We came with backpacks and no plan.
Ecuador gave us volcanoes, altitude, and a new perspective on life.
🇪🇨 Ecuador Travel Guide – Quick Overview
Ecuador is one of South America’s most diverse and compact travel destinations, making it perfect for backpackers, hikers, and adventure seekers. This Ecuador backpacking itinerary with carry-on only covers everything from the colonial streets of Quito and the dramatic Andean highlands to epic volcano hikes around Cotopaxi and Chimborazo, finishing in the beautiful city of Cuenca. Despite its small size, Ecuador packs in extreme landscapes, rich culture, wildlife, and some of the most photogenic mountain scenery in the world — all at very affordable prices.
Whether you’re planning a short trip or a longer adventure, Ecuador offers unforgettable experiences for nature lovers, photographers, and travelers looking for raw, authentic moments.
Arrival
After a couple of weeks in Colombia, we boarded a Copa Airlines flight from Cartagena to Quito via Panama. As we started our descent into Ecuador’s capital, we caught our very first glimpse of the mighty Andean volcanoes. Snow-capped giants piercing through the clouds. The view was so surreal it gave us goosebumps. After weeks of sweating in the tropics, it felt unbelievably good to finally reach the mountains.
At the same time, we were slightly nervous. News outlets were full of reports about massive anti-government protests planned across Ecuador, especially in Quito and Latacunga. Because of this, our original plan was to cross the country quickly — about a week of overland travel before heading into Peru. Another concern was our clothing situation. Traveling with carry-on backpacks only, we had packed light: just essentials, one thermal layer, and no real cold-weather gear. We hoped Ecuador wouldn’t freeze us out completely.
The border process at Quito airport couldn’t have been easier. Despite warnings that it might take up to two hours, we were through immigration in under two minutes. No queues, no hassle — just a stamp and a smile. The airport was calm, clean, and organized, and finding a bus into the city center was surprisingly simple. So far, Ecuador was making a very good first impression.
Quito – First Impressions of Ecuador’s High-Altitude Capital
We based ourselves in Centro Histórico, Quito’s colonial old town, known for its beautiful architecture and heavy police presence, making it one of the safer areas of the city. The main square is stunning, the streets are narrow and atmospheric, and the surrounding mountains frame the city from every direction.
What surprised us most was the lack of Western tourists. We barely saw any. In the historic center, we felt comfortable walking around, but once you wandered a few blocks outward, the atmosphere changed quickly. Drug use, homelessness, and sketchy corners meant we had to stay alert, especially with our camera gear.
On our first full day, we did a short acclimatization hike up to Virgen del Panecillo, a massive statue overlooking the entire city. The views were absolutely stunning — but later we heard about multiple robberies on the stairways leading up there. One of those moments where you realize how fine the line between adventure and stupidity can be.
Quito also sits directly on the equator. About 10 kilometers north of the city lies Mitad del Mundo, a tourist complex marking the latitude line, complete with museums and souvenir shops. Entrance costs just $5, and local buses make it extremely affordable. For your first days in Ecuador, it’s a fun and easy half-day trip.
Cotopaxi National Park – Hiking Among Volcano Giants
From Quito, we headed straight toward the Cotopaxi region — one of Joona’s biggest motivations for the entire Latin America trip. And wow… it delivered. Cotopaxi is Ecuador’s most famous volcano, rising 5,897 meters into the sky. It’s one of the highest active volcanoes in the world and surprisingly accessible, making it popular even among inexperienced climbers.
Joona dreamed of summiting it, but after checking prices, reality hit hard: the cheapest guided two-day climb we found was $385 per person. A bit steep for long-term backpackers. So instead, we decided to explore the surrounding landscapes — and honestly, it turned out to be the perfect choice. Our hikes took us to the nearby volcanoes completely for free! What a treat!
Accommodation in the region is scattered, and distances can be deceiving. We booked a place called Mateospaxi near El Chaupi village, mainly because of glowing reviews. The moment we arrived, we knew we had struck gold. We were welcomed by Aracely, the owner, her five dogs, a Swedish motorcyclist named Leif, and his legendary mountaineering dog Mango. Instant family vibes.
Corazon climb
At 3,200 meters above sea level, nights were freezing — and with only carry-on backpacks, we were wildly underdressed. So within hours of arriving, we hopped on a local bus to Machachi to buy cheap down jackets and warmer hiking pants. Ecuador, thankfully, is incredibly affordable.
The following days were spent hiking among snow-covered volcanoes, vast green plateaus, and endless blue skies. The landscapes felt completely unreal — like hiking on another planet. One standout hike was Volcán Corazón, reaching nearly 4,900 meters. It served as the perfect acclimatization climb, offering jaw-dropping views across the Andean range. Emilia even set a new altitude record there.
What was meant to be a three-night stay turned into a full week. That alone says everything. Mateospaxi became one of our favorite stays of the entire journey, and leaving felt genuinely emotional.
Riobamba & Chimborazo – Hiking the Closest Point to Space
From Cotopaxi, we needed to continue south toward Cuenca. Latacunga was out due to protests, and Baños felt far too touristy for our taste. That left Riobamba — a city few backpackers ever intentionally visit, except for one reason: Chimborazo.
At 6,263 meters, Chimborazo isn’t just Ecuador’s highest mountain — it’s technically the closest point on Earth to outer space, due to the planet’s equatorial bulge. Higher than Everest in terms of distance from Earth’s core. Naturally, we had to go.
We caught a direct bus to the mountain entrance, where we randomly met Joseph and his girlfriend from Quito. We decided to hike together up to the high camp at 5,000 meters. The conversations, the views, and the shared struggle at altitude made it one of those travel moments you never forget.
Later, they even gave us a lift back to Riobamba. These spontaneous human connections were something we had missed in Colombia — and in Ecuador, they suddenly seemed to happen effortlessly.
Riobamba itself is fairly unremarkable, but fate had one more surprise: Joona’s old friend Nathan happened to be traveling Ecuador at the exact same time. Five years since Lapland — and suddenly reunited in a Friday market in Riobamba. Travel is wild.
Cuenca – Colonial Beauty & The Perfect Slow-Travel Stop
After another long bus ride, we arrived in Cuenca late in the evening. Tired, hungry, and skeptical — but quickly proven wrong.
Cuenca turned out to be the most beautiful colonial city we had seen so far. Its historic center is stunning, with perfectly preserved architecture, colorful facades, and cobblestone streets. Somehow, it even reminded us a little of Tbilisi in Georgia. European vibes, modern tram lines, and an incredibly relaxed atmosphere.
We wandered, photographed, ate incredible food, and soaked in the slow rhythm of the city. A highlight was Mirador de Turi, a viewpoint offering sweeping panoramic views across Cuenca — especially magical at sunset.
Two days felt perfect. From here, we boarded a night bus toward Peru and the surfing village of Máncora.
Final Thoughts – Is Ecuador Worth Visiting?
Ecuador was one of the biggest surprises of our entire Latin American journey. A tiny country packed with mind-blowing landscapes, rich culture, and unbelievably friendly people. We could have stayed for months — easily.
Looking back, we regret not planning more time here. We barely scratched the surface: no Amazon, no coast, no Galápagos. Just the Andes — and even that alone left us speechless.
Ecuador is affordable, raw, dramatic, and deeply beautiful. Yes, safety concerns exist, and they’re real. But beneath that lies a country full of warmth, hospitality, and unforgettable nature.
We will be back. Without question.
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