The twenty-nine treks described in the book, and the sample trek in this website, cover diverse geographic and biological areas. They include a range of climates and altitudes, and present varying levels of difficulty. (See Trek Summaries.) Treks run from two hours to two weeks in length, but can easily be combined if you are seeking a longer trekking experience. Please choose your treks carefully; the better they suit your interests and abilities, the more you will enjoy them.

There are many other trekking opportunities in Ecuador and you are heartily encouraged, once you feel comfortable here, to strike out and discover your own. The descriptions of a very few well-known treks have been intentionally omitted from this book, although they are briefly mentioned in the introduction to each trekking center. These sometimes overused routes may have public safety problems, they may need to recover from excessive use, or they are already described elsewhere. This book offers more innovative alternatives.

The treks described here are organized around eight different cities or towns (Otavalo, Quito, Latacunga, Baños, Guaranda, Riobamba, Cuenca, and Vilcabamba), which are reflected in the chapter titles. Most are popular tourist destinations in their own right, which additionally offer access to interesting trekking areas. These trekking centers (one per chapter) are presented from north to south. Within each chapter, the treks appear in order of challenge, from the easiest to the most difficult. Some trailheads can be conveniently accessed from more than one center.