Quito sits among active volcanoes, glaciated peaks, high-Andean moorlands and cloud forests. Within a day trip you can reach national parks such as Cotopaxi, ecological reserves such as Antisana and Illinizas, volcanic lakes, thermal hot springs and the Mindo-Nambillo cloud forest.
Use this page as your starting point: each guide below covers access, trails, wildlife, safety and practical tips for one destination.
All guides in Nature & Reserves
- Parks in Quito Directory — The Urban Green Spaces Manual — The ultimate directory of Quito's metropolitan parks. Explore Parque Bicentenario, La Carolina, El Ejido, Itchimbía, schedules, ratings, and Google Maps…
- Pasochoa Wildlife Refuge — Complete Visitor & Ecological Guide — Plan your day trip or overnight stay to Pasochoa Wildlife Refuge near Quito. Explore its volcanic crater, 7-trail hiking system, cloud forest wildlife…
- Wiwa Quito — Wildlife Refuge & Rehabilitation Center — Plan your visit to Wiwa Quito (formerly Quito Zoo in Guayllabamba), Ecuador's premier wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center.
- Chocó Andino de Pichincha, Mindo & Nambillo — Cloud Forest & Ecotourism Manual — Explore the Chocó Andino Biosphere Reserve and the Mindo-Nambillo Cloud Forest northwest of Quito.
- Quito Teleférico (Cable Car) — Breathtaking Skyline Transit — Ride the Quito Teleférico up the slopes of Volcán Pichincha to Cruz Loma (4,050m). Plan your visit with 2026 prices, hours, Vulqano Park, and Rucu…
- Cotopaxi National Park & Cotopaxi Volcano — High-Altitude Adventure Guide — The ultimate traveler's guide to Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador. Discover how to climb the world's highest active volcano, hike Limpiopungo, and enter…
- Illinizas Ecological Reserve — Twin Peaks & Paramo Trekking Directory — A comprehensive trekking and climbing guide to Ecuador's Illinizas Ecological Reserve. Step-by-step route from El Chaupi to Refugio Nuevos Horizontes.
- Antisana National Park — Quito's Glaciated Giant & High-Altitude Moorlands — Plan your trip to Antisana National Park. Explore technical climbing routes, birdwatching at La Mica Lagoon, schedules, fees, and Google Maps directory.
- Guagua & Rucu Pichincha — Quito's Guardian Volcano Massif — Master your trek up Quito's twin volcanic peaks: the active Guagua Pichincha (via Lloa) and the dormant Rucu Pichincha (via TelefériQo).
- Papallacta & Oyacachi Thermal Hot Springs — Quito Outdoor & Wellness Manual — Plan your trip to the thermal pools of Papallacta and Oyacachi, Ecuador. Complete guide on bus transport, hotels, and hikes in the Cayambe-Coca Reserve.
- Cayambe Volcano and Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve — The Equatorial Giant — Plan your trip to Volcán Cayambe and the massive Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve. Discover technical glacier climbing, the flower capital, and travel…
- Lagunas de Mojanda — The Volcanic Lake Complex — Plan your trip to the spectacular Mojanda Lakes (Caricocha, Huarmicocha, Yanacocha) and climb Fuya-Fuya (4,263m).
- Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve — The Inhabited Crater — Plan your visit to the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve near Quito. Explore one of the world's only inhabited volcanic craters, hike trails, and see cloud…
