BestHike editor Rick McCharles
The best months to hike in Ecuador are June to September and December to January, which align with the region’s two primary dry seasons, offering clearer skies and more stable, albeit windy, weather.
June–August is ideal for trekking, while November–February is often preferred for climbing volcanoes like Cotopaxi.
My first trip to Ecuador was January / February 2026.
Locals told me it had been rainier than usual — with rain starting almost every afternoon. Normally stopping around sunset.
I was happy with my itinerary and consider myself something of a veteran now. 😀
Acclimatization is critical. Therefore I recommend you start with this sequence of hikes:
- Quito free city tour
- Quito day hikes in city parks
- Quito cable car to Pichincha volcano
- Baños: Ecuador’s Adventure Capital (several day hikes)
- Secret Garden Cotopaxi
- Waterfall Walk
- Cotopaxi Base Camp
- Pasochoa Summit
- Rumiñahui Central or alternative
- Quilotoa Loop
I did all of those.
If I had more time, next would have been a summit attempt to either the top of Cotopaxi 5,897 m (19,347 ft) or Chimborazo 6,263 m (20,548 ft). Chimborazo summit is the farthest point on Earth’s surface from the Earth’s center due to its location along the planet’s equatorial bulge.
Finally, Ecuador may be the least expensive of the great hiking destinations of the world. Get planning. 😀
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