Photo: Mauricio Muñoz / Unsplash
← The whole route
Leg 4 · The Equator & Andean volcanoes

Ecuador

Small country, huge variety — cross the Equator at Quito and run the Avenue of Volcanoes south.

What to see

5 stops we’re not missing

  1. 01

    Quito Old Town

    One of the largest, best-preserved colonial centers in the Americas (a first-ever UNESCO site), at 2,850 m.

  2. 02

    The Equator (Mitad del Mundo)

    Stand on the line the country is named for, just north of Quito.

  3. 03

    Cotopaxi & the Avenue of Volcanoes

    A near-symmetrical snow-capped volcano among a corridor of high peaks down the Andes.

  4. 04

    Baños

    A waterfall-lined adventure town on the edge of the Amazon, with hot springs and canyon swings.

  5. 05

    Quilotoa

    A vivid emerald crater lake and the loop of villages around it.

! What to watch for

  • Altitude — acclimatize before high passes
  • Winding mountain roads
  • Recent security concerns in some coastal cities (Guayaquil, Esmeraldas) — check advisories

⛽ Diesel & DEF

Cheap and subsidized, but quality is variable. DEF is limited — carry a reserve.

🛂 Borders & permits

Straightforward entry. Note that altitude noticeably saps turbo-diesel power.

Sources & further reading

Safety notes link to the live official travel advisory — always check it before you go.