagoon, it is a trail of approximately 12 km. From here you can observe the natural beauty and incomparable scenery. For camping, you can camp on the shores of the lagoon. You will surely be dazzled by the nightfall.  

4. Mojanda Lagoons

The Mojanda Lagoons are definitely one of the most beautiful places in the province of Imbabura for camping. 

This beautiful lake complex is made up of three lagoons, Caricocha, “Male lagoon”, Wuarmicocha “Female lagoon” and Yanacocha “Black lagoon”. The most outstanding thing about this place is that the lagoons were formed inside the crater of the extinct Mojanda volcano. Here you can also hike the Fuya Fuya hill, from here you will have a wonderful view. 

The ideal areas to camp here are around the lagoons. It is important to bring warm clothes, since at night the temperatures are usually very low.

5. Cajas National Park

Cajas National Park is one of Ecuador’s most beautiful protected areas of outstanding natural beauty. The park is located in the southern part of the country in the province of Azuay. The Cajas is composed of several water bodies; there are about 165 lagoons. The area of the park comprises 29,000 hectares of Andean paramo.

 The place has several trails where you can hike while observing the landscape, flora and fauna of the paramo. And of course there are camping areas, the most used routes are Llaviuco, Tres Cruces and La Toreadora. At dusk you will be dazzled by the wonderful starry landscape that you will see and you will even be able to see the Milky Way.

6. Altar Volcano – Sangay National Park

Within Sangay National Park, is one of the most beautiful places, the Altar volcano. This volcano is considered by many as one of the most complex for trekking. But it is also true that El Altar is one of the most beautiful volcanoes in Ecuador. It has a high altitude of 5,319 meters above sea level. 

This place has a unique natural scenery, this inactive volcano is covered by glaciers and formed by several peaks that give it a peculiar, mysterious but beautiful aspect.

If you visit El Altar you will be able to perform various activities such as hiking, trekking, mountain climbing, camping and other outdoor activities.

7. Pasochoa Wildlife Refuge

Located near Quito, there is the Pasochoa Wildlife Refuge, located in the parish of Amaguaña. Pasochoa is an extinct volcano and thanks to the shape of its crater an Andean forest was formed. 

Today this forest is a wildlife sanctuary and is home to several species of flora and fauna belonging to the Andean forest, many of which are no longer found in any other area of the Andes. It is the perfect place for hikers, as it has several trails to access the crater of the volcano. Their difficulty varies according to their level of demand.

It is important to keep in mind that you need to be prepared for camping. The essential things you should bring are a good tent, a camping sleeping bag, and thermal quilt insulation. If you are going to camp in the Sierra you should bring warm clothes to protect you from the cold. 

Contact us to organize the trip of your choice and be able to do these activities.