The Struggle With Altitude Sickness in the Ecuadorian Andes Is Real

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.

Best Time to Visit Ecuador | On The Go Tours | UK

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.

The Andes of Ecuador

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.

Ecuador Mountains

Blending lush tropical rainforests and snow-capped mountains, Ecuador is a fantastically diverse and vibrant country located along the Equator in the northwestern part of South America. The country is home to 1,289 named mountains, the highest and most prominent of which is Chimborazo (6,268m/20,564ft).

Mount Chimborazo is Actually the Highest Point on Earth

Mount Chimborazo is Actually the Highest Point on Earth | Condé ...

Mount Chimborazo is Actually the Highest Point on Earth

Mount Chimborazo is Actually the Highest Point on Earth | Condé ...

Mountain Climber

The mountain climber works perfectly on muscles like abs, glutes, lower back, and legs. This will give you a hard strong core and also lose fat around your belly.

How to do it?

Make a high plank position with a tight core, then bring your right knee up towards the pivot of your core area and instantly change it with your left leg.

Do this in 1-2 sets of 10-15 repeated times for at least 5-8 minutes. Start with a slower pace and gradually increase the speed with routine. It is essential to make a correct posture and align your body properly duri

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

On Colorado’s Cheyenne Mountain southwest of downtown Colorado Springs, you can find the phenomenal Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. The Encounter Africa exhibit has an area for viewing elephants indoors and an outdoor sky bridge where you can walk alongside these spectacular mammals! You can also watch seasonal elephant keeper demonstrations in the amphitheater and observe the elephants as they splash around in their pool and waterfall.

The Wilgruen Elephant Center at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo provides optimal care for the zoo’s aging elephants. The six beloved older female elephants are cared for in this state-of-the-art facility. It includes crane-and-hoist systems for disabled elephants, remote video surveillance, and rubberized concrete for achy joints. They may be getting up there in years, but these beautiful girls still have a lot of spring in their step — in fact, each of these girls loves to paint! 

Best times to visit the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo: 

Although the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is open all year round, early mornings and overcast days are usually the best time to see the animals, since they are just waking up and eating. Plus, there are fewer crowds! 
The Cheyenne Zoo is located on a mountain 6,714 feet above sea level, so if you are traveling from lower elevations, make sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
May and June are some of the best months to visit since it is still sunny but not too hot. Weekends from the last week of May through September are considered “peak days.” Peak days are more expensive and tend to have larger crowds.

Mountain Weasel (Mustela altaica)

The Mountain Weasel is a small weasel found in the alpine heights of Asia. It resides in Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan, Nepal, and Russia, easily navigating the rocky terrain. 

Despite its size, it plays a significant role in its ecosystem due to its slender and agile body. Its fur changes color in winter, turning white to blend with the snow-filled landscape. This adaptation helps it survive harsh weather conditions. 

Mountain Weasels are opportunistic eaters and primarily feed on pikas and voles. However, they also consume birds, eggs, insects, and small mammals when possible.

Persian Mountain Salamander (Paradactylodon persicus)

The Persian Mountain Salamander inhabits the temperate rainforests at the southwestern rim of Iran's Caspian Sea. It has a rectangular head and rounded tail, typically longer than the rest of its body.

These Asiatic salamanders sport a dark hue speckled with irregular yellow spots. These salamanders present carnivorous traits throughout their lives, feasting on arthropods and other small animals within their shared environment.

Mountain goat

The mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus), also known as the Rocky Mountain goat, is a cloven-footed mammal that is endemic to the remote and rugged mountainous areas of western North America. A subalpine to truly alpine species, it is a sure-footed climber commonly seen on sheer rock faces, near-vertical cliffs and icy passages. Mountain goats generally avoid venturing down into lower elevations—except during seasonal food shortages or during particularly bad weather—as the extreme elevation which they inhabit is their primary defense against predators such as black and brown bears, pumas and wolves.

Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei)

The Mountain Gorilla endures high altitudes within the cloud forests of three national parks, spanning across the Virunga volcanic mountains and extending its reach into one of Uganda's national parks. This species inhabits zones climbing up to 7,200 to 14,100 feet.

Unlike other types of gorillas, the Mountain Gorilla possesses thicker, longer fur designed to withstand colder climates inherent in its environment. 

Despite being smaller than the Eastern Lowland Gorilla, adult male gorillas demonstrate distinctive bony crests atop and at the back of their skulls, giving them a conical appearance. These crests also anchor their powerful jaw muscles.

Starting in 1967, Dian Fossey dedicated 18 years to a detailed study of mountain gorillas. She brought new findings to light, implemented accurate counts, and introduced helpful conservation methods, like anti-poaching patrols. Her work continues through the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, protecting Virunga's mountain gorillas.

Similarities in genetic makeup to humans expose mountain gorillas to human diseases2. An immune system ill-developed against such diseases results in respiratory infections, accounting for approximately 20% of sudden deaths among these gorillas.

Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei)

You can find the mountain gorilla in the heart of the Virunga mountains and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These great apes have long hair, formidable jaws, small noses, and a dense coat that helps them survive freezing temperatures. Moreover, this old-world monkey lives 7,200 to 14,100 feet above sea level, where it gets pretty chilly.

Mountain anoa (Bubalus quarlesi)

The Mountain Anoa or Quarle's anoa is another small type of buffalo found only in Indonesia's mountainous regions of Sulawesi Island. Typically, it stands only about 2.5 feet tall and weighs approximately 150-300 pounds.

Huang Gongwang: Dwelling in the Fu-ch'un Mountains Dwelling in the Fu-ch'un Mountains, detail of a hand scroll by Huang Gongwang, 1347–50, Yuan dynasty; in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan.

Huang Gongwang (born 1269, Changshu, Jiangsu province, China—died 1354) was the oldest of the group of Chinese painters later known as the Four Masters of the Yuan dynasty (1206–1368). He was often cited meritoriously by later painters and critics for his rectitude (even though he briefly served in a junior capacity in the Mongol administration) and for his intense association with nature.

Huang spent most of his later years in retirement in the Fuchun Mountains, which he recorded in a long hand scroll produced over a three-year period (1347–50). He is known also for his accomplishments in literary arts and thus is listed among the paragons of the “literati painting” (wenrenhua) ideal. His style of and attitude toward landscape painting stand at a pivotal midpoint between such ancient masters as Dong Yuan and Juran in the Five Dynasties period and Shen Zhou, Dong Qichang, the Four Wangs, and others of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Genuine Nature Scenery: Tranquil Forest, River, Birds & Mountains

A detailed depiction of genuine nature scenery. Picture a tranquil forest with trees of varying heights, their leaves displaying a beautiful array of greens. There are numerous ferns and flowering plants at the base of these trees, painting a vibrant picture. In the distance, a calm river flows, reflecting the rays of the setting sun. A variety of birds appear, returning to their nests for the night. This could also include a stunning mountain range with a clear blue sky overhead, with clouds softly lingering around the peaks. The scene conveys the earth's unadulterated beauty