The sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in China are nothing short of breathtaking. The park’s exquisite scenery has made it a UNESCO Global Geopark. Zhangjiajie inspired James Cameron’s film, “Avatar,” and has since become known as the “Avatar Mountains.”

Devils Tower is a captivating geological formation in Wyoming, known for its hexagonal columns that rise above the surrounding plain. Sacred to several Native American tribes, it’s a sight that captures the imagination and entices climbers from all over the world. Devils Tower was the first U.S. national monument, designated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906.

Aoraki, also known as Mount Cook, is the highest peak in New Zealand and a place of immense reverence to the Ngāi Tahu, the local Māori people. It graces the Southern Alps and has a commanding presence in Mount Cook National Park. Aoraki means “Cloud Piercer” in Māori.

Half Dome, a granite monolith in California’s Yosemite National Park, is a symbol of the American wilderness. Its distinct shape, with a sheer rock face on one side and a rounded dome on the other, beckons hikers to approach. Hiking to the top of Half Dome involves ascending a steep, cable-assisted route known as the “Cables Route.”

Mount Roraima, the inspiration behind Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Lost World,” stands as a geological wonder. Its flat tabletop shape and vertical cliffs create a scene that feels right out of a science fiction novel. Mount Roraima is one of the oldest geological formations on Earth.

Ama Dablam is a Himalayan mountain in the Solu Khumbu region of Nepal. The name means “Mother’s Necklace” in Nepali, derives its name from its prominent ridges resembling a mother’s arms and the hanging glacier that is reminiscent of a traditional pendant worn by Sherpa women. This mountain, in the heart of the Khumbu Valley, is the Himalaya’s most photographed peak.

Our final destination is the ethereal peak known as “The Spectre,” situated in the icy wilderness of Antarctica. While not dominating in height, this striking rock pinnacle is surrounded by a seemingly endless expanse of snow and ice. It’s a destination only accessible to the most intrepid explorers, making it the world’s most remote mountain as well.

The summit’s just there,” yells my guide, pointing over the spindly grasses clinging to the steep side of Pasochoa Volcano. I look out over the perfect pyramids of ice and stone that encircle us like the rings of a planet and silently plead with my heart to slow its beat, with my lungs to breathe more deeply.

My eyes brim with tears as my partner wraps his arms around me. “You’re a trooper,” he whispers. “And troopers don’t cry.”

“I’m not crying,” I pant into the gales of sharp, howling wind. “We’re 13,000 feet above sea level. It’s just the altitude, I swear.” I’m only half lying.

The four-day lodge-to-lodge trek through Ecuador’s Avenue of the Volcanoes was my idea. We’d hike by day and cozy up to the fireplace at night in a dreamy checkerboard of adventure and relaxation. The trail itself didn’t concern me. We’d done longer trails before; we’d even done them carrying all of our gear. It was the thought of the Andean altitude that turned my blood cold.

The weather in Ecuador varies greatly by region, while the temperature remains pretty consistent throughout the year. December through to May is the best time to visit if you plan on lying on the beach, despite it being the rainy season, whereas visiting the Amazon during this period is not ideal as it is often too wet, forcing trails to close. If you're planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands then please click here for our dedicated Galapagos page.

Whenever I ask someone who has been to Ecuador how long they spent in the country, their answers always go something like this, “I was there for three months, but I had initially planned to only stay a week.